Poipu Crater Kauai Hawaii - Vacation Condo Rental

Po'ipu Crater Resort's convenient location makes traveling to any of the following sites easy. Some are even within walking distance!

Spouting Horn

Also located near Po'ipu, is a geological wonder named Spouting Horn. This natural water display, known as a "blowhole", is the result of waves flowing into a lava tube which subsequently shoots fountains of water into the air through a hole in the top of the tube. This blowhole also has a secondary hole which blows only air, producing an eery moaning sound. The Horn is best viewed during high tide as the waves are larger and the plume much more dramatic.

To get to Spouting Horn from Po'ipu Crater Resort, take Po'ipu Road west until you reach the "Y" intersection with Lawai Road. Turn left onto Lawai road and proceed for approximately one mile where you will see a large parking area on your left and booths set up where local vendors sell jewelry and other trinkets. Facilities are available.

The start of the canyon

Called the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific", Waimea Canyon is no less spectacular than it's southwestern U.S. neighbor. The canyon is 14 miles long and the Waimea River has slowly carved some areas up to 2,500 feet deep. Surreal hues of red, orange and green can be seen on clear days.

To get to Waimea Canyon, head towards the town of Waimea on Highway 50 (coming from Po'ipu Crater, take at left at the "T" intersection of Highway 50. Take either Highway 550 (Waimea Canyon Drive) in Waimea or Highway 55 (Koke'e Road) in Kekaha. Follow the road as it continues to wind and climb up the mountain. Several road-side view points are available for photo ops. Be sure to arrive early before the clouds roll in, if you want to see the canyon in all it's splendor. You may also want to bring along an extra coat or sweater...as Pu'u Hinahina Overlook (the highest) is at 3500 feet elevation! Continuing on Highway 550 will eventually bring you to Koke'e State Park, Kauai's hiking mecca.

Kalalau Lookout

Waimea Canyon Lookout

The emerald green sentinels of the north Kaua'i coast were created several million years ago when a piece of the original island broke off leaving a large cliff almost 2,700 feet high. Over the years, erosion has cut large canyons and valleys in this cliff to create the "Palis" as they are known today.

One of the most famous hikes on Kaua'i is the 11 mile Kalalau Trail that traverses much of the Na Pali coast. The trail begins at Ke'e Beach at the end of Highway 560. The first mile of the hike is steep and somewhat strenuous. If the weather has been wet, the red dirt on the trail becomes extremely slick. It is best to wear good hiking boots or heavily treaded sport sandal's (such as Teva's or Keen's). However, don't let these minor inconveniences deter you as the views are none other than "out of this world". A camera, a lot of film and some water are absolute "must haves" for this hike. Just when you think a more photogenic vista could not be possible, walk around the next corner and another breathtaking view is at your disposal.

The best time to start this hike is early in the morning as the temperatures are cooler and the trail can get quite crowded as the day progresses. The first two miles (to Hanakapi'ai Beach) are the most popular, but the level of usage decreases greatly after that. If you're adventuresome (of course!), take a rest at the beach and then continue up the Hanakapi'ai valley where a trail follows the stream. Continue on trail for two miles where you will be rewarded with a view of the stunning 300 foot Hanakapi'ai Falls.

On the north shore of Kaua'i on Highway 560, between Ha'ena and Ke'e Beach, are three large caves. The first cave you encounter is the Manini-holo Dry Cave. The cave's entrance is wide but the cave itself is not very deep and is named after one of the menehune who apparently dug the cave searching for creatures who had stolen his fish. What most likely occurred is that waves eroded Maniniholo before the adjacent beach was created and subsequently protected the sea cliff. The floor of the cave is generally dry, hence the term "dry cave".

A mile further and before the end of the road at Ke'e Beach, are the "wet caves" named Waikapala'e Cave and Waikanaloa Cave. The floors of both caves are below the water table, so they are always flooded and therefore called "wet". Waves also eroded the entries to these caves as well. One of the caves has a secondary chamber, called the Blue Room, that can only be accessed by swimming. When the light is right, everything in the "room" turns blue. We HIGHLY recommend you be a strong swimmer and lack any claustrophobic tendencies.