Kauai’s North Shore extends from Ka’ilio to Mokolea. It is one of the most breathtaking coastlines I have ever seen. Watching the crystal clear – aqua blue – South Pacific water crash against the volcanic cliffs is absolutely amazing. There’s nothing like it anywhere in the lower 48!
My name is Anthony. I will be your personal guide during the first of several tours. The island of Kauai is one of Hawaii’s most popular destinations. Before arriving, we put together an itinerary that will feature several popular destinations. A week isn’t nearly enough time to experience everything Kauai has to offer. But we have to do the best with the time we have.
Besides Kauai’s incredible shoreline, there is also plenty of inner-island beauty as well! The photo (right) shows distant waterfalls on one of the mid island mountains.
We stayed in the town of Kapa’a (Kauai dialect: Tapa’a) and even though it seemed relatively small, it has a population of just under 12,000 residents. It is one of the larger towns on Kauai. The Kuhio Highway runs through Kapa’a which made it a great home base.
The morning brings mystic clouds and when the afternoon rolls around, the sun shines brightly. Everywhere you look, the landscape was lush with green foliage and tropical terrain.
The Kuhio Highway weaves between the mountains and the Pacific Coast. At the base of the mountains are valleys etched with farmland and open ranges. The views are amazing!
As we got closer to the beach side of the island, we could hear the crashing waves against its rocky shore. Most of Kauai’s beaches are guarded by slabs of volcanic rock that took thousands of years to form. No matter which way we look – up or down the beach – Mother Nature’s creation is on exhibit. There is no better sound than the rhythm of sweeping waves crashing on the beach.
Either walking the beach or perched on a cliff watching the tide roll in and out, it’s not unusual to spot marine life. November kicks off the whale watching months. However, it’s not unusual to see dolphins, seals or sea turtles (shown left) at any given time.
I have always enjoyed exploring tidepools. With that said, there are clusters of rocks along Kauai’s North Shore that are ideal for tidepools.
While exploring these pools of captured seawater, I found a variety of aquatic life. One particular creature I have never seen up close is a Sea Cucumber. These sea animals (pictured left) are very hard to spot. They are mostly found on the ocean’s floor and was a rare find!
There are so many things to do and see along Kauai’s North Shore. Everyday is a new adventure. I found myself wanting to expand beyond my predetermined itinerary but like I mentioned earlier, there is only so much time in our week’s stay. The following video will capture several moments that couldn’t be seen through a single-shot lens. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures to come!
Photography: Anthony & Maureen Scopel
Video: Anthony & Maureen Scopel
Article Creator & Formatting: Anthony Scopel
Video Production: Anthony Scopel & Matt Kemper
Associate Editor: Maureen Scopel
Technical Mastering & Web Support: Matt Kemper
Publishing Provide By: You, Me and The Dock
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