There are a full range of GOLF COURSES on Kaua'i from a Kaua'i County course with fees under $15 to World Class PGA championship courses.   Within a 5-minute drive from Poipu Plantation, is the Kiahuna Golf Club, 18-hole course renovated in 2004.   Also within 5 minutes of us is the ocean front Poipu Bay Golf Resort, 36 holes and home of the PGA Grand Slam.  On the scenic hillside of Kalaheo Town, to our west 15 minutes, is The Kukuiolono Golf Course with nine holes for under $15!  This 90-year-old course and adjoining Japanese Gardens are a hidden treasure few visitors are aware of.   Driving to our East shore in Lihue is the 18 hole Puakea Golf Course with new ownership and extensive renovations completed in 2003.  Also in Lihue is the oceanfront Kaua'i Lagoons Golf Course, a 36 hole Jack Nicklaus designed championship course.  A few minutes further along our East shore is The Wailua Golf Course, an ocean front 18 hole Kaua'i County course, renovated in 2003.  Continuing north for total driving time of 1 ½ hours from Poipu Plantation, is the Princeville Golf Club and former home of The Kemper Open with 76 holes, rated  #1 in Hawaii by Golf Digest.   Many web sites found with searches offer more information and Kaua'i golf bookings.

Kaua'i golf information Link   

A premier activity for our Island of Kaua'i is a BOAT TOUR to explore Kaua'i's off shore waters and the magical Na Pali Coastline.  Our office staff will help you select the ideal Boat Tour depending on price, size and style of boat and the time of year.   Tour options include 2 hour Sunset or winter Whale tours, to 7-hour excursions of the Na Pali Coastline and the private Hawaiian Island of Niihau.  Five-hour combination snorkel and sightseeing excursions of our ancient Na Pali coastline are the most popular.   Vessel choices vary with the seasons and include Zodiac hard bottom rafts, Power Cats and Full Sail Catamarans, with passenger counts of 12 to 50.    Departure points for our recommended operators are Port Allen or Kikioala Harbor, both to our Westside, 20 to 40 minute drives.  Summer months of June through October (weather dependent) have the most boating options.  Winter months are limited to the larger boats for open water and Zodiac or smaller vessels for off shore Humpback Whale tours.   The Humpback whales are normally visible in our waters, from late December to late March, but can vary with Mother Nature's mood.  Be certain when booking in advance of arrival that you are selecting the right tour for your needs. Normally, 24 to 72 hour advanced reservations are sufficient.  Our staff is experienced and pleased to assist you with selecting any of the tours before or after arrival. 
Boat Tour Operators Link

The Garden Isle of Kaua'i has numerous Botanical Gardens to enjoy.  One of the most notable is the Alerton National Botanical Gardens right here in Poipu.  Lawai-kai, as it is known in Hawaiian, extends over an area of more than 100 acres adjacent to the McBryde Garden. It is a garden paradise, imagined first by Hawaii's Queen Emma in the late 19th century and then by Alexander McBryde at the turn of the 20th century. But it was Robert and John Gregg Allerton who explored the endless possibilities found in this dramatic topography and created this masterpiece of garden art.   The Mc Bride upper gardens has self guided tours also in Poipu.  On our Northshore of Kauai, NBG operates the Limahuli Gardens with both guided and self guided, specializing in Native plant species.

Botanical Garden Information Link

Since Surfing began in Ancient Hawaii, what better place is there to try it out?  The North Shore of Kaua'i is a winter surfing Mecca, and in the summer, Poipu Beach on the South shore and our West shore beaches produce the best waves.  Winter waves in our area are also lots of fun and vary with the weather.  Surfing lessons are available from several small companies of Championship Surfers. 

Among the many surf spots on our South shore of Kaua'i, is Brennecke's Beach, a few hundred yards from the Poipu Plantation driveway.  Brennecke's is known for great body boarding and body surfing. 

Other breaks in the Poipu Beach area are Shipwrecks Beach, Acid Drops, Waiohai, PKs  and Centers.  All of these are within short walks or less than 5 minute drives from the Poipu Plantation. 

Further to our West is the famous Pakala's Beach just our side of Waimea Town.  Far west beaches of Kekaha and those of Barking Sands and Poli Hale also offer big breaks and at times, giant expert only surf.  

Kalapaki Beach and Hanamaulu Bay in Lihue (30 minutes drive to the east) offer gentle waves for beginners, while further North, Kalihiwai Bay and Hanalei Bay is expert only in the Winter months.

On Kaua'i, there are nearly as many surf spots as there are beaches, and you will be happy to find that some of the finest are very close to The Poipu Plantation.  Guests are reminded to respect the power of our Pacific Ocean and to follow a few simple guidelines available from the Kaua'i County Lifeguard for safe swimming. 

Surf Information

Please follow the Lifeguard’s simple guidelines for safe swimming and always obey posted Ocean Safety Tips.
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Maha'ulepu Beach

Deciding which beaches to visit might be your most challenging daily task.   The Island of Kaua'i has the best beaches of our State.  There are swimming beaches, shelling beaches, sunset beaches, and beaches with lots of activity, and beaches where you can be very alone.  Our staff is glad to share their favorite beaches and offer directions throughout the island.  Several are hike to beaches, offering miles of undeveloped beach and little or know one on them. 

Brennecke's Beach is closest to Poipu Plantation, only a few hundred-yard walk out of our driveway.  This beach is the beginning and East end of the Poipu Beach Park, a two block long stretch of Lava Rock and Sandy shoreline. 

Poipu Beach at the other end of these two blocks is the area's most popular spot and named two years running as the Beach of The Year and Best Family Beach by Travel Channel.  Poipu Beach offers a Keiki (Childs) Beach, calm water swimming, body and board surfing and good snorkeling, all in the two-block area.  The Poipu Beach County Park also has nice grassy areas with picnic tables, party and shade pavilions and lighted restrooms with outdoor showers.   Undeveloped remote beaches are another treasure of our island.  One is a 15-minute drive out the gravel portion of Poipu Road, named Maha'ulepu Beach, offering miles of remote coastline and Ancient Hawaiian historical sites to experience.  Shade trees flank the sandy beach and this shoreline offers swimming and snorkeling (depending on ocean conditions) as well as hikes to further coves and beaches. 

Beach goers are reminded to respect the power of our Pacific Ocean and to follow a few simple guidelines available from the Kaua'i County Lifeguard for safe swimming.

Kaua'i Beach Link or Kaua'i Parks Link

Please follow the Lifeguard’s simple guidelines for safe swimming and always obey posted Ocean Safety Tips.

There are several horseback riding stables on Kaua'i.  This is an opportunity to explore the backcountry or remote beaches of our island, from the back of your horse!  In the Poipu area, 5 minutes from Poipu Plantation, trail rides along the shores of remote Maha'ulepu coastline are offered.  Drive 1 ½ hours to our North shore for two other stables in the Princeville area offering trail rides through Kaua'i's back country or to a private waterfall, for a picnic and a swim. 
Horse Back Riding Information Link

Poipu area has several excellent Snorkeling spots where you will encounter a myriad of colorful tropical fish, various species of coral, and possibly a Green Sea Turtle to swim with.   Beginning at the Poipu Beach in our neighborhood, with good beginners snorkeling in calm protected waters.  The reef outside of this bay can be excellent for experienced swimmers only.  Walking further along this beach to the west, are numerous reefs to explore.  A short drive into the next neighborhood on Lawai Road, intermediate experience snorkeling  is found around the Beach House Restaurant with street parking, and several other spots off Lawai Road.  Depending on the conditions,  Maha'ulepu Beach has various reefs for advanced snorkeling.  This is at the end of Poipu gravel road, about 15 minutes from Poipu Plantation at an undeveloped beach.  To our west 20 minutes, the Salt Pond Beach Park has very nice facilities and protected swimming and snorkeling.  The same can be found to our East 30 minutes at Lydgate Beach Park.   Further to the North at Anini beach, there is protected snorkeling inside the reef with street parking on Kalihiwai Road.   In Hanalei Town and at the road's end to the far North of our island, you will find Tunnels Beach and Ke'e State Beach, both known for their good water clarity and many fish species.    As a rule, keep your snorkel gear in the car for any opportunity to jump in the water on your daily rounds.  Boat snorkeling is typically available on the various Na Pali tours noted above in Boat Tours.                   

Water Activites Information Link

Please follow the Lifeguard’s simple guidelines for safe swimming and always obey posted Ocean Safety Tips.

Walking and Hiking is a perfect activity for the Adventure Island of Kaua'i.  Our staff will help with suggestions for hikes suitable to your experience and preferences throughout the island.  A morning walk in our neighborhood will take you along our small street to a dirt path leading to Shipwrecks beach and beyond.  Walk toward the west from our property, along Poipu Beach Park and beyond to the resorts of Waiohai to Sheraton.  The new Koloa Heritage Trail is detailed on a special brochure, walking you through historic sites of our area.  The Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Parks are a 40-minute drive to our West, with numerous hikes from easy to the most strenuous.  Throughout this one of a kind scenery at the 3000 to 4000 foot elevations of the island, you will enjoy many varied destinations.  About 1 ½ hours to our North at the end of the road, is the Na Pali Trail and trailhead to the ancient Kalalau Valley and the Na Pali Coastline.  Day hikers enjoy hikes to Hanakapiai Beach or the longer trek to Hanakapiai Falls.  Hikes beyond that point require permits and overnight camping due to the length of time to walk.  From Ke'e Beach parking area, you can hike to the magnificent Hanakapiai Falls. Short hikes can be enjoyed from trails beginning above Opaekaa Falls lookout in Wailua (35 minutes). From Koke'e Lodge, a 45-minute drive, you can hike several trails that meander throughout Kaua'i's ethereal mountain country, where you will encounter plant and bird species found nowhere else on earth.
Hiking information:  Back Country Information Link    Koloa Heritage Trail               Unofficial Koke'e Hiking Guide

Tennis courts are located throughout Kaua'i.  County owned lighted courts are located in Poipu's town of Koloa, free of charge.   Right in our neighborhood, there are daily clinics, round robins, and excellent Pro Shops at The Kiahuna Racquet Club, Poipu Kai Resort, and The Poipu Hyatt Regency.  To our East shore, very good facilities are found in Lihue (30 minutes drive) at The Kaua'i Lagoons Marriott Resort.  A 70 minute drive to our North shore are two fine tennis Clubs.  The Hanalei Bay Resort has 7 courts overlooking Hanalei Bay, and The Princeville Tennis Club has 6 courts.  Both clubs are open to the public, and have on site tennis pros, a racquet shop, and equipment rentals. These are all available to the public for fee. 

Tennis Information Link

Kaua'i's polo team is world class, and The Kaua'i Polo Club is on the Ocean to our North, 60 minutes from Poipu Plantation. The Polo field is located across from Anini Beach Park, and matches are held each Sunday during the season.  Enjoying a tropical polo match on a sunny Sunday afternoon, while looking out on the blue Pacific Ocean, is an experience you will not want to miss.  Polo Information Link  

Wind and Kite surfing are exciting and challenging activities for expert swimmers.  Lessons are available on Kauai from several champion surfers.  One premier location popular with the Kite Surfers is at the remote Poipu area beach of Maha'ulepu.  Whether you are participating or sitting on the beach to watch, this is a most exciting activity.  Several other areas of the island are great spots for this sport on the East and North Shores. 

Kite Board Information Link  Kauai Water Activities Link
Please follow the Lifeguard’s simple guidelines for safe swimming and always obey posted Ocean Safety Tips.

Kayaking can be enjoyed on several Kauai Rivers and in the Ocean during the summer months.  On our East shore, the Wailua River is the most popular location for river Kayaking with both guided and self-guided trips.  Paddle up river and take a short hike to the hidden falls and pond.  Guided trips up the Hulei'a River in Lihue are a true Hawaiian adventure through the wildlife refuge, past the Menehune Fish Pond, with the Hawaiian family owners sharing stories of ancient Hawaii.  Self-guided Kayaking with car top carriers may also be found on the Kalihiwai River and the Hanalei Rivers to the North.  Ocean Kayaking is most exciting with tours of the Napali Coast with several local tour companies.  River and Ocean kayak information is available to our guests.

Water Activities Information Link

Kauai's clean, clear offshore waters attract  scuba divers from all over the world. There is a dive shop in almost every town on the island, so gear rental, air, and instruction can be easily found. Scuba lessons and certification for beginners is available right here in the Poipu.  Excelent shore dives are found at Poipu's Koloa Landing and dive boats depart from Poipu, Port Allen to our West 30 minutes and Nawiliwili Harbor in Lihue. 

Poipu Area Dive Information
Please follow the Lifeguard’s simple guidelines for safe swimming and always obey posted Ocean Safety Tips.

A helicopter tour is the only way most people can see the magnificent beauty of Kauai's remote interior. Tours leave from the Port Allen Heliport 30 minutes to our West and the main Lihue Airport.  There are few experiences that can match a helicopter flight over the most beautiful island in the world.    Typical tours include the Waimea Canyon, Napali Coastline and Valleys and return over the north and interior sections of the island.

Some Kauai Helicopter Photos

Kauai's largest shopping center is found in Lihue (30 minutes away). Koloa Town (5 minutes drive) has a large, modern grocery market, several good restaurants, art galleries, clothing stores, and a pharmacy. The Poipu Resort area (5 minutes) has several world class restaurants, hotels, and unique gift shops. The island has an abundance of small shops that sell items which are crafted by local artists. There are many roadside stands with exotic tropical fruits, organic produce, and flower leis. In Poipu also, at the Spouting Horn Park, (10 minutes drive) you will find an outdoor flea market where you can buy shell jewelry and all sorts of tourist items at good prices. Also, on the web you can find an excellent source of gift baskets from Hawaii at web sites like kauaigifts.com
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