Kauai flights and travel guide

Lush, beautiful, devoted to tourism and very, very green, Kauai sparkles as a vacation destination.

Tourists take cheap flights to Kauai for the island's beauty, diversity, wealth of activities and relaxed atmosphere, whetted by the sight, perhaps, of Kauai on the silver screen. The island has "starred" in more than 75 movies and television shows. The Anahola Mountains were the backdrop for Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Manawaiopuna Falls appeared in Jurassic Park and the cliff around Shipwrecks Beach (Keoneloa Bay) was shot for Six Days Seven Nights.

Just 53km wide and 40km long, the island is stunningly diverse. The north side is known as the Napali Coast, a region of mountains, lush valleys and rushing waterfalls. Lihue, the capital and business hub, is on the east side. The eastern side is also known as the Coconut Coast, dotted with golden beaches. The south of Kauai is favoured by swimmers and snorkellers for its clear, abundant waters, and by surfers for its waves. On the west side, there are several heavenly resorts and, most famously the 16km long, 1,087-metre deep Waimea Canyon, a do-not-miss natural wonder.

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Kauai climate

Kauai has a tropical climate, but there is great diversity on the island. The wettest place on earth is, officially, the Waialeale Crater in the centre of the island, but just a few kilometres away are dry, sunny areas. There are temperate foothills and high mountain rainforests too. Daytime temperatures, year-round, are in the mid-20s Celsius (80s Fahrenheit) and the trade winds help to keep things cool and balmy.

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When to fly to Kauai

There really is no bad time to take cheap flights to Kauai.

Peak Season:
Kauai has two main tourist seasons - mid-December through Easter and mid-June through September. August and the Christmas holidays are when most visitors arrive on the island.

Off Season:
April, May, October and November are off-peak months.

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Getting downtown Kauai

Once travellers have disembarked their cheap flights to Kauai there are several car rental companies represented at the airport. The Marriott hotel offers shuttle service, every 15-30 minutes, at the group tour areas outside of the baggage claim. Limousine and taxi service is available. Taxi fares run to about $13 to Lihue-Kukui Grove and $50 to Poipu.

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Getting around Kauai

After landing on cheap flights to Kauai, the best way to get around is by rental car. There are shuttles, tour buses, taxis and public transportation but for maximum independence, driving is best.

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Kauai insider information

• Get to Lawa'i Road, Po'ipu, in the south of the island to see Spouting Horn. A natural wonder, waves rushing under the lava shelf burst through a small hole on the surface, expelling water up to 15 metres high. Evening is the time to be there, that's when the water takes on the colours of the sunset.
• Kauai has 80km of sandy beaches, all of them free. Ke'e Beach is the most visited. The Kalalau Trail begins at the western end of the beach. Makua Beach, on the north shore, is known to surfers, snorkellers and divers as Tunnels. Salt Pond Beach Park is a great place to see Monk Seals. Polihale Beach is Kauai's westernmost point and its longest beach with 27km of soft, white sands.
• Popular hiking trails include the Kukui Trail, a 8km hike that drops into Waimea Canyon (Hawaii’s Grand Canyon); the Kuilau Ridge Trail, a 6km round trip; and the Kalalau Trail, which offers stunning views of Na Pali Coast and Kee Beach (a great snorkelling spot).

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Kauai airports

Lihue Airport (LIH) (website: www6.hawaii.gov) is located about 2km east of Lihue, on Kauai's southeast coast.

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