Koloa
When you’re in the island of Kauai, you’re sure to experience a lot of the local scenery, wildlife, and history and culture of Hawaii. In Koloa, you’re sure to get all of that. You will be treated to breathtaking ocean views, scenic beaches, and clear waters. Aside from that, you will also get immersed in the natural beauty of the island, and the unique and wonderful history and culture of Kauai and Hawaii in general. Exploring Koloa is similar to exploring Hawaii in its entirety, and for that, there are several locations that serve as the best representatives of what makes Hawaii unique and one of the best vacation spots in the world.
Beaches
No trip to Hawaii is a trip to Hawaii without stopping for dip in one of the state’s scenic beaches. And for those, Koloa has a fair share of beautiful and memorable beaches. These beaches are known for their great view of the blue ocean, clear skies, pristine waters, and the lush greenery that forms the background. And the water activities that you can do on these beaches are numerous: you have swimming, snorkeling, surfing, wind surfing, sail boarding, and many more. Aside from those, the view makes it enticing to just lie on the sand, relax, doze off and be lulled by the waves, or just be completely taken by the magnificent scenery. Whatever the case is, it is certain that the beaches of Koloa would stick to your memory as one of the best beaches there are. Here is a list of the beaches that you can visit in Koloa:
Kipu Kai Beach
If you want a beach that is quite secluded with a bit of the local wildlife, then the Kipu Kai Beach is the one for you. This beach is only accessible through a boat ride, so it’s not as populated as the other beaches. Aside from that, you can also find here the once endangered Hawaiian Goose. Due to preservation efforts by J.W. Waterhouse, these fowls have thrived and increased their number.
Maha'ulepu Beach
If you want a nice place to swim and discover the surrounding beach, then you should go to the Maha'ulepu Beach. It has clear and calm waters because of its shallow waters and a reef that protects the area from waves. So, this place is perfect for kids to swim in. Aside from that, there’s a bit of history to this beach. This is the beach where one of Kamehameha’s raiding parties, the one foiled by a storm, landed, and were soundly defeated by Kauaian warriors thanks to the storm.
Poipu Beach Park
The Poipu Beach is declared as one of the best beaches in the world in previous years, and it still has a claim to that title. Due to its great scenery and clear waters, it’s become one of the most popular beaches in Hawaii, and the world. You can also find plenty of water activities to do here, especially snorkeling and scuba diving.
Shipwreck Beach
Previously one of the hidden treasures of Koloa, the Shipwreck Beach has now become one of the most popular beaches in the area. As you know, a thing this good won’t stay hidden for long. Now, you also have lots of establishments and resorts nearby, so you can pick an accommodation near this beach.
Spouting Horn
Though not exactly a beach, the Spouting Horn is one of the ocean attractions in the area. You can call it an ocean fountain with the way water is forced through an underwater lava tunnel through an opening on the rocky cliffs. This presents for a good photo opportunity and a great scene to look at. According to legends, the hissing sound that can be heard from it is from Kaikapu, a lizard goddess, who was tricked and trapped by a wily fisherman.
Local history, wildlife, and culture
The riches of Kauai are not limited to its beaches; one can also include its history, wildlife and culture. For that you have several locations that you can visit to experience these riches in Koloa. You can find out more about how Kauai came into being, and the vast amount of animals and plants that inhabit the Kauai island in Koloa. When they said that Kauai is “Discover Island”, Koloa perfectly matches that description. Here are places that you can visit to give you historical and wildlife information about Kauai and Koloa:
Prince Kuhio Park
This park is the birthplace of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, one of the last royals in the Kingdom of Hawaii before it was overthrown. Aside from that, this park is named after the prince as recognition and as a tribute to his efforts in fighting for Hawaiian independence, and for the welfare of his people. This park is a great place to look at the history of Kauai and Hawaii due to the exhibits in the park. Aside from that, this is also a nice place to hold picnics and family activities.
Old Koloa Town
If you want to see how Koloa was like centuries ago, then you should visit the Old Koloa Town. Here you can still find some buildings from the old plantation days. Take a step back in time as you visit the homes and establishments that still have the old look of the plantation era well-preserved. You can also find stores here that sell great souvenirs and gift suggestions to take home with you.
Koloa History Center
To learn more about the town of Koloa, you should visit the Koloa History Center. Here you can find exhibits and artifacts from the plantation era. You can also get an idea here on how important the plantation was in the formation of the present cultural and racial make-up of Kauai and Hawaii in general. This is a nice place to bring the kids to for an educational experience. You should still check this out even if you don’t have kids; as they say, traveling is not just the sights that you see, but also the things that you learn.
National Tropical Botanical Garden
If you want to be introduced to the local wildlife and natural scenery, then it’s off to the National Tropical Botanical Garden for you. Here you can find a great number of plants and animals that are native to Hawaii. It is also here that you can find rare and endangered species making their recovery. The National Tropical Botanical Garden is declared as an important wildlife sanctuary by the US Congress, and so, this is also a great place to bring children to teach them about the importance of nature and its conservation and protection. Aside from that, this is also a great place to hike and explore the lush greenery that Kauai is known for. Kauai is called the “Garden Island” after all, and it’s not too much to say that the National Tropical Botanical Garden has had a large influence in Kauai getting that description.
Scenic and rich Koloa
Koloa has a lot to offer to its visitors in terms of scenic beaches, wildlife, history, and culture. It would be a shame not to visit all of these places during your stay. And if you do manage to visit all of them, you don’t need someone to tell you that it would form as one of the best experiences in your life. With great memories of the beach, an eye-opening view of nature’s beauty, and an impressive local culture and history, the experience that you will get in Koloa is truly unique and unforgettable.