What to Do in Koloa Kauai
Boredom and Koloa are true contradictories; they don’t belong together. Fun and memorable experiences should be the words associated with Koloa. And why not, when the town offers a lot of activities that will not only keep you occupied, but will also leave you with a rich and unique experience of the local natural scenery and culture. Unless you’re basking under the sun on one of Koloa’s beaches, there’s no time to sit around and do nothing in Koloa. And even if you’re spending your time lounging off, it would be a shame if you don’t get off your back and fully experience all that Koloa has to offer you.
Here, we list some of the most popular and must-do activities during your stay in Koloa. Though they are just recommendations, they would become almost imperative, that is, if you want to have a vacation that you’ll never forget.
Water activities
When in Hawaii, it’s always the beach—this is true for Koloa. Koloa and the nearby area of Poipu have some of the best beaches in Kauai, and the Poipu Beach is considered one of the best in the world. Swim in the clear waters, stroll on the white sands, or just lie there and catch the sun; the beach has lots of things for you to do. Aside from that, you can also do scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, and other water sports on the beaches of Koloa and Poipu. You can also enjoy sailing and fishing in the beaches of Koloa. You can be content with Poipu Beach, but why be so reserved? You have many more beaches to experience and discover. You also have the Kipu Kai Beach, Maha'ulepu Beach, Shipwreck Beach, and Spouting Horn waiting for you. When it comes to the beaches and ocean attractions of Koloa, it’s okay to experience all that you can. Since you’re already in the area, why let the opportunity pass?
Tee up
Aside from its beaches, Hawaii is also known for its great golf courses. Koloa has two of them for you to visit and play in. So if you’re a golfer and would like to have a great game of golf amidst a breathtaking ocean view, cool trade winds, and a lush green background, then the golf courses in Koloa are a must-play. You have two golf courses in the area to play in: the Kiahuna Golf Club, and the Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course. If you want a more inland golf course amidst the gardens and greenery, then Kiahuna is the one for you. But if you want to see the ocean as you look up after your drive, then the Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course is where you should bring your golf clubs to. Actually, the golf course in Poipu is one of the best in Hawaii, if not the country. The Poipu Bay Resort golf course was designed by renowned golf course architect, Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and the course is well-regarded by the pros and amateurs alike. So if you want something to brag about to your golfing buddies when you get home, then you better let your clubs strike the greens of Koloa.
Learn about history and wildlife
As traveling and vacations are not just about rest and relaxation, another essential element is to be exposed and immersed in the history and culture of the place. And for people looking to do just that, Koloa has several cultural and historical centers for people to visit. These centers give a lot of information about Koloa’s history and the particular culture that makes this part of Kauai unique.
To learn specific facts about the town of Koloa and how the plantation industry has affected it, you can go on a tour of the Old Koloa Town and the Koloa History Center to look at the buildings and traces of the old plantations, and plantation life and culture. You can take on a guided tour to get explanations of the cultural and economic significance of the plantation era on Kauai and Hawaii as a whole. These sugar plantations became the chief economic force at the time, and it was the plantations that brought in the waves of immigrants from different nations, giving birth to the multi-racial constitution of present day Hawaii.
And to see more about Hawaiian royalty, you can visit the Prince Kuhio Park, named after one of Hawaii’s last royalty before the kingdom was overthrown. Here you can also find artifacts and exhibits of Hawaii history, and some information about the plantation era.
Speaking of history, you also need to take in the influence of the missionaries and Christianity on the island. To get glimpse of that, you can visit the Koloa Church, and the St. Raphael Church, which was built in the 1800s. You can check out the church’s architecture, and it also presents a great photo opportunity.
And for the local wildlife, aside from the ones you encounter underwater through snorkeling and scuba diving, Koloa has a great collection of local animal and plant life in its borders. To get an up close encounter with those, you should head over to the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Here, you can find many of the species that are native to Hawaii. Also, you can find here preservation and conservation efforts to keep the endangered and rare species of plant and animal life in Hawaii from extinction. Due to the sensitivity of Hawaii’s climate, the state is also called the Endangered Species capital of the world. That’s why the National Tropical Botanical Garden is established, to form a sanctuary for these endangered wildlife to recover and survive the threat that they face.
You can hike through the numerous trails in the area, or, you can also get the guided tour for you to know more about the plant and animal species present in the area, and also to be informed about the current conservation programs that are in place. Aside from the educational experience, the area is also a great place for bird and animal watching. So, better bring your binoculars and cameras to capture the local wildlife in an image. You can also find hiking trails and horseback riding services in the area.
Dining and entertainment
There are also several establishments in the Koloa and Poipu area where you can eat local cuisine and enjoy native Hawaiian performances. Just look through the different resorts in the area for restaurants that offer local food. And you can also find that these establishments usually have nightly entertainment featuring hula and fire dances. You can also find establishments that offer local concerts and native Hawaiian music.
You can also check out the Old Koloa Town for souvenirs and native goods. You can also check out the Kukui‘ula Harbor for other stores and marketplaces.
Explore Koloa and the rest of Kauai
Aside from the activities mentioned above, another one of the best things to do in Koloa is to just explore the place. This is where your rental car would come in handy. Drive through the streets and look for other places of interest. You can interact with the locals and find information on some town secrets. And since you’re already in Kauai, you should also go to other districts and see what they have to offer. Travelling throughout the island is easy since you have a road almost encircling the island. You can visit the Napali Coast on the west, or go all the way up to the North Coast to play some championship golf on the Prince Golf Course. After all, exploring is one of the great things about traveling.