Poipu Travel Guide

  Waiohai Beach
by 6mirror
 
  • Waiohai Beach
      Waiohai Beach
    by 6mirror
  • Right on the coastline, long sandy beaches!
      Right on the coastline, long sandy...
    by 6mirror
  • Marriott Waihai Beach Club
      Marriott Waihai Beach Club
    by 6mirror
  • Marriott Waiohai Beach Club
      Marriott Waiohai Beach Club
    by 6mirror
  • A beach at Poipu,Kauai
      A beach at Poipu,Kauai
    by trvlrtom
 

Flights to Poipu

All fares Ashburn (IAD) to Poipu (LIH) found by travelers in past 48 hours*
Today's lowest fares
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$1,157 $1,172 $926
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Pro

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 Beautiful, lush, green, quieter than Oahu & Maui, no high rises 


Con

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 Expensive to get to 


In a nutshell

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 Idyllic spot I'd like to live. 

 

Explore Poipu

Things to Do  

Shipwreck Beach

Shipwreck Beach, Poipu

 Etoile2B Says:  Shipwreck Beach is a nice little beach located just east of the Grand Hyatt Poipu Beach property. It’s a favorite spot for surfers. The water usually provides moderate waves for surfers and boogie boarders but is also gentle enough for swimmers. It’s a pretty beach with... 

Visit nearby Koloa

Visit nearby Koloa, Poipu

 trvlrtom Says:  Odds are you will pass through Koloa on your way to Poipu. It is a charming little town with important Hawaiian history that is worth a visit. It was the first sugar plantation town in all Hawaii, and the small, free historical displays in the Koloa History Center give a... 

Spouting Horn

Spouting Horn, Poipu

 trvlrtom Says:  Spouting Horn Beach Park is a wonderful stop on Kauai's south shore near Poipu. The rugged shoreline here has an opening in a lava shelf, and when the waves rush in water is forced through the hole and spews up in the air hundreds of feet. There is another hole nearby that... 

Cliff walk at Makawehi

Cliff walk at Makawehi, Poipu

 trvlrtom Says:  Leading east from Shipwreck Beach there is an interesting walk along the rugged cliffs. The access is easy, just up the trail from the beach, which has a small parking lot. The cliffs were formed from cemented sand dunes that have been roughly eroded from wind, water and... 

Kiahuna or Sheraton Beach

Kiahuna or Sheraton Beach, Poipu

 trvlrtom Says:  This beach may be overlooked by some visitors because you don't see it from the main road. Access is easy, however; there is a small parking lot just to the west of the Sheraton, and there is a smaller lot and some street parking on the other side of the hotel. You can also... 

Poipu Beach Park

Poipu Beach Park, Poipu

 trvlrtom Says:  This is probably the most popular beach on Kauai's south shore. There is good, safe swimming, easy access, picnic tables, and one of the few examples of a tombolo - a narrow stretch of land/sand leading from the shore out to a point. When the tide is right, the ocean waves... 

Shipwreck Beach

Shipwreck Beach, Poipu

 trvlrtom Says:  You won't find a shipwreck at this beach; the old one the beach is named for is long gone. But you will find a pretty sand beach, fairly wide and long, framed on one side by a rugged bluff and backed up against the huge Hyatt complex and golf course. While the setting is... 

Poip'u Beach

Poip'u Beach, Poipu

 Etoile2B Says:  Poip’u Beach is a family oriented public beach situated between resorts. There is a park leading up to the sand with public restrooms, picnic shelters and barbeque pits. The water is calmer here than at other beaches in the area due to the lava reef that has created a... 

Hotels  

Restaurants  

Keoki's Paradise: Tropical atmosphere - good food

Keoki's Paradise: Tropical atmosphere - good food, Poipu

 trvlrtom Says:  Keoki's Paradise is one restaurant in a family of similar places in Hawaii. The appeal here is the atmosphere that they created to make it feel like a tropical paradise, complete with lush vegetation, thatched roofs, even a small stream going through between the bar and... 

Roy's Poip'u Beach Bar & Grill: Gourmet Hawaiian Fusion

Roy's Poip'u Beach Bar & Grill: Gourmet Hawaiian Fusion, Poipu

 Etoile2B Says:  Roy’s is a Hawaiian institution, and if you’re going to eat at a Roy’s there’s no better place than in Hawaii. Known for gourmet fish and great tropical drinks, you can find celeb chef Roy Yamaguchi’s signature restaurants all over the United States and in Japan and Guam but... 

Plantation Gardens: At the Kiahuna Plantation Resort

Plantation Gardens: At the Kiahuna Plantation Resort, Poipu

 malianrob Says:  Our firts night in Poipu we werent sure where to go for diner and we didnt want to drive to much so we ate at our hotel/condo. There was a restaurant in the premisses so we decided to check it out. There were flowers, orchids, and greenery everywhere. People were dressed in... 

Nightlife  

Stevenson's Library: Beautiful Bar, Expensive Drinks
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Etoile2B 518 reviews

There isn’t much of a bar scene in Koloa / Poipu so we decided to try Stevenson’s Library over in the Grand Hyatt Resort. The bar is absolutely gorgeous but there isn’t much of a lively scene here. The patrons are mostly resort guests and the average age was around 50 when we visited. They offer live music nightly and serve food. But this is a resort so the drinks are pricey. It’s worth checking out the beautiful facility if you’re at the Grand Hyatt but it’s not worth going out of your way to have a drink here. If you’re looking for a youthful, lively, vibrant bar scene look elsewhere.

Dress Code: Resort Casual

Written Jul 27, 2009

Address: 1571 Poipu Road, Koloa Kauai, HI 96756

Phone: 1 (808) 742-1234

Website: http://kauai.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/entertainment/lounges/index.jsp

Related to:
 Luxury Travel
 Spa and Resort
 Romantic Travel and Honeymoons

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Transportation  

Lihue Airport

Lihue Airport, Poipu

 ATXtraveler Says:  The only way to land on Kauai for most people is at Lihue Airport, which is located about 2 miles east of the town of Lihue.Its airport designate is LIH, so when you are booking your flight, search for rates to get you to Lihue. Most likely, you will be connected via... 

From LAX

From LAX, Poipu

 annk Says:  By Air: United & American both have non-stop flights directly to Lihue, Kauai. Flights with Hawaiian, Alaska, ATA & Aloha require a connection in Honolulu. By Car: A car is necessary to get around this island. Poipu Beach is 16 miles from the airport and generally under a 30... 

Shopping  

Big Save: Grocery Shopping and Great Poke!
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Etoile2B 518 reviews

If you need groceries while you’re in Koloa or Poipu you have a couple options. Big Save is the largest grocery store in town. They have a wide selection and here you’ll find most anything you’d need n the mainland. They have a full liquor department as well as prepared foods in the deli area. Their prices are reasonable, but remember, since you’re on an island prices will be higher here than at home.

What to buy: I highly recommend a trip to the prepared foods counter while you’re here. They have a great selection of poke and other Asian and Hawaiian specialties that are delicious. It might not look like much but it’s delicious and worth it.

Written Feb 3, 2009

Address: 5516 Koloa Rd, Koloa, HI 96756

Phone: (808) 742-1614

Related to:
 Backpacking
 Budget Travel
 Food and Dining

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Tourist Traps  

Junk Mall
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

jenn_d 293 reviews

I WISH I HAD A PICTURE! The Coconut shopping center in Kapaa is a waste of time. Each shop sold the same souveneirs, all of which were poorly made and most likely not even from Hawaii. We had a few hours to kill before our flight and decided to check out the shooping in Kapaa as recommended by another guest at the wedding. After poking our heads in a few shops we opted for drink at Duke's in Lihue.

Fun Alternatives: Drive another hour to Princeville for shopping.

Updated Jun 27, 2006

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Off The Beaten Path  

Get a massage
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Avryle 181 reviews

Since Hawaii allows outcall massage, we had certified massage therapist, Larry Hunt, come to the condo where we stayed. He charges $80 for the first hour, $60 for each additional hour. He's trained in Swedish, Shiatsu, deep tissue, Lomi Lomi and Russian massage. Well worth every penny though we should have waited until after kayaking to have him come in!

Also, Larry is a registered member on VT now (as a result of my initial tip!) so I'm sure he'd welcome any email inquiries through VT or through his web site listed below. Have a great massage!!

Updated Feb 26, 2005

Website: http://larryhunt.tripod.com/kauai-massage/index.html

Related to:
 Romantic Travel and Honeymoons
 Spa and Resort

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Sports & Outdoors  

Snorkeling Beaches

Snorkeling Beaches, Poipu

 annk Says:  The best snorkeling beaches around Poipu are at Poipu Beach Park & Beachhouse Beach. Other good areas are the crescent beaches by the Marriott, Kiahuna Plantation & the Sheraton.Poipu Beach Park - from Poipu Rd. make a right on Ho'owili Road. Road ends at Ho'one Rd. There is... 

Favorites  

Hawaiian Monk Seals

Hawaiian Monk Seals, Poipu

 Etoile2B Says:  Hawaiian Monk Seals are one of only two species of animals endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. They are high on the endangered species list with only 1,300 left in the world. It is an amazing site to catch a glimpse of one of these incredible animals but if you are lucky enough... 

Poipu Beach Park

Poipu Beach Park, Poipu

 annk Says:  This park is comprised of a series of golden crescent shaped beaches great for swimming, snorkeling and surfing. There are some very safe shallow areas ideal for even the youngest toddlers. Surfing is best past the reef areas. There is a large lawn area with coconut palms... 

Comments

* Pricing and fares have been collected during the three days prior to today's date. Actual pricing and fares are provided by air carrier and suppliers, whose prices change frequently and without notice.
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