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Kauai earns its nickname as the Garden Isle every single day. The oldest and northernmost of the main Hawaiian Islands, Kauai has had more time than any of its neighbors to be shaped by wind, rain, and the sea, and the result is a landscape of staggering natural beauty. The Na Pali Coast, a series of dramatic emerald sea cliffs rising up to 4,000 feet from the ocean along the island’s northwestern shore, is one of the most breathtaking stretches of coastline in the world. Waimea Canyon, carved deep into the island’s interior, has earned the nickname “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific” for good reason. The beaches range from the golden sands and calm, family-friendly waters of Poipu Beach in the south to the wild, wave-battered shores of the North Shore, where Hanalei Bay offers one of the most beautiful settings in all of Hawaii. Kauai is the least developed of the major Hawaiian Islands, and that restraint is its greatest asset: no building on the island is allowed to exceed the height of a coconut palm, keeping the natural landscape at the center of the experience. Our Kauai travel guides cover the best resorts, hotels, beaches, hikes, activities, and planning tips for every type of traveler.

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