Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort

Location Features - Kauai

The island of Kauai has been voted the second best island in the world by the readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine. And it welcomes you to discover why so many travelers are drawn to its mystique.

Volcanic mountains stand sentinel over lush, green valleys. Golden beaches are framed in rugged coastline, and some parts of Kauai are so majestic, so wild and utterly beautiful they cannot be tamed.

Minutes away from seaside resort areas basking under faultless blue skies is Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth, and the source of the island's five rivers. Their waters course through emerald taro fields, irrigate guava, coffee and macadamia nut plantations, and water the many botanical gardens of this earthly Eden. The Waimea River has gouged a vast canyon into the heart of the island. Hiking trails descend into its silence and secrets. Tour barges chug up Hawaii's only navigable river, the Wailua.

A strenuous hike, helicopter tour, or sea expedition are the only ways to see the spectacular Na Pali coast where sheer palisades have been sculpted by time, wind and rain into a natural fortress standing against the surging waves.

On Kauai, reality is more wonderful than fantasy. The scenery of this island is so amazing that Hollywood introduced dinosaurs and called it Jurassic Park. They brought in a big gorilla to make King Kong. And they chased Indiana Jones through this jungle paradise.

Kauai. It's more than just the Garden Island.