Kaua‘i
They call Kaua‘i the ‘Garden Isle’, but it’s like no garden you’ve ever seen before. Its mountaintops trap the rainclouds that roll in off the Pacific, so its peaks and valleys are draped with lush vegetation. Geologically it’s the oldest of the four main islands of Hawai‘i, so it’s had plenty of time to develop some spectacular scenery. Mark Twain described Waimea Canyon as the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’, while another highlight is the Napali Coast, where sheer cliffs rise thousands of feet straight out of the ocean. This coast is only accessible by hiking, boat or helicopter, but it’s well worth the effort. Of course, you don’t have to travel so extravagantly to appreciate Kaua‘i’s wonders – hire a bicycle from Kapa’a and cruise the cycle path that follows the coast for several kilometres. You’ll find your own patch of paradise.
