Kauai has five distinct geographical areas, each with its own unique characteristics and history:

The Royal Coconut Coast The Royal Coconut Coast, located on the windward side of Kauai, is comprised of several miles of sandy beaches, an abundance of breathtakingly glorious waterfalls and dense fern grottos, the fertile Wailua River Valley and its foothills, and the Sleeping Giant rock formation.  Some of its sites will seem eerily familiar even to first time visitors, as their beauty has inspired several film makers to include these natural features in their footage over the last several decades. This was the favorite area of Kauai's Ali'i, or royalty, which they held sacred due in part to the agricultural benefits of the Wailua River as well as the great beauty of the area itself.  And this tradition of favoritism continues today as visitors flock to the multitude of accommodations, restaurants, golf courses, and shops--as well as the ancient cultural,  historical, and natural sites--present in the area today.  Kapaa and Wailua are rapidly becoming the most populous part of Kauai as newcomers become as enamoured of the area as the ancient Ali'i themselves were.

The North Shore Na Pali Coast - Believed to be the first area of Kauai to be settled by the ancient Hawaiians, lush valleys, rugged cliffs, a number of caves and lava tubes, ancient ruins, high waterfalls, natural land sculptures, and world-famous beaches make this area one of a kind and very popular with film makers.  Much of the Na Pali Coast is accessible only by boat, helicopter or foot. Kilauea / Princeville - A popular resort area best known today for its ammenities:  condominiums, resorts, and spas, world-class golf courses, shopping and restaurants, and some of the worlds best beaches. There is also a wildfowl sanctuary and historic lighthouse built in 1913. Hanalei / Waikanaloa - Travel back in time to Hanalei Valley, where taro fields dot the landscape as they have for several hundred years, and the newly renovated Waioli Mission House museum dates back to 1837.  This region is also home to some world-famous landmarks, including Lumahai Beach and Makana Peak (Bali Hai), made famous in the movie South Pacific, and Kee Beach where portions of The Thorn Birds were filmed.  Several wet and dry caves can also be found in this area.

The West Side West Kauai is rich in both natural beauty and historical landmarks, and was featured extensively in the Jurrasic Park movies as well as The Thorn Birds.   Ancient Hawaiian salt ponds are still in existence here.   This is also the area where one finds the Waimea Canyon, dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" by Mark Twain.  Waimea--home to Captain Cook's Monument--is where Cook first set foot on Hawaii soil in 1778.

The South Shore Kauai's south shore has it all:  beaches perfect for both swimming and snorkeling, gorgeous scenery, rich history,  shopping, and restaurants galore. The McBryde and Allerton Gardens are part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, commissioned by the U.S. Congress, and specialize in rare and exotic plants (some found nowhere else in the world).  One such specimen is the Moreton Bay fig tree, with it's bizarre root system, featured in Jurrasic Park. Spouting Horn, a natural underwater lava tube formation, spouts water like a geyser when waves roll in.

Lihue/Kalapaki Area Lihue--with a population of approximately 6000 people--is the county seat and business hub of Kauai, featuring a convention center, performing arts center, library, community college, and the largest shopping center on the island.  Kalapaki Beach, great for swimming and sunbathing, and the Kauai Lagoons golf courses are located here, as are the Kauai Museum, Kipu Ranch, Huleia National Wildlife Refuge, Kipu falls and pool, Kipu Kai Beach,  and the pre-Hawaiian Alekoko "Menehune" Fishpond.