Type Hawaii vacations, Hawaii pictures, or just Hawaii, into Google, and you will see all the iconic images of Hawaii; Waikiki, Whales breaching, volcanoes, sandy beaches, straws bobbing in tropical drinks, hula girls, lush famous scenic views.

While most visitors have their list of activities and sites to see, few leave time for unscheduled exploring. Driving off the beaten path, taking walks in residential neighbor hoods, cruising outside of the postcard-reality limitations.

My suggestion, throw the map away and get lost. While there are a few spots in the islands that visitors aren’t necessarily welcomed, Hawaii is a pretty safe place to explore. Just make sure that you are always respectful and conduct your activities in the least intrusive manner as possible; Drive slowly through neighborhoods, don’t turn around in peoples’ yards, etc..

There is nothing better than discovering your own jewels on vacation. Be adventurous, spontaneous and find your own paradise.

When you visit Kauai, you will undoubtedly visit the North Shore. Even if you are staying on the south side at one of the big resorts, or in one of the centrally located resort, like the Kauai Beach Resort, on the east side, you will definitely make the trek up to Hanalei. The Hanalei Valley is not easily accessed, so most people view it from afar. Which, as you can see from my shots, is not such a bad way to see it.

This great scenic viewpoint really lives up to its name. If you get there on a day when there has been a little bit of rain, you will not only see the lush Hawaiian taro fields, but numerous waterfalls in the Hanalei mountains.

There is a placard at the lookout that provides some interesting information about the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.  The are many endangered species of birds and wildlife that depend on this valuable resource.

I turned and snapped this shot of the sky while I was at the lookout. Even the sky looks better in Hanalei. There are some hikes in the valley for the more adventurous. If you want to get a closer look, you can also paddle up the Hanalei river. There are several kayak companies in Hanaeli that you can get kayaks from. Stand-up paddle boards are also becoming very popular and you often see many people getting their morning exercise but taking a little walk on the water.

If you are coming to Kauai and you play golf, you have to do the Prince. A father’s day treat to many residents and a world class treat to visitors, the Princeville golf course is among the finest in the world.

You can find some great Princeville Vacation Rentals nearby. Many of which are within walking distance to the links!

There are many great places to stay in Princeville, or if you are looking to splurge a little, you could go down the hill to Hanalei and grab a beach-side villa. Hanalei is just 5 minutes from the Princeville golf courses and is rich in the Hawaiian style. You can shoot killer pictures of the taro fields, wake up to the “Bali Hai” range in the backdrop, dine in the company of waterfalls, or stroll the bay at sunset.

Many homes in Princeville are second homes for many owners and thus they offset their costs by renting them out. You can find very roomy and well appointed homes for rent or stay in any of the many Kauai condos that are in Princeville or spread out about the island.

I grabbed these photos on my way to work today. Just pulled over and snapped them as I was driving through Anahola on Kauai’s eastside. I was thinking about writing an article for Puu Poa and making a list of different things that people could do for cheap on Kauai.

There are some pretty spectacular places in the world, and sometimes what makes them so great is that they are understated. Kauai has peaceful and unassuming beauty. Of course you have your gorgeous beaches and picturesque sunsets, but also have wonderfully lazy trails through native bush. You can find quite coves and bays along the coastline. You can grab fresh fish at almost every restaurant and listen to local vibes on almost any night of the week.

If you pull over on the side of the road there is a good chance that a jagged mountain range will be posing for a picture, or waves will be lapping in the background. The consistent island trade winds drift with your mind and lush surroundings enhance your dreams.

I am always trying to come up with different or off-the-beaten path things people can do when they visit Kauai and I realized that just taking a photo tour could be pretty fun. Everyone always comes to do this or that activity and often get great shots of what they have done. But actually hunting for interesting or captivating photos would be a great activity. I have decided to try it myself and be more aware of the little things. Find beauty in the mundane. Capture a part of Kauai that most just drive by. Well I pulled over on a side street this morning, looked up and took these shots.

Whalers Cove resort on Kauai has more to boast than just spectacular grounds. Poipu has long been a tourist’s mecca on Kauai. Often sunny while the rest of the island is cloudy, vacationers seek out the warm, friendly vibe of Kauai’s south side. While there have always been shops and restaurants to please most visitors, the new Kukui’ula Village is developing into a great destination shopping, dinning, and cultural center.

The new Village center is within walking distance from Whalers Cove and has plenty to offer guests. You can enjoy fine dinning at restaurants like Merriman’s or Josselin Tapas Bar & Grill or grab a quick bite at Bubba Burgers or Dude Dogs. There are plenty of shops for the whole family, art galleries to wander through and plenty of on-site events scheduled on a regular basis.

Recently some of the Koloa Plantation festivities took place at Kukui’ula Village. The annual festival celebrates the rich plantation heritage that used to account for the predominant economic force and cultural identity of Koloa and the entire chain of Hawaiian islands. Sunset Cinema, which is a traveling outdoor Kauai movie theater, setup and screened movies that focused on the last sugar cane haul that took place in 2009.

Of course Whalers Cove sells itself easily on its own merits: the coastal views, large lanais, manicured grounds, heated oceanfront pool among others. Now, with the developing center of Kukui’ula, guests have one more reason to be drawn to these idyllic digs.

Kealia Beach on Kauai's east side

Kealia river mouth

The reef that protects much of the shoreline behind many of the east side resorts and vacation rentals, like the Waipouli Beach Resort, Kauai Sands Hotel, or The Islander on the Beach , creates great swimming spots for kids and great snorkeling for all. While there is no shortage of things to do on Kauai, the beaches of the east side are often overlooked. It is true that the prevailing NE trade winds often make for choppy conditions around the east side, but there are ways to enjoy the eastern exposures other than swimming in the rough open seas. The new bike path in Kapaa makes for a very scenic exercise experience or leisure stroll along the coast and beaches.

Hawaii Helicopter tour over Napali Coast, Kauai

Photo Credit: Safari Helicopters

Wailau beach rainbow, Molokai Hawaii

Photo Credit

Tunnels Beach Sunset, Kauai Hawaii

Photo Credit

Princeville Golf Course over looking Queen’s Bath, Kauai Hawaii

Photo Credit: Worldgolf.com