Poipu Beaches:

By Christina Breda Antoniades

Kauai is the most lush and least developed of Hawaii's four major islands, with a richly fertile interior and rugged cliffs in the northwest offsetting pristine white beaches along the north and south coasts. Also called the Garden Isle, Kauai is the place Hollywood heads when it needs a suitably tropical and remote locale. Think King Kong, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park all of which had scenes filmed here. Even the island's Wailua Falls earned small-screen distinction when it was used in the opening credits for the TV show Fantasy Island. Kauai is truly a natural wonder, home to the wettest place on Earth (Mount Waialeale), the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" (Waimea Canyon), and a host of other eye-popping spectacles, brought to you courtesy of Mother Nature.

Of course, Kauai also happens to earn the distinction of being home to one of the world's best beaches Poipu, a series of three white crescents curving beside turquoise waters along the island's south coast. Running from the Sheraton Kauai Resort east to Poipu Beach Park, Poipu Beach offers excellent swimming, surfing and snorkeling, as well as ample opportunity for less energetic pursuits like watching palm trees sway in the wind while lying flat on your back on a towel. In fact, it's a near-perfect destination for families, since older kids (and wannabe kids) can head closer to the rocky outcroppings to catch some surf, while younger waders and novice swimmers can stick to the crescents' middle reaches, where the water tends to be calmer. Just a bit farther east is Poipu Beach Park, where a lifeguard is on duty and shallow near-shore waters make for safe swimming. Here there are showers, restrooms and picnic tables, making a day-long excursion possible.

Of course, while the beach is captivating in its own right, it's always good to know there are other options nearby. Kauai also has two championship golf courses, horseback riding, spectacular hiking, kayaking, biking, fishing, sailing and a host of other pursuits. Without a doubt, if you like the outdoors, Kauai is the place to be.

	rating:	more:
Child-Friendliness	5 of 5	Poipu Beach Park has calm and shallow water ideal for children, while Poipu Beach offers a mix of calm and rougher waters.
Swimming	4 of 5	The beach is ideal for swimming, although there are some rocky outcroppings.
Sand	5 of 5	White sands, wide beach, palm trees ... what more can we say?
Atmosphere	5 of 5td>	Kauai offers some of Hawaii's most spectacular scenery.
Non-Beach Activities	4 of 5	There are ample non-beach activities, although few that are indoors.

Poipu Beach, rated the best beach in the USA, is adjacent to the Brennecke's Beach is great for snorkeling, protected swimming, and has a swim and snorkel area for children as well as a playground.

It is not unusual to see an endangered monk seal enjoying the beach among the sun tanners.

All the beaches and surf shops offering rental and for sale equipment are just a short walk through the elegantly landscaped green belts of the Poipu Kai Resort.

Local's favorite, beautiful and uncrowded Mahaulepu Beach, is three miles away.