by Jennifer Guterman

The beautiful Hawaiian island of Kaua'i offers so much for honeymooners and families with older children, but what about those traveling with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers?  As you know, everything from beach access to accommodations requires a special perspective with little ones in tow.  Luckily, amidst its many outdoor recreational offerings, Kaua'i has much that is appropriate for tiny travelers to experience.

The cute little town of Kilauea, for instance, is located on the North Shore and is much more tranquil than the Big Island volcano with the same name.  Here, families can browse the gift shops, visit the bakery, and check out the town’s famous lighthouse.

Nearby is the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (808/828-1413), one of the few Hawaiian wildlife refuges open to visitors. Here, observers might see humpback whales, spinner dolphins, or monk seals, as well as a variety of seabirds, as they look out to the ocean.  Getting to the prime observation point requires a simple 1/5-mile walk.

More easy hikes can be found through Limahuli Garden and Preserve (808/332-7324), also located on Kauai’s North Shore. This garden includes a pristine waterfall that drops over 1,000 feet. There is also a 2/3-mile loop trail that climbs to a dramatic view of the ocean. Pursue your own pace, ability, and comfort zone with little ones in tow within the Garden’s 17 acres open to visitors.

Gardens are all well and good, but what if you just want to relax under an umbrella with baby on the beach while the rest of the family snorkels? Sometimes reaching Kauai’s dramatic beaches requires negotiating some steep grades—not always a fun or safe project with little ones. This will not be the case at the North Shore’s Tunnels Beach, where access is easy and the snorkeling is top-notch. Parking is somewhat limited, so arriving early in the morning is recommended—perfect for the typical tiny traveler schedule. Also, keep in mind that waves and currents can be strong at Tunnels, so you will want to keep an eye even on older children in the water.

For calmer waters, head down to Poipu Beach on the South Shore.  This has been named “America’s Best Beach” by the Travel Channel. Part of the beach is protected with very calm water, making it an appropriate wading pool even for toddlers encountering the ocean for the first time. A gentle, near-shore break provides appropriate beginner surfing conditions, and kids as young as five may take surfing lessons with their parents present through companies like Margo Oberg’s Surf School (808/332-6100). There’s even a playground on the beach with features for both preschoolers and older kids, and the sand is perfect for castle-building projects.

The Poipu area in general is full of cultural and historical sites.  Though your littlest ones may not especially appreciate the stops on the area’s Heritage Trail, they will get a kick out of the Spouting Horn, a kind of blow hole made of lava, through which a geyser of sea water shoots up, sometimes reaching 50 feet.  It is especially beautiful at sunset, when the spray takes on the colors of the rainbow. 

Attending a traditional lu’au show could be an interesting sensory experience for the brave. Usually there is enough music, ceremony, and general noise to drown out your own family’s raucousnous from other guests’ ears. After a torch-lighting ceremony and the presentation of leis, a lu’au meal might appeal most to the adults in the family—kalua pig roasted in an underground oven, lomi salmon, taro chips, mahimahi, and other native and American specialties. There’s a great variety, though, so picky eaters should be able to find something. The Coconut Beach Lu’au (877/661-6655), featuring only the dances and legends of the island of Kauai, is especially fun.

For more information about what the island has to offer as you make your family’s customized plans, contact the Kauai Visitors Bureau (800/262-1400).