The Emerald Island of Kauai is perhaps the most beautiful Hawaiian island in the Hawaiian chain.

Vacationing in Kauai has become most prominent among visitors primarily because of the fabulous Kauai weather, the exciting Kauai activities, the numerous packages featuring Kauai vacations, and the abundant rainforest and waterfall terrain which also features the Na Pali Coast with spectacular opportunities for wonderful Kauai pictures. The island of Kauai is the oldest of the major islands in the Hawaiian chain and is the only Hawaiian island that has navigable rivers. Its volcanoes have been extinct for about 5 million years.

Being the northern most island in the chain also means that it is most often the first island that clouds from the northern and western Pacific basin are drawn to as they gather from thousands of miles in all directions. Kauai's 5000+ ft. peak is quite literally the wettest spot on earth and receives an annual rainfall in the vicinity of 420 inches a year. This tremendous rainfall over the years has eroded much of the soil from the higher levels and has deposited much of it on the leeward sides and created very flat areas called alluvial plains.

These plains are very, very flat and the water which rushes from the top in giant cascading waterfalls calms to a gentle presence when it hits the flat plains below. Here the water meanders, winds and serpentines for miles in a very gentle and tranquil flow to its eventual destination in the ocean. These rivers are ideal for kayaking trips as the flowing waters ever so slowly wind their way through the ever present jungle. Kauai is the only Hawaiian Island that has such rivers and it is an incredible treat for those who choose to enjoy them. On the northern end of the island you will find the unbelievably beautiful Na Pali Coast.

The tremendous rainfall on the mountains above Na Pali has produced the most remarkable sheer valleys, razor sharp ridges descending to the sea and most amazing array of waterfalls to be assembled anywhere in the world. The extreme sea and wave action has also had a tremendous effect upon Kauai's spectacular coastline producing this 11 miles on Kauai's northern shore referred to as the Na Pali coast.

Another dramatic Kauai landmark is the Waimea Canyon. Waimea Canyon is the largest canyon in Hawaii. It is a gorge chiseled into the mountains behind the southern coastline that measures 10 miles in length, 1 mile in width and descends to a depth of 3500 ft. The extreme rainfall from the summit of Waialeale has carved this magnificent sculpture over the course of millions of years. Waimea Canyon is often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.