Poipu Beach Park on Kauai

Kauai's Poipu Beach Park certainly has something for everyone and is probably the beach most people think of when planning their Hawaiian beach vacation. Sunshine, soft sand, reefs, snorkeling, wildlife, surfing, rest rooms, picnic areas, restaurants, lifeguards, resorts, access to open sea and a protected kiddie lagoon are all within an easy stroll of a large parking area. The only thing it lacks is any sense you're specifically on the Garden Island.

It's the sunniest and driest side of the island, far away from the jagged and verdant volcanic cliffs that define Kauai's landscape and lie a ways to the north. So when you poke your snorkel mask out of the water and take a look towards shore you might think you're anywhere in the tropical Pacific and not on beautiful Kauai. But on this little stretch of sand near the island's southern most point, some of the hottest and driest temperatures on the island guarantee that your day on the beach will be one of the finest anywhere in the state.

The morning I visited Poipu Beach, an endangered Hawaiian monk seal had already claimed his own spot on the western side of the beach. In addition to the Hawaiian hoary bat, this seal is one of only two mammals endemic to the islands. Sharks are the seal's main predators, so when the sleepy animal's rest was over and he returned to the sea, I figured the coast was clear to start my own adventure in the water.

Snorkeling at Poipu was excellent even though the day I visited some choppy water kept me closer to shore. While the sections of the reef I visited were in quite low water and didn't exhibit the wide varieties of coral you might see at greater depths, I did observe a kaleidoscopic array of surgeonfish. And by snorkeling in such low water, I was able to get right on top of my subjects for some better-than-average photographs.

While Poipu is one continuous beach, the off-shore reef and rocks create at least two swimming areas that are somewhat separated by seasonal and tidal conditions. The day I visited, a very shallow surf divided these spots. But in some photographs I've seen, there is enough sand accumulated to create two distinct beaches for each area. So Poipu Beach aims to have it both ways: on one hand, protecting its snorkelers in a peaceful lagoon while on the other, harboring fearless surfers on their speedy adventures at sea.

But if you want the quintessential Kauai beach, with the enchanting call of Bali Hai whispering in the gentle breeze, head to the north shore and dive into Tunnels or Ke'e Beach. You won't miss them; they're where the mountains and sea meet and call it a draw in the contest for some of the most heavenly scenery on Earth.