The highlight for me while in Kauai (and probably 99% of the general population) was the beach. I love a good beach. The warm sand, the clear, blue water, the shrills of happy little people splashing in the waves. It is just a really good place to be. But before I get further into the beach seen, I thought it would be a good idea to explain the geography of the island. Let me paint you a little picture:The eastern portion of Kauai is all state park property...or better known as the Na Pali Coast. No roads are permitted to be build in this area, therefore only accessible by hikers or boaters. Just south of the Na Pali Coast is the Pacific Missile Range Facility, so rightfully so, no public access is allowed there either. Most of the central island consists of Mt. Waialeale (the wettest spot on earth). With it's impressive, sharp peaks and foliage covered hills...there is no way to build roads through that area. So, the rest of the island (southern, western and northern-ish) is outlined by a series of highways (which is really just one, long connected highway) that parallels the ocean shore. It is shaped, if you will, like a sideways horseshoe. Our condo at Poi Pu was located on the south-western portion of Kauai. A nice location to explore either the Northern beaches or the Southern beaches without a terribly long drive.
As previously mentioned, Poi Pu Beach was a mere 10 minute walk from our condo. So on the days when hanging around the local area sounded good, we packed up our towels, snorkel gear, lunch and strolled down there.
But on the more adventurous days, The Mag 6 worked our selves around this island to check out the various beaches that Kauai had to offer. Haena Beach Park was one of the furthest beaches we could drive to, North of the island. Believe it or not, swimming was not permittable there during the winter months. HUGE, and I mean HUGE waves and undercurrents ruled the seas this time of the year. So we enjoyed our lunch on the beach and watched those crazy waves crash down hard onto themselves. During the summer, this is known for on of the best surfing beaches on the island; where many competitions are held. Tunnels Beach, adjent to Haena Beach, is also known for great snorkeling due to the vast coral reefs and active marine life during those months. Of course we did not opt to override the lifegaurds request to not swim, so no snorkeling in the tunnels for us that time around. And though it was nice to be there and explore for a bit, but we were ready to swim, so we hopped in our cars and backtracked to a calmer shore.
Kilauea Bay brought a nice sandy beach and a cute little hippy-ish town for some shopping. That town brought my first taste of Kauai's homemade ice cream (who's name escapes me at the moment). Delicious but still not as good as Mallards!
A few days later, we were itching to get out once again and headed to Lydgate State Park. A great beach for kids. Supper calm, supper long and rather shallow for yards and yards out into the water. My sister loved this beach best due to the ease of getting into the water. Most of the beaches have waves that crash right onto the shore, then the strong currents pull back out into the ocean. These conditions aren't the best for a 7.5 month old prego woman trying to go for a swim or float.
So Lydgate was a good pick. But alas, we were getting a little antsy for more shopping and town exploring, so again, we hopped in the cars and headed to Kap'aa. Kap'aa was my all time favorite town. Not only because I liked to say the name (pronounced: Ka-pa-a), but it just gave off a great island town feel. Low key, nice people, a good strip of trinket shops and boutique shops to wonder in and out of, food carts and all right smack on the water. My dad decided to skip out on the shopping (big shocker there) in order to get more boogie-boarding time in at a beach up the street. That man was glued to his boogie board the whole trip. Hours and hours of kicking and paddling for a short, but thrilling wave ride. Once we all met up again, dad reported that while at this beach, he was privileged to see Spinner Dolphins. Those that shoot up out of the water and do 4 or 5 360 degree turns before diving back in. I took a mental note of that for later.
We hit up a few more beaches here and there on our trip...including Shipwrek Beach which had some rocking waves to boogie board on. One thing I did want to note, was that no matter what beach we went to, we always saw a Monk Seal sunning him/herself on the sand. The first time I saw one snoozing, I was so very sad - thinking that he was dead...washed up from shore. As I walked closer to the roped off section, I read the signage: "Monk Seals are napping. Please do not disturb as they are likely to bike if feeling threatened."
As it turns out, Monk Seals are endangered species due to the depleting food source (over-fished waters by man). There are only about 30 left in that area, and usually choose the same beach to worm themselves on the shore and nap. Pretty cute and sad at the same time. 
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