Attractions for Guests of Princeville Vacation Rentals

Princeville, Hawaii is a luxurious, 11,000-acre community situated in the heart of the North Shore of Kauai that originally began as a sugar plantation. An affordable Princeville condo rental makes the perfect home away from home on Kauai's North Shore.

The Princeville, Kauai area is an outdoor vacationer's paradise. You can hike, go horseback riding, scuba dive, snorkel, kayak, scan the horizon for whales, or just sit on one of the area's gorgeous beaches and soak up some Hawaiian sunshine. Hikers will find a number of scenic trails on Kauai's North Shore, including the 10-mile Powerline Trail near the Princeville Resort and the fabulous 11-mile Kalalau Trail, which begins where the road dead-ends into Ke'e Beach and the wild Na Pali Coast begins.

The lovely Limahuli Garden (808-826-1053), part of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, is situated in a picturesque valley between Makana Mountain and the ocean. Vacationers renting a Princeville Kauai condo can take a self-guided tour of this lush tropical paradise, featuring ancient lava rock terraces, native plants, and introduced plants. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Sunday. Admission is $15; no charge for children ages 12 and under.

Princeville is also a great "jumping off" point for visitors staying in a Princeville condo rental to enjoy a day trip off the North Shore and see what else Kauai has to offer. This compact island is easy to navigate by the ring road that extends more than three-quarters of the way around the island. It takes only about two hours to drive from a condo rental on Kauai in the Princeville area to the town of Waimea on the southwestern side of the island.

From Waimea, drive up Waimea Canyon Road to visit the magnificent Waimea Canyon, known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Scenic overlooks along the way offer spectacular views of the colorful canyon, which is ten miles long, a mile wide, and more than 3,600 feet deep. When you reach the park headquarters, continue to the end of the road towards the Pu'uo Kila Lookout, which offers stunning views of the Kalalau Valley and the Pacific Ocean. Waimea Canyon also offers great hiking for guests of Hawaii Princeville condos. Remember to bring warmer clothing; temperatures in the canyon are about 10 to 15 degrees cooler than those on the coast.

On the east coast of Kauai, the Fern Grotto is one of Kauai's signature attractions. Here you will enter a cave cloaked with ferns and cooled by the mists of an ancient waterfall. Vacationers staying in Princeville resort rentals can paddle up the river in a rented kayak or take Smith's Wailua River Cruise (808-821-6895) to the Fern Grotto. The cruise takes about an hour and 20 minutes and includes Hawaiian music, lore, and a short walk through the rainforest to reach the grotto. Tickets are about $18 for adults and $9 for children ages 2-12.

On Kauai's South Shore, guests of Princeville and Haena rentals can visit two other units of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens. Spectacular Allerton Gardens is accessible only by guided tour; call 808-742-2623 for reservations. Nearby McBryde Garden offers self-guided tours for an entrance fee of $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 6-12. Garden tours depart from the Visitor Center on Lawai Road, a few miles west of Poipu. On your way to the gardens, be sure to stop at the amazing Spouting Horn blow hole on Lawai Road.

Amid the spectacular beauty of the island, vacationers staying in Princeville vacation rentals can enjoy a number of Kauai adventures, including ATV tours, kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking. Kauai Backcountry Adventures (888-270-0555) offers zip line tours and inner-tubing on sugar plantation irrigation canals.

One of the best ways to appreciate Kauai's lush natural beauty is to see it from the air. Visitors can take an unforgettable helicopter tour from Lihue Airport, just an hour's drive from Princeville Hawaii vacation rentals. Kauai helicopter tour companies include Will Squyres Helicopters (888-245-HELI), Island Helicopters (800-829-5999), Air Kauai (800-972-4666), Jack Harter Helicopters (888-245-2001), and Safari Helicopters (800-326-3356). One-hour helicopter tours cost about $225 to $250 per person.

To see Kauai's spectacular coastline from the water, consider a sailing trip. Bluewater Sailing (808-828-1142), located in Hanalei, offers scenic cruises aboard a 42-foot sailing yacht. Guests of Princeville and Hanalei condo rentals can take a half-day sailing trip, including snorkeling, for about $105 for adults and $85 for children ages 5-12. A number of other companies offer boat excursions, snorkeling, diving, and whale watching trips.

Vacationers who stay in a beachfront condo in Princeville Kauai can also enjoy freshwater and saltwater fishing. Kauai's inland reservoirs yield catches of largemouth and smallmouth bass, while offshore fishing for marlin, ahi, ono, and aku is excellent. Several fishing charter services operate on Kauai's North Shore, including Lucky Boy Charters (808-826-4474), Kai Bear Sportfishing (808-826-4556), Hanalei Sport Fishing And Tours (808-826-6114), McReynolds Fishing Charters (808-828-1379), and Anini Fishing Charters (808-828-1285). Half-day fishing charters cost about $160 per person.

Imagine exploring the lush beauty of Kauai on horseback. Vacationers staying in a Princeville Kauai vacation home can choose from several local riding stables, including Princeville Ranch Stables (808-826-6777), Silver Falls Ranch (808-828-6718), and Foxfyre Ranch (808-826-7510).

Princeville Resort restaurants range from casual poolside dining at Beach Restaurant & Pool Bar to fine dining at La Cascata, which features seafood and Mediterranean cuisine. Cafe Hanalei serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with breathtaking views of Hanalei Bay. A number of other Princeville area restaurants offer a range of cuisine, from American and Hawaiian to ethnic food from around the world.

For a memorable Princeville luau, the Princeville Resort offers the Pa'ian O' Hanalei beachside luau on Mondays and Thursdays, featuring authentic Polynesian food and entertainment. Call 877-946-7233 for reservations. Tickets are $99 for adults and $45 for children ages 6-12.