Anywhere in Hawaii is an outdoor lover’s paradise as the weather is near perfect and the landscapes as diverse as can be. The scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, and winter surfing are all superb, while Waimea Canyon boasts great hiking and families can take to the waves with sailing adventures.

Captain Andy's Sailing Adventures
Perfect for active kids, Captain Andy’s is a 16-metre catamaran that sails from the south shore for lunches, cocktails and snorkelling picnics. There are three main cruises: a five-hour cruise to the Na Pali coast (May to October) with lunch and snorkelling; a four-hour sunset cruise to the Na Pali coast with dinner; and a two-hour pupu cocktail sunset cruise. Phone: +1 808 335 6833; www.napali.com  

Hiking
Waimea Canyon has the best hiking on Kauai, with extensive trails both within the canyon as well as along the Na Pali cliffs, which have fantastic view points. Hiking in the spring or the autumn is the best bet, when rainfall and temperatures are lower than in the winter and the peak summer periods respectively. It is always worth checking ahead for conditions with the park office.

Kayaking
Surrounded by water and loaded with waterways, Kauai has fine kayaking, the best of which is arguably on the Huleia River which flows into the Huleia National Wildlife Refuge. You also do some bird watching here. For more thrilling kayaking, head to the Na Pali coast, with its towering cliffs, beaches and heavy surf, or perhaps have a paddle around Hanalei Bay.

Poipu Bay Golf Course
Poipu Bay is a tough, near 6,400-metre links-style golf course that was the brainchild of Robert Trent Jones, Junior. The manicured greens and many water hazards make for a hard time and the 17th hole is the toughest of them all, with its Hawaiian stone formation tee. A restaurant, pro shop, and a driving range are also onsite. Phone: +1 808 742 8711; www.poipubaygolf.com  

Scuba Diving
The scuba diving on Kauai is best experienced in the south leeward side of the island where visibility and all-round diving comfort are better than elsewhere. This is especially so during the rough winters. The most high-profile dive site here is the Caverns, which is located off Poipu Beach. A series of lava tubes connected by archways have many types of fish, Hawaiian lobsters, and turtles.

Snorkelling
There is loads of good snorkelling on Kauai all around the island and the best of it can be had outside the rough winter season. Kee Beach on Highway 560 has some of the best shoreline snorkelling, while nearby Tunnels Beach has an interesting reef. Anini Beach has shallow snorkelling, and Salt Pond Beach Park also has excellent visibility.

Surfing
The best surf on Kauai is easily at Hanalei Bay in the winter, although this is true Hawaiian Pacific power surf and is thus for experts only. For beginner’s stuff, head for Poipu Beach which is ideal for learning and has excellent facilities for just that. Surf lessons are available and surf shops hire gear.

Kauai is all about the land and there are many impressive landmarks worth exploring, including Waimea Canyon which can be seen by car. There are also some impressive waterfalls on Kauai as well as lush botanical gardens and a spectacular blowhole known as Spouting Horn. Those interested in history should check out the Kauai Museum and Old Koloa Town.

Driving Waimea
Waimea Canyon is one of the big highlights of Kauai and is a must-see whether you have a car or not. Those who have hired a car will get the most out of it by taking a drive along State Route 550-State Route 50 from Lihue. The road gets really close at times and the canyon is best seen from the viewpoint near mile marker 11.

Kauai Museum
The premier museum on Kauai is situated in a Greco-Roman building which was once a library. It features loads of historical artefacts commencing from the discovery of Hawaii by the white man, Captain James Cook in 1778, through to the plantation era. Exhibits include a model of Cook's ship, HMS Resolution, and an impressive seashell collection. Phone: +1 808 245 6931; www.kauaimuseum.org  

Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens
The Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens on the north shore of Kauai are spread across more than 200 acres of manicured grounds and contain dozens of fanciful life-size bronze statues. There are waterfalls, topiaries, gazebos, colonnades, a Japanese teahouse, and a huge maze that kids will love. Tours of the gardens are available. Phone: +1 808 828 0525; www.naainakai.com  

Old Koloa Town
Lying on Route 520 on the road to Poipu, the small unassuming Old Koloa Town is somewhat of a rustic backwater on Kauai. There’s not much to look at here, apart from souvenirs shops, an ice-cream parlour and a convenience store, yet the small museum detailing the Japanese immigrants that worked Kauai's sugar plantations will appeal to the culture vulture. Phone: +1 808 973 0040; www.oldkoloa.com  

Spouting Horn
Spouting Horn at Kukuiula Bay, near Prince Kuhio Park, is a blowhole with a difference owing to its associated howl. Although it is impressive at any time of year, Spouting Horn is best seen in the winter when Kauai's big south shore waves hit. A funnel of water spouts up to about 18 metres during the heaviest swells and the additional hole makes the distinctive moaning sound.

Waterfalls
Kauai is one of the wettest islands on Earth and as such has loads of waterfalls to look at. Wailua Falls, near Lihue, are the most popular; a triple waterfall that used to feature Kauai cliff diving. The Opaekaa Falls are similarly stunning and can be found on Route 580, while the falls as seen in the blockbuster movie Jurassic Park, Mana Waipuna, are best seen by helicopter.

Kauai offers cuisines from Asian and Polynesian, to European and Mexican, and plate lunches are the order of the day. There are affordable eateries in all Kauai towns, with hamburger joints and noodle stands (saimin) galore as well as an abundance of seafood restaurants.

It is also worth remembering that many places on the island have nothing in the way of sustenance, including Waimea Canyon and some beaches, so taking along a packed lunch is a must. For taking in the famous Kauai sunset, sip a cocktail at the Library in the Starwood Princeville Hotel or at the Point bar at the Sheraton Poipu.

The shopping action on Kauai is good with the open-air Poipu Shopping Village at Poipu having many crafts shops. The Coconut Marketplace is another open-air shopping complex on the east of Kauai with loads of shops and restaurants on its premises, while the Kukui Grove Center in Lihue is the island’s largest shopping centre.

One of the most popular shopping destinations is Kapaa Village; a huge shopping centre with dozens of shops and restaurants and some pleasing artwork including whaling wall murals. Have a browse here to pick up affordable souvenirs and keepsakes.