Snorkeling is great at Salt Pond Beach Park, as is the "Tunnels" on the north side is great also for snorkelling.

Poipu Beach is great for body surfing, as is Brennecke's Beach, both of which are less than a few minutes from the Poipu area. Another nearby fairly secluded beach is called Shipwreck Beach. You'll have to take sugar cane field roads to get there, but you'll probably have it all to yourselves!

Polihale Beach on the west coast at Barking Sands Missile Range is like THE place to get a tan...it is *extremely* hot, so be sure to take sunscreen, and maybe hats. Swimming at Polihale is at your own risk (as the sign says), but it's worth it! The waves are incredible! Be careful though...

The best "sunset beach IMHO is Pakala Beach. As I remember, it was on the west side of the island (of course!), and you had to cross a pasture to get to it. You have a wonderful view of Nihau (the "forbidden island") from there. Ask someone where it is....and be careful. I almost stepped right on a *BIG*BULL* lying there minding his own business as we were walking through. Luckily, Bill was alert enough to warn me away (well, heck, I thought it was just a big pile of brown dirt, y'know ;-)

For a wonderful luau, make reservations at Tahiti Nui on the northeast coast of Kauai. This restaurant holds luaus 3 nights per week, and has the best food on the island, I think. It's a much more intimate luau than the ones held at the big hotels. Hawaiian entertainment (music & hula) is offered after dinner, and an old Hawaiian woman sits on the front porch making fresh flower leis all night long. Be sure to buy one -they're cheap and fill the air with a wonderful scent. If you want to go, make reservations right after you get there...it's a popular place. Louise, the owner, is a big Hawaiian woman, who you'll probably see there, overseeing everything. It's not a luau, it's a big block party!!!

Hanalei is on the north side of the island, and is where most of the taro is grown to make poi, that island staple. As with the other Hawaiian islands, the north side is more lush and tropical because it rains more there than on the south (leeward) side, which on Kauai is Poipu. Although when we were there, it rained about once a day, even in Poipu, especially in the morning. It's a light, refreshing rain though, and probably won't interfere with your plans...

Also on the north side is a wonderful beach called Lumahai Beach. It is a perfect little crescent-shaped, reef-protected beach accessible via a semi-steep path. It was featured in the movie, "South Pacific" as "Nurse's Beach". We were too lazy to make the hike, but it would probably be worth it....

Another not-to-be-missed sight is Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of Hawaii." The drive around the canyon is very nice, and I would recommend it.

Restaurants in Poipu I'd recommend are: Brennecke's, the Beach House, Keoki's Paradise (a little schmaltzy, but nice). A friend swears by Duane's Ono Burgers, but I don't know where on the island it is. Definitely, buy some fruit from roadside stands and stock your kitchen.

For restaurants away from Poipu, I'd recommend "The King and I" in Kapaa for Thai food. Nice place, reasonable prices, tasty food. "Hanalei Pizza" also makes some really good pizza. I'd avoid "Norberto's" for Mexican food. Don't get a Tropical Taco from the green truck in front of the Dolphin restaurant, either, they are inedibile!

Visit the Westin Kauai Lagoons hotel for the out-of-place ostentatious glitz factor if you have the urge (it's close to the airport).

Be prepared for high food prices. I found most grocery store items to be at least 1/3 or more higher than California prices.

And remember to ask for the front seat when you make your helipcopter tour reservations to get the best view of the Na Pali coast!