Explore the Wailua River
October 15th, 2007 by Rocco
When you’re paying a visit to the islands of Hawaii, there’s much more to discover than the beaches and coastal towns. Paddling a kayak up the Wailua river on Kauai’s beautiful Coconut Coast gets you closer to this fascinating country than anything else. For an authentic taste of ancient Hawaiian life, it can’t be beaten.
A trip to the Coconut Coast is the highlight of any Hawaiian Vacation. This beautiful region has been left largely untouched by tourist developments. Though Kauai has vacation condos available to rent in its colorful towns, there are no major tourist developments in this area, and you’ll find traditional shops with all sorts of interesting wares. But staying in the city is no way to discover the real beauty of the area, and your car won’t get you very far, either.
To fully explore the remarkable landscape there’s nothing better than taking a kayak along the graceful Wailua River. Running through mile upon mile of state park, this gentle waterway will carry you far from civilization, out among the hills and ancient places of rural Hawaii. Here you will see the heiau, or ancient sacred sites, some of which are still the location of traditional style spiritual ceremonies. You’ll see mysterious petroglyphs and the ruins of ancient palaces, for the Wailua region was once the home of Hawaiian kings.
Kayaking on the Wailua river is not an extreme sport and you don’t need to be an athlete to do it. Kayaks are available for hire to small family groups, or you can join an organized tour with a guide to point out sites of interest. There’s a picnic area on the river’s southern shore so that you can rest and refresh yourself without damaging the pristine environment.
The Wailua river is one of those hidden treasures through which it’s still possible to discover the old, unspoilt Hawaii. It’s the perfect place to visit from your Kauai vacation condo base, and it’s something no serious visitor should miss.