The North is wetter due to the tradewinds and the mountains. Kauai's South Shore is drier, which means more bright, warm, picture-perfect beach days.
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Nestled in the heart of Kauai, Mount Waialeale boasts a mesmerizing beauty, but its most distinguishing feature is its astounding rainfall. Touted as one of the rainiest places on our planet, this majestic mountain receives an astonishing amount of precipitation annually.
If you are looking for more tourist attractions and slightly more sunshine, then the south of Kauai is probably the area to visit. However, if you are seeking to experience the raw authenticity of the island and its stunning scenery, then the north is definitely the best place to visit for a proper Kauai experience.
The South Shore is definitely one of the more popular areas for tourists to stay in Kauai. The weather on this side of the island stays pretty sunny year-round, making it the perfect place for pool-side lounging and long beach days.
Kauai is considered one of the rainiest places on the planet. Of course, that's one of the reasons it's also so lush. You can often find sunshine on the southern side, but it's not guaranteed, especially in the winter. Maui receives less rainfall than Kauai.
The numbers: Princeville gets about 78 inches of rain a year. It's pretty even as to when it comes down too. People think it only rains in the winter but the fall is actually the wettest season on the North shore of Kauai.
MOUNT WAIALEALE, Kauai — This legendary peak dominates the geography of Kauai, jutting to an altitude of 5,148 feet and constituting possibly the wettest place on Earth. Or possibly the second-wettest, after Mawsynram, a mountain in India.
Lumahai is the subject of many postcards and paintings, but is also known on island as one of the most dangerous beaches for drownings and is not recommended for swimming. During the summer months the conditions at Luimahai are calmer, but still use caution. Lumahai is exposed to open ocean and strong currents.
Kauai sees the heaviest rain of the winter period between December and March. However, even if you are travelling to Kauai in the rainy season, you are unlikely to see rain all day and every day. Generally, it rains overnight and clears up. Otherwise, it may rain sporadically during the day and come out of nowhere.
Even during the dry season, it can still rain anywhere on the island. With an average annual rainfall of 41.2 inches, Kauai bags the title the rainiest place in Hawaii. It is also home to one of the planet's wettest spots, Mount Wai'ale'ale. If you worry the rain in Kauai will ruin your holiday, don't.
So, if you're heading to Kauai in the winter, leave the north shore for the surfers and head to the south shore beaches for better swimming conditions. While the south shore is swimmable year-round, the summer months can bring choppier waters to Kauai beaches on the south end.
Many consider Princeville's weather to be the best on the planet. The sun shines almost every day, it rains almost every day and you get to see a rainbow almost every day.
Since the south shore is the sunny side of Kauai, it gets lots of tourist traffic and is more commercialized. It's also a better choice in terms of beach proximity. South Shore is home to some of the best beaches in Kauai, such as the Kiahuna Beach at Poipu and the Brennecke Beach.
The island has only two seasons: dry from April to October and wet or rainy from November to March, with December and January experiencing the most rainfall.
Anini Beach Near Princeville Resort Offers Scenic BeautyOn this Kauai beach near Princeville Resort, you can snorkel the longest and widest reef in the Hawaiian islands and swim in safe, shallow water during summer.
If you're ready to trade the hustle and bustle for variety and adventure in your life, Maui probably sounds like the perfect escape. If you're looking for something quieter and family-friendly, with plenty of outdoor activities and natural beauty, Kauai is the ideal island paradise.
Regarding dramatic Hawaiian scenery, Maui and Kauai are both exactly what most travelers imagine. Stunning coastlines, towering mountains, and lush jungles abound on both islands. However, the main difference between the two islands comes down to the variety in the landscapes, which Maui wins by a narrow margin.
The West Side of the island, the leeward coast of Kauai, is drier and the mountains in the center of the island block the rest of Kauai from the rain. This is one of the least visited parts of the island, excluding the sights along Highway 550 (like Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park).