Snorkel Gear

Selecting proper fitting and quality snorkel gear will make all the difference in creating an epic snorkeling adventure.

• A Proper Fit: visit one of Kauai’s many dive or surf shops and buy/rent gear which fits properly A Good
• A Good Seal: select a mask which seals to your face even without the strap. Vaseline can help minimize mustache leaks (rub around the seal where the mask contacts your mustache)
• Glasses or Contacts: request a mask with corrective lenses
• Keep Warm: if you chill easily a wetsuit top (wind shirt) can keep you warm
• Get Rid of Fog: soap keeps the fog factor down for maximum visibility. Wash the inside glass of your mask with soap and rinse thoroughly.

Find the Right Location

When and where you snorkel will make a major difference. Preferably, you are looking for calm waters without waves that are protected by reefs. These tropical reefs and corals are where the colorful fish live, so that’s where you’ll want to go. Always check for current ocean conditions before entering the water.

Technique: Just Relax

Proper technique will make you a better snorkeler. If you’re a beginner, you may want to seek instructions from a land based or boat based snorkeling tour. Often times, these companies will provide the snorkeling gear for you.

• Just Float:  you will surely find that your body wants to float on the surface, start in shallow water and get used to floating while breathing through the snorkel.
• Gentle Motion: simply float and kick gently to move around, waving your arms in the water can startle the fish.
• Snorkels Clear: if your snorkel fills with water, don’t worry. Just clear if with a strong blast of air. Practice  in shallow water.

Glass Beach: One of the most unique beaches in all of Hawaii. The entire far side of the beach is filled with smooth, polished pieces of glass.

Ha’ean Beach: The swimming here is very hazardous as there is no reef to slow down the wave action. There is also a deep drop off just offshore.

Hanakapi’ai Beach: This beach is 2-miles down the popular Kalalau Trail. All beaches along the Na Pali Coast are treacherous and swimming in not adviseable any time of the year.

Hanalei Bay Beach: The entire Hanalei Bay is ringed with a white sand beach. The surrounding mountains embrace this bay and, in the early morning when the ocean is like glass, it mirrors the beauty of the cliffs.

Po’ipu Beach: Po’ipu is the major beach on the South Shore. Swimming here is almost always safe especially on the left side of the beach. A small strip of sand divides this section of the beach from the rest.

Polihale State Beach Park: The last beach on the road, this is Kauai’s westernmost point. It is an extension of Barking Sands Beach making it Hawaii’s longest beach with 17 miles of sparking white sand!

Pu’u Poa Beach: This great, white sand beach is located in front of the Princeville Hotel. Swimming is seasonal – best during the summer when the surf is usually calm.

Salt Pond Beach Park: This is the only natural salt pond in the state still used today by descendents of ancient Hawaiians to make sea salt. Do not enter the salt-making area without permission.

Shipwreck Beach: This beach was named for an old, wooden shipwreck that has long since disappeared. The hill is a lithified sand dune called Makawehi Point and is a popular fishing site.

Kauai’s heritage is one of fascinating folklore steeped in rich history. Blazing flames erupted deep in the heart of the Pacific Ocean and ravaged high above to create many atolls (fringing coral reef) and islands. One of these islands that formed was named Kauai. It is believed that from destruction comes serenity and beauty, and Kaui’s birth is a true example.

Kauai’s first settlers appeared in approximately the fifth century A.D. to be among the privileged few to set eyes on the earliest of the Hawaiian islands in its most genuine form. The adventurous settlers brought basic food items, among them taro, which is used to make poi and is today considered a highlight at Hawaiian luaus.

Centuries passed before Captain James Cook found Kauai on his voyage to Alaska. He first landed in Waimea and even visited the private island, Niihau, which is part of Kauai County. Kauai  was also the only island not conquered by force by King Kamehameha I, who conquered all the other Hawaiian islands.

Wyndham Bali Hai Resort in Kauai, Princeville

Why Kauai?

Living the (tropical) American Dream Aloha! This is such a warm and welcoming word that inspires honeymooners, families and singles to plan a trip to the beautiful state of Hawaii. You can combine the island dream — palm trees swaying in balmy breezes, fresh fish and macadamias galore, sandy beaches ending in bright blue seas — with American exclusivity.

Yet with so many options, how do you choose the perfect Hawaiian adventure? With consideration to all Hawaiian destinations, Kauai has been coined as the America’s Pacific paradise.  Kauai continues to offer the most affordable vacation for those who want to experience the beauty of Hawaii but not the empty pocket syndrome at the end of their stay. With the current state of the American economy, this is without a doubt the best reason to plan a trip to Kauai.  And memories can be made and shared without breaking the bank.

Below are a few fun facts about Kauai and what it offers the experienced and novice traveler. Mahalo!

Facts of Life in Kauai

• Population of main town, Lihu’e: 5,674
• Travel from U.S. mainland: Non-stop flights available; about six hours from LAX
• Closest hospital: Lihu’e
• Languages: English
• Ease of immigration: Couldn’t be easier.
• Website: kauaidiscovery.com
• Population of Island: 63,000

When folks talk about going to Hawaii you often hear them talk about the Big Island, or Oahu and Waikiki. Those who are somewhat trendy tend to boast about their last trip to Maui. Yes, those are all wonderful places and great islands no doubt. Still, there is a little secret amongst more seasoned travelers who seek out a more exclusive setting, away from the crowds, and touristy areas. Tell me have you heard of the absolute beauty of Kauai?

Well, if you want to vacation with your family in a real paradise, that’s the place you want to book your next family Hawaiian vacation. It’s really not that hard to get to for such an awesome family vacation. From the Mainland you’ll fly into Honolulu, jump on the Wiki Wiki airport tram and island hopping you go, Lihue Airport is just a hop, skip, and jump away. Once on the island you will be in instant awe of scenic views in all directions. You definitely will want a window seat on your way in!

The Alii Kai Condominums II are located on the Northern Shore, where the big waves break and the view is completely stunning, and for a family vacation rental, well, it doesn’t get much better than this. Good views, great food, and a no-stress relaxing beach vacation rental that the whole family will talk about for years. You will definitely want to take a tour around the island and take in all the sights, perhaps do some shopping.

Your family ought to feel right at home in paradise, and this island definitely grows on you. The locals are so nice, you want to give them all a big hug, seriously. If you are from a large city, you will feel the love. By the time your family vacation is over, you aren’t going to want to leave. There is something about Kauai, something you can’t find anywhere else. You’ll see.

ResorTime.com has just launched the best social media contest on the Internet. Win one week luxury accommodations in Hawaii… on us! If you have made it to the blog, great job because this is the final stage of the Scavenger Hunt 2.0. You should have just watched our YouTube video describing what you must do to enter the contest. And while we are in a generous mood, we thought it would be nice to give you multiple ways of entering the contest to increase your chances of winning. There are 11 different ways you can enter for a grand total of 19 possible entries. IMPORTANT!!! For each entry, you must post a NEW comment on this blog post.

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Comment on our blog: Why do you deserve this Hawaii vacation and what is your favorite ResorTime.com resort? The resort you choose is not the resort you will be staying at if you win. (Qualifying comment = 1 Entry)

Bonus Entries

1. Blog About “Scavenger Hunt 2.0”: Write a blog post on your personal blog and link back directly to either the original “Tweet” or this blog post. Once you create the post, write a comment on our blog post with a link to your blog post and your username used in the contest. (Blog Post = 3 Entries)
2. Subscribe to Blog: Subscribe to the www.ResorTimeTravelers.com blog with an RSS Feed Reader or E-mail signup. (Subscribe to Blog = 1 Entry)
3. Follow on Twitter and “ReTweet”: Follow @ResorTime and “ReTweet” the original message announcing “Scavenger Hunt 2.0”. Once you have completed the ReTweet, post a comment on our blog with a link to your “Tweet” and your Twitter username. (ReTweet = 1 Entry)
4. Add ResorTime as a Friend on Flickr: Add ResorTime.com as a friend on Flickr and post a comment on our blog with your Flickr username. (Flickr Friend = 1 Entry)
5. Become a Fan on our Facebook Page: Become a fan on our Facebook public profile and submit your Facebook username in a comment on our blog. (Facebook Fan = 1 Entry)
6. Become a Friend or Subscribe on our YouTube Channel: Become a friend or subscribe on our YouTube channel and submit your YouTube username in a comment on our blog. (YouTube Friend = 1 Entry)
7. Upload a Photo on Flickr: Upload a personal travel photo to our public Flickr group page and submit your username and a link to your photo in a comment on our blog. (Upload Photo = 2 Entries)
8. Social Bookmark the Post: Bookmark our blog post using any social bookmarking tool and add your username and URL in a comment on our blog. (Social Bookmark = 2 Entries)
9. Friend Referral Program: After you enter the Promotion on Facebook, you will have the option to enter the name and email address of up to five (5) friends, each of whom will be sent an email on your behalf. You may only refer persons with whom you have an existing personal relationship and who would not consider email from you to be spam. For each friend or family member who returns to the Web site and enters the Promotion, you will receive one (1) additional entry. (Refer a Friend = 5 Entries)
10. Enter by Mail: To enter by mail, without completing the online requirements, during the Promotion Period send a 3”x5” piece of paper including your name, address (P.O. Boxes not permitted), day/evening phone number, email address and date of birth, and mail it, with proper postage, to: ResorTime.com, Attn: “Scavenger Hunt 2.0”, 5900 Pasteur Ct. Suite 150, Carlsbad, CA 92008 U.S.A. (Enter by Mail = 1 Entry)

View the official Sweepstakes Rules

This vacation giveaway is valued at approximately $2,000! The giveaway does not include airfare or additional expenses incurred while on vacation. The contest ends at 11:59pm on August 6 and the Grand Prize drawing will be held August 7. We will announce the winner in a blog post, twitter post, and Facebook wall post.