Kayaking Hawaii can be as peaceful as a solitary paddle trip along a tranquil river or as wild as a rough ocean adventure. Popular kayaking destinations can be found on Kauai, Maui and Molokai. Some of the most beautiful areas in Hawaii are extremely difficult to access via land but kayaking gives paddlers immediate access to appreciate and enjoy nature's beauty.

Kauai is the only Hawaiian island with a river suitable river for kayaking. Wailua River on the eastern side of the island is a favored destination. The right side of the river is reserved for kayaking.

Wailua River Valley was once reserved for royalty. It is still considered sacred and special by many. The river is typically gentle with little current.

Lush tropical foliage, beautiful exotic blooming flowers, ancient ruins, sacred waterfalls, old Hawaiian villages, pristine canyons and tropical rain forests are just a portion of the scenic beauty kayakers can experience.
Several tour companies operate in the region. Single, double, and triple kayaks are available for rent. The Secret Falls and Fern Grotto are popular Hawaii kayaking destinations.

There are times when access to one or more areas (such as the grotto) is restricted but there's so much more to see that kayakers aren't left with time on their hands.

Maui kayaking tours include beginner tours, Makena tours and Honolua Bay tours. Kayak surfing tours are available and at least one tour company welcomes physically challenged kayakers.

Kayaking Makena Landing gives paddlers the opportunity to see turtles, eels, octopus, reef sharks, tropical fish and
occasionally whales or dolphins.

The secluded and beautiful Pali Sea Cliff area features rugged shoreline, sharp sea cliffs and stunning coral reefs. Hawaiian green sea turtles are a highlight of kayaking Makena Bay.

Honolua Bay is a marine reserve. The coral reef teems with fish. Kayaking here does require paddling into moderately strong trade winds.

Kayaking Hawaii's Molokini Crater allows kayakers to access areas powerboats can get to. Some of the island's most spectacular sea life is said to be found here.

Molokai is best reserved for experienced kayakers. Ocean swells and rough waves make paddling too difficult and dangerous for beginners. The island's undeveloped north shore may be paddled from east to west but kayakers rarely paddle the return route. Ten mile-per-hour winds make the trip a rough one.

Kayaking Hawaii's Kona coast gives paddlers the opportunity to explore Kealakekua Bay, Keahou, Ho'okena, Honaunau and Kailua.

Kealakekua Bay is the most protected deep water bay and is designated a Marine Life Conservation District. The Bay was the home of many Hawaiian Chiefs and is where Captain Cook landed. A Captain Cook monument stands there today.
Across the bay, kayakers will find pristine reefs where over 250 species of fish have been identified. Glass kayaks can be rented in Kona, making kayaking Hawaii a truly amazing and different experience.

Keahuou Bay, birthplace of Kamehameha the great, boasts calm waters. Kayakers paddling along the south cliffs will pass sea caves. One of the sea caves can often be entered by kayak, making for a unique Hawaiian kayaking experience.

Kayaking Hawaii can be a tranquil experience or an adrenalin rush. From tropical waterfalls to rushing rapids, from sea caves to historical ruins, paddlers can choose the perfect kayak trip.

When it comes to a stereotypical Caribbean paradise, St. Kitts and Nevis fit the bill. Offering the allure of tropical rainforests and even a dormant volcano to heighten the scenery, this area is a favorite for passionate visitors of the area. The landscape alone makes the two neighboring islands stand out as slightly different in the region, but there are still plenty of major Caribbean draws here, too.

Mount Liamuiga is the volcano that stands almost dead center in St. Kitts. Like something out of a movie, this pristine landscape feature is surrounded by some of the regions most lush tropical vegetation. The image is more at home in the South Pacific, but visitors to St. Kitts will find it here, as well.

Nevis, too, is a great destination that often draws ecotourists. This type of travel, whether visitors arrive by plane or cruise ship, involves going to see ecological hotspots. Nevis and St. Kitts in all their natural glory fit the bill to a perfect T.

And while the landscape on St. Kitts and Nevis is a little more lush, a little more tropical and perhaps a little more Hollywood perfect than in other Caribbean locations, this area does share a lot of similarities with its neighbors. Found here, of course, are the pristine blue waters and white sandy beaches so famous in the region.

St. Kitts and Nevis were both part of the British holdings in the region. They were used for growing sugar and St. Kitts even became the home of a British base with the fortress building taking place at Brimstone Hill.

The island of St. Kitts is fairly tiny, but Nevis its neighbor even smaller. Kitts comes in at 68 square miles while Nevis falls in at a teeny 36. Despite their size, these two islands pack a collective punch in the tourist industry. The beaches, diving adventures, history and the 79 degree average temperatures are ideal for vacationers no matter the time of year.

Like two side by side jewels in the Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis are unusual in appearance, but offer everything the region is famous for and then some.

Cruise ship passengers who visit this area can expect to have the chance to take part in a wide array of activities. From fishing trips and golf to hiking, biking and diving, it's all available on these two islands. Plus, with their sizes as they are, it's not hard to see it all on St. Kitts and Nevis.

No two Caribbean cruises are exactly alike. With a whole host of beautiful tropical islands to visit, the Caribbean is home to three distinct areas with their own groupings of islands. With so many ports of call to choose from and so much to see and do, the Caribbean is an entire region that promises cruisers something different each time they visit.

The Eastern Caribbean is home to such islands as Puerto Rico, St. Maarten and St. Thomas. These areas are strongly influenced by French, Dutch and Spanish cultures, making them unique.

Puerto Rico, for example, is an American holding, but its style, flavor and landscape is nothing like the mainland. A world onto itself, this island is home to lush tropical landscapes, beautiful waters and exciting ports of call.

Cruise line visitors to the island of Puerto Rico will find this region was strongly influenced by Spanish, Indian and African cultures long before there was an America. The island is home to a mix of people that meld their cultural backgrounds together to create a distinct destination in the Eastern Caribbean.

Those who disembark to explore Puerto Rico will find lots to do while off board. From historical tours of San Juan to museums and from beaches to tropical hikes, there's no shortage of sights to see in this region. In addition, there are hiking, biking, horseback riding and kayaking adventures awaiting visitors, among other things.

Another popular Eastern Caribbean destination is the island of St. Maarten. This beautiful island changed hands between the Spanish, Dutch and French multiple times and is now a favorite of cruisers for its beauty, steeped in history.

Here visitors will find lots of opportunities to explore the outdoors with snorkeling, diving, fishing and more all waiting just off board their cruise. In addition, St. Marteen is home to many shipwreck dive and snorkel tours, walking tours of the historic regions and more. There's even a butterfly farm and an America's Cup Regatta attraction for visitors to see.

The Caribbean is broken up into three distinct parts. The Eastern is home to such wonderful cruise destinations as Puerto Rico and St. Maarten. Each island, however, has its own treasures that await those who want to get away from it all on a Caribbean vacation.

Combining the natural beauty and fantastic outdoors opportunities the Caribbean is famous for with rich history, the islands that make up the East are each distinct and worthy of exploring. Each trip brings with it a new discovery for visitors to this region and those exploring the east will find some standout sights for certain.

With a whole host of exotic ports of call, each with their own unusual draws, the Caribbean is a favorite for those who enjoy taking cruises. Getting there is half the fun on a cruise, but what awaits in the Caribbean is described by many as nothing short of paradise.

With lush tropical rainforests, waterfalls, rivers, white sandy beaches and water so blue it almost doesn't look real, the Caribbean has been a favorite for travelers for literally hundreds of years. Unlike anywhere else in the world, the Caribbean's many islands combine all the elements that make a great vacation great. These include:
* Fantastic scenery: It's a safe bet those from mainland locations in the United States and Europe won't have this kind of landscape in their backyards. Sure, there are beaches and subtropical zones in the U.S. and similar regions in Europe, but not quite like this. The beaches of the Caribbean are storied for a reason and that's not even getting into the wildlife, rainforests and more.
* Outdoor activities: When it comes to things to do, the Caribbean islands offer no shortage of possibilities. From ski and fishing trips to white water rafting and horseback riding, plus golf, tennis and more, this region is meant to be seen from the outdoors.
* Cultural tours: With such a rich history that melds so many cultures together, each island has its own story to tell. Influences here include native, Spanish, Dutch, French, English, African and more. Cultural sites, museums, galleries and more all await visitors to the many islands. Remember, no two are alike, so the stories and the culture will vary.

Considering its many draws, the Caribbean is a favorite for visitors the world over. Whether they arrive via cruise ship or plane, visitors come and they come in droves year-round. There are some times, however, that are better than others for visiting this region.

The Caribbean does have year-round balmy weather that can be picture-perfect on any given day, however the period between June 1 and November 30 can be prone to hurricanes. Some travelers prefer to steer clear entirely during this time, but others like to take advantage to discounted prices of traveling during this window. Hurricanes are far from a daily occurrence, and the season can net some of the biggest savings.

As long as weather reports are heeded, there really is no bad time to visit the Caribbean. The hurricane season might be a little more wet, but unless a big storm is coming, the islands should still be more than ripe for the exploring.

The Southern Caribbean's island draws are so impressive, songs have been made to honor them. With Aruba, Antigua and Barbados just being a few of the many island possibilities for cruise ship passengers to see, it's no wonder this portion of the Caribbean is famed for being a favorite for tourists.

While each island in the Caribbean has its own distinct and rich history and geographical draws, they all share quite a lot in common as well. The islands in the Southern Caribbean are famous for their beautiful white, sandy beaches, tropical climates and pristine waters. Offering visitors a whole host of shore activities, the Southern Caribbean is one of the most popular parts of the region for vacationers.

In addition to the tropical beaches, the island of Antigua, for example, offers visitors a whole host of other adventures. There's cricket, hiking, golfing, biking and even bird watching. Water lovers will find windsurfing, diving, snorkeling and more available, as well. Plus, there are historical destinations, shopping and dining all available.

Cruise ship passengers will find themselves privy to a number of tours if they choose to disembark on the island of Antigua. These include tours of Jumby Bay, hiking excursions, historical tours and more. Cultural experiences are also possible to explore.

The history of this particular island is rich. Visitors will get to see areas touched by the British Royal Navy, the Arawak Indians and more. Plus, there's Shirley Heights Lookout to see and Nelson's Dockyard on this island richly influenced by both British and African settlers.

Visitors to other Southern/Eastern Caribbean islands will find a host of other activities just awaiting their arrival. From rum distillery tours on Barbados to Martinique's botanical gardens, there's a paradise to see seen in the Caribbean.

Cruise ship travel to the Caribbean is perhaps one of the best ways to get a feel for the islands. By visiting several ports of call in most general trips, cruise passengers get to see and explore a little more than those who head specifically to one island or another. The trips give passengers the best of both worlds while ensuring plenty of access to off board excursions so guests can get a real flavor of the islands.

The Southern Caribbean is home to a whole host of islands, each distinct in its roots and draws, but all quintessential in their tropical styling.