Relaxing at the beach, paddling down Hawaii's only navigable river, checking out beautiful waterfalls, and teeing it up for an affordable round of golf are just some of the things you can do on Wailua vacations. Found just south of Kapaa, the Wailua area boasts a small historic town, the island of Kauai's most complete beach park, the famed Wailua Golf Course, and the Wailua River, and there's plenty of shopping to be had as well. You won't find it hard to stay busy when you travel to Wailua, and as the island of Kauai is relatively small, you can always entertain the idea of taking side trips to the north and south shores when you're not hanging out on the eastern shore.

Wailua Hawaii, like the other towns on the island of Kauai, is a census-designated place, which means that it's a population center but not quite a city. The area of Wailua Hawaii is divided by Nounou Mountain, also known as the Sleeping Giant, which separates coastal Wailua from inland Wailua. The coastal side is where most of the Wailua hotels, shops, restaurants, and visitors can be found. The Kauai visitors who travel to Wailua often have trips down the Wailua River in mind. The only navigable river in Hawaii, the Wailua River starts inland at the Wai'ale'ale Crater and empties into the Pacific Ocean at Wailua. Tributaries feed the Wailua River along the way, and several forks lead to waterfalls. Two main waterfalls—Opaekaa Falls and Wailua Falls—help feed the river. Viewing these scenic waterfalls is one of the top things to do in Wailua, and you're best off going by way of kayak or canoe to see them. Flat-bottom riverboat cruises can be taken on the Wailua River as well, and many travelers' Wailua vacations include them.

During a boat tour on the Wailua River, you're bound to stop at the Fern Grotto. This grotto forms a natural amphitheater that is often the site of traditional Hawaiian music concerts. Should you be planning a Kauai wedding, Fern Grotto is a popular venue. The Wailua River Valley is part of Wailua River State Park, where hiking in a rainforest is another activity to try when you're not traveling the river that gives the park its name. Visits to the mouth of the Wailua River are also recommended on Wailua vacations, as some of the area's top attractions can be found there, including Lydgate Beach Park and the ancient petroglyphs that can be seen on large rocks when the sand levels are down.

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On the southern side of the mouth of the Wailua River, Lydgate Beach Park is an excellent place to relax in the sun. Families who visit the park will appreciate the presence of lifeguards, the clean and convenient bathrooms and changing areas, the man-made ponds and swimming areas, and the park's playground. Due to the relatively safe water conditions at Lydgate Beach Park, it's a great place to go snorkeling, especially if you are new to the activity. When you're not kayaking on the Wailua River or visiting the island's main beach park, the Wailua Golf Course might be calling. A municipal course, the Wailua Golf Course offers relatively low greens fees, which is part of the reason it is popular with golfing enthusiasts enjoying Wailua vacations. The beautiful eighteen holes and the complete facilities are other reasons why travelers will do well to book at least one round at this course when they travel to Wailua.

It's a short drive to Wailua Hawaii from the airport in Lihue, so getting to the Wailua hotels after a flight is relatively easy. The Wailua hotels essentially mix with the southernmost Kapaa hotels, and there is abundant variety when it comes to the area lodging options. If the resorts and bed & breakfast inns along this part of Kauai's eastern coast don't offer exactly what you have in mind, you can also look into the vacation rentals that abound near the coast. There's a lot to like when it comes to Wailua vacations, and finding ideal accommodations won't be hard on a Hawaiian getaway.