Kauai, HI

Kauai, HI's Topography

Kauai is the oldest island in Hawaii's volcanic mountain range. Roughly circular in shape, it covers about 550 square miles in area and 32 miles in diameter. In the center of the island, Mount Waiaieale towers more than 5,000 feet above sea level and receives more than 450 inches of rain per year, making the mountain the wettest spot on earth. The streams and rivers that carry the water down the mountains have made Kauai a land of broad plateaus, narrow valleys and ridges, high cliffs, and sandy beaches.

Kauai, HI's weather year around

Kauai's climate is tropical, but the conditions vary. Temperatures on the island's mountain and highland regions are cooler than at sea level, dropping about 3.5°Ffor every thousand feet above sea level. Rainfall on the island varies by location and season. The southwest coast is generally drier than the northern and eastern areas. Most of the heavy rain falls in the higher elevations, above the resort areas, and during the night. Summer months are mostly sunny on all coasts, while winter brings periodic showers. But even during the wettest winter months, rain comes and goes quickly, and leaves behind fantastic rainbows.

Winter lows in the 60°Fs, highs in the 80°Fs, water temperature in the 70°Fs.

Summer lows in the 70°Fs, highs in the 90°Fs, water temperature in the 80°Fs.