If you picture daily doses of substantial rain when you imagine Kauai, you’ve probably never visited the South Shore. Home to world-class beaches, sunny days abound on Kauai’s South Shore.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love our warm weather, which is perfect for golfing, biking, running, any water sport you can imagine, and of course, cocktails at sunset. Those who want to get off the beaten path can park by the Grand Hyatt Kauai and take the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail to Maha’ulepu Beach. An outrageously beautiful, undeveloped beach, you’ll swear you’ve stepped back in time to Hawai’i 200 years ago the second you see Maha’ulepu.
Regarded by many as the best beach in America, Kauai’s Poipu Beach is a crescent of golden sand divided by a shallow sandbar. Here you’ll find gentle waves breaking, families snorkeling and swimming, keiki learning how to bodyboard and surf, and even endangered Hawaiian monk seals, napping in the sunshine.
In addition to such special beaches, I also love the South Shore’s shops. At Poipu Shopping Village, you’ll discover upscale boutiques, surf shops, and everything in between. And dining options range from colorful coffee shops to gourmet restaurants.
Featuring premier shops, unique boutiques, award-winning restaurants, original art galleries, and a weekly farmer’s market, the Shops at Kukui’ula is where the owners of the South Shore’s top properties gather. And for owners of South Shore vacation rentals, Old Koloa Town, Spouting Horn State Park, the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, and the Allerton Gardens are sure to be a big hit with guests visiting Kauai.
Over a Dozen Diverse & Distinctive Communities
When it comes to real estate, you’ll find over a dozen communities and subdivisions on Kauai’s South Shore, and each has something different to offer.
Looking for a place that’s on the golf course? The South Shore has it! Do you need a little bit more quiet? We’ve got that too!
Ocean breezes and tropical sun create the perfect conditions for world-class golf, and golf enthusiasts will be delighted by the South Shore subdivisions’ proximity to stunning, award-winning golf courses. Luxury communities such as the Kiahuna Golf Village and Pili Mai are located beside the Kiahuna Golf Course, which was designed to deliver challenging resort golf surrounded by all the natural beauty and splendor of the South Shore.
And anyone who craves ocean views can get their fill at the condos of Kuhio Shores, found on the Poipu end of Lawai Road. Within Poipu Kai Resort, you’ll find Lanai Villas, a small residential area, as well as the single-level residences of Bayview. Less than a half mile away are the custom homes of Crestview at Poipu Kai.
Those ready to invest in a vacation rental will find that the convenience of Poipu Sands’ make it attractive to guests, while anyone seeking an upscale experience will appreciate the condos at Poipu Kapili.
The South Shore’s Top 5 Subdivisions
The neighborhoods on Kauai’s South Shore are very distinctive in what they have to offer, which may not be as apparent to others as it is to those of us who live and work here. Let’s look at the top 5 South Shore neighborhoods and what makes each so distinctive.
5) Lawai Road
Lawai Road is one of the few places near Poipu Beach with oceanfront properties. You haven’t truly experienced the ocean until you wake up in a luxury home on Lawai Road to the crashing waves and wrap up the day enjoying unbeatable sunset views. Nearby you’ll discover calm, uncrowded Kukui’ula Harbor and the natural wonder of Spouting Horn. If you take legendary Lawai Road from Poipu all the way to Koloa, you’ll find #4 on our list of the top South Shore communities.
4) Koloa Estates and Poipu Aina Estates
On either side of Poipu lie two neighborhoods that offer an attractive, unique combination of upcountry living and proximity to the liveliness of Poipu. The gorgeous luxury homes in Koloa Estates are tucked away on Kauai’s South Shore, ensuring seclusion and sunshine. Poipu Aina Estates has the distinction of being the only agricultural subdivision in Poipu with large acreage lots. It’s not uncommon to see horses grazing here, with Mt. Haupu on the horizon. Vacation rentals are not permitted in either Koloa Estates or Poipu Aina Estates, providing priceless quiet and privacy.
Koloa Estates is further inland than Poipu Aina Estates, but both are close to the Kiahuna Golf Course, as well as the communities accessed via Kiahuna Plantation Drive. This palm-lined road serves the Kiahuna Golf Club, Wainani at Poipu, and Kiahuna Golf Village, which is #3 on our list!
3) Kiahuna Golf Village
From Kiahuna Plantation Drive, you can turn left to reach Kiahuna Golf Village, where lots are larger, landscaping is mature, and open space abounds. An incredible, established subdivision, Kiahuna Golf Village is one of the South Shore’s best real estate opportunities. Owners are permitted to vacation rent their Kiahuna Golf Village homes. And residents and visitors alike enjoy the nostalgic air of this neighborhood, while being minutes away from everything Poipu has to offer.
2) Wainani at Poipu
Continue up Kiahuna Plantation Drive and let it welcome you to Wainani at Poipu, one of the South Shore’s newer subdivisions. The exclusive residential community of Wainani at Poipu features convenient access to all that Kauai’s South Shore has to offer, including upscale boutiques and award-winning restaurants. The luxury homes at Wainani are also minutes away from Poipu Beach. Properties here boast panoramic views along green fairways, and owners are permitted to vacation rent their home for additional income.
1) Poipu Beach Estates
Near the heart of the Poipu resort area is Poipu Beach Estates, another newer community on Kauai’s South Shore. As the only subdivision in Poipu that allows you to build your home and an additional dwelling unit (ADU), all on the same property, this unique neighborhood also offers undeveloped, generously-sized lots right in Poipu. For anyone who wants to maximize the income potential of vacation renting, owning property at Poipu Beach Estates is ideal.
Kauai’s South Shore: The Laidback Lifestyle, with a Touch of Class
No matter where you go on the South Shore, you’ll notice that the vibe is beachy and laid back, the weather is unbelievable, and the lifestyle is small town, with a touch of class.
It’s also easy to get in and out of the South Shore area to Lihue. You won’t have to fight traffic every time you want to go to Costco or Home Depot. And the Lihue Airport is less than a half hour drive away.
There’s a reason I chose to call the South Shore home years ago – For me, it really is the best place on planet earth to live!
To learn about luxury real estate on Kauai’s sunny South Shore, see my recent blogs about Lawai Road, Poipu Beach Estates, and Wainani at Poipu. And check out these blogs on Koloa Estate / Poipu Aina Estates and Kiahuna Golf Village.
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