Kaua'i's South Coast
Spouting Horn and the Lithified Cliffs
In contrast with the north coast, Kaua'i's south coast is calmer, with great sandy beaches and some amazing limestone cliffs. A popular snorkeling spot is Poipu Beach which offers gentle conditions, easy access, and shallow waters teeming with lots of species of tropical fish.
![](images/small/080314_poipu.jpg)
Golden sand and palms
Poipu Beach, Kaua'i (March 14th, '08)
![](images/small/080314_jen_poipu.jpg)
Me at Poipu, a popular snorkeling spot
Poipu Beach, Kaua'i (March 14th, '08)
West of Poipu along the coast is the Spouting Horn, a jet of saltwater caused by waves rushing under a lava shelf and out through a hole in the rocks. Hawai'ian legend says that the peculiar groaning sound caused by the air and waves and waves being pushed through the lava is actually the sound of a giant mo'o lizard trapped under the rocks. WARNING: heed the signs and don't get too close! People have died from being sucked into the hole.
![](images/small/080314_spouting_horn.jpg)
The Spouting Horn
South Shore, Kaua'i (March 14th, '08)
Nearby to Poipu a hiking trail skirts along Kaua'i's south coast. Over time, sand dunes eroded into the Makawehi lithified sandstone cliffs that exist there today.
![](images/small/080314_cliff_shelf.jpg)
Lithified cliffs
South Shore, Kaua'i (March 14th, '08)
![](images/small/080314_cliffs1.jpg)
The intricate lithified formations
South Shore, Kaua'i (March 14th, '08)
![](images/small/080314_cliffs_jen1.jpg)
Strolling along the cliffs
South Shore, Kaua'i (March 14th, '08)
![](images/small/080314_cliffs_derek.jpg)
Derek above the pounding waves
South Shore, Kaua'i (March 14th, '08)
![](images/small/080314_cliffs_jen2.jpg)
Appreciating the coastline
South Shore, Kaua'i (March 14th, '08)
Kauai is one of the Hawai'ian islands with a large population of "wild jungle fowl" (chickens!). The south shore is no exception and we came across some new chicks in one of the parking lots.
![](images/small/080314_chickens.jpg)
Wild chickens
South Shore, Kaua'i (March 14th, '08)
![](images/small/080314_chicks.jpg)
Chicks
South Shore, Kaua'i (March 14th, '08)