There's something besides flippers that sets Kimo, the endangered monk seal who lolls on the resort sands, apart from the rest of the vacationers here. He's the only one in the vicinity who hasn't gotten the message that the Sheraton Kauai is an action-packed kind of place—offering everything from early-morning yoga classes on the beach, to five restaurants serving up sushi, surf 'n' turf, and sausage pizza, to a sunset torch-lighting ceremony that's the most extravagant on the island. And because you're staying on Kauai's temperate South Shore, your chances of getting rained out of any alfresco activity—whether you're snorkeling, diving, taking sailboarding lessons, or teeing off at one of the two nearby golf courses—are virtually nil. But you really can't blame Kimo for taking it easy. The powdery strip here has to be lounged on to be believed. In fact, last year Poipu Beach carried off the prize as best stretch of sand in the Aloha State. Doubles from $320, year-round; 800-782-9488 or sheratonkauai.com.