Being an expert planny planner, I am putting together a list of things to do while in Kauai. I would love any suggestions! This is what I have so far…
Restaurants:
Beach House
Tidepools
Caffe Coco
Postcards
Activities:
Zodiac Boat Tours – Na Pali Coast
Secret Beach
Waimea Canyon
Kilauea Lighthouse
Drinking cold libations at the hotel pool (my personal favorite)
What am I missing? Any thoughts regarding this list? Got any tips? I can give you lots of tips…English tips…
Kristen
March 23, 2009 at 12:57 pmUp by the Marriot that is near the airport (not the one that is by Poipu) there is a really cute little brew pub that has microbrews, is inexpensive, has awesome outdoor seating where you have one of the BEST view’s that we had there. It’s really not well known because it is located in an area that was damaged by the hurricane many many years ago and part of it was not rebuilt (the center, not the brewpub – which was indeed rebuilt!) :) We haven’t been there in about 4 years – so I HOPE it’s still there! It was just a little gem to find it. You could call the Marriot and ask them more details… they are known for their “Whale Burger” which I believe is a 4lb cheeseburger! Make sure you sit ouside – we went in February and saw countless whales breaching during our meals. It was really fabulous! Oh – and I second the Beach House – but try to get a seat near the window – and around sunset. They have kick ass martinis too! Have a blast!
cbs
March 23, 2009 at 2:02 pmi am not sure where you are staying, but all of our favorites are on the north shore. be sure to hike the kalalau trail for the most amazing views of the na pali coast-and go to tunnels beach while you are there. we go to java kai every morning for breakfast-we live at papayas-and eat tropical taco almost everyday for lunch ( all in hanalei. curt always takes his surf lessons in hanalei bay. if you are on the poipu side- the lagoon pool at the grand hyatt is my favorite. lamberts ice cream shop is to die for and there is a great pizza place a couple doors down.
kate
March 23, 2009 at 2:31 pmI haven’t read the other comments yet because I got so excited to tell you that you MUST go snorkeling off Niihau if you can. We were scheduled to go snorkeling off the Napaali Cliffs but it was too windy so they diverted us to Niihau. The water is crystal-clear; we saw tons of turles and could hear the humpback whales.
Also, Glass Beach. If you don’t have it yet, get the Kauai Revealed book. It’s mentioned in there. But you’re not supposed to take any of the glass home…
Have a blast; I’m sooo jealous.
kate
March 23, 2009 at 3:00 pmMake your reservations to The Beach House as soon as you get there, for the end of your trip. We went there on our last night and it was a great way to end a wonderful trip!
We stayed in the south on Poipu and it was fabulous. But heading out to the Barking Sands Beach was so much fun – it’s treacherous to get there (5 miles on cane roads which took us about 45 minutes), but SO beautiful and quiet once you’re there! Also the Huleia Nature Reserve was a cool place to walk around: so beautiful!
You can’t help but have a wonderful time – hope it’s amazing!
Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com
March 23, 2009 at 3:42 pmI wish I had tips, but I’ve never been. So instead I’ll just sit here jealous. Sigh.
shannon
March 23, 2009 at 4:19 pmBlue Hawaiian helicopter tour was amazing– expensive, but such a great overview of the island, and you really get to see some can’t-otherwise-reach spots. The guidebook everyone mentions above is really invaluable.
Lin
March 23, 2009 at 5:29 pmA young (your age) friend just got back so I asked for her recommendations and her note follows. Have a super trip!
Tell them to do the hike on the north shore that begins at Kee beach and follows the na pali coast! They need a permit to go past the first part and if they want to camp. We just did the first two miles and that was enough for us and took a few hours…It is stunning….
Terry took a surfing lesson at Poipu beach on the south shore and loved it. He just walked into the surf shop near the big seafood restaurant that’s across from a big playground…can’t miss it…
Body surfing beach is called Brennecke
There is good shoreline snorkeling in Poipu next to Brennecke
Waimea canyon is cool. I’ve heard folks rave about helicopter rides that take you into the canyon but we just drove up and stopped at two different lookout points for the views…
Bubba’s burgers are great! There are two, on east side of island and in Hanalei
And we had delicious fish tacos near (but not in) the big hanalei village shopping center.
Kristen
March 23, 2009 at 6:15 pmWhaler’s Brew Pub – that’s the name of the great place I mentioned earlier! :)
Gillian
March 23, 2009 at 8:30 pmI can second the fish tacos mentioned above. There is a little stand that has amazing fresh fruit smoothies in the Hanalei village shopping area.
Fish Tacos + Fresh Fruit Smoothie = Heaven in the form of lunch.
Chuck Lasker
March 23, 2009 at 9:24 pmSeveral have mentioned the helicopter tours. That’s an absolute must for visitors here. The drive from Hanalei to Ke’e Beach (the end of the road), including 7 one-lane bridges, is amazing. Be sure to eat at The Hanalei Gourmet in Hanalei – best fish sandwich on the island, and I’ve tried most! Also, check out Queen’s Bath. Do a Google search, or, better, buy the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook right after landing, as it has a map: http://www.wizardpub.com/Kauai/kauai.html – It’s available just about everywhere here.
Carrie
March 23, 2009 at 9:59 pmSurprise! I am your secret reader who never comments. But for Kauai – I will comment! We are going back at the end of April for our thrid visit. We LOVE it there! Get the Kauai revealed book (also known as The Ulitmate Kauai Guidebook). The boat tours along the Napili coast are fun, even better if you stop to snorkel. My favorite snorkeling is at Tunnels on the North side of the island. Rent some snorkel gear for the week (Snorkel Bob’s) or just bring your own and always keep it in the car so you will have it whenever you decide to stop at a good beach. Favorite beach is Polihale/Barking Sands. The beach in front of the Sheraton in Poipu is a close second. Oh… and Lumahai Beach (it is in the movie South Pacific) is great too. The best shave ice on the island is at JoJo’s. It is on the highway between Poipu & the entrance to Waimea Canyon. If you do any hiking, remember that the red dirt stains and stains BAD! It gets slippery easily with only a little bit of rain, and then you slip and your clothes get ruined. (Or at least I always slip and my clothes are always ruined!) Kipu Falls is another slippery spot but very cool because you can jump off the top of the waterfall! Queen’s Bath is another cool spot and worth the short hike to get to it (but don’t go in the “Queen’s Jacuzzi” – the little pool right by the ocean – very scary if a wave comes). Old Kaloa Town is fun for dinner or just strolling around the shops. We love to eat at Pizzetta there. Kauai, I heart you! Do I really have to wait another month go go?
Kristin
March 24, 2009 at 1:04 pmBe sure to check into this –
http://www.kauaibackcountry.com/tubing.html
Raychelle
March 24, 2009 at 2:34 pmFor lunch one day…check out Shaka Tacos in Kapa’a…get the Ahi taco with mango salsa…deeeelicious!
Oh and the kayaking thing that Nicole mentioned in the first comment is totally worth it…the waterfall is fabulous!
Oh and we did a 4 wheeler tour…it was very muddy and all of my clothes that I was wearing are now a rust tint,…but it was a blast! I highly recommend it.
Linda
March 24, 2009 at 3:45 pmAmid the many wonderful comments, a glaring omission is to tour the botanical gardens. I hope you have a wonderful trip!
heels
March 24, 2009 at 4:21 pmI don’t know if they have them year-round, but we love to go to the farmer’s markets on the weekend. It’s fun to see all of the different kinds of produce available, and I like getting a fresh coconut to drink (and I DON’T CARE how touristy it may be).
I have lots of other good tips for going with a toddler, but I’ve never been there with just my husband. I’m jealous of that opportunity!