Going to Kauai... suggestions, anyone?

[Silencio]

So we're taking a long-delayed and much needed vacation next week to Kauai. Should be a far cry from our usual "let's go to a new big city and run ourselves crazy trying to see and do everything" vacations, and that's the whole point.

We're staying on the east side of the island (Kapa'a) for a week. Heard it's not thee most picturesque area, but very central to both the north and south shores.

Activities? Mostly relaxation: swimming, lying on the beach, drinking mai tais, some hiking (probably can't go super strenuous or lengthy at present), taking in the nature and scenery and shooting lots of pictures.

Anyone got any favorite places to go, secret hikes or beaches to check out, obscure fish stands that serve killer poke, a good place to go to buy bags of Kona coffee beans to take home?

[Jimmypoo]

I like my Kauai mixed with cream as well as with cream and vodka.

I'll bet they make some awesome combos with it in the city it originated.


One of these days I'm going to visit Bailey as well - where they invented the Irish Cream. I think it is somewhere near Boston.

[elmo3]

Yes: have fun.

[MartyStickle]

If you like hiking, I would highly recommend the Canyon trail at Wiamea Canyon and the first 2 miles of the Kalalu trail. Snorkel at Kee Beach and eat shave ice everywhere. You'll love it.

[anonymouse1]

My wife and I just went there in November for a much delayed honeymoon. It was fabulous.

We stayed on the South side of the island-less rainy. Where you are may be a bit rainier, so think about heading south for sun. There are a couple of nice beaches there.

That Napali hike is fairly strenuous. If you hike regularly, you'll enjoy. I don't, and I was sore for a couple of days. Of course, it was raining off and on. The views were pretty good-cliffs and ocean.

A much easier and nicer hike is off Shipwreck Beach, on the south side, heading north towards the golf course. COuld take 45 minutes to an hour,one way. Really gorgeous ocean views, but no mountain views.

THE guidebook to get is Ultimate Kauai-absolutely the best. http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauai.html

The helicopter rides are supposed to be wonderful, but were a bit pricey for us-over $200 per person.

Many good restaurants. We really liked the Beach House, again on the South side of the island. Go there either for food or for a drink, and get there just before sunset-spectacular!!!

The boat cruises are excellent. We took one, can't remember the name, maybe it was a catamaran? Definitely not the inflatables-those really give you a beating from what I hear.

And the Waimea canyon is AMAZING! Mark Twain called it "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific" and he is right, only it's the Grand Canyon with waterfalls. We didn't hike it at all, but just looking at it from the viewpoints is totally amazing-worth the trip by itself.

Toi's Thai restaurant was the best Thai food we've ever had. A bit of a hole in the wall, and not near where you're staying, but if you do the cruise from the south/west side of the island, stop here for lunch or dinner:
4469 Waialo Rd, Ele'ele Shopping Ctr, Ele'ele, HI 96705 · 808-335-3111

Go with the Ultimate guidebook, and you will have a superb time.

And if you're a big hiker, get a good hiking guidebook.

[roshi]

my wife and I went to dinner at the Princeville resort - overlooking Hanalei bay. It is the most heart-stoppingly beautiful place I have ever seen.

you want to be there late afternoon, have a glass of wine, have the food come just as the sun sets.

You'd have to go on a day when it is not raining.

We traveled all over Kauai and the Hanalei bay is gorgeous, and just south of it is the beach where they filmed SOUTH PACIFIC.

I'm a fanatic swimmer so to me the main thing is "places where I can swim a mile up the coast while seeing fish, reefs, and underwater canyons," but I do occasionally get excited about the beauty on land. I grew up in Malibu and have done a bit of of travel to the beauty spots of the world, but Kauai is beyond beautiful into heaven on earth.

this site looks good for an overview
http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/special/kns1.htm

[SteveO]

My late wife and I went there at about this time in 2000, I believe. It was as described above: spectacular. The restaurants are amazing. The views are even better. Beware, and this is a big one, beware the currents. When they tell you not to swim, or if if you're unsure, DON'T. While we were there, a new wife lost her new husband to the strong currents. Tragic way to start a marriage.

My brother-in-law also had a terrible mishap when he took his new wife there; the tide had gone out and he scrambled down some rocks to explore the now-dry tidal pool area; suddenly, some huge waves rolled in, trapping him in his spot as it filled up around him. He had to swim for his life in his shorts, shirt and shoes, basically, as the waves crashed around him and drove him into/against, the large, sharp rocks, etc. Don't mean to harp on that, one just has to be careful, that's all.

We did do the helicopter ride and boat tour, they were both well worth it. (If I had to choose, I'd go with the helicopter.) Also did a lot of exploring on our own at the parks/canyons mentioned above. If you rent a car, make it a convertible. I'm glad we did this as the views driving up those mountains -- are in-cred-i-ble!

The guidebook mentioned above also sounds like a good bet. I think Fodor's (or the other big one) also now offer their online content for free. Safe travels, and enjoy!

SteveO

[Robo]

Secret beach is great and usually empty, as is the huge beach at Hanalei Bay, although not as empty.
If you go to the Kalalau lookout, get there early because clouds tend to come in by the afternoon at which point you'll see nothing. Waimea Canyon (on the way) is gorgeous too and worth stopping at the lookouts. Kee and Tunnels beaches are spectacular. Polihale Beach is also good and usually pretty empty. totally agree on the ulitmate guide book suggestion. Helicopter much recommended, but try the one that flies with the doors off. It's listed in the book. A boat ride is also pretty cool. Find the one or one's that leave from Hanalei because you spend much more time off the Na Pali coast.
Postcards is a great restaurant but some think it's overrated. It ain't cheap.
Have a drink at the Princeville resort and sit outside if it's not raining.
Moloaa Bay is usually empty and quite a find. Pretty much any hike on the island is worth doing. Kauai is spectacular. Do yourself a favor and stay on the north shore next time. It's far more beautiful. My last 2 trips there I didn't go anywhere near Poipu and the resorty area.
Kona coffee is going to be expensive there so just buy it online direct from growers.
The Allerton Gardens and the other national tropical botanical garden on the north shore are both worth it.
The Mahaulepu area is gorgeous too. Have fun, I'm jealous.

[anonymouse1]

North shore can be very overcast in the rainy season; i.e., now....

[Silencio]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. More stuff to add to the list, even if I might just cross swimming in the ocean off of it. I like swimming and all, but I'm pretty conservative when it comes to rough water or exploring unfamiliar shores.

Both the north shore and south shore proponents are pretty vocal about their areas of choice, so I guess I don't feel so bad about staying in the less scenic area that's convenient to both sides.

Looks like it's been raining in Kauai this week, but will be sunnier when we're there. (Knock on wood!)