First timer to Kauai - could use some advice

I left awhile ago, so out of the loop on most of your questions. I can tell you, if you haven't done so alreaady, get the blue book - The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, Kauai Revealed.

Happy Anniversary!!

PS I would give anything for dinner at Roy's ( assuming it's still up to standard).

I don't know about the helicopter tours but we ultimately chose Wing Over Kauai because of my fear of heights and because it was less expensive. I also thought the heli would be too 'whooshy' and the plane more level. We loved it and since the plane only seats 4 max, we had it to ourselves. The couple that run it couldn't be nicer and we got about 15 extra minutes and a lot of useful information

We did a kayak tour which we found convenient because they provided all the equipment and had all the gear we wouldn't have to bother providing for ourselves. It included about 2 hours of kayaking, and 2 hours of hiking through a lush area filled which ended at a waterfall where we breaked for lunch. I see the prices for these trips have been slashed almost in half since our trip last Christmas.

As for a day in Honlulu, many will dissaude you from going for just a day but we just did this last week and it was totally worth it. Just make a compact plan for the day. We got into Honolulu at 8:30am, picked up a rental car for $36, left our stuff in the trunk, and by properly managing our time (it helped that it was a Sunday, I think) we were able to grab breakfast at the Original Pancake House (yum!), go snorkeling at Hanauma Bay for about 2 hours, pick up plate lunch (for dinner) and head back to the airport in plenty of time for our 10pm flight. Totally exhilerating day and we felt like we vactioned until the last minute.

Hope that helps.

Have a great time and Happy Anniversary!

www.bezlu.com

I agree with the post that recommends The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook (author: Doughty). It will answer every possible question you have about Kauai and many more you haven't thought of. It is written by locals who live on the island and gives objective reviews of all heli and plane tours, kayaking adventures, restaurants, snorkeling spots, and all other adventures on the island. If you get this book well in advance of your trip, it will enhance your vacation tremendously.

You can't get the info in a few posts, that it takes an entire book to cover.

Have fun!!

I don't have nearly the Kauai expertise that many on this forum do, but I've been to Kauai many times and I absolutely love it. Here's my take on a couple of your questions:

1. I've done one of the helicopter tours and I thought it was great (it's been many years, so I can't remember which company we used). After the initial takeoff (liftoff?) it feels very stable, so I don't think you'd have a problem from that standpoint. That said, it's expensive, and on a tightish budget I would think it would be something you could skip. One of the Napali coast boat trips (which include snorkeling) gives you a similarly great view of that part of the island (which is amazing, so don't miss it!) We did one of the tours that leaves from the north shore, which I highly recommend (rather than leaving from the west side).

2. Kayaking in Kauai is fun whether you do it on your own or on a tour. It may be a little easier on your first trip go the tour route (although kayaking on the Hanalei river is fun and is very easy to do on your own.)

3. I loved having a Jeep; however this depends on how much you like wind and sun. I see no reason for an SUV, other than possibly for the road to Polihale beach, which I'm not sure is open right now. (It's a wonderful place though, and if the road is open and you don't mind a long and bumpy drive, it's worth it. Despite what you may hear, you can usually do it in a regular car, but it depends on the road.)

4. Personally, I would stay on Kauai as long as possible, rather than heading to Honolulu early.

5. The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook has a whole section on snorkeling that's very informative, and has much better info. than I do. We usually rent a snorkel set for the week and throw it in the car, so we'll have it when we need it.

6. Favorite restaurants by far are The Beach House (Poipu), Keoki's Paradise (Poipu), and Hanalei Dolphin. The Beach House would be my top pick for an aniversary dinner. My dinner at Roy's was not impressive, but I've only been there once.

7. No real ideas about birding, but my best guess would be to some of the hikes in Kokee (sp?) State Park. It's a wonderful place and you shouldn't miss it. The hikes on the ridges above the Napali coast are amazing (but some are quite challenging).

Good luck on your trip and have a great anniversary!

I forgot - definitely visit the grounds of the Hyatt in Popiu. The open air lobby is beautiful and they used to have entertainment late afternoon.

Aloha Virgin,

Bring lots of bug spray.

Check you rental car for cockroaches before leaving the lot.

Makua (Tunnels) Beach for snorkeling.

Postcards in Hanalei for great fish.

Pihea Trail at Koke'e/Waimea Canyon.

Tahiti Nui for live music.

Pono Market in Kapa'a for fried chicken for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Kilauea Lighthouse for great birdwatching.

Limahuli Gardens in Haena for peace, native plants and intetesting gardeners.

Hukilau Lanai in Kapa'a for good grub.

KKCR for the best tunes while in the convertible.

Have a great time and happy anniversary

Ooooooooh, the bird nerd will love going up to the Kiluea Lighthouse. Sooooo many birds.....and, he doesn't have to take his binoculars up there. They have binoculars for loan that you just sign in and out on the honor system.

We're gonna try Plantation Gardens tomorrow night...will let you know how it is.

I KNEW this was the place to go! You guys are a wealth of information. The Ultimate Kauai Book was our very first purchase. Our most recent was the Kauai Trailblazer (also very good). But there is nothing like personal experiences.

I'm making a list to take with me, so please, keep the ideas coming.

Mahalo,

Karen

Virgin, we drove up to the canyon yesterday and there was a professional photographer patiently waiting for just the right light to capture bird photos. I had seen him last weekend at the lighthouse shooting also. His work is beautiful and his name is Mike something with a T. Carpenter by day and photographer of birds and hula in his off time. They sell his work down at the museum at Kokee.

You are going to fall in love with this island.

We did the helicopter tour and it was FANTASTIC. We felt so close to the scenery and saw a "pod" (hope that's correct) of whales. The sweeping plains which you'll recognize from Jurassic Park were impressive, as were the many waterfalls. We got the names of several vendors from the Marriott, where we stayed, and I called each of them the afternoon before our ride to see about last minute pricing. Saved us $100 each.
Two restaurants we most liked...Green Garden, just beautiful and with a very relaxed, family feeling. You really are in the middle of a garden. Also Brennecke's Beach Broiler. We had Australian lamb, best we ever had, we're still talking about it. You've made a great choice for a truly memorable trip. Hope you love it as much as we did! And Happy Anniversary.

For all the answers to your questions my advice is to consult the best guidebooks. I LOVE the green Kauai Trailblazer and combine it with their No Worries Hawaii guide. Inside I get all the places to snorkel, to birdwatch and they even give you all the pros and cons on renting a SUV or regular car. My husband (bad back) finds jeeps to be very uncomfortable and easy to vandalize. We always have stayed at one of the hotels they like and for all the latest restaurant stuff I go to the internet. When I was there in February the Green Garden Restaurant was closed. I also would take a helicopter ride rather than a plane. That way you can squeeze through the valleys for a good look at the steep ridges, waterfalls and goats.

"go snorkeling at Hanauma Bay for about 2 hours"
I think you need to get to Hanauma Bay very early in the morning like around 7 am or you won't get in.

"Makua (Tunnels) Beach for snorkeling."
I agree! However, be sure to check the surf conditions because it can have dangerous rip currents. I don't think the beach has a lifeguard.

agree about the 2 hours for snorkeling at HanaumaBay. It takes a long time to just get down to the beach as you have to view a "safety" video now and they only take so many people in at a time. You get a timed ticket so you might be in line for 30 minutes and if it is a weekend perhaps even longer. I'd spend the time in Kauai if you can and skip Honolulu because the traffic alone will eat up your time. And, It is quite a drive from the airport to the bay for snorkeling.

Thanks for all the help. I now have a whole library of Kauai guides: UKG,Trailblazer, Fodor's Kauai & Frommer's Hawaii, plus AAA Tourbook. FYI, there is such a thing as TOO MUCH information. LOL. I think I'm gonna need new reading glasses.

Wait till my book comes out...
"Kauai: By the Seat of My Large Pair of Pants".

Some of the best adventures were wrong turns.

I will be first on line! Looking forward to writing my own story. Jealous of those of you who get to return again & again....and I haven't even been there yet!

Here are my restaurant picks:

Mediterranean Gourmet on route to Kee Beach
Baracuda in Hanalei
Princeville Golf Course Restaurant
King and I in Kapaa
Huikilau Lanai in Kapaa
Roys in Poipu
Olympic Cafe in Kapaa
Postcards (although it will be VERY HOT in August)
There is a new mexican restaurant that opened at the Princeville Shopping Center (Very Good)
Monicas Taqueria in Kapaa
Kintaros in Kapaa
CJ's in Princeville
Pau Hana bakery has the best Liloki Pastries
Lighthouse Bistro in Kilauea is hit or miss
Gaylords in Lihue
The Beach House (The best yet) in Poipui

Enjoy and Happy Anniversary
Jo

I forgot something. If you get the chance go to the Na Aina Gardens. Bring bug spray and take the earliest tour as it will be hot in August. The sculptures are something that you will never forget. Do Not forget to bring your camera. Enjoy the day.
Jo

I forgot something. If you get the chance go to the Na Aina Gardens. Bring bug spray and take the earliest tour as it will be hot in August. The sculptures are something that you will never forget. Do Not forget to bring your camera. Enjoy the day.
Jo

Thanks so much, Jo. What a great list. And as far as Na Aina Gardens, I hadn't heard of it until I went last week & got the AAA TourBook. Don't know HOW I missed it! I think we're going to change our plans from Allerton Gardens to Na Aina. Again, thanks!!!

For your research consideration: Jack Harters Helicopter 90 minute flight. Very costly but very worthwhile. Not our first choice, but a serendipitous find: Holoholo boat tour of the Na Pali coast. We did the sunset cruise; maybe next time will do snorkeling. Did you put ATV Kipu tour back on your wish list?

Hi Cheryl

Yes, I think we'll do the Kipu tour. I think we're going to do HoloHolo for sunset tour, too, and Na Pali SeaBreeze for daytime tour from the North w/snorkeling, I think. Leaning toward Wings over Kauai, airplane over helicopter. A little nervous about heli tour, plus my DH has a Vertigo thing & is concerned about that on a heli. Thanks for your advice. LOVED your trip report.

A couple of years ago we were locked out of Na Aina Garden tours, so you may want to plan ahead.

It's been 5 years, but I absolutely LOVED the Allerton gardens tour. A truly unique place in a beautiful setting.

Sounds like you've got lots of activites planned. Be careful not to overprogram yourselves. Allow time to RELAX and take it all in. It's hard to do that when one is constantly on the go.

If you are going to go to Na Aina Sculpture Gardens be sure to book your tour ahead of time. Many times "walk ins" will not be honored.

I second Iamq--be sure to relax. Watch a sunset, walk Hanalei Bay in the morning, become mesmorized by the Kauai blue waters and just enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

Jo

Just returned from the North Shore of Kauai. We also spent a week there last year and never left the North Shore for both weeks. It is truly a special and wonderful place.

A couple of recommendations:
1) Tunnels beach is incredible for snorkeling, but not much parking so you'll probably end up parking at Haena Beach Park and walking (but it is a walk). It was practically a lake when were there in June and August should also be quite nice. There is a rip current, but if you stay close to shore, it really should affect you too much. Ke'e Beach is also nice for snorkeling, easier access if you can get a parking spot (get there early).
2) Luma'hai beach was our favorite (the east side) in terms of tidepooling and swimming. You can jump right off the rocks into very deep water. The west side of the beach is open, but the east side is protected and really wonderful. Ignore the danger signs as you are going down as you.
3) I would recommend not renting a jeep as it turns out to be a rough ride and annoying if you are driving for any length of time. You will be driving primarily on regular roads, so I wouldn't bother with getting a jeep. My brother-in-law rented one several years ago and returned it after 3 days because they couldn't stand the noise/rough ride.
4) We love renting kayaks in Hanalei and then taking them to the beach or up the river. You don't need a guide unless you really want someone to enlighten you on the plants/history.
5) Swimming in Hanalei Beach (or kayaking) while watching the waterfalls off the mountains is a truly special experience.
6) If you are going to do a luau, we enjoyed Smith's Family Luau. It includes a tram tour of the gardens/all you can eat and drink buffet dinner/show. They do tend to sell out so you may want to book your seats early.
7) The Kilueau Lighthouse is incredible for sea birds. If you want to see interior birds, it is better to go the interior. We saw many seabirds as well as 2 sea lions sunning themselves on the shore.
8) Hanmura's Saimin (fresh ramen noodles in broth) in Lihue is an institution. Sit down at any open spot for fresh noodles. If you want manapua, go to the stand for some really delicious Manapua.

"Ignore the danger signs as you are going down as you."

Please do not ignore the danger signs at Kauai beaches. The rocks that kangamom mentions jumping off of at Lumahai are the rocks where a family got swept off the rocks into the ocean. The mother and father were drowned and the young boy was left without a mother and father.

This part of Lumahai is very nice, but when we were there in the summer (July and August) the water conditions were surgy and there were waves breaking over the rocks.

It it best to observe the danger signs at Kauai beaches, not ignore them.

good lord kangamom, the editors should put you in timeout for posting such HOMICIDAL advice as ignoring danger signs in Kauai.

Hawaiian virgin, I have many trips to Hawaii under my belt and it could even be suggested that I am obsessed with the islands. Please study ocean safety. The conditions and ever changing ocean in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is not to be taken lightly and certainly not to be IGNORED

I am so angry at kangamom's suggestion.

http://oceansafety.soest.hawaii.edu/v/1.0/?i=kauai&shid=9

http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/guides/beach/beach_safety.php

Hey, Virgin: what does the itinerary look like now? I second IMAQ's recommendation to not over schedule. We did. Thought maybe we would never be here again, and have to see all we can. But there are so many opportunities just to chill out and relax, unplug from the electronic world. Think about it. We are demanding a trip report, you know!

Our favorite restaurant was Casa di Amici in Poipu. Ate there twice during our visit. Phone #808-742-1555

You know, it's so funny being called Virgin after all these years. lol. I am taking everything "under advisement". Hubby & I are very cautious, so we will definitely be heeding the signs.

As far as itinerary, it's still up in the air. We are deep in the throes of graduation party planning (my son just got out of high school), so we haven't firmed up our plan. We're thinking of doing the air tour on our first full morning, then taking the rest of the day to chill & get our clocks in sync. After the party, the serious planning will happen. Will post our plan when it's done & look for feedback.

Thanks again & again for all the help.

Retraction: Please do not ignore the danger signs!!! But do not let the danger signs dissuade you from enjoying the some of the most beautiful beaches of Kauai. As always one should always be aware of their surroundings including the tide/weather conditions/swimming ability etc. The east side of Lumahai beach is highly recommended in the Kauai Revealed book along with warnings about the west side of the beach. We just returned from having a great time with 5 and 3 year olds at this particular beach, but we did not venture far and stayed close to shore. I've been to Hanalei Bay when it was a glassy pool, but I've also been to Hanalei Bay when the water was so rough that I wouldn't dare enter. So I guess the point is, use your common sense! Sorry if I offended!

Thanks kangamom.

That part of Lumahai may be recommended by that book, but it still can be a very dangerous spot when the conditions are right.

Here's to many more safe trips to paradise.

Welcome to the 'fodorites who take ocean safety very seriously group', kangamom! Your retraction is admirable and appreciated. Alas the blue book authors were a lot more reluctant then you.

As some may know, I have been planning a future BYOBBB 4th of july bonfire party on Hanalei.
(bringyourownbluebookandbrabonfire)

well I just sent someone off to the hellhole and they brought me back a new Revealed book as mine was outdated! LOL!!!!

Aloha once again. We are counting down the days (27) until the big Kauai trip & are deep into the day-by-day planning. Got my calendar out & am trying not to overbook it.

We definitely want to do a garden, but I'm flip-flopping between 2. So, I'm looking for a vote: Which is the better garden, Allerton or Na' Aina????

So. Cheryl, I don't have a set itinerary yet, but am planning to do (in 6 days) a daytime & sunset Na Pali cruise (first day & last day), one of the gardens above, an airplane ride over the island (that's only 70 minutes), and a kayak trip. We'll do some sightseeing, too. Plan on driving out to Waimea canyon & spend some time at the Kilauea Preserve. Leaning toward Na' Aina, since it's near the lighthouse & preserve. Too much?? I don't know that I'll ever be able to get back, so I want to make the most of my time. I figure, lots of these things are pretty low key. Would like to know your opinions. Thanks again.

The tour for the Na Aina Gardens takes no longer than 3 hours. Wear capris or pants. There are mosquitos and take bottled water. Take the early tour. The Lighthouse will only take about an hour and a half. Definitely not too long of a day. Stop at the Kong Lung Village it is on the road to the lighthouse and take a peek in Banana Patch and Island Soap and Candleworks. There soaps are excellent.
Also, have ice cream at the ice cream place in the video store acoss from Kong Lung Village. Are you taking the Sea Breeze Tour? Enjoy
Jo Jo

I have spent a good deal of money at Banana Patch! I look forward to trying the less expensive ice cream!!!

For your possible 2 ocean excursions, watch the surf report and check the cancelation policy. But then, no matter how much I love the ocean, I do seem to get seasick more than I'd like.

Virgin, be sure to save something for your next trip to Kauai. And, I guarantee, there WILL be a next time!

We have never done one of the gardens, I keep saying I'm going to one of them and then we run out of time.....so, then I start planning the next trip so I can go to one of the gardens!!

Limahuli Gardens in Haena is my favorite garden on Kauai. It is all native plantings so there are no orchids or plumeria or things like that, but it is in very powerful Limahuli Valley just below Makana Peak, so the location is incredible and it fits the landscape of the area just right. The land is the show here.

There are terraces with taro fields and walkways that take you up and around the property. If you're lucky like we were, you'll come across a gardener who will stop his work and talk story and share the legends of the area with you. It is a magical spot.

Most people just drive by on their forced march to Ke'e and back.

Icee (and iamq)--I have never done the gardens either. I tried doing Limahuli this past time and it was closed.
I am glad it is as nice as I thought it would be.

Oh, well I guess I'll have to plan another trip!
I am not sure my son will want to wait until the big bas h 2013...might have to be sooner

Hey, it just dawned on me. THREE WEEKS from now, I'm going to have to change my screen-name! I will no longer be a Hawaii virgin!!!!