Zip-line Tours
The latest adventure on Kauai is "zipping," or "zip-lining." Regardless of what you call it, chances are you'll scream like a rock star while trying it. Strap on a harness, clip onto a cable running from one side of a river or valley to the other, and zip across. The step off is the scariest part. Pack knee-length shorts or pants, athletic shoes, and courage for this adventure.
Just Live. When Nichol Baier and Julie Lester started Just Live in 2003, their market was exclusively school-age children, but soon they added visitor tours. Experiential education through adventure is how they describe it. Whatever you call it, sailing 70 feet above the ground for three-plus hours will take your vacation to another level. This is the only treetop zip line on Kauai where your feet never touch ground once you're in the air: seven zips and four canopy bridges make the Tree Top Tour their most popular one. For the heroic at heart, there's the Zipline Eco Adventure, which includes three zip lines, two canopy bridges, a climbing wall, a 100-foot rappelling tower, and a "Monster Swing." If you're short on time—or courage—you can opt for the Wikiwiki Zipline Tour, which includes three zip lines and two canopy bridges in about two hours. They now have a shop with outdoor gear specifically for the island's activities, although their primary focus remains community programming. Enjoy knowing that money spent here serves Kauai's children. Harbor Mall Shopping Center, 3501 Rice St., Lihue, Hawaii, 96756. 808/482–1295; www.zipkauai.com. From $79.
Outfitters Kauai. This outfitter's most popular adventure, the Kipu Zipline Safari Tour, features an 1,800-foot tandem zip—that's right, you don't have to go it alone. You can also paddle the Wailua River or take the downhill bike ride along the Waimea Canyon road. They also offer The Flyline, the state's longest zip line, which has a “run” of 4,000 feet. 2827-A Poipu Rd., Poipu, Hawaii, 96756. 808/742–9667; 888/742–9887; www.outfitterskauai.com. From $116.
Princeville Ranch Adventures. The North Shore's answer to zip-lining is a nine-zip-line course with a bit of hiking, and suspension-bridge crossing thrown in for a half-day adventure. The 4½-hour Zip N' Dip tour includes a picnic and swimming at a waterfall pool, while the Zip Express whizzes you through the entire course in 3 hours. Both excursions conclude with a 1,200-foot tandem zip across a valley. Guides are energetic and fun. This is as close as it gets to flying; just watch out for the albatross. Rte. 56, between mile markers 27 and 28, Princeville, Hawaii, 96722. 808/826–7669; 888/955–7669; www.princevilleranch.com. From $139.
