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Help me plan my Kauai trip (with a quick stop in Honolulu)
Okay…so the airfare is booked…now the fun part begins…the fun part being me agonizing over where to stay. And I need help! I will warn you…I am probably going to throw a lot out there for this initial post (lots of questions reflect my excitement in planning and confusion having never been to Hawaii).
I have been doing a lot of reading on the internet, but the names/places are starting to all blend together. About Us First, I will start with a bit about us...we are right around 40 years old and very active and like active vacations. On our trip to Hawaii, we hope to hike and/or run a lot, snorkel a bit and play a round or two of golf. About Our Trip We are going in the first half of September – 11 nights. We originally planned to spend the entire time in Kauai, but we are flying into Honolulu and decided that it may make sense to stay a couple of nights there to see Pearl Harbor and other sites. Honolulu Questions We are thinking of staying in Oahu for two nights, and perhaps a third. Your thoughts? Except for Pearl Harbor (and a few runs on the beach), we are not sure what we want to do there. Our budget per night on Oahu is $300 to $400 – doesn’t need to be five stars, but we do want something nice, good beds. Don’t need a pool – though I would imagine that most hotels have them… How is the hiking on Oahu? Any recommendations? Recommended hotel? We would love something that we can walk to a few things (restaurants); not critical to be ON the beach. Perhaps a golf resort? Kauai Questions (the quiz gets tougher kids) When we had originally planned to spend all our time in Kauai, we had planned to split our time between the north and south part of the island (6 or 7 nights in one spot; and the remaining 3 or 4 nights on the other side. With the Honolulu add-on, we are wondering if that makes sense. Your thoughts? If we stay north, for example, how long of a drive would it be to Waimea Canyon (It looks like it might be over an hour drive)? I have a feeling that we will want to go there a couple times. I am also thinking there are a lot of places north we will want to go, too. So that was my reasoning for splitting the time. Thinking five nights north and three south? Again, your thoughts? More on lodging…we typically stay in private homes or condos. So we are planning to go that route in Kauai, too – at least for most of the time (I could see us spending 4-6 nights in a condo/home on one part of the island; and 2-3 nights on the other half of the island in a hotel/resort. What we “need” in our condo/home (in order of importance): - Washer/drier in the unit (we pack light and sweat a lot, so we won’t bend on this!) - We would love to stay someplace that we can walk to the ocean for decent snorkeling (I can see us doing this for a couple hours late in the day after a morning of hiking). - It would be great to find a place has interesting places to run right from the condo/home (close to hiking trails, interesting neighborhood). We really don’t want to be run on the side of highway/busy road (is there such thing in Kauai?). - Nice view wouldn’t hurt - We want to be relatively close to dining options (even though we want a condo/home, we don’t plan on cooking much…typically like to keep breakfast foods, snacks and wine in the unit). By “relatively close” – we mean walking or less than 5 minutes in the car. We haven’t finalized our budget for this yet, but I am thinking $350 per night is about our upper end for a house. Probably $200 for a condo. We are a bit flexible with priced at this point…need to understand the value for what we are getting (will pay more if we get everything we want). Again, we are not “luxury” people, but want updated and clean. Can you provide suggestions? Favorite places to golf? Any hotels/resorts that have a golf course that may be worth staying at for a couple nights? Okay…I have way more questions, but I will close for now! THANK YOU! |
I just want to make sure you check out my rental thread, because there is lots of good info on it that may be helpful for you:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...l-168954-2.cfm |
I wouldn't split up the time on Kauai. Stay on the north shore.
If you want to be near a snorkeling beach then your only real choices are the Anini Beach area or Haena. In Haena, you will want to be close to Makua (Tunnels) Beach. Some rentals claim to be within walking distance, but in reality they are a mile or more away. Walking a mile plus in the sand in 85 degree weather lugging beach chairs, ice chests, floaties, umbrella and other items is not terrribly fun. We stay in Hanalei and drive the 10 minutes or so it takes to get there. Works for us. |
Oahu has many things to do and places to hike among them are Diamond Head and Makapuu Point with many more along the windward side.
As far as places to stay the HHV, Sheraton Moana Surfrider and the Royal Hawaiian also Halekalani or Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach all of these are on Waikiki and there is a golf course across the Ala Wai canal. On Kauai the Waimea Plantation Cottages maybe an alternative on the leeward or westside of the island just a short drive from Waimea Canyon and Poipu Beach. There are also a few of the Napali Coast cruises that depart from that area such as Liko's. |
Hi LauraT -
What a fun trip! I can't comment on Oahu as I have never been there. Based on what you have said about Waimea, I probably would split time 5 nights north in a house/condo and 3 nights south at a resort. It is probably a 1.5 hour drive from the North to the Canyon. Two north options could be Hanalei and Princeville. Again based on what you said, Hanalei may fit the bill. You can walk to the beach to snorkle and walk to restaurants too. Most hiking locations will probably involve a drive to the trailhead (but it is a pretty drive) I think most houses/condos have washers, so I don't think it will be much of an issue. Also, I think you can find plenty of rentals in your budget. Here is one of the many rental companies on the island. It has a good search function. http://www.kauaivacationrentals.com/book/query.html The only south side resort I've been to is the Hyatt. The grounds are lovely. My husband is a bad golfer, so we visit the public course - Kukuiolono (9 holes x 2). It has beautiful views and is cheap. Best of luck in your search!! |
Whoops, I guess Hanalei is not a good snorkeling beach - sorry.
IMHO, it is not a big deal to jump in the car to find a good beach since the drive is so beautiful. |
Laura,
Since you mentioned hiking, I think two biggest hikes are Kalalau trail, Nu'alolo and Awa'awapuhi trail. The first one is 11 miles one way and requires camping overnight. The second one is 11 miles in total and could be done within a day. The head of the first trail is located at north shore while the second one is near Waimea canyon (ie entrance from south). I consider these two trails the ultimate ones and as active as you consider yourself, you should plan for them. We spent a good time inside Koke'e park, walking Nu?alolo and Awa?awapuhi and Canyon trails. The Nu?alolo and Awa?awapuhi trails took us 7 hours. A very nice couple voluntarily offered me a ride back to Nu?alolo. |
One of the best snorkeling areas is at Tunnels Beach on the North Shore. We've stayed on Kauai many times, and find we prefer the North Shore, though it does tend to get more rain than the South Shore. The guidebook that I have found most helpful is The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook by Andrew Doughty, which provides great info on beaches, snorkeling, rental options. There are also day hikes from the North Shore on the Ne Pali coast (where you can go 5 miles rather than full 11 miles, which takes you through jungle and to the beach). We also love the farmer's market in Haena--you shouldn't miss them if you are in town when they happen (once or twice a week). There are lots of condos in Princeville, Hanalei and house rentals in Haena.
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I didn't know there was a farmer's market in Haena. When and where?
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Thanks for the information. I love planning and love getting all the opinions. I am going to start looking for a condo/house on the north shore...still debating on staying south...I am thinking perhaps not. My husband doesn't mind driving, so I just may let him.
hx88 - thanks for the hiking suggestions - much appreciated. I am not sure about the overnight camping, however. I am quite fond of both indoor plumbing and comfy mattresses! Having said that...I never say never. Are there outfitters that can set you up with camping gear? Do you need a permit to camp? Thanks again to all! |
You do need a permit to camp and you also need a permit to hike the entire Kalalau trail as they only allow so many peeps on it at once. Check the web, as I read awhile back they were doing repairs to one of the main campgrounds.
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You ought to add even more days to Oahu.
There is more to see & do on Oahu than any other island. Lots of info: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm |
Thanks again...We have decided on spending our time on the north shore. My next dilemma...where to stay!?!? We are typically not A/C people, but based on what I have read, it may be critical in September. Any suggestions on places to stay (with AC) in the $200 to $300 range - what are your favorites? Thanks again. We found one place we love, but it is about $100 over what we want to spend. I keep comparing everyplace to it and they keep coming up short!
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I agree with Dusty. I'd spend at least another night on Oahu. A day to relax on Waikiki. An early morning start for Pearl Harbor and the afternoon to do a lot of "somethings" including maybe a hike to Diamond Head. Then the third day to a driving loop around the island. So much to see. Then, you'll be ready to fly on to the next island.
My first trip to Hawaii I just passed through the airport on Oahu. The next trip I added a couple of days. The next trip I'm going to add two more (total of four). I know I've only skimmed the surface of Oahu. Have fun! |
Laura,
As jamie99 said, you do need permits for hiking Kalalau trail. Since you are going in September, you might be able to find a vendor who can rent/deliver gears to Kalalau beach so you only need hike one way. I receommend you get a copy of "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook" if you do not already have one. http://www.wizardpub.com/Kauai/kauai.html. Lot of information of detail maps. If you do not plan to take the Kalalau trail, you may still consider Nu'alolo and Awa'awapuhi trail (9 miles in total not counting the two miles walking back to parking lot). No permit is required for this trail and it's doable in 7-8 hours. The view of Na-Pali and Kalalau beach below is just increaditable. There are lot other good shorter trails inside Kokee State Park (aka Waimea Canyon). So if I were you and if beach is not the only thing attracts you to Kauai, I would split my stay between south and north shores. Personally I like the Waimea Canyon area better. Please note that the best known beach in Kauai, Polihale is accessiable from South. |
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Regarding hiking Diamond Head...I would not do this in the afternoon as the heat can make it very uncomfortable. If you do end up spending some time on Oahu and decide to hike Diamond head, do it in the early morning when it is a little cooler.
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We also hiked Diamond Head early in the morning. Just as soon as it opened, I believe. The last time we went we took a great drive just outside of Waikiki called Round Top. It was as breathtaking as the top of Diamond Head and I didn't have to poke my fat arse through that one little opening right at the end of the climb!!!!!
Just roll with the flow, you can't go wrong in Hawaii! Re: Polihale, I believe the state park is still closed. Maybe it will be reopened by the time you get there. Did you decide on a place to stay? |
We are staying at one of the condos at the Hanalei Bay Resort in a couple weeks..they are individually owned units..here is the link we used to find our unit..
http://www.summitpacificinc.com/hanalei_bay_resort.html Have a wonderful time... |
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