How far is to far in Kauai?
Jul 27th, 2004, 06:17 PM
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How far is to far in Kauai?
We are staying at the Princeville and have decieded to take the no doors helicopter tour of a waterfall in Port Allen. Also we want to hike into Waimea Canyon. How far is thisfrom the Princeville? My hubby is wondering if it is worth the drive. Does it take a long time to get there and is there a short cut to it? Can you do it all in a day? We were going to hang around on the North Shore most of the 6 nights there. Now I am wondering if I made a mistake and should have broken up our trip by staying at 2 hotels, one on the North shore and one on the West. Help.
Jul 27th, 2004, 06:54 PM
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Oh yes, Waimea Canyon is worth it. Nothing is all THAT far on Kauai. If I recall right, it's about a 1.5 hour drive from Princeville to the start of the drive up (I stayed in Kapaa, so I'm trying to remember the distances both directions and add them together). Take the ride up at leisure, and stop at all the overlooks, and hike a couple of the shorter trails. Every view gives a different perspective and sense of the canyon. Go in the morning. the blue book suggests a particular road back down from the Canyon-- be sure to take it down. The views of the coastline as you descend are also spectacular.
Jul 27th, 2004, 06:58 PM
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Don't miss the Waimea for anything - it is the highlight of Kauai. You should be fine probably about an hour drive till you get to Kokee state park(the start of the canyon) if you have a 4x4 there are off road trails, tons of hiking, great views.
Jul 27th, 2004, 07:46 PM
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We live in Princeville, so let me make a suggestion, 'kay?
The drive to Pt. Allen heli departure location will take you about 90 minutes. If you are rising early, book a morning flight -- the "seeing" is always better in the a.m. anyway.
From the helipad, you can drive up Waimea Canyon to Koke`e in under an hour -- and still have plenty of time for a leisurely drive back to Princeville. Depending on the time of year you'll be making your trip here, you might even get back to Princeville in time for sunset.
Have a _great_ time on this gorgeous island!
The drive to Pt. Allen heli departure location will take you about 90 minutes. If you are rising early, book a morning flight -- the "seeing" is always better in the a.m. anyway.
From the helipad, you can drive up Waimea Canyon to Koke`e in under an hour -- and still have plenty of time for a leisurely drive back to Princeville. Depending on the time of year you'll be making your trip here, you might even get back to Princeville in time for sunset.
Have a _great_ time on this gorgeous island!
Jul 27th, 2004, 10:03 PM
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Wow, great ideas. Okey you have all talked me into going. I guess the drive sounded so long but one day on the West coast is not bad. By the way we are coming in September.
Auntiemaria, am I right that you are telling me to go on the tour early and then drive in and hike some of the hikes. And then check out the rest of Kauai on the way back- right? This sounds great! I would rather do a copter ride in Princeville but my hubby wants the waterfall tour (and so do the kids). We will spend the day checking it all out. Do they have toru guides for the hike? Somewhere I heard they do. I would love this for my kids.
Thanks again-great info as usual. By the way what is Ko'kee?
I know I have to read more of my blue bible.
Auntiemaria, am I right that you are telling me to go on the tour early and then drive in and hike some of the hikes. And then check out the rest of Kauai on the way back- right? This sounds great! I would rather do a copter ride in Princeville but my hubby wants the waterfall tour (and so do the kids). We will spend the day checking it all out. Do they have toru guides for the hike? Somewhere I heard they do. I would love this for my kids.
Thanks again-great info as usual. By the way what is Ko'kee?
I know I have to read more of my blue bible.
Jul 27th, 2004, 10:54 PM
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Yes -- do the heli tour early, and you'll still have hours to enjoy Waimea Canyon. Hanapepe is a cute town (very artsy), worth at least a drive-through.
No tour guides in Koke`e, unless you book through a backcountry tour company in advance. You can hike the trails yourself, or join the weekend Wonderwalks:
http://www.kokee.org/wonderwalks.html
Koke`e is the park at the top of Waimea Canyon -- "the end of the road". There's a small but informative natural history museum, snack shop, and gift shop there.
http://www.kokee.org/
You can get park-specific maps at the museum and the gift shop. Be sure to drive all the way to the Kalalau Valley lookout -- watch for nene (Hawaiian goose) along the way. They're little beggars, with (sadly) no fear of cars or people anymore. Beautiful birds!
No tour guides in Koke`e, unless you book through a backcountry tour company in advance. You can hike the trails yourself, or join the weekend Wonderwalks:
http://www.kokee.org/wonderwalks.html
Koke`e is the park at the top of Waimea Canyon -- "the end of the road". There's a small but informative natural history museum, snack shop, and gift shop there.
http://www.kokee.org/
You can get park-specific maps at the museum and the gift shop. Be sure to drive all the way to the Kalalau Valley lookout -- watch for nene (Hawaiian goose) along the way. They're little beggars, with (sadly) no fear of cars or people anymore. Beautiful birds!
