Hi-
I've been trying to sort through the site to get info on Kauai, but finally thought I'd just go ahead and ask.

My husband and I, along with a friend coming over from the UK, are going to Kauai for a week in late March and will be staying at a time-share at Poipu Beach. Arrive and leave on Thursdays. We've all traveled a lot in Europe, but we've never been to Hawaii or on an "island" vacation.

We're middle-aged and in good health - but no one's a marathon runner! Or has ever been in a kayak, for that matter.

As the designated planner I'm looking for advice from you seasoned island lovers. How would you design 6 days on Kauai?

I'd especially appreciate any advice on restaurants, good tour agencies (if or where necessary) and weather-related issues for March.

I apologize if this has been covered elsewhere recently and thank all in advance for your input.

Happy travels - MB

You are liable to get lots of good responses from the large group of Kauai fans on this board. My first piece of advice would be not to over-plan. The best thing about the islands is that feeling of relaxation and drinking in that wonderful, balmy, scented air. Six days is not very long, especially when you consider checking in and checking out.

A few things you will want to do for sure is a helicopter overview of the island. You will never see most of the breathtaking beauty any other way. It's pricey, but worth it, IMO.

Are you renting a car? If so, check the weather on the north shore, get an early start and spend the whole day up there, including a short hike up the Kalalau Trail. Snorkel Ke'e Beach and/or Tunnels Beach. Check out Hideaways Beach and Queen's Bath and the Kilauea Lighthouse. Valet park at the Princeville Hotel, go inside and change your clothes and have cocktails in their living room at sunset, or enjoy the sunset having dinner outside on the terrace at Cafe Hanalei.

I could go on and on, but, well, I told you not to overplan...

Should be able to see a few humpback whales if that is an interest to you as there were a couple spotted in late April this year. Liko's may do the Napoli coast at that time I would call ahead. There have been several accidents involving tourists and some say certain guide books might be to blame. Queen's Bath is one location that many have been warning people to watch the tides and not turn your back to the ocean. Helicopter tours are very popular many say the ones without doors are the best. As Maggi says you should get many replies here and tripadvisors is a good site.

Aloha mb,

Set aside one day and take a drive to Waimea Canyon. Drive all the way to the end for views of Kalalau Valley. I recommend you go early, as it can cloud over. If the road is closed at the Kalalau lookout, take a walk up the road to the last lookout for even better views. If you like to hike, there are lots of opportunities.
Pike up some food to go in Waimea head out to Polihale Beach or sunset on the beach.
Take another day and head to the north shore. Stop in Hanalei and walk the beach there and hang at the pier. Stop at Haena Beach Park (not Ke'e). Walk along the beach to the right for 5 minutes and you are at Makua. Turn around and you will have gorgeous views of Mt Makana (Bali Hai). Keep walking and the views get better and better. In March there surf will probably be up and there will be big waves, so be careful! Never turn your back on the ocean. The Kilauea Lighthouse would also worth visiting. It closes at 4 pm though.

Enjoy the rest of your stay by walking around Poipu, touring Allerton Gardens and just enjoying the warm breezes and passing showers.

Which time-share are you staying at?

-Bill

One of the best things about Kaua`i, is that there are so many free things to do.

The beaches, the various hiking trails...and as others have mentioned, the pure joy of just relaxing and enjoying your surroundings. And Maggi is on-target with her advice that you not over-book yourselves.

When you arrive Lihu`e airport, there is a Visitor Information kiosk in the baggage claim area -- loaded with free brochures about tours, sites of interest, etc. Be sure to grab a copy of the magazine-sized "101 Things to do on Kaua`i", which has discount tour coupons and great lists of free activities.

Although I live on Kaua`i, I still haven't done it all -- next on our list is the ATV tour at Kipu Kai, which always gets rave reviews on this forum! 8-)

Hello and thanks for the info so far - just the kind of advice I wanted. I heard some of the guide books are considered culprits in accidents. Thanks for the warning.

We are renting a car. Haven't picked a company yet, but I suspect they're much the same. Any reason to choose one over another?

I do like the idea of the helicopter tour. It is a bit extravagant for our budget - any suggestions which company to choose for that? One company offers a substantial discount for booking on-line, but otherwise they're all in the same price ball park.

We do love the whales - went down to the Baja a couple years back specifically to see the California Greys - the Baja Outpost in Loreto was fantastic! Is the Napoli Coast the best area to look for them? Do we need to go in a boat?

Waimea Canyon is a must do - I'm grateful for your advice on approaching it.

I'm planning on the Allerton Gardens - also the Na'Aina Kai - but there's at least 2 more I've read about. Any one else a gardener?

Bill - the name of the time share is Lawai Beach Resort. Know anything about it?

Thanks again - I'll be checking in later on.

We spent a week on Kaui in Sept and loved it. Stayed in Princesville on the North Shore. Spent time in Poipu and it is lovely. Restaurants down there Keoki's Paradise and Gaylords both very good. Mid island we enjoyed Dukes at the Marriott. Up north make sure you go to the Princeville hotel and have dinner on the terrace to see the sunet. Take at least 1 day and drive to the North shore, lighthouse, beaches,gorgeous Hanalei area, Limahuli Gardens. Buy a good guide book as others suggested.

The Op asked about gardens, we loved Limahuli gardens terraced into the mountain on the North Shore. we wanted to tour Allerton but not enough time, it is across from Spouting Horn which is interesting.
We enjoyed the small towns, puttering in Hanalei, Hanappeppe and eating shaved ice whereever we found it.
I have heard Nai Ani Garden is very nice but its pricey.
We also enjoyed the Grove Farm tour, a preserved historical farm, reservations required.
Take turns driving so you each can marvel at the scenery.
We also did a Napali coastal tour from Hanalei but I dont think they operate from the North shore during winter, it was fabulous .
Dont miss the lighthouse on the North shore, drop dead gorgeous. We loved Kauai and cannot wait to go back. one week was not long enough for us

There are no guarantees but the people we rented from said at times they could see them from their lanai. Heard that is true at several places in season. Don't forget to leave yourself some vegout time.

Here are some sites that might help:

www.gohawaii.com free brochure

www.kauaidiscovery.com free brochure

www.kauai-hawaii.com

www.thisweek.com 'This Week On Kauai' You can read the entire brochure online. XXX

www.spotlighthawaii.com Kauai Gold XXX

www.101thingstodo.com '101 Things to do on Kauai' XXX

XXX- These also have free brochures that you can pick up at airport baggage area & other places.

www.alternative-hawaii.com God driving tours & restaurant reviews

www.hawaiiweb.com

www.driveguidemagazines.com Good maps & restaurant reviews

Allerton Gardens is such a great surprise of a place. Almost enchanted. Give yourself plenty of time.

This is all good advice so far. I would ad that you must snorkel if the conditions are right. You don't have to have experience or be a great swimmer. Go right off the shore. There used to be a great snorkel beach on the north shore. It went through some rough times (beach erosion). Not sure if it is still there. But snorkeling in Hawaii is the best, I am sure you will find something. Absolutely take the helicopter ride, it is the only way to see the fabulous Naapali Coast (Forgive my spelling)

mb,

Glad to hear that you're into Gardens. As someone above mentioned, Limahuli Gardens is amazing. It is all native plants and you can wander around on your own. There are great views of the pali from there. We met one of the gardeners and he proceeded to tell us many legends associated with this land.
The tour through Allerton is a guided tour and takes about three hours. Here is a link to some photos, many of which were taken at Allerton.

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/bquarre/...60762310454794

The location of your timeshare is great. You are right across the street from a great snorkeling location!

You are going to have a great time!

-Bill

Just checking in - what great info - when I first posted this we'd all just agreed to go, I secured the timeshare and it just didn't seem entirely real. I have Fodors and the Lonely Planet Book and some maps from AAA now so I'm getting excited. I took a quick peak at your pics, Bill - they're gorgeous! I love gardens! Gotta go do some research - thanks amillion - I'll keep you posted and be back with more questions, I'm sure.

MBB

Again, be careful of wave action up north in the winter. Even then, it is usually safe at `Anini-Kalihikai, which is protected by a reef. Down south, near Poipu, the snorkeling is good and the waters calm at Salt Pond State Park.

The Waimea Canyon drive, and lookouts are spectacular. A helicopter ride is the only way to see Na Pali (the sea cliffs in northwest) and the lush valleys.

You are headed to paradise.

If your budget allows definitely do either a helicopter tour or an ATV tour with Kipu Ranch. I would plan a day for Waimea Canyon and Polihale beach. A day or two for Poipu and perhaps the Coconut Coast. I'm partial to the North Shore and would want to spend at least a couple days up there: take time to enjoy Hanalei, Limahuli Gardens, Kilauea Lighthouse, take a Napali Coast Boat Tour (another option if the helicopter is too pricey), snorkel at Anini Beach (Anini is protected nicely and is often calm when other beaches in the area are too rough for snorkeling), treat yourself to some drinks and great views at Bali Hai Restaurant.

P.S. Although many will disagree I would buy a copy of The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook (the blue book). People get in trouble when they ignore warnings (which is easy to do in such a beautiful place), but the book is packed full of useful maps, restaurant reviews, beach descriptions etc.

mb54, not only is the timeshare across the street from a great snorkeling location, but is also across the street from The Beach House restaurant.

Beautiful sunsets in that location. When is it you will be there? We will be there in late March also.

Be sure to have some shave ice from Jojo's on the way to or from the canyon. The best.

Have fun....you will luv luv luv Kauai. The people there are just full of the aloha spirit.

i'2

The most wonderful activity we've ever done in our lives was a helicopter tour with Jack Harter on Kauai. I cannot recommend this highly enough. I also recommend you do it early in your trip as it gives you a really good feel of the island. Waimea canyon also got very good marks with us. On the way, I made my husband stop at JoJo's so I could have a shave ice. He stopped, but didn't order one himself, thinking it wasn't worth it. He took a bite of mine, turned and went back to the counter to get his own. A visit to JoJo's is a MUST! The lighthouse was a good stop. As far as restaurants go, there are so many to choose from. We will never go back to any in the Princeville hotel. We ate at Hanalei one night and as they seated us, and this was after they were first opening up for dinner, I noticed a piece of jam covered bread under my feet and our table had not been wiped off from lunch - maybe even breakfast! Needless to say, we didn't have much of an appetite. It was a dirty restaurant. If you are pizza lovers, in Kalaheo there is a place called Brick oven pizza. It's hearth-baked and you can choose between white or whole-wheat crust. Italian sausage is made on the premises. There are vegetarian options available for the non-meat eaters .If pizza is not what you have in mind, they also have a salad and sandwich selection.

I stayed in Kalaheo (B&B type/ 1 bed room unit), and also liked the Brick Oven Pizza. anyway, I agree with not over planning. Out of a week on Kauai, we had three un-planned relaxing days.