Kauai activities
 

We are heading to Kauai the first week in March (excited would be an understatement!). We're staying in Poipu at the Hyatt. I have some questions for you experienced travelers on some of the activities on the island.

I hear that the ATV tours are a lot of fun. My husband has some back problems, so a really bumpy ride would not be good for him. Are there any such tours that take it a little easier?

I'd like to take one of the Napali boat tours but am afraid of getting seasick. I tend to get seasick on the bigger boats and do better on the small boats for some reason. Does anyone have suggestions on which tour group/type of boat may be less seasick inducing? Also, would it be better to find a tour that leaves from the North shore so you have less boat time getting to the pretty areas?

Tell me about the hiking there. I'm not the most physically fit person - which hikes offer beautiful scenery but are less strenuous?

Thanks everyone. I've enjoyed reading all of your posts so far.

You're right about getting seasick on larger boats. I don't get seasick but my husband does and he has been on many boats. He said if you are prone to seasickness, the smaller boats that can go faster are better. You can tour Napali on the Captain Zodiac boats. They are small and fast (and fun). Also, the Zodiac boats go into caves and areas the larger boats don't. I think all of the tour boats leave out of the same harbor

If your husband has back problems, boat rides might be too much for him. The ocean around the hawaiian islands are very rough, even on mellow days! Maybe substitute a helicopter ride to see the Napali.

I would concur with Koa's post.

I've been on the Zodiac inflatables from Port Allen to the Na Pali area of Kauai in the past and it does not take much wave action to get a pretty good pounding as you bounce along.

You may want to check this site for other info and options.
http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/actkau.htm

We go to Kauai almost every year at the beginning of April (timeshare).

We have done the Kipu Ranch ATV tour and it isn't too rough but I'd check with your husband's doctor first as you do have to stear the ATV and it can be a bit physical. They do have a mule ( 4 wheel tractor type vehicle) that they drive people in that do not want to ride the ATVs, that may be an alternative for him.

You cannot take the zodiacs out to the Na Pali Coast in March as the surf is still too rough. I think they begin those trips in June. We normally go out with Kauai Sea Tours for the sunset cruise which takes you around to the Na Pali Coast if the waves are not to high. I do have to say that a few years ago we went out in 8 foot swells and there were quite a few people at the back of the boat feeding the fish. We do however get the opportunity to see lots of whales and dolphins while we are out. Kauai Sea Tours leaves from Port Allen. I am not sure what tours leave from the North Shore.

We did a kayak/hike tour last year that was fun and not too strenuous. The company we went out with was based out of Lihue.

A good easy hike is at the Keahau Arboretum, about five miles west of Wailua. Nearby is the Hindu Temple which offers some great gardens and an easy walk to the temple grounds with a spectacular view above the river. It is open only one or two days each week, call ahead.

If you have interest in gardens, try the National Tropical Botanical Gardens close by Poipu. There are two gardens, Allerton (larger, reservations required) and Limahuli (smaller, no reservations).

JB1968:
Not sure if you’ve made your reservations or not but, I also had questions about the Na pali boat tours and received great information here. Some companies do leave from the North (not many) If I heard correctly (I called yesterday) the one recommended to me (Na Pali Catamaran) starts operating in May but, I could be wrong you may want to give them a call, not sure if we could give #’s here so I won’t to be on the safe side you could google them. Person I spoke to was very nice. Hope this helps,

My family (my husband and I, two kids under 12) did the three hour ATV tour today with Kauai ATV (www.kauaiatv.com). It was about $600 for all four of us, but we had a blast. We rode in what they call "mudbugs", which are two seaters (they also have single ATV's for those over 16 and family-size "Ohana" bugs, which have four seats), and didn't fail to get muddy.

Eric and Nick took us on a cool three hour tour through a 22,000 acre private farm, saw and swam in some waterfalls, and had a picnic lunch.

It was very bumpy (in a fun way!), so if you have any back problems you might think again. However, I have a bad disk and I still feel great five hours later.

Last night we went to the Smith Family Luau in Kapaa, and it was easily entertaining for all four of us (the luau show went about 15 minutes too long, but it was still very professionally done - the fire eater was very cool). They also dug up the fire pit and the pig they had been roasting all day; the kids loved that (it was pretty gross looking, so of course they thought it was cool). The grounds were also very nice, and the price ($58 for adults) included all you can eat and drink (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic included).