Hi everyone!
I've been reading the forums literally all day long (sorry boss man) trying to glean good information on Kauai and I've found some great stuff, but figured I'd post my own message to see what more I could learn from you all.

My husband and I will be going to Kauai in October for our 10th anniversary, and we can't wait. We've been once before (in 2002), but were with two friends who got married and we missed SO much due to the wedding stuff, and the fact that they're different kinds of travelers than we are. I still feel the pain of everything we didn't see. For example - we never got to the North Shore. Travesty.

So, hubby and I want to do things at our own pace this time and see as much as we can. We're not big adventurers - more of the 'we're on vacation so we ain't doing much' type people. We've been doing research out the wazoo and have almost decided on a Wailua Bay View condo - we're determined to do this on a budget. I'm just curious as to what the resident Kauai experts here think we shouldn't miss. We definitely want to do a Na Pali catamaran tour, and we wouldn't miss Hanalei for the world this time. What about cheap eats, good luaus, great drinks, that kinda stuff?

Also, any airfare advice would be wonderful. We'll fly out of Bush Intercontinental in Houston. So far, the best airfare rates I've found are with Continental, flying into Honolulu then island-hopping over to Kauai - round trip about $875/pp. Is that decent, or should we wait to purchase airfare later?

Any and all help you can give me would be appreciated more than you know.

I'm responding to my own post, but that's okay.

In doing more reading, I've decided that we should definitely do a helicopter tour. I'm thinking Jack Harter would be our best bet. Does anyone have another company they'd recommend over Harter? Looks to me like it's the best.

I'm curious as to what the seas are like in October, as well - is a catamaran trip to see Na Pali doable at that time?

And, I'm reading great reviews for Wailua Bay View, so that's promising. I'm definitely thinking a 3rd floor condo would have the best views, and though I wouldn't expect much foot traffic, being on the top floor would keep us away from that, and also afford more privacy, which we want.

I AM doing my own research and reading a lot - just interested in hearing first hand experience on some things, if anyone would like to share any.

Hi Shereebie

My husband and I were in Kauai Oct. of last year and it was wonderful. We had great weather. We flew from Dallas and stayed at the Hyatt for 3 nights and then at the Hanalie Colony Resort righ on the beach in the north part of the island for 3 ngihts.

We did the helicopter ride and WATERFALL LANDING with Inter-island helicopters!!!!! All I can say as it was the highlight of our entire trip. It was so very cool to ride in a helicopter that only held 4 passengers (not so crowded) and that had NO doors WOWIEEE (you are of course straped in) and the picnic and swim in our private water fall in the middle of the island was so much fun (the water is cold though) I would highly recommend Inter-island.

I have a full trip report and pictures ;-) so if you want the link just email me at [email protected]

I haven't been there for 30 years so I don't really have any recommedations.

Here are some sites that may help:

www.kauaidiscovery.com

www.kauai-hawaii.com

www.gohawaii.com

www.thisweek.com This Week Kauai XXX

www.spotlighthawaii.com Kauai Gold XXX

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

XXX - These also have free hard copy brochures.

www.alternative-hawaii.com Good narrative drive guide

www.driveguidemagazines.com Good maps & restaurant guide

www.hawaiiweb.com

Here's a link with lots of budget ideas:

http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt...aii/index.html

Shereebie, I understand your determination to keep your vacation within a certain budget. We spent 10 days in Kauai last June and we spent less than $4,000 and that included airfair, car, tons of keepsakes, several very nice meals and 9 nights at the Prince Kuhio Condos in Poipu. I fell in love with this location. When we return to Kauai, I doubt we will even consider another property. I guess my advice for the budget minded would be to rent a condo and hit the farmer's markets. The condo offers the ability to prepare some of your own meals and with the quality of fruit available, OH MY GOSH,...your meals could be memorable. Have an anointed week. Okie

Hi, I'm not going to Kauai, but we will be flying from VA to Honolulu via Continental through Houston. Our fare was $687/pp and it is a little less today when checking the Continental web site. I have found that the Continental website is always cheaper than other sites such as Expedia for the same flights. We booked our interisland separately (to BI) through Hawaiian Air. Our total was still less than $875/pp. I'd try booking interisland separately and see if that helps out. Good luck.

Thank you, Kaymit, Dusty, Okie, and Sherrie! I appreciate all your replies very much.

Kaymit, that sounds awesome. I'll definitely look into that helicopter tour. And I'm so glad to know that the weather cooperated for y'all! Makes me feel more at ease.

Sherrie, I went to Air To Hawaii online today and looked up a flight/car package and came up with a pretty good deal, I think. For two round trips, leaving Houston, connecting in Honolulu on Hawaiian and flying into Lihue then coming back the same way, with a car for the week (we'll be there from Oct. 13-21), I was quoted $1768. That seems pretty good, with the car included. Just an economy car, but with gas what it is, I figure that'll be good enough. If not, we can upgrade to a convertible for just $23 more a day.

Personally, I would wait a while to book an October flight to Hawaii. In my experience, prices start to come down in July or August for October travel. October is not the busiest season in Hawaii and there are often some very good fares available. But then again I fly from the West Coast, so maybe the situation is different in Texas.

Since you have quite a bit of time I would hold out for a bargin airfare. I suggest you do a daily scan for air tickets and be prepared to jump on a deal when one pops up. Set up fare alerts through Travelocity and use yahoo farechase and kayak .com on a daily basis. In early December I was able to get a Continental Philadelphia-HNL (via Houston) for $456 PP/RT for travel in June. The deals are there you just have to keep looking and be ready to grab them. Also you can get your interisland RT tickets on Aloha air with 5000 United air miles. Your only cost is $15 ticketing fee.

Shereebie, We have stayed in Wailua Bay View Condos three times. I highly recommend this location. When you book though, as you know, make sure to ask for the 3rd floor for the best views. Also, stay away from the low ending numbers (01, 02, 03) as they are closer to the street. I stayed in #314, 306 and 301, all were fine--clean and basic condos. #301 was the least favorite b/c it was on the end, but still nothing to really complain about.

I wrote a long trip report about our most recent visit a few weeks ago. Click on my name and you will find it.

Another little insider tip, if you really want a convertible or a jeep (which I would prefer on the island to go just about anywhere, back roads are great!) wait to upgrade until you get there. EVERY time we go they say "oh, while you are here, we have extra convertibles and jeeps that you can upgrade for only $10/day!" I doubt in October they will be sold out if they weren't in Jan/May/August visits. We always go with Alamo and Dollar.

My top recommendations would be hiking, renting a 2 person kayak to do the Wailua River/Fern Grotto/Waterfall hike (cheap), the Princeville zipline tour and a NaPali Coast Tour/Snorkel Adventure. If you can't swing too many tour things no worries, there are TONS of things to do that don't cost a lot of money, like hiking, kayaking, snorkeling. We manage to do Kauai on a budget as well but never feel like we miss a thing. Staying at Wailua Bay you will be in walking distance to tons of nice yet affordable restaurants. Take the little walking path behind Coconut Marketplace to get to the Safeway, less than a mile and a really nice walk after a big dinner.

I am sure other posters would disagree, but I do not recommend a luau. We did one a few years back and man did we regret it, and shelling out the $100 that we could have used for a nice dinner. It is the one near where you will be staying, can't remember the name, but just past Coconut Marketplace. Not our thing, and IMHO just too much hype.

Have fun! I can't wait to go back already. . . .

Just be careful.

A recent double drowing at Anini.

Just because it looks like paradise doesn't mean you let your guard down.[-o<

Especially during the Winter months.

Thank you all so much. This is wonderful, valuable information that I will definitely use. Steph, your trip report rocked!

We will definitely be careful, Kal. I know Kauai's waters can be as dangerous as they are beautiful.

Don't know anything about Bay View except location, but for an October trip suggest checking Poipu area. Although it's down south and not so convenient you'll likely not be doing Na Pali catamaran trips out of Hanalei at that time of year, more likely Holoholo or similar.
Check Suite Paradise's online rates www.suiteparadise.com we had 2/2 thru' them in '04 (Poipu Kai (XDLX") , Manualoha section) and were very pleased, great price.
For fares, out of IAH Continental generally has good fares, suggest waiting a little. You might even keep an eye on American as well - sometimes one-hoppers get a better deal than locals ! Check specials on Aloha and Hawaiian for inter-island hop.

Aloha Shereebie,

Happy 10th...If you would like live information, call Hanalei Vacations and talk to George ( he's the owner), he'll give you great suggestions. We use them all the time and you can check out their accomodations as well on the North SHore at 800hawaii.com
tell them you were referred by fordor;s forum

things to see/do:
waimea canyon
spouting horn
kipu falls
sleeping giant
na'pali coast (i did the catamaran--and normally don't get sea sick--there were 3ft. waves--so needless to say---many sea sick people----but sooo worth it anyway!!) what a beautiful view from the water! i was too scared to go by heli!
i forget the name of the marketplace--i think it was the coconut marketplace
hope this helps!