We are planning on spending 8 days on Kauai in November--any suggestions as to an itinerary?

Seven days in Kauai will be very relaxing, I am jealous already. There is not a huge itinerary to be found in Kauai. You can drive all the way around the island in about 40 minutes if you do not stop. We stayed in Poipu and really enjoyed it. It was sunny every day we were there. We met some people who were staying on the north part of the island in Princeville and it rain the whole time they were there. This is at the same that we were there. We stayed at the Embassy Resort and we had nice spacious rooms and very friendly locals. You can go horseback riding, and go on a helicopter ride over the canyon, scuba and snorkel, luau, and Fern Grotto was nice too, and of course shopping. Don't forget to rent a car.

Kate,
A "must do" on Kauai is a helicopter ride. Check out Jack Harter's Helicopters. They were fabulous. Spring for the 90 minute ride. 60 minutes just leaves you wanting more.

Buy Lenbore Horowitz's excellent book "Kauai Underground Guide" It is especially good if you have kids, but has great ideas and itineraries for all.

Kate,
My friend & I spent 6 days at the end of September & that wasn't enough. Definitely, take a Na Pali coast boat tour, that is, as long as you don't get sea sick. It's beautiful & you'll probably come across dolphins &/or other sea creatures. We also went horse back riding w/ CJM Stables & kayaking w/ Kayak Kauai Outbound. Both were very enjoyable. Both have websites so please respond if you'd like me to provide them to you. I made reservations before leaving. Aloha! -Barbara

We spent a week at the Hyatt in Kauai. It is a lovely hotel.....but the island I thought was nothing too special. Have you considered Tahiti?

I spent 3 months there a few years ago and hated to leave. My favorite things to do were: Na Pali Coast boat trip; I took both the Zodiac trip and the larger boat. It included snorkeling and was wonderful. We saw dolphins, flying fish, and on the Zodiac trip we went into sea caves. The Waimea Canyon is interesting, and while there we drove up into the mountains behind the canyon where there were pine trees and it was cool (forget the name of the area) with great views. I lived in Poipu but spent every minute I could on the North Side. I loved Hanalai with its one-way bridges and taro fields. Have a tropical drink at Tahiti Nui's in Hanalai (an old South Seas-type bar) and they also have a great luau; snorkel at Tunnels near Lumahai Beach (great picture opportunity at L.B.); "check out" the Princeville Hotel and the Marriott (previously the Westin); drive to the end of the road on the North Side (Kee Beach) and take a hike; see the sunset at the Beach House in Poipu. We also did some snorkeling off of Brenecke Beach in Poipu. We went to an area below the cliffs in Princeville and swam with turtles. It's such a beautiful island and just driving around and exploring is fun. I'm sure I've forgotten some great things, but it's been too long since I was there. Have a great time!

The area above Waimea Canyon is the Koke'e State Park. The lodge there has some of the best chili, cornbread, and bean soup you'll ever have. Continue on the road a bit past the lodge (driving) and you will come to two truly SPECTACULAR viewpoints: Kalalau Lookout, then, a few miles further, Pu'u o Kila Lookout.

The Na Pali coast as seen from a zodiac is impressive...but actually hiking part of the trail offers some spectular scenery and great views( I say that as I look at a large photo, in my office, of the Na Pali coast taken during one of our hikes).

An easy hike to Hanakapiai Beach is about 2 miles from the trailhead ..an additional 2 miles( and more strenuous)
hike takes you to the falls.

We were just in Maui and kaui for our Honeymoon. In Kauai we rented a jeep and did a lot of off roading and sightseeing. Just kind of took off on our own. We also rented our own snorkeling geer and we found a lot of out of the way places to use it. We did do the copter tour on Kauai - a must, but don't drink fruit juice beforehand!