I am going to Kauai september 11th for my 25th anniversary. I am staying at the Kauai Coast Resort in Kapaa. Would like some help with my itinerary so I make the best use of time.
Day one: Breakfast at Eggberts at the Coconut Market Place. Shop. Drive to see Opaekoa Falls and Wailua Falls. Spend time at Lydgate beach. DInner at the resort restaurant.
Day two: Possibly take a helicopter tout w/InterIsland. Waimea Canyon- hike to Waipoo Falls. Spend time at the south shore beaches. Dinner at the Beach House.
Day three: North shore drive- Kilauea light house, Hanalei Pier, town, and beach, Postcards for lunch, Ha'ena Beach, Kee beach, tunnels Beach for sunset.
Day four: North shore hike form Kee Beach to Hanakapa Beach and Falls.
Day five: Captain Zodiak boat tour-10:00-4:00
Dinner at Tidepools.
That leaves Saturday and most of Sunday. Am I doing too much in one day? What makes the most sense? Did I miss anything? Thanks for your help!!!

I've been to Kauai 5 times.

Helicopter: Definitely do it...you won't be disappointed!! And make sure you use InterIsland. They are great!!

Restaurants: Not a big fan of Eggbert's or PostCards. I think they are kind of over rated.

These are my favorite restaurants...but I know everyone has different tastes.

-Zelo's Beach House in Hanalei
-Hanalei Mixed Plate in Hanalei
-Kountry Kitchen for breakfast in Kapaa....we ususally hit this on our way to North Shore
-Beach House is great!!
-Keoki's Paradise in Poipu...kind of cheesey, but it is good.
-Tomkat's Grille in Koloa Town
-Brennecke's in Poipu...food isn't as good as it used to be...but I still love the view, the lava flows and their puupuu plater that has smoked marlin and sashimi...YUM!!

-And it is always fun to stumble across places. We do that. Can't remember the names of a lot of places...but we know where they are at.

Don't miss Queen's Bath over in Princeville. Hard to locate...but the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook has great directions. In fact...that book is my bible. While my husband drives, I navigate using there GREAT maps. Very detailed using the mile markers. Highly recommend buying it!!

Here is a link I found with pictures of Queen's Bath.

http://www.igougo.com/planning/journ...een's+Bath

Here's another...I want to go back!!!


http://www.well.com/user/tnf/hawaii/queensbath.html

Aloha!

Please refer to my Kauai trip reports, parts 1 and 2 just posted a little while agao. FYI - Postcards isn't open for lunch, only dinner. InterIsland is a terrific company to tour with, highly recommend them - and, if you can spring for the extra $$$ for the waterfall landing tour, it's well worth it. Congrats on your 25th - it's where we spent ours!

Don't miss Kee' beach on the North Shore,it is at the end of the highway.The snorkeling was great there.Also I would check the weather for the day that you go to Waimea Canyon to make sure that it is not foggy,when we went it was too foggy to see anything.
Don't miss Spouting Horn on the South shore.
Also I would definately take a helicopter tour, you will see the west shore that is only accessible by hike,air or boat.
We stayed at Rosewood's B&B in Kapaa'and it was beautiful the grounds where landscaped beautifully.
You will want atleast a half a day to a day to explore the water at Kee' beach.Hope that you enjoy your trip.

My husband and I did the flight and landing with Interisland and it was the highlight of our trip last fall. Be sure to make reservations as far in advance as possible to get your first choice of times.

WE loved our dinners at Tidepools and The Beach House but thoguht Zelos was overrated.

We loved Tunnels and Kee beaches but get early to Kee as it fills up fast with cars then there is no where to park. They do give tickets for parking along the side of the road.

You will LOVE Kauai

Kay

Thank you for all your imput. I will try Zelo's. I am glad I found out about Postcards not serving lunch and will change those plans. I will for make sure I get to Queen's Bath. It looks beautiful. I was concerned about putting to much into one day. Any other scheduling ideas? Keep the suggestions coming.

1st off, congratulations on 25 years of marriage!

If you're planning on visiting Ke'e, Tunnels or Queen's Bath you must get to each one early. We stayed at the Princeville and arrived at Queen's Bath around 6:30 am. We had it all to ourselves, but by the time we hiked back up to our car all of the parking was taken. We set out for Tunnels at 6:30 am, by the time we arrived there was only one legal spot left. If you're staying on the Coconut Coast these destinations may be hard for you to reach early enough to secure parking. Haena has plenty of parking, and you can walk to Tunnels from there. Haena is a picture perfect beach, but not very good for swimming do to the exposure. Anini beach is a great low key beach to spend an entire day relaxing, swimming and snorkeling. There is ample parking and never many people. It's like having your own private beach.

For Dining on the North shore the views from Bali Hai restaurant can't be beat, but the food's just so-so. They have the best lava flows on the island though. For better food with a very good view try Cafe Hanalei at the Princeville Resort. Someone else mentioned Zelo's and Hanalei Mixed Plate, I also enjoyed these for a more low-key experience. The best meal I had on Kauai was at A Pacific Cafe in Kapaa.

For a once in a lifetime adventure I highly recommend Kipu Ranch Adventures ATV tour. It's not strenuous at all, and requires no prior knowledge of ATV's. If you're not comfortable driving an ATV they will drive you in a 4WD vehicle. You will see parts of the island many never get to see (except perhaps in the movies). Their guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. I can't say enough about them.

Alohaaaa KTP.
Ditto congrats on joining the 25th Anniv Club!

Don't forget about the nice little restaurant you have at your hotel, Huki Lau. I believe it's owned by the people who run Gaylords.
Good food....spotty service a few times but nothing to stress about...nice setting especially at night and if you can sit outside.

We enjoyed a breakfast or 3 at Olympic Cafe a few mins up the road in Kapaa Town.

If you don't take one of the many ATV tours on Kauai, you may regret it.

We're going to try the Gay & Robinson Ranch ATV tour next year. I understand it takes you deeper into paniolo country.

You DO realize there is a slight chance you may just tear up all of your plans once you get there and just hang loose, yah?
Mucho mahalos and

Kauai is a beautiful island. We have been there 3 times in the past few years and are going back for xmas. Rent a car and explore all beaches Kee beach beautiful as well as Polihalia on the west side. You sound like you know what to see but I wouldn't be so scheduled . Allow time just to explore the natural beauty of Hawaii and relax. Sometimes best made plans don't alwways work out, it is more fun to be spontaneous and take a recommendation for a restuarant from someone you meet during the day as we did. We love Roys in Poipu. Just enjoy the island has alot to offer.
Karen

Another place you might want to check out to eat for lunch or good pupu's is the Poipu Beach Brolier, Roy's is always good, and the Beach House is romantic make sure you get there before the sunset. Another place more of a local scene is the Kalaheo Steak House.
There is Keoki's Paradise which as good local live bands and decent food. Oh don't forget to get some Shave Ice.


I have done the helicopter more than once and it's great. You might also want to check out taking a ride in an Ultralight located at the Port Allen Airport, I went with Robert of Ultralight Adventures Kauai, it's a great way to see Kauai.

Eric

Happy 25th!

The Beach House has a fantastic view, but I am not so sure about dinner anymore. Was disappointed on our last two visits. Go for pupu's in the bar and save your money for A Pacific Cafe in Kapaa. For my money the best restaurant on the island. I understand it has moved across the hwy to the ocean side. Was the same management as Beach House, may still be. It was hard to get a table when it was in the shopping center. I just think the food is superior at A Pacific Cafe and it now has a view to go with it.

I just read elsewhere that A Pacific Cafe is closed but is planning to move across the street. Or maybe never re-open. Say it ain't so!

I hope you're wrong about A Pacific Cafe Kahuna. It was by far the best meal I had on Kauai. In fact, I'd say it was one the best meals I've ever had. That would be a major loss.

Re: A Pacific Cafe, refer to discussion about this on my Ksuai Trip report which was posted a few days ago...