Kauai/Maui Activities - recs for horseback rides, zipline, kayaking, etc
 

My FI and I are starting to plan our September honeymoon to Maui and Kauai. Neither of us has been to Hawaii before, so we would love to get some recommendations for the activities we want to do. We would be up for doing these on either island - please share some names we should look at for booking these:

Horseback ride: Beach or rainforest or both

Ziplining

Kayaking - we've read that it's possible to kayak up a river and hike to a waterfall - would love to do that!

Surf lessons - we just want to do one

Thank you!!

I haven't zipped in hawaii, but it is great!!!
You might check out rafting Napali Coast also.
There is a zip and dip in Kauai where you can zipline and take a swim near a waterfall.

I can only speak for skyline eco-adventures zipline which has two places on Maui: Haleakala (really Haiku/Olinda) and Ka'anapali. Owned by local boy, Dan Boren, it was the first zipline on the island. My father, who is extremely afraid of heights, raved after completing the Haleakala line !!

I went horseback riding with this company:http://www.princevilleranch.com I highly recommend them - it was a great day and the horses were very well cared for.

I need to look up the company we used to Kayak. We meet at like a store - and kayaked up the river - than hiked to a waterfall through the forest. Let me see what I can find.

These are both in Kauai. We did not horseback ride or kayak in Maui. We did go on the Trilogy to Lanani which my husband loved- I get pretty sea sick.

I believe this is the one we used: http://www.aliikayaks.com/gallery.html Please note that they have internet specials - so you can get a slight discount.

One of these days I'll be small enuff for a zip line....:))

Kal the zipline in Big Bear was scary enough for me! Yikes!

Kauai backcountry Adventures is a good place to start. I know they do ziplining, tubing and I'm pretty sure they also do the kayak and hike to waterfalls. We have used them a few times.

We zipped the Ka'anapali line. It was our first time, and I think we both would have liked more scenery. Next time instead I would try the Haleakala zip, that one looks much more scenic.

Have you considered jeep exploration. It was so out of my comfort zone that it was fantastic. We took a jeep tour of Kipu rance on Kauai. Fantastic scenery and an exhilerating ride. Swam to a waterfall for my final act. Check it out.

http://www.kiputours.com/

Have also gone with Princeville Ranch and Kauai Backcountry Adventures. Would recommend both.

In addition to the activities you listed, you should plan to do the "Road To Hana" drive on Maui.

It's one heck of a drive in a rental car. Another option is to take one of the escorted vans or bus tours.

An unforgettable trip!

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions - I've been checking them out and they're all very helpful. Definitely adding Road to Hana drive to our itinerary, and maybe even the jeep tours if the FI is up for it!

If anyone can share more names, even if it's just another vote for one that's already been mentioned, I'd really appreciate it. Also, I still haven't seen anything about surfing lessons - does anyone have suggestions?

Thank you!!!!!

On Kauai there are numerous places for surf lessons - if you're on the South Shore most take place around Poipu beach, and on the North Shore there are many near Hanalei Bay. You can check out http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...y_2197984.html for a list of surf schools.

Another activity that's becoming very popular is stand-up paddling. It's a lot easier than surfing and you don't even have to get wet. I'm not suggesting it as a replacement for surfing, which is a blast, but it's another fun water activity. In the summer, Hanalei Bay should be calm enough to paddle out in the bay, or you can head up the Hanalei River like I did - beautiful scenery (sea turtles swam right under my board!) and it's a great workout. Hawaiian Surfing Adventures (www.hawaiiansurfingadventures.com) has both surfing and stand-up paddling lessons and board rentals at Hanalei Bay.

"and you don't even have to get wet".
LOL.....I guess "have" is the operative word?
Seen some very wet beginners. ;)

For the Hana tour, I would highly recommend Valley Isle Excursions.
http://www.hawaiilifeofluxury.com/th...le-excursions/

For a wonderful and romantic evening, you definitely need to do a sunset cruise. Alii Nui is top notch!

Nothing better than being out on the ocean, having nice cocktails, eating great food, and watching an amazing Hawaiian sunset.
http://www.hawaiilifeofluxury.com/al...sail-off-maui/