Kauai N Shore, 2 hours, what's MUST SEE?
Jan 25th, 2006, 06:07 AM
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Kauai N Shore, 2 hours, what's MUST SEE?
Leaving in 10 days...unfortunately we only have one day in Kauai and we know we want to see the Canyon in the afternoon and also have a sunset cruise to Na Pali booked leaving on South side that evening. So 5am we are up on East Shore and will be able to be on N Shore at sunrise, probably allowing 2 hours to explore and just barely see the place, but at least see it. Have read Kee and Tunnels beaches and the Bay and the Lighthouse are all worth doing.
Regardless of what I've read, if you only had 30-45 minutes (each) to walk around and explore a couple sights to take it in, what would you pick as two "must see" places given that time frame? Thanks to all who post on this site!!!
Regardless of what I've read, if you only had 30-45 minutes (each) to walk around and explore a couple sights to take it in, what would you pick as two "must see" places given that time frame? Thanks to all who post on this site!!!
Jan 25th, 2006, 06:34 AM
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My choice would be head straight to Ke`e, and pull over at the roadside overlooks of Taro fields, coastline, and stop in town of Hanalei. Would also recommend 
for checking out east coast Opaeka`a and Wailua Falls.
Here is a link with many Kaua`i sightseeing
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/sites...ailuaFalls.htm
for checking out east coast Opaeka`a and Wailua Falls.Here is a link with many Kaua`i sightseeing
http://www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/sites...ailuaFalls.htm
Jan 25th, 2006, 09:24 PM
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From the east shore to the north shore to Waimea Canyon and back to Port Allen for a cruise? Wow, you are going to spend a huge chunk of the day just driving. Traffic is not good on the eastern shore. Only one day in Kauai sounds sad. Any chance that you can save Kauai for another time when you can spend at minimum three or four days there? We will be in Kauai in May for 14 days and wish that we had more time to do everything that we want to do.
Regardless, enjoy your trip 8-)
Regardless, enjoy your trip 8-)
Jan 26th, 2006, 08:23 AM
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As a resident of northshore Kaua`i, I _strongly_ advise to narrow down your travels on this island...unless you want to sleep during the whole Na Pali boat tour. 
You seem to be starting from the east side -- best place to watch the sunrise BTW. From Kapa`a to Ke`e Beach (non-stop) will take you about an hour. We don't get sunrise light until 7:30...not much to "see" on your drive north, unless you leave later -- which won't leave you much time to tour.
IMHO, you should skip northshore touring -- focus on Kapa`a, Lihu`e, Koloa, Po`ipu, Hanapepe, Waimea town, Kekaha, Waimea Canyon, and your sunset cruise. Plenny to see/do, without wearing yourselves out.
Save northshore Kaua`i for your next trip...your "excuse" to come back! 8-)
You seem to be starting from the east side -- best place to watch the sunrise BTW. From Kapa`a to Ke`e Beach (non-stop) will take you about an hour. We don't get sunrise light until 7:30...not much to "see" on your drive north, unless you leave later -- which won't leave you much time to tour.
IMHO, you should skip northshore touring -- focus on Kapa`a, Lihu`e, Koloa, Po`ipu, Hanapepe, Waimea town, Kekaha, Waimea Canyon, and your sunset cruise. Plenny to see/do, without wearing yourselves out.
Save northshore Kaua`i for your next trip...your "excuse" to come back! 8-)
Jan 26th, 2006, 04:16 PM
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Alohaaa Auntie M...
Should we tell ttyme about the horrendous traffic jam that happend when the cane field near Hanamaulu caught fire a few weeks ago?
One couple we met a Tradewinds gave up on the traffic and dropped in for pupus and beer until the traffic died down.
Said it took them almost 2 hrs from Princeville!!!
While not a common event at all, keep in mind, not too many ways to get around traffic on Kauai, especially thur Kapaa/Wailua.
Auntie M has our Kauai method down..."always leave something to come back to"! This next trip will be to finally meet her in person.
Should we tell ttyme about the horrendous traffic jam that happend when the cane field near Hanamaulu caught fire a few weeks ago?
One couple we met a Tradewinds gave up on the traffic and dropped in for pupus and beer until the traffic died down.
Said it took them almost 2 hrs from Princeville!!!
While not a common event at all, keep in mind, not too many ways to get around traffic on Kauai, especially thur Kapaa/Wailua.
Auntie M has our Kauai method down..."always leave something to come back to"! This next trip will be to finally meet her in person.
Jan 26th, 2006, 05:37 PM
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Thanks JohnD for the focus on Ke'e beach. Anybody else second that or have another N Shore site to focus on with our limited time?
We are set on at least seeing the NS a little bit! And yes, Kauai will still hold plenty to give us the excuse to come back again!
We are set on at least seeing the NS a little bit! And yes, Kauai will still hold plenty to give us the excuse to come back again!
Jan 26th, 2006, 05:41 PM
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Spending just a day in Kaua'i sounds about right to me.
Too much driving.
If I understand your itinerary...I would head up to Waimea Canyon first thing in the morning. Much better chance of actually seeing something due to those naughty clouds that can obscure things later in the day.
After Waimea Canyon, drive into Koloa/Poipu and hang out until your cruise. Plenty to do there.
You will be back...
-Bill
Too much driving.
If I understand your itinerary...I would head up to Waimea Canyon first thing in the morning. Much better chance of actually seeing something due to those naughty clouds that can obscure things later in the day.
After Waimea Canyon, drive into Koloa/Poipu and hang out until your cruise. Plenty to do there.
You will be back...
-Bill
Jan 26th, 2006, 05:44 PM
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A side trip to Anini would be nice, too. Forgot how pretty it was down there.
Princeville Golf Course still rents carts after 3:00 for $13/pp so you can tour the course. Takes about an hour but take plenty of film/megs. Fantastic views.
Princeville Golf Course still rents carts after 3:00 for $13/pp so you can tour the course. Takes about an hour but take plenty of film/megs. Fantastic views.
Jan 28th, 2006, 05:03 PM
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ttyme...okay, since you appear to be _determined_ to see and do Kaua`i in just one day, let this Kaua`i resident call out the time you'll need to "do it all":
Up at 5a.m. on the east side; drive non-stop to Ke`e Beach in the dark...one hour.
Sit at Ke`e Beach until sunrise at 7:30a.m....there went another hour. Water will be too cold for a swim; if it's raining, there will be no sunrise to see.
Drive back to Makua Beach (mistakenly called "Tunnels" in guidebooks written by non-Hawaiians); water will still be cold and winter surf will probably be pounding...that will take about 1/2 hour of your time. So now it's about 8a.m.
Drive back to Hanalei for breakfast...that will take about an hour of your time. Now it's 9a.m.
Spend an hour touring Hanalei/Princeville/Kilauea, until the Kilauea Lighthouse opens at 10a.m. Tour the gift shop & museum, watch the birds and look for whales...one hour...now it's 11a.m.
Drive back to condo -- in the middle of lunchtime traffic -- arrive east side 12:30 - 1p.m. Grab lunch.
Now you're heading to Waimea Canyon at...say...1:30 or 2pm -- facing a 90-minute drive from the east side condo...which has you arriving at the end of the canyon road at about 3:30. Now you've got a 45-60 minute non-stop drive to catch your sunset cruise at Pt. Allen at about 4:30.
What time did you say your departs???
Just my two cents... 8-)
Up at 5a.m. on the east side; drive non-stop to Ke`e Beach in the dark...one hour.
Sit at Ke`e Beach until sunrise at 7:30a.m....there went another hour. Water will be too cold for a swim; if it's raining, there will be no sunrise to see.
Drive back to Makua Beach (mistakenly called "Tunnels" in guidebooks written by non-Hawaiians); water will still be cold and winter surf will probably be pounding...that will take about 1/2 hour of your time. So now it's about 8a.m.
Drive back to Hanalei for breakfast...that will take about an hour of your time. Now it's 9a.m.
Spend an hour touring Hanalei/Princeville/Kilauea, until the Kilauea Lighthouse opens at 10a.m. Tour the gift shop & museum, watch the birds and look for whales...one hour...now it's 11a.m.
Drive back to condo -- in the middle of lunchtime traffic -- arrive east side 12:30 - 1p.m. Grab lunch.
Now you're heading to Waimea Canyon at...say...1:30 or 2pm -- facing a 90-minute drive from the east side condo...which has you arriving at the end of the canyon road at about 3:30. Now you've got a 45-60 minute non-stop drive to catch your sunset cruise at Pt. Allen at about 4:30.
What time did you say your departs???
Just my two cents... 8-)
Jan 28th, 2006, 08:57 PM
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In my opinion, I would cruise on another island, head for the canyon in the a.m., and immediately go to the north shore as fast as I could drive. Park your "happy selves" on Tunnels or Ke'e and not move the rest of the day. Being on the beach under a tree with the mountains as a back drop is as good as it gets
Jan 30th, 2006, 06:53 PM
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I agree with John D that I would go to Ke'e first. I love to walk on this beach early, and had a mystical experience one morning watching the mist rise from the peaks. I would then stop at Makua/Tunnels as this also a beautiful beach. Personally I would probably spend so much time at these 2 places that no time would be left for anything else 8-)
