We are going on a cruise shortly. I was wondering what recommendations would for one day that are must see. We are going on a helicoptor ride one day but have a free day. My other question is if just got off the ship and wing it, will there be ideas from tourist companies with ideas and offers? Do we have to decide now and book a ship excursion? We love beaches, and flowers and most anything scenic. Thanks.

You will love the helicopter tour - that was our favorite thing on Kauai. We also did a boat tour of the Na Pali coast, went snorkelling and to the beach at Tunnels, Poipu, and Ke'e, and then to see the Spouting Horn - it's like a geyser where the ocean water shoots up through the rocks - Kauai is beautiful; you will love it. We booked the copter tour and boat tour a few days ahead, but it may not be a necessity.

Waimea canyon is very interesting to see, would probably take up half a day's excursion.

Odin,

Acually it is 7.5 hours which includes a lunch, and some sort of river cruise Fern Grotto I believe was the name and a hike. This includes the canyon as well. I think we are going to do this.

Again I can't seem to get an anwer for this question. Are there locals or people offering excursions on the docks when you get off the ship at the various islands?? I ask this over and over again and never seem to get an answer. I would assume no one knows. Thanks.

D, we flew in and didn't cruise, so I can't help you with that question. Maybe if you title your post Kauai Cruise or something along those lines, people with cruise experience may chime in? Have a wonderful trip!

I doubt there will be people at the dock selling tours although I am not positive. If the ship's excursions seem too expensive, check them out directly, you will just have to figure out how to get there from the dock. For links to activities & their operators, I like wizardpub.com.

Hello Diann24. We did a cruise a few years ago. We booked all of our own excursions to save money. I don't think there were a lot of vendors at the port, but we booked ours in advance. On Maui, we did a snorkel trip that was wonderful. In fact, it was the same company that the cruiseline used - we were on the same excursion but paid much less! We did that for the morning and rented a car for the afternoon and visited Ioa valley and had lunch at Mama's Fishhouse. We also booked the Old Lahaina Luau separately and loved it. That was a full day, but we really enjoyed it all and did it for much less than if we had gone with the cruiseline (the difference paid for our car rental and lunch).

On Kauai, we booked a helicopter trip separately. We also rented a car there and drove around after the helicopter trip. Again, we found a coupon and saved like $100/person on it.

Anyway, I don't remember seeing a lot of vendors at the cruise port. I think there were some, but not as many as I've seen on other cruises. I recommend booking from home so you can research the companies. Safety is an issue with helicopter tours for example, so I researched them from home first. But you can certainly do all of your own excursions. We did the excursions in the mornings in order to ensure we were back on the ship in time. You will have a fabulous trip!

Thanks for all your replies. We have all ready booked some tours all on the net on our own. In Kauai we are doing a complete Helicoptor tour with "Air Kauai." It is located at the Lihue Airport. Gee I hope it is safe!! We booked it through adventurehawaii.com

We are doing a Luau at the Marriot Wailea Luae in Maui. We are snorkeling in Maui called Pride of Maui Molokini/Turtle Town Snorkel. I know about renting the cars but one does have to factor in the car price, and the few dollar difference between the ships excursions or taxi fee's it all comes out perhaps the same. Our Luau is 25 minutes away on the other side of the island. A taxi would have been very expensive. So we are renting a car there, and in Hilo as well. Thanks. Let me know about the Air ride.

Diann24 -

I was at this port on Monday just killing time. There are no vendors for activities in the immediate vicinity, but they are certainly everywhere else on the island.

MauiPigFarmer,

Thanks so much. Then I know for sure not to book a tour on the ship. I am use to the caribbean Islands. One never has to book ahead unless you want to do so. You can choose what to do when you get off the ship no problem.

It seems to me that there is a "strip Mall" very close to the Nawiliwili Harbor that has some island adventures to book.But, I don't know th ename. It is very close to the Burger Hut we stop at everytime we go to Kauai. Never have taken a cruise there but this strip mall is within walking distance to the harbor where the ships dock.

When the cruise ships come into our harbor at Nawiliwili, the whole island is impacted by the tour buses and shuttle buses taking visitors to sites and shopping.

diann24:
Since you will have already taken the heli-tour of the island -- which will include awesome views of Waimea Canyon -- I'd urge you to rent a car and take a leisurely drive to our north shore. Stop along the way...Anini Beach, Kilauea Lighthouse, Hanalei Bay, Makua (Tunnels), and Ke`e (end of the road).

antiemarie: How much time would be needed for such a drive from the port?

We live on the north shore and make the drive "into town" every 7-10 days, making our shopping treks to Costco -- which just minutes beyond the cruise ship port. It takes me 45 minutes or less (because I use the Kapa`a Bypass Road to avoid the congestion through that area).

A leisurely drive from the ship to Hanalei and back, non-stop, would take two- to two-1/2 hours I think. But it's difficult not to stop along the way! 8-)

I should have also mentioned that cars can be rented less expensively, if done directly with the car rental companies. Some will deliver to the ship area; some will give free shuttles.

Auntiermaria,

Just wanted to tell you we have taken your recommendation. Point well taken about seeing the canyon on the helicopter ride. We have rented a car for the entire day. I am sure we will see more, this way and stop and go where we choose. Thanks again for all of your thoughts. If there are any other thoughts please let me know. We will have the rental car all day. Thank-you.