Hi there! I am going to Kauai in early September for my honeymoon and am looking for advice on what to do while there. We are staying at either the Princeville or the Hyatt (both sound terrific--hard to decide). What are the best activities to do while there for a week? First time there, so advice is much appreciated! thx. MO

* hiking
* swimming
* sitting in a chair
* sleeping
* sleeping while sitting in a chair

Thanks! Any specific suggestions as to where these activities can be done? ; )

You can read about the best sights and sites on this web site. However, be sure to take a helicopter tour. It is worth the money. We used Ohana, but if you look on this web site, you will find others highly recommended too.
We stayed at the Sheraton, which was good but not outstanding, but visited the Princeville and Hyatt and both looked great.
We preferred staying in Poipu because of the better weather and proximatey (however it's spelled) to more tourist attractions, restaurants and shopping.

Helicopter. We have been to Kauai 4X without doing it(I'm too cheap)and in June, we finally did it. Awesome, one of the best things we have EVER done. Used Inter-island and the waterfall landing trip---not to be missed. Don't let the $ scare you. Good Luck !!

Top three:

Viewing the Na Pali coast by boat or by helicoptor. (Hopefully the Captain Zodiac rafts still run in Sept - as these take you into the caves and under waterfalls)

Waimea Canyon

Wailua River and the Fern Grotto

C'mon me it your honeymoon! If you have to ask a travel board for the top five activities, your husband is in for a lot of frustration. Why not buy a copy of Joy of Sex and then ask us again for the best activities after you have accomplished chapters 1-12.

JMHO but give the guy a break.

Number one has to be the horizontal dancing, you can get creative for some local atmosphere.....
Woops, sorry, not a PC thing to say.
Seriously, get the "Ultimate Kauai" book and go from there. For a hotel, personally & from what I heard from a young colleague, I'd say go Princeville 100%, it's wonderful scenery and atmosphere up there - but you're leaving it a bit late so I hope you can get your booking ....
Enjoy !
p.

just back from a honeymoon in Kauai, I strongly second the helicopter trip with Interisland, including the waterfall landing. They fly with the doors off and it's incredible. Well worth the price. Tell them you saw the $225 price per person on their web site ant they will honor it as opposed to the $250 quoted when you call.
Enjoy!

1. Helicopter Ride
2. Helicopter Ride
3. Helicopter Ride
get it? We were there for a week and the helicopter ride was our highlight! Really great!
Kathy

I stayed at both Hyatt and Princeville on the same trip. Saved a lot of driving. Princeville to Waimea Canyon would be about 2-21/2 hours one way. It's about 45-60 minutes from Hyatt. Here's my top five outdoor activities
1. Na Pali Hike when it's not raining otherwise very slippery and dangerous
2. Snorkeling (Hanalei Bay, Anini Beach in the north - beach by Sunset House in South)
3. Helicoptor tour if you haven't done one already in HI
4. Na Pali kayak trip if you're in decent shape
5. Snorkel/dive trip (operators pick best site according to weather)

I liked Princeville better though- much more romantic and upscale. Hyatt is a fun family resort and just way too huge. You could spend 10 minutes to get to your room from the front desk.

Here's my favorite Kauai activities (actually eight, not five!):
1. See the Na Pali Coast, either by boat or by helicopter - by air the views are spectacular, but the ride is shorter than by boat, which also stops and lets you do some snorkeling. Another way to see it is a hike along the Kalalau Trail, though long and sometimes strenuous, it's a fabulous day trip.
2. See the Kalalau Valley from the view above the canyon, and then take the Pihea Trail at the end of the road which goes along the valley rim - breathtaking views!
3. Visit / swim in Queen's Bath, a beautiful and fun lava rock tide pool just below the Princeville area. (Heard the access was recently closed, but that it may have re-opened)
4. Take a jeep ride up the back roads beyond Keahua Arboretum (west of Wailua) into the tropical jungle areas near Waialeale.
5. Visit Wailua Falls and Kipu Falls - the second is much less visited, but has a fun rope to swing into the pool below the falls.
6. If you like gardens, arrange a Monday morning tour of the McBryde NTBG Gardens in Lawai - Hundreds of acres of tropical beauty shared by only a few people.
7. Take a drive up the beautiful Hanalei Valley a little way.
8. Great beaches: Poipu, Polihale, Pali Ke Kua, Hanalei Bay, Tunnels, Ke'e - sunset at Ke'e can be great!
There's so much more that's worthwhile -check it out in the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook - well worth it!

Alooohaaa,
We did the ATV Kauai Sunset Tour last year and we will probably do the longer Waterfall Tour this Decemeber/Jan. A lot of fun.

Do you guys golf? A few good courses on the island. My pers fave is The Grove at Puakea. 10 hole golf course. You play 20 and throw out the 2 designated holes.
The course in Princeville is beautiful but mucho $$$$. After 4:00 p.m., they used to let you just rent a cart and tour the course. It's that pretty. Take a camera and a lot of film.

This trip we have horseback riding, Hanapepe's Friday Night Art Show and if we have the nerve, fly a power hang glider..in addition to the usual climbing on a barstool at The Sand Bar and watch the sunset and decide where to eat!

Mucho Mahalos,
Kal
153 mo' days.

1) Princeville Horseback ride to waterfall picnic

2) Deep sea fishing near Poipu

3) Hiking in Waimea Canyon

4) Snuba diving in Poipu

5) Helicopter ride

Kal -I remember you mentioning in one of your posts that you stay at the same hotel every year. Would you mind sharing the name of the hotel and the location again, please? Thanks.

Hello & Congratulations!

We both love to play golf so most of our time was spent on the courses! If you like to play, there is a way to save money on green fees, for unlimited play.

We took the helicopter tour and it was a great way to see the island, especially the Na Pali Coast.

Otherwise.. we ate! Lappert's Ice Cream - Kauai Pie and Bubba's burger and chili.. and the local hangouts..

Good Luck and enjoy the island!

JM

Hi Mo I am off in 7 days
1.
For me Hiking top trails are up to you
Kalalau Trail
Pihei Trail (alakai swamp)
Canyon Trail
Awaawapuhi Trail
Are some of the top trails
Kathy Moreys book Kauai trails is great and you can read more detail and find hikes for your skill level.

2. Swimming:
Beaches I love placed in order of appreciation
Ke'e beach in Haena
Hideaways beach in Princeville
Hanalei beach in Hanalei

3. Snorkeling:
Lydgate to get you started
Tunnels when you are confident

4. Helicopter if you are up for the risk, I have never done I have been going for about 8 years but I know I am missing out.

The real 4. for me Eating out. You don't have the choices of Oahu but I love exploring pan pacific cuisine.
Top choices Roy's, casual-zelos in Hanalei, would not miss a chance to dine with a view at Princeville Sheraton or Beach house. Although I have skipped these later options in the past.

5.Canoeing down the hanalei and or Wailua river.


I like my choices because they are not commercial and you are not spending through the wazoo to partake.


You can opt for Hikes lead by Scientist with Kauai Nature Tours at $80 a pop, rent an atv at a similar place and drive through sugar cane fields. There is diving but I would save some like that for Tahiti or great barrier reef, even the caribean.

say that about diving because I have inquired about diving in Hawaii at dive shops here in NYC. They have told me that Hawaii waters are frequently cloudy and visibility is limitted. I am sure they are comparing it with dives in Bor Bora or great barrier reef but I figure snorkeling does me just fine.

Fun-We stay at the Islander on the Beach.
It's located right behind the Coconut Marketplace in Kapaa.
Not a Hyatt, P'ville, Sheraton, et al by ANY means, but...
Our favorite little "1.5*" hotel.
Fits our needs and is within walking (I admit, sometimes "staggering") distance to a lot of good places to chow and it is right on the beach.
Aston manages it now. We get a micro, fridge, coffee maker and cable TV and a great view. What more do we need?
The Sand Bar probably makes the best mai tais on the island. The "Gloria Martini" is also a killer.

Sarah, In case you take off to Kauai while I'm actually on a "work break", Bon Voyage, Hang Loose and try to get into "Island Time" ASAP, sistah!
Maybe give me a toast or 2 at sunset and leave some good karma for me to pick up in 150 mo' days!
Mucho Mahalos,
Kal

thanks Kal and don't you worry about those work breaks your job is never done on this forum!!! ...there is an internet cafe walking distance from zee condo. I will probably drop a line on the forum to say hello. I know I always like reading posts people leave while they are on vacation and the cafe is on the way to the shave ice trailer!!!

So pyched can't wait to see the stars at night. Only thing is that it has been clear all week in Hanalei I hope that is not a set up for rain my weeks.