Kauai trip report
 

Well, after 3 days on Oahu we were off to Kauai for 8 days. Everything mentioned can be found in the blue "bible" The Ultimate Guide to Kauai which I took with me everywhere! We rented snorkel gear at Snorkel Bob's for the week and it was great as we rented it in Poipu but returned it "after hours" to Kapaa. Brennecke's Beach was good for snorkelling but we felt Beach House Beach was better. Tunnels Beach on the North Shore was great as well but the current was much stronger as it was winter. I believe that the snorkelling was better than Hanauma Bay on Oahu. Shipwreck Beach was the place we tried body surfing and Boogie Boarding, much harder than it looks! Definitely recommend the little hike to Kipu Falls he talks about, the best "local flavour" experienced was when I asked a local if he would show us the way down and he swan dived off the falls into the pool. Also enjoyed watching the "fools" jump off the cliff at Shipwreck Beach. Spouting Horn at Poipu is very neat. The cliff hike left of Shipwreck Beach is great!!! Just remember to take lots of water as we ran out and got very thirsty. The other hike we did was Ho'opi'i Falls hike and we got a little lost trying to find the second falls! My boys really enjoyed these hikes. Sleeping Giant and King Kong's profile was enjoyed and the Opaek'a Falls was great to drive up and see. Fern Grotto was a disappointment and I really wish I listened to the book and all of the posts not to waste my time on it but oh well, live and learn. We did the Smith's Tropical Paradise luau and enjoyed it a lot. On our West shore day we had a lot of fun. Listened to the books advice to get up to Waimea canyon early and what a view!!! Just a note, the book lists to go up to Pu'u o Kila Lookout, but the road is closed. We parked the car and walked up and we are really glad we did. What a view! It was about a mile to walk up there. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get up there early. When we were coming down, there was lots of traffic going up and they wouldn't have seen anything as the clouds had come in. Avoid the rain and the traffic! Following the canyon we drove as far as you could West to Polihale. The waves were fun to see and the endless beach was great. Unsafe for swimming though. In Waimea, we definitely recommend Jo Jo's for shaved ice, as good if not better than Matsumoto's on Oahu! We did miss out on trying Brick Oven Pizza though, oh well, we have to save something for next time. Bubba's burgers was good, Tropical Burgers in Poipu was great and Tropical Taco in Hanalea was great. The north shore day was fun. Kilauea Lighthouse is a good photo opportunity. Stopped at Anini Beach, Hanalei Lookout, Tunnels Beach and Ke'e beach. Ended up spending most of the time at Tunnels as was great snorkelling. Ke'e beach was beautiful too but more crowded. On the East shore we didn't think too much of Lydgate state park BUT was a great place to stop and shower before hitting the airport for our flight home. Had a fantastic time, absolutely loved Kauai and cannot wait to go back!

Imaz...thanks for the report. We leave in 2 days for our Oahu/Kauai vacation. We have 5 days on Oahu/4 on Kauai. If you had to cut your Kauai in 1/2, which things out of your report would be your must do's?

Nice report, lmaz! Thanks. We will be spending some time on Kauai next month.

Just curious, how early did you get to Waimea canyon?

Nice report! Thanks. :)
I also would like to know how early it was that you went to the Canyon.

Also how much was your snorkel gear roughly?

~Amelie

Oh to swim Tunnels!!!! Lucky you, the surf wouldn't allow us in the whole week we were there in December. It is my favorite area!!!! Thanks for report

Our snorkel gear for the dry set was $20/week using a coupon found in one of the travel mags. Snorkel Bob's lets you rent and return to any of their locations, even if you want to take it to another island. They close at 5pm but we used the after hours drop box that worked great.We got to the canyon by 10 am and was hiking up to the last view point at 11 am. Coming down we hit all of the crowds going up! I would definitely cut out the Fern Grotto cruise but, honestly, I wouldn't have cut out anything else. 4 days on Kauai doesn't really give you much time to relax plus enjoy all of the incredible scenery. The hikes were lots of fun as well. Have fun!

Imaz

Thanks for the great report. My husband and I are going to Hawaii in Sept. staying 6 nights Maui and 5 nights Kaui.

We are staying on the north shore at Hanalie Colony Resort. Have you any idea how long it would take us to get to Waima canyon for there, as we too would like to avoid the crowds?

Why did you not think much of Lydgate? We have the "revealed" book and I plan to take it wih me everywhere?

I am nearsighted. Do you know if Snorkel Bobs has perscription snorkel gear? What magazine did you see a coupon for it?

Thanks

Kay

Probably a solid hour to get from the North shore to the entrance road into the canyon. In August of 2003, we drove halfway up the canyon road. The curves and hills get you carsick after a while and so we didn't continue onwards...just went to the first major lookout. We probably left the Northshore around 8 AM and so we had a leisurely drive up without any traffic behind or in front of us. There was more traffic greeting us as we drove back down.

Lydgate was crowdier and just not as nice "we felt" as the beaches on the south and north shore. Yes, Snorkel Bob's has prescription gear for near sightedness, not far sightedness. Use the bypass route through Lihue he recommends in the book, it does cut off a lot of time.

lmaz,
=P~=P~=P~=P~=P~=P~=P~=P~=P~=P~=P~=P~

321 mo' days!!!!

Lydgate is a bit crowded at times as it's a gathering spot on the CocoCoast. It does have "keikei" pools for the youngin's to swim, snorkle with our being subject to strong waves/currents.

We usually start morning walks there when it is dead quiet and make it down to the Radisson before turning around. When the whales are hopping it makes for a great walk.

:-? Welcome back????
Da Kal

which book are you recommending for the ins and outs of the island? we are going in May....thanks, lisa

leka, you need to get The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, Kauai Revealed by Wizard Publications. It is the blue book you take everywhere with you. The maps are great and the info you can't do without!