Hi! I'll be in Kauai the week of March 5th with my wife and 2 kids (ages 8 & 6)... we can't wait but have lots of questions. Can we get some pointers?

1) Snorkeling - We want to do a lot of snorkeling but our kids our beginners. We've heard that Lydgate Park is terrific for kids. Any other ideas? Also, we are planning on bringing our own snorkeling stuff so we don't have to rent. Good idea?

2) Luau - We'd like to go to a luau. Are any of them better than others? Do we need advance reservations?

3) Weather - If it's raining, is it true that it's proibably sunny on the other side of the island. What are some good rainy day activities? By the way, is it warm enough to swim

4) Secret Waterfalls - We love the idea of going for a hike where the kids can "discover" a waterfall that they can play in. Any good trails that you might suggest?

Thanks in advance! Any other pointers would absolutely be appreciated.

We just got back from Kauai in Jan. and we were saying it would be great to take our kids there when they are older. You will have so much fun.

Lydgate is great for kids. I would also suggest safe snorkeling outside of the Beach House in Poipu. We even saw a course for kids being offered there.

As for waterfalls, try the Wailua River kayak trip (you can do rent one yourself for the family at the river.) After you kayak to Fern Grotto you can stop to hike to Secret Waterfalls. I think it is less than a mile or maybe a mile, but it is easy, and we always saw kids there. As for "safety" you will have to decide for yourself. As an adult I get nervous b/c the rocks are slippery, so I def. suggest water shoes. But they could easily play on the sides if you don't think they should approach the waterfall. (Oh, and there are always signs saying watch for falling rocks...)

Small waterfalls are abundant on the island. There is Kipu Falls..check the blue book. And a great little, very safe waterfall that you can reach via hike. I wrote about it in my trip report not too long ago, it was the one at the end of 580 past the Jurassic Park gates. (click on my name to find the report, Jan. 2006) The hike is easy once you get to the trail, less than a mile for sure.

As for your other questions. . .
We swam in Jan and it was great, March will be warm too! No worries.

Don't worry about rainy day activities, it is always sunny somewhere and the rain does not usually last long. We loved hiking and swimming in the rain anyway, it is a warm tropical rain. But even so, there are movie theatres, shopping....you won't be bored even in a downpour.

Have fun! We can't wait to take our kids there, but at age 2 and 4 they seem too little still.

Anini Beach would be another beach that would probably have calm waters

I would avoid the luau at the Hyatt. Very cheesy.

-Bill

We are also going to Kauai w/8 & 6 year old kids the week after you. I've been posting on another board, tripadvisor, and here's our planned itinerary after many, many suggestions from other travelers:

SAT – Arrive and settle into Kiahuna Plantation on South Shore

SUN - Non scheduled day - Kiahuna Beach then Lydgate Beach Park

MON – Scheduled - Na Pali Boat Tour – will either take the Holoholo Charter or Liko

TUES – Non scheduled day - on our own to Waimea Canyon and Afternoon - Salt Pond Beach Park

WED – AM Scheduled - Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens booked “Under the Rainbow” family tour and Afternoon - North Shore Beaches (Anini Beach, Kalihiwai Beach). Many other posters recommended that we travel to end of North shore because it is supposed to be spectactular

THURS – AM - Poipu beach and afternoon – Afternoon – plan to book Wildlife Refuge Kayak & Hike on Huleia River

FRI – Mid-AM Initially planned on booking tubing down the Lihue Plantation irrigation ditch but decided not to because have heard that 70% of trip is underground! Will leave this open; PM plan to book Smiths Luau as I've heard many recommnedations of this one.

SAT – open a.m. and depart in afternoon

Suggestions for kids on Kauai:

1. Get them some shave ice. It is sort of like a snocone, sometimes with ice cream on the bottom.

2. If you want some time inside, check out the Kauai Children's Discovery museum (http://www.kcdm.org/).

3. Pool and beach. My kids are always happy playing in the sand or the water. They could do this all day every day.

4. Coconut man at the sunshine market. A guy with a huge truck sells coconuts from the back and will hack them open for you with his machete so you can drink the juice and eat the meat.

5. Salt pond state park has salt beds where you can see salt being extracted from sea water.

Where is the Sunshine market as I would love to try a coconut.
Thanks,
Karen

Hi Everyone - thanks SOOO much for the fabulous responses. We thought we were ready but are beginning to realize there are still things to be planned.

If we will be doing a) a luau b) Wildlife Refuge Kayak & Hike on Huleia River and c) the boat to the Fern Grotto, what do we need to book in advance?

Are there more "must sees" that we should be scheduling before we get there? Can we save money by doing it in advance/online or are we better setting it up once we get to beautiful Kauai (next week!!!)

Thanks again!

The sunshine markets are Kauai's farmers markets and they are a great place to buy produce and flowers.

http://www.kauai.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=214

-Bill