Hi Folks. I need to get away this summer and am considering traveling solo to Kauai, an island I've always wanted to see. I'm considering doing an adventure tour run by REI
http://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/...aii_kauai.html
Has anyone ever done a tour with this company and if so, can you offer any comments or reviews?

Kauai is a pretty small island, so it is fun to explore on your own, IMHO. The tour looks fine, if you are into that kind of sport adventure. You could do almost everything listed on your own, but it would take planning and you will miss out on the company. Kauai is a great "getaway from it all" place.

rei has a ton of great looking trips. I have always wondered about just how they are. If you do go with them please post a report.

Voltaire, I've been a member of REI for 30 years and it's a class organization. However, I never used their tours. Kauai is a small island with lots of adventure opportunities. Great hiking, backpacking, snorkeling and beaches. I suggest calling REI and confirming exactly of what the trip consists and then research if it matches your skill levels. I think it would be a fun way to do Kauai in a group.

Bill

There are reviews of REI trips available on the REI trip descriptions themselves, so do check those out if you don't get responses here. I've had one friend do two REI trips (Galapagos and Peru) and she completely swears by them -- great food, lodging, and excellent service. Another friend is traveling with REI to Croatia later this month. I've only heard good things about them and wouldn't hesitate to go on a trip with them...in fact, I've been eyeing the trip to Greece for a while!

Do note that you do need to be in really good condition for the kayak trip on the Na Pali Coast. The water can get pretty rough, and it's not uncommon to see folks tip over in their kayaks.

that napali kayak trip is not for the faint of heart, it can be wonderful and a nice little workout coasting by some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet - - - or a real big surf back breaking sun beating down no turning back and possibley sea sick wild adventure

that said, I would love to try it some day, just beware what you're getting yourself into

thanks folks. I am in very good shape and would look forward to the challenge, I'm looking at either the July or late August trip and will post a review.

One other question, I wouldn't mind extending my trip by 2 or 3 days. Can someone recommend a hotel located on or very near a nice beach, I want to avoid renting a car if possible. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Nice hotel right on a nice beach?
Probably the Sheraton in Poipu.
The Hyatt in Poipu is on an "unswimmable" beach.
The Marriott in Lihue is on a pretty bay, but not the ocean beach like the Sheraton.
I am not too fond of the beaches between Lihue and Princeville, though there are alot of smaller hotels there.
There may be some small hotels in Hanalei that fit this description. The big hotel in Princeville (is it a Westin now?) is on a cliff overlooking the beach.

Thanks for the reply. One other question if I might, are there shuttles or tours that pick you up at your hotel like in Waikiki, Oahu? I'm not so sure I'm going to rent a car, if I can take a snorkeling tour to Tunnels and some other tours where they pick you up I'd be very interested in that. Can you recommend some other types of scenic tours to take?

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