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About 10 percent of Kauai is accessible by road. That's great news if you enjoy hiking, because it means there's a lot of island out there waiting to be explored on foot. Of course, before you set out you'll need to know where you're going.
Write to the Hawaii Geographic Society, P.O. Box 1698, Honolulu, HI 96806, and ask for their information packet. A good book on the subject, Hawaiian Hiking Trails, by Craig Chisholm, offers trail descriptions by someone who has been there. You can also contact the Sierra Club, Kauai Group at http://www.hi.sierraclub.org/Kauai/kauai.html. Any of the above will prove helpful to your planning.
Good maps are also necessary. The University of Hawaii Press Reference Map of Kauai is available from the Hawaii Geographic Society and at bookstores on Kauai. Maps may also be obtained from the State Division of Forestry, P.O. Box 1671, Lihue, Kauai, HI 96766.
Three of Kauai's best trails:
The Kukui Trail
This 5-mile (round trip) trail drops 2,000 feet into spectacular Waimea Canyon, and offers the shortest route to the canyon floor. There's a large swimming hole at the bottom. The trail begins off the Iliau Loop Trail.
The Kuilau Ridge Trail
This 4.2-mile (round trip) hike offers dramatic views of small waterfalls and a wealth of flora. The trailhead is about a mile beyond the University of Hawaii Agricultural Experimental Station on Route 580.
The Kalalau Trail
This is the original Hawaiian trail into Kalalau Valley, and offers dramatic views of Na Pali Coast and Kee Beach. It begins at Kee Beach where Highway 56 ends. Two miles inland is Hanakapiai Falls, which cascades 300 feet to a pool below. The trail travels on to Kalalau Valley, and many hikers camp overnight at Hanakapiai and before continuing on the next day. The entire trip is best made by experienced hikers.
The most difficult thing about a visit to Kauai - besides getting on the plane to return home - is knowing where to start once you get here. Opportunities for fun are virtually endless. So, what do you want to do first? You might start by checking out the various outdoor sports and other activities that are available on the island. Leave a Comment Theme: Hiking
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Kauai has some of the most challenging hikes you can imagine. From the beginner to the professional, the trails of Kauai are awesome.
Kauai hiking trails can take you along cliffs, moutains and beaches. Ensure you have a good pair of water resistant shoes, due to many trails will take you threw jungle streams and rivers. Due to the high rainfall count, you should plan on getting pretty muddy. Also ensure you have a good water pack and bug spray. Leave a Comment
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Scuba diving! I always wanted to try it, but my husband was chicken. So my dad went with me.
I was a bit surprised to find out that there are a lot of people whole really do have a fear of breathing under water---with an air tank , of course! My husband refuses to even use a snorkel. But we did get him to do the free resort course and he seemed to have gotten the hang of it. But he still elected not to go out into the ocean. The company had a money back gaurantee---if you went out and didn't love it, they would bring you back in and not charge you for it.
I was also very surprised how easy it is to breathe with scuba gear. The pressurized air really flows into your lungs freely. Scuba diving is actually easier than snorkeling in that the surf didn't toss us around.
It is expensive---about $110 each. We got a 2 for 1 discount by listening to a timeshare presentation.
Getting up close and personal to the fish was fascinating to me. I found it exhilerating!
I forget the name of the company we went with, but there are a lot of them. I would expect they all have excellent equipment. But don't think you'll save money and get something cheaper. Make sure the mask fits properly so water stays out. Do use a wet suit---even in Hawaii the water can be chilling.
Don't forget to take a camera! Leave a Comment Theme: Scuba DivingDirections: WE met the company at Koloa Landing on the south shore near Lawai Beach.
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We used Seasport Divers to go to Ni'ihau but Bubbles Below and Fathom Five are just as good.
Charters leave early as its about a 2 hour trek to Ni'ihau. Most offer 3 tank dives with lunch. The dive sites themselves are pretty typical for Hawaii - alot of lava rock but not alot of coral. The fish life is amazing, with lots of colorful tropical fish. The highlights here however are the monk seals - one of which was waiting for us to get to the dive site and dive with him.
Other pelagics can be seen here as well including reef sharks and if you are lucky, hammerheads.
Most shops can provide rental equipment. Tanks and weights are included in the price of the charter. Leave a Comment
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This goes without saying, but surfing in Kauai is on the menu if you are so inclined. The tides are still quite strong, but the waves in Kauai are much smaller than the famous ones on the north shore of Kauai. Novice surfers will find this destination more conducive to catching some waves without killing yourself or competing with others for a wave. Leave a Comment Theme: Surfing
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If you'd like to golf on a beautiful course designed by pro Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1989, the Mokihana has become popular with locals due to its lower fees. Not as challenging as the Kiele course, the Mokihana also seems to receive less maintenance and has been relegated to the status of the less deserving cousin course. (According to the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook "Personnel can be snotty, too")
While the Mokihana offers a pleasant golfing experience, it is not as spectacular as some of the other courses and might disappoint those who have been told to "make sure you golf at the Marriott." The adjacent airport and its accompanying jets can be a bit annoying. If your golfing days are few and precious here, consider playing the Kiele or driving to the north shore. But if you have golfing days to burn, the Mokihana is a pleasant course.
Fees are $120, with discounts if you are staying at one of several resorts. (For example, Marriott customers pay $80) Price drops to $69 after 11 a.m. Carts are included in the price.
Kama'ainas pay $50. Theme: GolfingPhone: 241-6000Directions: Located at Kaua'i Lagoons, take the Rice Street entrance and proceed past the hotel.Website: www.golfbc.com/courses/mokihana Other Contact: 800-634-6400
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Hanalei bay is a good place to catch some waves, both the novice and the experienced can enjoy surfing this here. Several companies gives surfing lessons here and further out the breakers can be quite challenging, of course depending on the weather conditions.
The sandy beach and relativley few rocks in treh bay make it a place where you dont have to worry about falling on rocks when falling off the board.
You can rent boards in several surfshops in Hanalei. Theme: SurfingDirections: North shore
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If you have the means, time, & opportunity...you MUST sail the Na Pali coast. It is one of the most spectacular experiences I have ever done. We did a morning sailing out of Port Allen on the south coast with Captain Andy's Sailing Adventures. It was approximately 5 1/2 hours long & worth every second. They offer two sailings - one at 7am and one at 1:30pm. I HIGHLY recommend the morning departure...here's why: The waters are calmer & you will likely see pods and pods of bottlenose & spinner dolphins. This, coupled with the splendor of the Na Pali coast will blow you away. There's also giant green sea turtles and flying fish. It is truly an amazing display of nature at its best. There's also food, beer, wine, & a snorkeling stop. This is very much worth the $$$. Don't miss Na Pali if you visit Kaua'i...you'll kick yourself if you don't. CHECK OUT MY TRAVELOGUE ON THE NA PALI COAST FOR GREAT PICS!!
Bring sunscreen, towel, digital camera, & underwater cameras. They will all get a good workout. Leave a Comment Theme: Boating/SailingAddress: Port Allen - south coast of Kaua'iPhone: (800) 535-0830Directions: At the end of the road going south off Highway 50 in Port Allen.Website: http://www.napali.com/kauai_sailing/ Other Contact: fun@capt-andys.com - (e-mail)
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