Kauai Sports & Outdoors

  down to the river...
by mindcrime
 
  • down to the river...
      down to the river...
    by mindcrime
  • fighting the waves
      fighting the waves
    by mindcrime
  • The Kalalau Trailhead at Ke'e Beach
      The Kalalau Trailhead at Ke'e Beach
    by Etoile2B
  • The start of the Kalalau Trail
      The start of the Kalalau Trail
    by Etoile2B
  • The first of many lookouts on the trail.
      The first of many lookouts on the trail.
    by Etoile2B
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

move yourself!

by mindcrime

You wont believe how many choices you have to exercise yourself here:1)Hiking, trecking, cycling, There are some easy trails but also some dangerous ones suggested only to experienced ones. The 11 miles of Kalalau trail will top it all as it is located on the Na Pali coast, even if you do the first 2-3 miles you will be reward with some great views.2)canoeing, kayaking, There are specific companies that have licenses to rent and guide kayak tours most of them at Wailua river. They want to protect the river so they keep the daily number at a specific limit.3)surfing, bodyboarding etc You can practice in the calm waters of Poipu if it is your first time 4)Swimming is also a must but watch out which beach you are, the north beaches are better to avoid in winter (the big waves will scare you anyway). Choose some organized ones if you have children, they have lifeguards on duty.

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Hiking the Kalalau Trail to the Na Pali Coast

by Etoile2B

On our most recent trip to Kauai, unfortunately Marc was recovering from surgery so we couldn’t be as active as we had planned. We were never more disappointed in this situation as we were the day we made it to Ke’e Beach. Of course we didn’t have our hiking shoes with us as we faced the Kalalau Trailhead so we decided to try a bit in our flip flops any way to see how far we could get. Due to our poor footwear, the steep and often slippery conditions on the trail and Marc’s poor health we didn’t make it very far but in the short distance we did travel we got a taste of just how spectacular this trail could be. This is the trailhead anyone wishing to visit the Na Pali coast must trek, as there are no roads that lead there. To get to the Na Pali coast you must go my foot or by boat. The Kalalau Trail from start to finish runs 12 miles one way, but the trail meets the beach at 2 miles...

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Hiking Kauai

by Travel2write

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.

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Dive the Forbidden Island!

by NJDivegirl

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.

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Golf on a course designed by Jack Nicklaus

by spitball

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...

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A lot of island out there waiting to be explored

by venteeocho

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....

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Sail the Na Pali Coast - a spectacular experience!

by GlobalMatt

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...

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Hanalei bay - Surfing or just a day on the beach

by 2rs

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.

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Sail the Na Pali Coast

by rcargo

After seeing the Na Pali coast by trail a few days earlier, and by helicopter the day before, we still had to see this one of a kind landmark from another angle, the ocean! Sailing aboard a modern 55 foot catamaran (those prone to seasickness, beware!), the trip takes about 5 hours in all. During this time with "Captain Andy's Sailing Adventures" you'll sail about half way up the Na Pali coast while enjoying wine and snacks. The view from here is even more stunning as the cliffs are so steep and high you literally can't see where they end. If the weather is fairly calm, on the way back you'll anchor and spend some time snorkeling. While fun, if you are used to snorkeling in crystal clear, reef strewn waters (such as the Caribbean), this won't be the highlight of your sail. However, the experience of Na Pali alone is worth the trip.Note 1: The cost of this trip is advertised at US$129....

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Poipu Bay Golf Course

by AliasGirl

Unfortunetly, we don't golf, but we heard many good things about the golf course at Hyatt Regency. The hotel guide boasts that the world's greatest golfers have played here - like Tiger Woods. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.The golf course has spectaular views, as does the entire property. If you are a golfer this hotel will be a dream come true!

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Top 3 Hotels in Kauai

The Villas at Poipu Kai  Poipu

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ResortQuest Islander on the Beach  Kapaa

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Questions and Answers

CassieD profile photo

Q:  My family is traveling to Kauai in August (9 adults) and I'm trying to organize some activities for all of us to do together that... 

KShezz profile photo

A: I dont have any ideas about the non-commercialised adventures that you are looking for but I did look at some adventourous activities and can say that its not cheap..even... 

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