What to do on Kauai

cmdionne

cmdionne

Joined
Oct 27, 2006
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I'm leaving for Kauai with my family in about 10 days, we're staying on the north shore and renting a jeep. We plan on a lot of snorkeling and hiking, and my parents have been there before so they have a good idea of things. I was just wondering if anyone here had any recommendations for things to do on Kauai/places to go (or not go)/ any secret beaches or trails (I plan on doing the tunnels hike)/ or any specific gear recommendations. Thanks
 
That Island got hit by a storm and is pretty muddy right now, I haven't been there since I was 10 years old.

I would recommend bringing a lot of water as it will probably be a bit hot, and if you walk thru the lava fields it will take you alot of time to get some distance. (don't forget a walking stick and a orange shirt)

I hope you have alot of fun.
 
If you can't hike the Na Pali coast then do a sunset cruise along the coast. I did it on a charter Catamaran with about 50 people. It was an amazing trip. If you can spring for it, the helocopter tour is also great.
 
As takao said, be sure to bring lots of water when you're out and about. I haven't been to Kauai yet, but I was born on Maui and raised on Oahu, so I too know how hot and humid it can get. I've heard the Na Pali coast is nothing short of spectacular, so you should definitely do something there if you can. I will check around with friends for specific things/places and hope I can make some recs in time :)

A friend of mine just joined BF and knows a guy who frequents Kauai quite often nowadays, so perhaps we can get some up-to-date suggestions up here soon :)
 
very cool, the condo we're renting has internet, so I'll be sure to check in while I'm there. I thought I remember hearing about a couple of custom knife makers who are on Kauai, but I can't seem to find them, sound familiar to anyone?
 
I don't know if you married but, I would be handy with suntan lotion!

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cmdionne said:
I thought I remember hearing about a couple of custom knife makers who are on Kauai, but I can't seem to find them, sound familiar to anyone?
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I think there are guys associated in one way or another with Ken Onion, like Scot Matsuoka.
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I think he might be based on Oahu now though.

I don't know of others, but maybe some of the other BF guys from the islands might know. :thumbup:
 
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I was there about 10 years ago, awesome place.

We spent 6 nights of camping and the rest in hotels.

If you have a few days the Na Pali Coast trail is a killer hike, pack light and watch your step. If you do get hurt there is a chopper pad at mile marker six, I think it was six. Anyway got to see my first and only air rescue there. College student twisted or broke her ankle.

Also if you are going to camp get a permit, they're cheap or even free and the park service checks them. The folks I saw being checked that didn't have one never looked to pleased.

The Waimea Canyon is one of the coolest places ever and their are some good day hiking trails up there as well.

Be safe you'll have a blast.
Helle
 
Helle said:
The Waimea Canyon is one of the coolest places ever and their are some good day hiking trails up there as well.
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North of Waimea Canyon is Koke'e SP. Koke'e is really nice too I've heard. Perhaps you could do a Na Pali to Waimea sequence of activities (since you're staying on the north shore) and maybe stay a night at the Koke'e Lodge along the way. If I remember correctly, the forest in Koke'e is rich in Koa and 'Ohia Lehua and several other native plant species, many of which are endangered. It'd probably be a nice place to include in your explorations.

Ke'e, Anini, and Po'ipu Beach are some of the best snorkel spots, if you guys haven't picked a specific beach yet. Ke'e and Anini are on the north shore so may be rougher at this time of the year, not sure on that, but Po'ipu should be fine since it's on the south shore. Since the islands just got a lot of rain recently, I hope the water clears up by the time you get there :)
 
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rksoon said:
Ke'e, Anini, and Po'ipu Beach are some of the best snorkel spots, if you guys haven't picked a specific beach yet.
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In September of '04, my new bride and I got to watch two gigantic sea turtles swim ashore at Poipu Beach. They were visibly exhausted, and collapsed just above the high water mark. I have never seen an herbivore communicate "get the hell away from me" with just the look on its face like these turtles did.

Prince Kuhio beach is just a few miles west of Poipu Beach, and this is where we found the best snorkeling to be. Both beaches would be about a 45 minute drive from the north shore.

The sunset cruises along the Na Pali Coast are a premier event. On the way out, these outfits will take you to a premier snorkeling spot well off the shore. There will be good food and plentiful drinks. For me, it was a thrill to look west and think; next landfall is Japan.

Waimea Canyon, Mt Wai'ale'ale, and a half day hike on the Na Pali Coast Trail are all accessible. Kauai is all about the outdoor pursuits. While this list may seem busy, all of these things could be enjoyed in 2.5 days.

And, in the town of Waimea, asking the locals about "Where did Captain Cook make landfall" is akin to issuing fighting words. Ask me how I know.
 
I've been to Kauai a few times. My wife and I love the place.

TAKE MY ADVICE AND GET THIS BOOK: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ultimate-Kauai-Guidebook/Andrew-Doughty/e/9780981461014/?itm=1

I didn't write it or anything.

It has great advice for beaches and restaurants and places to visit. The beach reviews are great. We spent days visiting all the secluded beaches he recommended. It was great. His restaurant recommendations were all spot on.

Other things to do:

Goto Duane's Ono Char Burger. That place is freaking awesome. It's on the main road on the east/northeast side of the island.

Goto Puka Dog on the south side of the island. Really yummy and different hotdogs.

Take a helicopter ride. In a helicopter you can get a view of the Napali Coast, which is totally incredible and inaccesible by car. You can also get into the crater in the center of the island which is an amazing site to see. It's the wettest spot on Earth. You get into it and you're almost totally surrounded by waterfalls.

With a 2 year old with us, our last trip there was limited to more domestic activities, so we spent a lot of time trying to find the best shave ice on the island. Shave ice is awesome. We didn't find one that topped the shave ice on Maui, though.
 
Wildewinds said:
You can also get into the crater in the center of the island which is an amazing site to see. It's the wettest spot on Earth.
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Right on Wildewinds, great first-hand suggestions:thumbup:

However, I think we lost that top spot to someplace in India that gets a couple more inches than us on average:grumpy:; but Mount Wai'ale'ale definitely gets a lot of rain :D
 
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Wildewinds said:
I've been to Kauai a few times. My wife and I love the place.

TAKE MY ADVICE AND GET THIS BOOK: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ultimate-Kauai-Guidebook/Andrew-Doughty/e/9780981461014/?itm=1

I didn't write it or anything.

It has great advice for beaches and restaurants and places to visit. The beach reviews are great. We spent days visiting all the secluded beaches he recommended. It was great. His restaurant recommendations were all spot on.

Other things to do:

Goto Duane's Ono Char Burger. That place is freaking awesome. It's on the main road on the east/northeast side of the island.

Goto Puka Dog on the south side of the island. Really yummy and different hotdogs.

Take a helicopter ride. In a helicopter you can get a view of the Napali Coast, which is totally incredible and inaccesible by car. You can also get into the crater in the center of the island which is an amazing site to see. It's the wettest spot on Earth. You get into it and you're almost totally surrounded by waterfalls.

With a 2 year old with us, our last trip there was limited to more domestic activities, so we spent a lot of time trying to find the best shave ice on the island. Shave ice is awesome. We didn't find one that topped the shave ice on Maui, though.
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We've got that book, its nice to hear that the book is as valid as it claims to be, as I've based alot of what I want to do off of what I've read in there.

Planning on Char burger and Puka Dog. I've wanted to go to Puka dog ever since Anthony Bourdain went there on "No Reservations". There was some other local place the book suggested that had really good saimin that I want to check out too. I look forward to trying shave ice and some poke (I love yellowfin sushi, so I imagine I'll love this too).

We might go on a chopper tour, but we're planning on doing alot of snorkeling and hiking. I don't know if you read about the tunnels hike in the ultimate guide, but I'm planning on doing that (gonna have to convince someone I'm going with to come with me, doesn't seem like something to try alone) I suppose I could bribe my sister with the geocaching along the trail to get her to go with me.

Should be a blast, I bought a digital camera on ebay yesterday, so I should have some pics to post. (I actually bought the camera for the upcoming JK knives passaround, but I guess I could use it on vacation too)
 
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