|
Author
|
Topic: Favorite Kauai Activity
|
maurerma
unregistered
TUG MemberPosts: 1445
From: Carlsbad, CA, USA Carlsbad Inn, Trendwest , Marriott DSV & Newp, Westin MissionHills, Whaler/Maui & PonoKai/Kauai
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 12-17-2000 17:28
I am going to Kauai in 5 weeks and I was wondering what you think is the best activity/trip. I have been to Maui and have done the bike and helicopter tours. I was wondering what was the most fun exclusive to Kauai. We are staying at the Embassy and we will have a car to get around.Thanks,
Mark
|
Roger
TUG MemberPosts: 1621
From:
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 12-18-2000 06:22
So much depends upon personal taste. I would start by going to the Kauai actiivty link provided on the TUG review page. A few things that I might mention that don't always go to the top of people's lists:1. Start with the fact that Kauai is a hiker's paradise. You might invest in Kauai Trails: Walks, Strolls, and Treks by Morey. As the title indicates, you don't have to be hard core to find walks and hikes of interest in this book. 2. Kauai Mountain Tours and Aloha Trails (Kauai Backroads) take you to obscure areas (different from each other) in four wheel vehicles. (Unless they have changed, you could lose big bucks violating your car rental agreement if you tried to go to the same places on your own. Read the agreement.) 3. To my mind, the best way to go whale watching is on Bluewater Sailing. You are not crammed like sardines into a Zodiac; because it is powered by sails, it can legally approach the whales more closely -- actually, not quite true. They can allow the whales to approach the boat. A sailing craft elicits curiosity; a motorized craft scares the whales and for that reason is tightly regulated on how closely they can approach. 4. If you like historical tours, try the Wilcox plantation. ------------------
Owner since 1996 (a paltry one)
TUG member since 1997 (sorry Tony, no email)
Veteran of Lindy, RIT, SAB, and the GPN wars.
|
Makai Guy
Administrator
TUG VolunteerPosts: 5396
From: Aiken, SC Prefer to be: Hawaii
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 12-18-2000 09:51
I second everything said above. But to continue ...See my website, listed below, for some info on Kauai's North Shore. The amazing topographical diversity makes Kauai an even better place to take a helicopter tour than Maui, from my highly prejudiced viewpoint. Last trip we took the Hawaii Movie Tours standard trip and thoroughly enjoyed it. You'll find a link to their website on my Kauai site. Kauai claims to have the only navigable rivers in the State. This creates some interesting kayak opportunities, back to hidden waterfalls, etc. There are several good guidebooks that can lead you to things on your own as well as recommend commercial tours. Again, see the links page on my site for more info. ------------------
Doug Wilson, "The Makai Guy" -- TUG Area Rep, Hawaii - makaiguy@iname.com
Visit my North Shore Kauai website
|
JLB
TUG MemberPosts: 7189
From: Add another 2500 posts!!! Table Rock Lake, Branson. Registered Dec. 2000
Registered: MAR 2002
|
posted 12-18-2000 19:04
Eat at Tom Kats or Pizetta's in Koloa, Get Hula Pie at Keoke's. Snorkel at the Beach across from Lawaii Beach Resort. Visit Polihale State Park for most awesome surf and 25 miles of pure sand beach--but don't swim there--too many drownings from the undertow--rough drive to get there. Rent an SUV if they have one. National gave us one for the same price as a pre-paid full-size. Waimea Canyon. Spouting Horn just down from Lawaii Beach Resort. There's a botannical garden around there also. You should have whales in Poipu Bay. And a seal or two on the Hyatt beach. Hopefully you'll be ocean-front, ocean-view. Do a helicoptor tour. Golf just about anywhere--Poipu Bay since you're there, Princeville, Kiele Lagoons next to the Marriot, Grove Farm is a beautiful 10-hole course around the K-mart on the way to the Embassy. Nice public course near Kapaa on east coast. Check the schedule for a Farmer's Market and do one--You won't believe how much fun they are. Eat at Bubba's Burgers. Boat to the Napali Coast. Take a day and go to Princeville. Visit the Hotel for a drink or bite to eat. Visit Hanalei Bay. Do Sunday Brunch at Whalers Brewpub past the Marriott, next to the Lighthouse in Lihue. Go to Hilo Hattie's everyday for a shirt and a free mug and free shell necklace. Do a luau. The Hyatt's next door would be fine.
If you want to do your own cooking, the Embassy has a full kitchen and gas grills in every courtyard. They probably still have their morning breakfast, for a fee, but we didn't use it. It used to be complimentary. Now it's just reasonable. For groceries, stop at Wal Mart or K Mart before leaving Lihue. There's a small IGA in Koloa that has good specials, but the staples are high. (A loaf of bread and a New York Strip were the same price when we were there)! Nice little shops in Koloa. If you like to walk, there's a path that goes by the Embassy, along the beach, for a long, long way. Have fun.
|
gbraslow
TUG MemberPosts: 430
From: Tehachapi, Calif. USA: owner 2 wks. Pono Kai
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 12-18-2000 22:08
Try the ATV tour. There is one out of Kukui Grove at mile marker 3 on highway 50 as you go west out of Lihue. They use Honda ATV's. I would not recommend the tour that leaves out of Old Koloa Town. They take too many people. (They use Yamaha's.) I'm sorry that I can't remember the name of the tour. That's why I've given you the description. This tour takes no more than six people and if there are six then they use two tour guides. I was lucky enough to have no one but my wife and I on my tour so we had a personal tour. Our guide spent more time with us than is usually alotted. The scenery was great. We had lots of time to stop and pick some of the wild fruit along the way. The mangoes and lilikoi were delicious. I was ready to do it again before we left Kauai. I'm looking forward to this year. I hope that we're as lucky and no one else is on our tour. Geoff B.
|
Poobah
TUG MemberPosts: 395
From: Burnsville, MN, USA Owner: EVR, Poipu
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 12-19-2000 14:53
JLB pretty much said it all. We enjoy the hiking in Koke'e State Park. Drive to end of the road and take the trail. It is an easy walk. There are some incredible vistas of the Kalalau Valley. Walk to the Hyatt just to see the grounds. Go at the cocktail hour and watch the video on Iniki (sp). Want a secluded beach on the week days? Take a right out of EVR, turn right on Pe'e Road. Follow the road (it turns to dirt) until it comes to a T. Take a right. Follow that road (through the sign that says "Private Property") until it comes to an end and take a left until you see water. Park. You will enjoy EVR (we are owners). The units are great. There are Gas BBQs on the grounds. We tend to eat in a lot. There is nice market in the shopping center as you head down 50 toward EVR from the airport. However, the little market in Koloa Town is fine. The selection is maybe limited, but it beats driving back to Lihue. There is a little vegetable stand just before you get to Pe'e Road coming from Koloa Town. Good stuff. We plan to be at EVR the first TWO weeks in March( YES!!!!!! ). The truth is that there is a lot to do on Kauai. However, part of vacationing, for us anyway, it to relax, reconnect with ourselves, and meet new friends. The bottom line is that our most favorite activity is laying in the sun with a good book and cold drink. Don't miss this "activity." Enjoy, Paul & Nancy
|
JLB
TUG MemberPosts: 7189
From: Add another 2500 posts!!! Table Rock Lake, Branson. Registered Dec. 2000
Registered: MAR 2002
|
posted 12-20-2000 07:51
Good post! We kept seeing cars heading there, but we turned around when the road turned into nothing. When we played golf at Poipu Bay, a couple of times we saw that beach. Maybe we'll catch it next time if they'll let us redneck trouble-makers back (see other Hawaii posts)!
|
larry989
TUG MemberPosts: 2
From: Ko Olina, Bay Club, Sea Gardens,WM
Registered: JAN 2005
|
posted 12-20-2000 11:02
Another good source is the guide book
"The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook"
by doughty & Friedman
wizardpub.com
you can find it in most bookstores
|
Makai Guy
Administrator
TUG VolunteerPosts: 5396
From: Aiken, SC Prefer to be: Hawaii
Registered: DEC 2000
|
posted 12-20-2000 11:33
Ultimate Kauai Guidebook can be ordered from www.amazon.com or directly from the publisher www.wizardpub.com . (Amazon is usually a couple of buck cheaper)
| |
Timeshare Users Group Bulletin Boards
