Anyone been to Kauai?

[Scarpozzi]

I'm leaving on the honeymoon tomorrow morning and should be there by 5pm hawaii time.

What are some good places to eat on the island? Are there any sights that I "have to see" while I'm there? Best beach recommendation?

I'm gonna SCUBA(My wife and I are both certified), snorkel (taking our gear), and do a helicopter tour while I'm there....does anyone have experience with any particular companies for these?

Thanks for any advice or recommendations. I'll be sure to bring back some pics.

 

[GoPackGo]

I was there on my honeymoon in may.

First...rent a car.

You will be so glad you did and island is really easy to drive.

Take highways 50 and 56 to the end... You will cover the whole island.

Waimea Canyon is a must.

Stop at the Sugar Mill and Coffee Plantation.

Stop at the second to last beach on the north shore. Its absolutely gorgeous and has the best sand to take home.

Where are you staying?

 

[GoPackGo]

If its cloudy at all, skip the helicopter tour. The island is basically a rainforest so you wont see much past the shore.

 

[iamwiz82]

I suggest renting a 4wd vehicle.

You should go get Kauai Revealed from the book store right now. The Revealed books are AWESOME.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
If its cloudy at all, skip the helicopter tour. The island is basically a rainforest so you wont see much past the shore.

With as often as those helicopters crash, I'd skip them all together, and I love flying.

 

[BoomerD]

Where are you staying? Most of the inclusiuve resorts have excellent restaurants on site. Be careful with the various "ticket agencies"...some require a timeshare presentation to get the low prices for activities. Here's a pretty good list of some of the activites offered on the island: (this site sells a "discount card" that offers a small discount. you CAN beat these prices usually...
http://www.hawaiifun.org/Kauai.shtml

Another guide:
http://www.gohawaii.com/kauai/

Pick up the Frommers "Kauai" book. Worth the minimal cost:
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/kauai/

 

[Scarpozzi]

I'm actually staying in a timeshare resort for the week. I was able to book it through my timeshare network so lodging for the week was on $99 and I don't have to go to a presentation.

BTW...the resort is the Kauai Coast Resort....not sure if anyone else has ever stayed there, but I've read a lot of good reviews (as well as some bad ones, but I've found that a lot of people complain when they travel because they expect too much)

I want to do the heli tour only because there is so much of the island you can't see by road. I'm renting a convertible...considered a jeep, but wanted to have a locking trunk for my scuba gear.

 

[Metron]

This is a PM I sent to another member over a year ago, who was asking for honeymoon ideas:

I would stay on Kauai.... awesome place. I went last year [2004] for two weeks, and stayed ONLY on that island.

It's probably the least developed of the islands... mostly rural, and it's called the Garden Island. Not crowded like the other islands, and lots of natural beauty to see. Lot's of great beaches for surfing and swimming, but no huge crowds. If you like to hike/explore, there are some great things to do. If you're more sedentary, try taking a helicopter tour.

Kauai is the oldest of the "main" Hawaiian Islands, at about 5 million years old. The old volcanic core is Mount Waialeale. The mountain holds the record for the highest rainfall of any point on the earth for the past 100 years.... averaging about 400 inches a year. Off the west face of the mountain is the Alakai Swamp (I didn't get a chance to hike that last year, so I need to return some day). There is a "board walk" through the swamp.

Defintely check out Waimea Canyon. The canyon is in the SW quadrant of the island... it's like a mini Grand Canyon. Beautiful rock formations.

In the NW quadrant, the real Bali Hai (where the movie "South Pacific" was filmed) is located. Don't ask a Hawaiian where to find Bali Hai though... that is disrespectful, and they will probably send you to the opposite side of the island (their version of humor). Mount Makana is a very sacred place to Hawaiians.

Be sure to take a tour of the Limahuli Gardens. Check out Kee Beach [aka "Tunnels" Beach] ( I snorkeled with sea turtles there), and Lumahai Beach. If you're really adventurous, you can hike the Na Pali Coast from Kee beach up to the Hanakapiea Falls.... I did, takes about 6 hours round trip. The sleepy town of Hanalei is beautiful, with a half moon bay.

Check out the lighthouse at Kilauea, and the old WWII radar station.

One day, we hiked the "Power Line trail" which cuts across the totally undeveloped center of the island. Great vistas, and not too arduous.

In the SE quadrant, check out Wailua Falls, the famous double waterfall which was in the opening credits of "Fantasy Island."

If you need more details... LOL, PM me.

[There are no Cliff's Notes... if you want to read this, then read! Otherwise, go to another thread.]

Metron

PS... definitely check out Lappert's Ice Cream on the South Side of the island. Kauai Pie flavor FTW!


*edit* Don't bother renting anything larger than a Neon, the roads are narrow and a larger car is just a waste!

 

[AUMM]

The best diving companies on Kauai are Fathom Five and Bubbles Below....

 

[Lola]

i have never been, but i know that a great guide book if you can get it before you leave is Kauai Revealed. It has a blue cover.

The Big Island Revealed is what we used and it was our "bible" while we were in Hawai'i

 

[wyvrn]

I went there on my honeymoon 6 years ago. Pickup a coupon book on the island or at the airport. Often they will give you discounts on tours and stuff. We got discounted tours throughout our trip just by getting 2 of those and clipping ads. The books themselves were free and readily available.

Take the helicopter tour of the canyan, it is absolutely worth it. Very breathtaking, and I am not a fan of heights or flying in a small plastic buble.

Take a tour to the west side of the island. There will be small boats leaving, you can snorkel on that side, see dolphins, see a famous native gravesite, and go through a cool cave.

We stayed at Embassy resort at Poipu point. Even if you don't stay in that area, go to Poipu Point beach to snorkel. We saw some GREAT fish there and it's generally not as crowded as some other spots.

I forget which road it's on, but there is an awesome waterfal that you can climb the side of, and take a boat tour to.

You can drive the whole island in a day and note the beach locations, markets, and non-chain restaurants. Plus driving along the coast is awesome.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz
i have never been, but i know that a great guide book if you can get it before you leave is Kauai Revealed. It has a blue cover.

The Big Island Revealed is what we used and it was our "bible" while we were in Hawai'i

We bought this book at Borders a month ago. It looked like the most awesome book because of the full color pictures and personal opinions....it's going with us.

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: LolaWiz
i have never been, but i know that a great guide book if you can get it before you leave is Kauai Revealed. It has a blue cover.

The Big Island Revealed is what we used and it was our "bible" while we were in Hawai'i

We bought this book at Borders a month ago. It looked like the most awesome book because of the full color pictures and personal opinions....it's going with us.

can i go with you too?! j/k! congrats! have a great honeymoon!

Also, can i make a suggestion?
Get the hotel to pack you a picnic lunch and take it to the beach to watch the sunset one night. Surprise your wife with it! :heart: bring a few towels or a blanket to lay down on too... who knows wher that will lead (just dont forget that all beaches in hawai'i are public! )

 

[caboob]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
I'm actually staying in a timeshare resort for the week. I was able to book it through my timeshare network so lodging for the week was on $99 and I don't have to go to a presentation.

BTW...the resort is the Kauai Coast Resort....not sure if anyone else has ever stayed there, but I've read a lot of good reviews (as well as some bad ones, but I've found that a lot of people complain when they travel because they expect too much)

I want to do the heli tour only because there is so much of the island you can't see by road. I'm renting a convertible...considered a jeep, but wanted to have a locking trunk for my scuba gear.

My timeshare is the Kauai Coast resort and its a great resort mostly because of its location. There are 3 major grocery stores in the vicinity and good variety of local restaraunts if you feel like eating out. There are better lodgings but you pay through the nose for that.

A convertible will get you around just fine unless you plan on going way off-road.

I just got back from there a few weeks ago, the weather should relatively rain-free and if it does rain, it's a nice warm rain.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Good ideas....we'll have a kitchen, so I can pack a lunch for us. We have a fold up beach blanket...I'll have to remember to pack it in my snorkel gear.

I remember reading that there are some grocery stores nearby. I just hope that the food isn't going to be too expensive. I've heard that it's cheaper to find a low-cost restaurant than to shop at some grocery stores on Kauai.

 

[iamwiz82]

Low-cost reastaurant is not as low as you think it will be

I believe the Dennys we went to once had a few selections over $20. The local restaurants will be cheap if you don't mind spam.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Low-cost reastaurant is not as low as you think it will be

I believe the Dennys we went to once had a few selections over $20. The local restaurants will be cheap if you don't mind spam.

Luckily, the Kauai Revealed book has a list of the approximate prices....and when we go to Honolulu next week, I have a coupon at Morton's for 2 Steak & Seafood dinners-$99.

 

[r6ashih]

7-11 for spam masubi!

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Low-cost reastaurant is not as low as you think it will be

I believe the Dennys we went to once had a few selections over $20. The local restaurants will be cheap if you don't mind spam.

Luckily, the Kauai Revealed book has a list of the approximate prices....and when we go to Honolulu next week, I have a coupon at Morton's for 2 Steak & Seafood dinners-$99.

Keep in mind that those prices don't include appetizers or drinks or anything. It's safe to say that you will want to triple that entree price listed for two people, assuming one appetizer and splitting a dessert.

 

[DBL]

Rent a Jeep

Go on a helicopter tour, preferably one that flies the hueys with the open doors (especially if you want the best possible pictures). Book immediately as they fill up quickly.

Kee Kee (sp) beach has great snorkeling

After coming down from waimea canyon, try and find your way to the 7 mile beach by driving in the same direction you started out going. Eventually, there is a turnoff to a long bumpy road which eventually leads to a pristine beach with the mountains in the background and very few people.

 

[DBL]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
If its cloudy at all, skip the helicopter tour. The island is basically a rainforest so you wont see much past the shore.

With as often as those helicopters crash, I'd skip them all together, and I love flying.

It's a tough call. You be giving up probably the single best place to take a helicopter tour in the world on a 100K to 1 shot of dying. Plus, certain companies have excellent reputations while other are more suspect (although that probably comes down to whether they have crashed or not).

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Low-cost reastaurant is not as low as you think it will be

I believe the Dennys we went to once had a few selections over $20. The local restaurants will be cheap if you don't mind spam.

Luckily, the Kauai Revealed book has a list of the approximate prices....and when we go to Honolulu next week, I have a coupon at Morton's for 2 Steak & Seafood dinners-$99.

Keep in mind that those prices don't include appetizers or drinks or anything. It's safe to say that you will want to triple that entree price listed for two people, assuming one appetizer and splitting a dessert.

This coupon was on SD last month. $99 includes everything but drinks...2 single filets, 2=choice of shrimp alexander or crab cake, 2-choice of caesar salad or Morton's salad, 2-baked potato and choice of vegetable 2-choice of Hot Chocolate Cake or Creme Brulee...

I'll have to of course, add a bottle of wine, but we may go by the glass....or not at all since we'll be catching a flight 5 hours later.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: DBL

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
If its cloudy at all, skip the helicopter tour. The island is basically a rainforest so you wont see much past the shore.

With as often as those helicopters crash, I'd skip them all together, and I love flying.

It's a tough call. You be giving up probably the single best place to take a helicopter tour in the world on a 100K to 1 shot of dying. Plus, certain companies have excellent reputations while other are more suspect.

Really, the scare comes from the companies that hire pilots from the mainland without proper island training. Flying in a place such as Kauai is dangerous because of the quick changes in weather... You can get hit by a wall of rain and wind within seconds and have little or no warning...especially when you're on the interior of the island. The trick is to find the time of day that wind and rain is less likely to occur and try to hit that time....possibly mid morning after the fog burns off, but I'm guessing what the weather is like on a typical day. It might be better in the afternoons...

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Low-cost reastaurant is not as low as you think it will be

I believe the Dennys we went to once had a few selections over $20. The local restaurants will be cheap if you don't mind spam.

Luckily, the Kauai Revealed book has a list of the approximate prices....and when we go to Honolulu next week, I have a coupon at Morton's for 2 Steak & Seafood dinners-$99.

Keep in mind that those prices don't include appetizers or drinks or anything. It's safe to say that you will want to triple that entree price listed for two people, assuming one appetizer and splitting a dessert.

This coupon was on SD last month. $99 includes everything but drinks...2 single filets, 2=choice of shrimp alexander or crab cake, 2-choice of caesar salad or Morton's salad, 2-baked potato and choice of vegetable 2-choice of Hot Chocolate Cake or Creme Brulee...

I'll have to of course, add a bottle of wine, but we may go by the glass....or not at all since we'll be catching a flight 5 hours later.

I'm not referring to that coupon. I'm talking about the prices in Kauai Revealed. To get an estimated final bill triple or quadruple that price in the book.

 

[Metron]

Check out Island BBQ in Lihue... I found it through one of the locals. I had a great grilled Ono (fish) sandwich for $2, and my girlfriend had a plate of BBQ (pork and chicken) for $5. There are inexpensive places if you look carefully... the locals have to be able to eat somewhere.