Questions regarding Kauai (Hawaii)

[bolido2000]

I'm going to Oahu in Early Decemenber. Hawaiin airlines has a promotion right now for interisland flights for just $38. I went ahead and booked a same day roundtrip ticket to Kauai. A lot of people have told me that Kauai is the most beautiful island, so I figure this is a good chance to visit it. If anybody has been to the other islands (besides Oahu and Maui) I would like to hear your experiences there too. I have the following Qs:


1- Should I rent a car in Kauai?
2- Any tips? I figure there will be a lot of hiking and swimming and I will only be carrying a backpack.
3- What are MUST SEE things to do in Kauai? Lots of websites recommend helicopter and boat tours (expensive?). I really want to find a small waterfall and take a dip in a blue lagoon

 

[BoomerD]

1- Should I rent a car in Kauai?

Not required, because it is a small island, but recommended because it's much easier to get around. Not much for public transportation. You CAN arrange tours however.

2- Any tips? I figure there will be a lot of hiking and swimming and I will only be carrying a backpack.

For a day-trip, a backpack should be plenty. There are some great books about the island, including Frommers and "Kauai Revealed" that will tell you the best places for activities like what you want.

3- What are MUST SEE things to do in Kauai? Lots of websites recommend helicopter and boat tours (expensive?). I really want to find a small waterfall and take a dip in a blue lagoon

Helicopter tours ARE spendy, but are the only way to see some of the more beautiful parts of the island. Many places are accessible only by boat as well. Get one of the books I mentioned above. Worth every penny of the ~$15. they cost.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

I'm sorry but i disagree with Boomer. You NEED a car in Kauai. WIthout a doubt. If you have a car and a FULL day, you can see a lot of the island. Start at the north end and go on down. Don't even bother goinging south of the airport...poipu is lame and you wont have time to get into the canyon. Focus on the north (most beautiful) and east parts of the island.

aloha!

 

[sygyzy]

1. Defnitely should rent a car. I don't seee how you can not.
2. Carry a camelback and maybe trekking poles. Bring snorkeling gear.
3. North Shore, Queen's Bath, Helicopter Tour. PM me for pics.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
I'm sorry but i disagree with Boomer. You NEED a car in Kauai. WIthout a doubt. If you have a car and a FULL day, you can see a lot of the island. Start at the north end and go on down. Don't even bother goinging south of the airport...poipu is lame and you wont have time to get into the canyon. Focus on the north (most beautiful) and east parts of the island.

aloha!

Not sure where you are disagreeing with me...

Not required, because it is a small island, but recommended because it's much easier to get around. Not much for public transportation. You CAN arrange tours however

 

[bolido2000]

Thanks for the tips. Is Kauai really generally considered the most beautifyl island?

 

[sygyzy]

Yes it is considered the most beautiful and also the most outdoorsy (ie most trails, etc).

 

[TheNinja]

Ya, you need a car there. I'd recommend spending a little extra and getting the convertible. It's worth it man.

 

[FoBoT]

when i rented a car in hawaii in 1994 it had roaches
they got into our KFC that we were taking to picnic

 

[caboob]

Rental car is needed unless you like paying through the nose for the one taxi on the island.

You should be able to get one on priceline for an economy for $10/day. Wish i could go back there again soon.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
I'm sorry but i disagree with Boomer. You NEED a car in Kauai. WIthout a doubt. If you have a car and a FULL day, you can see a lot of the island. Start at the north end and go on down. Don't even bother goinging south of the airport...poipu is lame and you wont have time to get into the canyon. Focus on the north (most beautiful) and east parts of the island.

aloha!

Not sure where you are disagreeing with me...

Not required, because it is a small island, but recommended because it's much easier to get around. Not much for public transportation. You CAN arrange tours however

I just meant that I was disageeing that the car wasn't required...i'd say that it was a necessity if your visiting the island, especially if its just for a day.

 

[BoomerD]

http://www.hawaiiwebdesign.com/kauai_activities.htm

http://www.kauaivacationtours.com/

http://www.hawaiiactivityworld.com/kauai/index.html
(one of the better activity re-sellers IMO)

http://www.thisweek.com/kauai/tour/index.html

 

[bolido2000]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
http://www.hawaiiwebdesign.com/kauai_activities.htm

http://www.kauaivacationtours.com/

http://www.hawaiiactivityworld.com/kauai/index.html
(one of the better activity re-sellers IMO)

http://www.thisweek.com/kauai/tour/index.html

Thanks for the links

TheNinja: Renting a convertible sounds like a good idea, although I'm not sure how much time I'll spend driving. The extra 30 bucks might still be worth it...

 

[JulesMaximus]

I've only been to Maui but it was definitely necessary to rent a car there. There's way too much to see and do and not having a car would have greatly limited what we could do in a week.

Not sure about Kauai but I would tend to say yes, rent a car.

 

[BoomerD]

Personally, I rent a car on all the islands, unless I'm just there for a day tour. (did that one time to Molokai) Even on O'ahu, (where they're gonna probably charge you an arm & a leg for parking at the hotel) renting a car gets you around much better than any of the options, unless you are right on the beach, and don't plan to go anywhere else...Some of the tours are pretty good for the price...get you to see some of the more popular sights, but (especially on Kauai) many places just aren't accessible that way, and the day tours can't possibly get to all of the ones that are accessible.
The $30 for a rental is much cheaper than a tour, and YOU get to pick your destinations...