Kauai Suggestions

cambir

Heading to Kauai for 5 days. No kids, just the wife and I. We will have a rental car and will be staying in Kapaa. Never been to Kauai.

Where should we eat?
What should we see?
What should we do?

Erik Tracy

I've been a couple of times - my favorite island.

You should take the drive to Waimea Canyon, stop at the visitor center to pick up some trail maps - then depending on how your family likes to hike - go explore the canyon - there is a very scenic trail at the top overlooking the Na Pali coast.

Definitely go to Tunnels beach for snorkeling - amazing.

Then there is Hanalei - great for stopping for some leisurely shopping and eating.

Check out the 'secret' beaches on the plantation roads down in Poipu - they are public access, but you drive on plantation dirt roads to get their - amazing white sand beaches and less crowded.

If you have deep pockets and you like 'adventure' - you can take some helicopter tours of the Waimea Canyon and Na Pali coast.

There is Spouting Horn for a side trip while down in Poipu - then some shopping stalls for souvenirs while there.

PSOVLSK

We stayed in Princeville and hit several different beaches for relaxing and snorkeling. At most of the beaches the snorkeling was meh, but at one it was awesome. It wasn't Tunnels Beach because we didn't go there. Wish we would have though.

If you like to see "touristy" stuff, one of the beaches on the North Shore is where Bethany Hamilton was attacked by the shark. Also, the pier from "South Pacific" is at Hanalei Bay. There's also the waterfall from "Fantasy Island", but it wasn't worth the drive in my opinion.

The Kilauea Lighthouse offered some really good views and we weren't even able to go in the lighthouse because it was being renovated.

The helicopter tour is a bit pricey, but it was awesome. You get to see lots of stuff that you can only see from the air.

Luau? If you've never been before it's okay, but I wouldn't go to another one.

I thought the Spouting Horn was pretty cool and worth the trip over. It's not a place you're going to spend much time, but it's a good memory from our trip.

No restaurant recommendations as nothing we had really stood out as being great. We did have Thanksgiving dinner at KFC...now that's living.

Enjoy your trip. I found it to be a very low-key, relaxed, and laid-back place. We loved it.

BottomFeeder

Check out Tripadvisor for restaurant reviews. We love the Koloa Fish Market in Koloa. It's take out, but their plate lunches are absolutely killer. Also recommend da Imu Hut in Hanapepe for great, true Hawaiian food. The Beach House Restaurant in Poipu is incredible. It's got an unbeatable view - sunsets from there are amazing - & phenomenal food, but it's pricey. We loved the Kilauea Fish Market, on the road toward the North Shore. Slightly off the beaten track, but delicious & inexpensive. For some locals only, inexpensive but great food, try Hamura's Saimin Stand. Out of the way, but worth tracking down. Here's a link for "inexpensive" but highly regarded island restaurants: http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-kauaieats30-2008nov30-pg,0,3280269.photogallery?index=lat-eats39_ka107wnc20081125155943

As far as places to visit, I love Hanalei. It's stunningly gorgeous, laid back and just far away enough from the south to be much less touristed than most places we've been. Beautiful beaches, nice shopping if you like that & make sure to take the road that winds along the beach as it's well worth it.

Otherwise, I agree with the fellas who've already checked in with their advice. You're going to love it!

tonyb

What should you do ?

Take me
chill out

cambir

tonyb wrote: »

What should you do ?

Take me
chill out

Maybe next time...

cambir

Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far!