Anyone been to Kauai?

workn2hard2day · #1 07-22-2011, 07:04 PM

lol @ chickens, I read about them online already. We are staying in Kaapa (?) east side. I found the link for the plantation tubing, it looks like fun. Did you do any helicopter tours? Looking forward to fresh fruit and coffee! Did you do any snorkelling?

Wanderer · #2 07-22-2011, 08:02 PM

aaah the chickens lol

i remember those things!

the rainforest tour i did was amazing. Waimea canyon was clouded / fogged in when i was there

you'll have a blast.

Delphinus · #3 07-22-2011, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by workn2hard2day

Did you do any helicopter tours?

Would have loved to, but, small kids, limited budget, only one week, wanted to do some SCUBA, etc. etc. etc. I hear from those that do those (on other islands too) that it's worthwhile.

The east coast is pretty much the only development there is. The west side is pretty much accessible only by boat or air. If you can get a helicopter ride onto that side I bet it's pretty spectacular.

Quote:

Looking forward to fresh fruit and coffee! Did you do any snorkelling?

I find that being able to have guava juice out of milk cartons for breakfast is reason enough to go to Hawaii. Plus you can get these guava juices, passion fruit juices and blends in popcans, I forget the brand name now off hand but they're everywhere in Hawaii and ohhhhhh. Man I'm Jonesing for some now!!

I did do a little snorkeling but not maybe as much as I'd have like to. The surf was HUGE so the only spots we could go were places with shorebreaks or reefs not too far from shore. There was one spot we really enjoyed and kept coming back to and it was just some public beach near where we stayed in Poipu/Koloa. Forget the name now, but it was just off Lawai road. Right across from Prince Kuhio park.

There was also a state beach park near the airport that had a man made shore break that was a popular spot with snorkelers. Didn't go there myself, just to the beach. Truth be told we were so enamored with the spot by Lawai that we never really explored any other spots for snorkeling. Beach time yes of course and other exploring, but not snorkeling.

I'm not sure what it would be like this time of year since I seem to remember being told that the south shore was better in winter months and the north shore better (ie., calmer) in summer months. The north shore is spectacular. There is this very famous beach/bay up there called Hanalei that is sort of the inspiration for Bali Hai and other sort of typical tropical paradise fantasies. If you keep going west from there you will soon find the end of the road in Haena State Park which is a neat spot, beautiful beach plus some good hikes along the shoreline. Plus there are these huge caves up there just on the side of the road. They were actually used to film the last Pirates of the Caribbean movie (haven't seen the movie myself but I saw the trailer and you would recognize those caves instantly if you saw the scene). You can't really go too far into them but you can certainly stand in the entrance of them and it's really neat.

Wanderer · #4 07-22-2011, 09:44 PM

go to Kona, i had a great diving / snorkeling experience there. nothing like doing a basic 70 foot diving with the sounds of whale calls booming through the water!

all from said dive

Delphinus · #5 07-22-2011, 10:24 PM

Went to Kona this year. We agonized over deciding whether to go back to Kauai or try something new. I loved Kauai when we went and hope to go back one day I have to say that Kona blew me away. I've been to Maui, Kauai and now the Big Island and wow did the Big Island captivate. And the diving/snorkeling off the Kona coast is incredible. Whereas Maui/Kauai had awesome fish and a small amount of coral, Kona has an actual coral reef out there with some amazing colours. I can't wait to go back.

Samw · #6 01-27-2012, 09:38 PM

We're booked. I'm planning to check out:

http://www.hawaiigaga.com/kauai/beac...els-beach.aspx
http://www.hawaiigaga.com/kauai/beaches/kee-beach.aspx
http://www.hawaiigaga.com/kauai/beac...ays-beach.aspx
http://www.hawaiigaga.com/kauai/beac...ini-beach.aspx

Delphinus · #7 01-27-2012, 09:57 PM

Ahhhh lucky guy, I'm jealous. We came VERY close to booking something on Kauai on Westjet's last seat sale a couple weeks ago (had a SMOKIN' deal just waiting for a credit card # online) but then made the fatal mistake of looking at our bank account. Never making THAT particular mistake again haha.

Jakegr · #8 01-27-2012, 10:42 PM

I lived on Oahu for three years and visited Kauai for a vacation twice. In my opinion it has the nicest scenery of all of the main islands. It's also the most laid back/ relaxing island to be.

Kauai itself has pretty poor diving, easily the worst of the 4 main islands. If you like diving, see if any dive companies are going to Niihau (a small island near Kauai) while you are there. They go a lot less during the winter due to ocean conditions, however there are periods of calm weather when they do go. It's one of the best places in dive in Hawaii and chances are good you'll see a monk seal.

As for non-diving activities, I really enjoyed doing day hikes along the Na Pali coast. You can find virtually un-occupied beaches, beautiful water falls and streams. I also suggest just driving and stopping wherever you see something that you like. There is pretty much a single road that goes 3/4 of the way around the island (there is no road along the Na Pali coast). Driving from the south end of the Na Pali coast all the way around the island to the north end will take you by the Waimea Canyon, Hanalei Bay and about a thousand other beautiful views.

Two good spots for snorkeling are Poipu and Kee beach park. Kee beach park also has some great hiking trails right beside it. They go along the coast and some eventually fork into the mountains where there are some huge water falls. I went snorkeling in a few other spots and thought Kee beach park was easily the best.

Also, if you like sushi eat poke (red tuna, usually yellow fin or big eye) while you are there. Foodland has really good poke. You can't get anything like it anywhere in Canada, including Vancouver.

BMW Rider · #9 01-28-2012, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Went to Kona this year. We agonized over deciding whether to go back to Kauai or try something new. I loved Kauai when we went and hope to go back one day I have to say that Kona blew me away. I've been to Maui, Kauai and now the Big Island and wow did the Big Island captivate. And the diving/snorkeling off the Kona coast is incredible. Whereas Maui/Kauai had awesome fish and a small amount of coral, Kona has an actual coral reef out there with some amazing colours. I can't wait to go back.

We're going to Kona in March. Got a house rented and working on booking some diving to finish my open water PADI cert. Would love to hear any reccomendations you have for things to do and see.

Snappy · #10 01-28-2012, 03:22 PM

We did a Hawaiian Islands cruise back in March 2007 and spent 2 days in Kauai. Lot's of nature's beauty to behold for sure. I highly recommend doing the helicopter tour as it is amazing & in my opinion money well spent. (On a sad note just 2 days after we did our tour the helicopter we were on had a mechanical failure and crashed killing 4 of the passengers and our pilot (Helicopter Joe). Tragically the freak accident took a pilot who was a super nice guy which an impeccable safety record along with a pair of honeymooner's & 2 other tourists.) Makes one stop & think for sure - sometimes timing is everything.
Anyway, there has only been that one accident and the tour is a "must do" when visiting the island.
Have fun and take lots of pictures.