Kauai Organized Activities

[pacheco18]

We are not big fans of organized activities but we have learned that in Hawaii some of them are quite good (e.g. the Trilogy trip to Lanai)

We are going to Kauai in January and I would love some recommendations of top notch organized activities - biking, cruises or other boat trips etc. Thanks

 

[DeniseM]

We really enjoyed our (free) tour of the Hindu Monastery and their gorgeous grounds.

A Napali Coast tour is a must - we used the Entertainment Book coupon and saved 25% with HoloHolo Charters and it was a great trip.

We also really enjoyed the McBride-Allerton Garden Tour.

We did this garden tour this last summer - Limahuli and it was very expensive and not nearly as good as the McBride-Allerton Tour (and far more expensive.)

ATVing on Kaui is also a blast - we went with Kipu Ranch this last summer, because they no longer do them on the Robinson Ranch.

For a complete description and pictures of all our Kauai activities, click on the link below my name, and on my webpage, click on my Kauai trip report.

Use the search function (Search this Forum) and search for "Kauai," for lots more ideas.

 

["Roger"]

I'll second the Hindu Monestary tour and the two garden tours. (You can take a self guided tour of the Limihuli Gardens for free. Not having taken the guided tour, my wife and I enjoyed the Limihuli Garden tour more than the McBride-Allerton gardens.) I have not done the other things mentioned by Denise.

In additon, my wife and I have done the historical tour of the Grove Farm Plantation twice and enjoyed it both times.

Finally, I expect many people will post about taking a helicopter tour. Many people claim that a helicopter tour was the highlight of their stay on Kauai; for other people, the flight is a terribly overpriced waste of their time. (We were the latter, but it is obviously a matter of taste. You'll have to decide for yourselves.)

On the free, non-organized side of the ledger, check out the many possible hikes on Kauai.

 

[Kauai Kid]

If you are really into movies that were filmed in Hawaii you'd probably enjoy taking a half day movie tour of the island where they will stop at various locations where movies have been made.

Amazing how Hollywood can make a little dinky beach look like it is 3000 yards wide.

We enjoyed the tour but it probably isn't for everyone.


Sterling, 9 days to Princeville

 

[jlr10]

We really enjoyed the 'Zip N' Dip' zipline tour at the Princeville Ranch. 9 ziplines, a suspension bridge, and lunch and swimming at a small waterfall. It was the activity that everyone equally enjoyed.

 

[hibbeln]

We've been to Kauai 5 times and we've only ever done 1 organized trip, and that was Capt. Andy's NaPali boat trip the very first time we were there. It was nice, but we didn't feel it was a necessity to do......and we've seen equally wonderful views from the Kalalau Trail and from the top of the Kalalau Valley at the state park.
So what do we do to keep busy (and do it for free!)?! Grab a copy of the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook and start reading! We've never been tempted to cough up money for an organized activity because we can do so much for free! (And we have active kids so we have to stay BUSY!).
I should add that we rented kayaks on the Hanalei River and paddled down to the bay and ocean last trip, and that was a lot of fun and we will do it again. But that was on our own.

 

[Kauai Kid]

You might enjoy renting a bike in Kaapa and riding along that wonderful coastal hike/bike path in the area. Lots of places for a wonderful picnic.

Don't know about organized biking activies in the area.


Sterling. one week to Princeville

 

[Teddie2]

I looked at the entertainment book for Hawaii and it seems like the items listed are all for Oahu .. I did not see anything for Kauai for 2009. Am I missing something?

 

[vacationtime1]

I looked at the entertainment book for Hawaii and it seems like the items listed are all for Oahu .. I did not see anything for Kauai for 2009. Am I missing something?

No; we had the same disappointment.

 

[DeniseM]

No - about the only useful Kauai coupon is HoloHolo Charters - that's a decent discount.

Ooops...it appears to be gone too!

 

[pacheco18]

Thank you all for the many suggestions.

Laraine

 

[rifleman69]

We really enjoyed the 'Zip N' Dip' zipline tour at the Princeville Ranch. 9 ziplines, a suspension bridge, and lunch and swimming at a small waterfall. It was the activity that everyone equally enjoyed.

Zip N Dip is fun, even my parents at 63 years of age enjoyed it.

 

[alanraycole]

You'll find answers to your question on a similar thread...

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?p=617215

Here are my thoughts on things to do on Kauai, organized and otherwise:

Ten things that you should definitely do, but, not necessarily in any order other than the order that they pop into my head.

1. Helicopter tour
2. Tour the Na Pali by kayak or one of the tour boats.
3. Go to the end of the road and enjoy Ke'e Beach for a day and stop along the way every time you get the itch.
4. Go to the end of the road in the Waimea Canyon and stop every time you get the itch.
5. Hike at least part of the Kalalau Trail.
6. Visit Queen's Bath... and jump in... but be wary of high surf!
7. Visit SEVERAL beaches that you have to walk a trail to get to... not only will you enjoy the sand and surf, but you will enjoy the feeling that you are on a deserted isle... this is one of my favorites!
8. Either kayak, ski, or take the tour boat up the Waimea River.
9. Get into the interior of the island... hard way... hike. easy way... take the Movie Tour even if you don't like movies (there is the coastal tour and the interior tour... go interior).
10. ATV it... there are several tours... if you are up to it, take them all.
11. Stroll Hanalei.
12. Stroll Koloa
13. Tube down an irrigation ditch... no? seriously! it is a blast!
14. Visit the Botanical Gardens... all three, but at least the best one... the one down by Spouting Horn... you'll see a bit of "Jurasic Park"
15. Hike some more... take your pick of trails
16. Eat a Puka Dog... even if you hate hot dogs... just do it! You will thank me.
17. Have lunch at the Polynesian Cafe
18. Visit the Light House and hang around to watch the sea, surf and birds.
19. Zipline through Princeville Ranch Adventures (notice I named names this time... because their zip is the best.)
20. Start over and do your favorites all over again.

Two more that I can't believe I forgot... two great natural swimming pools... Kipu Falls, where the brave can jump in from a rope swing... and the falls seen on Fantasy Island,, Waimea Falls... where many adventurous types climb down a rugged trail to jump in the pool at the base of the falls and some even make the climb to walk behind the falls. (Fair warning, I have only broken one bone in my body and it was at Kipu Falls... but I go back every visit.)

There are many more things to do, including some obvious activities like surf, sun bathe, snorkel, etc. I know I listed more than ten, but I listed things that I consider to be musts. If I think of some more, I'll add them.

 

[meatsss]

Ditto tubing down the irrigation canals. Our group of 8 had a great time. We've done both the helicopter tour and the biplane tour. My wife and I had a great time in the biplane. Just hold on to your camera!

 

[drguy]

We were there in May and visited a chocolate plantation. Lots of fun and very educational. We'll be back in a few days and my wife already has that on her agenda, weather permitting.
Guy

 

[DeniseM]

Do you by any chance mean coffee plantation or even cocoa plantation?