So Excited Going to Hawaii for 1st time Finally

[RJW]

It's our 25th wedding anniversary. We booked 9 days at Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club for the middle of this month. Airfare seemed reasonable! Everything just worked!!!

Any veterans please offer some tips

Take the Allerton Gardens tour. Beautiful

 

[dougp26364]

If it hasn’t been mentioned……
Our first Hawaiian trip was to Waiohai. We didn’t know what to expect but one thing we didn’t expect was the rooster alarm clock that first morning. They were literally everywhere and the resort had a lovely wild flock hanging out around the resort and in the public park next door. Dang rooster hit it right around sunrise.

We’ll be at Kauai Lagoons next year. This time it won’t be such a surprise assuming things haven’t changed.

 

[Dean]

If it hasn’t been mentioned……
Our first Hawaiian trip was to Waiohai. We didn’t know what to expect but one thing we didn’t expect was the rooster alarm clock that first morning. They were literally everywhere and the resort had a lovely wild flock hanging out around the resort and in the public park next door. Dang rooster hit it right around sunrise.

We’ll be at Kauai Lagoons next year. This time it won’t be such a surprise assuming things haven’t changed.

As the author of Kauai Revealed says, the chickens there are less smart than average. It wasn't a problem when we were there at Waiohai though the resort was trapping and relocating them if they came on property.

 

[sponger76]

If it hasn’t been mentioned……
Our first Hawaiian trip was to Waiohai. We didn’t know what to expect but one thing we didn’t expect was the rooster alarm clock that first morning. They were literally everywhere and the resort had a lovely wild flock hanging out around the resort and in the public park next door. Dang rooster hit it right around sunrise.

We’ll be at Kauai Lagoons next year. This time it won’t be such a surprise assuming things haven’t changed.

Chickens running wild have been a huge problem on Kauai since Hurricane Iniki back in 1992. The storm allowed a huge number of chickens free from their coops, and for some reason they really thrived and spread in the wild. They've been all over ever since.

 

[Steve A]

Get a good pair of beach shoes to protect you from coral and rocks.

 

[m61376]

Looking for recommendations for Na Pali Coast boat rides, especially for late Fall/early Winter. At that time of the year, how is the water? Would you recommend a morning ride, such as ones on Napali Catamaran, or an evening sunset sail like the one from Holo Holo? Not really interested in a snorkeling trip but sightseeing. And from Port Allen or Hanalei Bay?
So confused- the smaller boats that can get into the caves sound nice, but will the water be too rough that time of year for it to be enjoyable? And how is the ride to Hanalei bay (I also see now there are road closure, so didn't know if that was a frequent issue)? Port Allen is obviously closer, but is the time spent on the boat getting to the Na Pali coast nice or a waste?
Lastly, if we take the Holo Holo sunset cruise, which boat would you recommend?
Thanks for any advice. First time to Kauai

 

[slip]

Looking for recommendations for Na Pali Coast boat rides, especially for late Fall/early Winter. At that time of the year, how is the water? Would you recommend a morning ride, such as ones on Napali Catamaran, or an evening sunset sail like the one from Holo Holo? Not really interested in a snorkeling trip but sightseeing. And from Port Allen or Hanalei Bay?
So confused- the smaller boats that can get into the caves sound nice, but will the water be too rough that time of year for it to be enjoyable? And how is the ride to Hanalei bay (I also see now there are road closure, so didn't know if that was a frequent issue)? Port Allen is obviously closer, but is the time spent on the boat getting to the Na Pali coast nice or a waste?
Lastly, if we take the Holo Holo sunset cruise, which boat would you recommend?
Thanks for any advice. First time to Kauai

The water may be too rough in early winter. It literally goes day to day and most places post it on a board in the store.

We took Captain Andy's and they did go to Napali that day but many people were getting sick. I wasn't geeling the best but when we started to head back, the waves were better and I felt much better and I even ate some hamburgers they made.

I don't know if thise smaller boats go in those caves during that time of year. Maybe in the fall.

 

[ljmiii]

Looking for recommendations for Na Pali Coast boat rides, especially for late Fall/early Winter. At that time of the year, how is the water?...

I can't tell you anything about sailing out of Hanalei, but for many years we would go to Waiohai on Kauai in February. Two trips in a row we sailed with Captain Andy out of Eleele on their big cats, both successfully left port and we enjoyed both trips sitting on the tarps on the front of the cat...but the second trip was very bumpy and a couple of people sitting 'inside' got sick.

Then we switched to Makana charters out of Waimea because of the smaller boats and more western starting point. The first trip was wonderful but then the next two trips were both cancelled because of choppy seas. They refunded our money promptly, but I don't think I would 'risk' booking with them in winter again (or at least I wouldn't book more than a few days in advance).

 

[jont]

We are leaving for Kauai next Tuesday and I had booked a tour with Na Pali Catamarans for next Thursday. Since we are staying in Princeville and only for a few days on Kauai it seemed logical take a tour originating from the north shore. Unfortunately, yesterday I recieved an email from Na Pali Catamarans' that they are canceling all tours for the remainder of the season due to the long term projected surf conditions. Needless to say, we are very bummed out about this. I viewed this boat tour as THE highlight of our trip to Hawaii( first timers) I did consider booking another tour from Port Allen but it does just not work out logistically for us. To Na Pali's Catamarans credit they were excellent in staying in communication with us and refunding our tickets. Hopefully I will have another opportunity to go back soon.

 

[slip]

We are leaving for Kauai next Tuesday and I had booked a tour with Na Pali Catamarans for next Thursday. Since we are staying in Princeville and only for a few days on Kauai it seemed logical take a tour originating from the north shore. Unfortunately, yesterday I recieved an email from Na Pali Catamarans' that they are canceling all tours for the remainder of the season due to the long term projected surf conditions. Needless to say, we are very bummed out about this. I viewed this boat tour as THE highlight of our trip to Hawaii( first timers) I did consider booking another tour from Port Allen but it does just not work out logistically for us. To Na Pali's Catamarans credit they were excellent in staying in communication with us and refunding our tickets. Hopefully I will have another opportunity to go back soon.

Yes, this is not uncommon. It seems that the boat companies are really good with communication and they watch the weather closely.

 

[RookWDW]

We are going over Christmas to Kauai. I really want to do the Napali tour, but my wife can get seasick on a cruise so I think I'm skipping it unfortunately. Far too many reviews of people getting sick in the winter during tours.

Is there anyway to find out what will be open during Christmas, like Christmas day and Christmas eve (which is a Sunday and Monday)? I'm sure much or most places will be closed those days so I'm trying to figure out what to do.

 

[Foggy1]

We have been to Kauai 6 times, (Feb-April) over the past 20 years. Have not yet been able to do a Napali Coast tour due to weather. However we have had 2 very nice Afternoon/Evening dinner sails.

As with anything that is weather dependent, it's a bigger gamble than 'Vegas.

 

[geist1223]

Years ago we took a tour of Napali Coast on a large RIB out of Hanalei. We helped launch the Boat on the Hanalei River. There were only 4 of us and the Captain. The other couple got in the RIB before we put it in the water. The other couple did not understand what they were in for. He was dressed in Slacks and a nice Shirt. She was in a long light weight dress. We let them have the only 2 seats that were on the stern and set up high. We sat on the side with one leg in and one leg out. It was a wonderful trip Down the Coast and into several Sea Caves. When we got near the Southern End we anchored for snorkeling - only us. After an hour of snorkeling we got back on the RIB to eat lunch. We were suppose to snorkel again after lunch but had to head back. The other couple were unhappy because they did not understand the type of cruise we were on and the weather was starting to change. We fought the wind and waves the whole way back. The Captain had to stand the whole way back to see the waves over the Bow. We were constantly drenched by the waves. Part way back we went into a Sea Cave so the Captain could take a rest break. The trip back to Hanalei was several hours due to the Wind and Waves. We helped trailer the RIB once we got back. The other couple did not get off the Boat until we had it completely out of the water. We had a wonderful and challenging Adventure. I am sure the other couple were complaining for days.

 

[m61376]

Sorry for all the questions but appreciate all the help! Still debating on the HoloHolo sunset cruise- really want to do that but wary of the weather in early winter. Similarly, I know Ke'e Beach is highly touted, but is it worth going to that time of year, or are we better off ending an East coast drive day with Limahuli gardens perhaps and heading back? And how is the road back to Waiohai- is it a challenging drive or a well lit highway road? Figured I'd ask beforehand since we've encountered some challenging road conditions on other Hawaii trips....-

 

[pedro47]

Congratulations on your 25th wedding anniversary. Just plan your daily activities, enjoy and relax in Hawaii.