There are several more great snorkeling spots in Kauai. There’s Lydgate Park near Wailua on Kauai’s East Side, a man-made lagoon featuring protected waters, ideal for beginners. At Tunnels just beyond Hanalei, the place offers a vast labyrinth of pathways that intersect its wide fringing reef. If you want a splendid way to combine adventure, scenic beauty, and snorkeling in Kauai, then book yourself a boat cruise.
HINT: Bring your own snorkeling gear – mask, fins, and snorkel. If you’re traveling light, you also have the option to buy a set when you arrive. Having your own gear is infinitely better than renting. Not only is it cheaper, you won’t be sucking on somebody else’s cooties!
2. Jungle Island
So okay, Kauai is not exactly known for its rainforests. The island is, however, known for some of the most excellent hiking trails in Hawaii. In fact, if Kauai activities are spectacular, then Kauai hiking tours or hiking on Kauai in general is at the highest level of spectacular.
Kalalua Trail
Probably the most popular of these hikes is the one along the Kalalua Trail. And although it is extremely popular, it is not that crowded either. Keyword here is “extreme” and that’s exactly what hikers are going to say when you ask them what it’s like.
Hiking along the Kalalua Trial may not be easy, but the views you get to see along the way are better than energy bars to boost your spirits up. Hiking the entire 10.8 miles of the trail takes several days and requires camping equipment. Most people, however, just see how much distance they can cover in one day. If you are in fairly good shape – and you aren’t dragging along kids – trust me, it’s definitely worth the effort.
The trail starts at the end of the road on the island’s rugged North Shore. From there it heads on down to areas offering spectacular views of the Na Pali Coast’s famous cliffs. The trail is narrow, rocky, and muddy since this part of the island is one of the wettest spots on earth.
The first two miles have you stopping at Hanakaipiai Beach. From there, you have three choices: Continue on to Kalalau (only serious backpackers seem to brighten up at the challenge), ford the stream and turn inland to Hanakapiai Falls (another and a more strenuous two miles to a fantastic 300-foot waterfall) or return (uhm…).
HINT: Slipping is going to be commonplace so be sure to wear sturdy shoes. Don’t hesitate to walk on water or mud. There’s going of those to go around and if you get picky, you might find yourself having to walk on air (trust me, not very pretty).
Princeville Ranch Hike Tours
Another hiking trail popular with guests to Kauai is the Waterfall Excursion, yet another one of Princeville Ranch’s Adventure tours. This four-hour, four-mile hike gives you incomparable scenery and a multi-waterfall experience.
The trail offers a 360 degree lookout where you can see the beautiful sparkling waters of the Pacific off the North Shore and astounding views of Kauai’s dragon-backed mountains.
From there, the Waterfall Excursion takes you to a jungle trail leading to the ultimate Hawaiian waterfall where you can have lunch, enjoy a little swim, and relax to the soothing sound of the jungle come alive. Afterwards, hike to another beautiful waterfall swimming hole so deep you can dive in or just play on inner tubes just for the fun of it.
HINT: Bring light comfortable clothing, comfortable shoes (hiking boots or tennis, running shoes). Bring also a swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and rain gear.
Na Ala Hele Trail
Experience a great Kauai hiking trip at the Na Ala Hele Trail. Here you can get a glimpse of Kauai’s natural wonders from a perspective few visitors ever get to see. Most tours passing through this trail operate in the Wailua Forest Management Area, under a permit issued by the Na Ala Hele Trail Access program of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. With expert guides and traveling in air-conditioned 4x4 vans, the Na Ala Hele Trail gives “off the beaten path” a whole new meaning.
The adventure starts right when you cross several streams one after the other. Afterwards, you go then go through the rainforest to the gate used in “Jurassic Park.” From there, you go by foot into the center of the island where you can learn about the history, culture, flora, and fauna of Hawaii.
HINT: A portion of the price of the tour is paid to Na Ala Hele for the maintenance and improvement of trails on Kauai. Advance, paid reservations are required. Reservations are generally non-refundable. However, in the case of weather cancellation, you can have your tour refunded.
3. Life is a Beach and Kauai has Plenty of ‘emAs the fourth largest island in the Hawaiian chain of islands and the one island with the most number of beaches, can you just imagine how much fun you can have in Kauai’s beaches? And the great thing about it is that 45% of these beaches are mostly secluded, so there’s less crowd to tackle with and more beach to enjoy. If you want a stretch of sand all to yourself, just pick anywhere you like. But if you want the ultimate privacy, then head on to Polihale State Park – a two-mile long beach with very few folks around.
Wherever you go, remember that there are only seven beaches in Kauai that are protected by lifeguards. These beaches include Anahola Beach Park, Lydgate Park, Wailua Bay, Po’ipu Beach Park, Pine Trees, Hanalei Beach Park Pavilion and Salt Pond Beach Park.
There are a few unguarded beaches that can be dangerous, such as the Lumahai on the North Shore, the Polihale on the West Side, the Kealia on the East Side, and the Hanakapiai on the Na Pali Coast.
Next to Poipu Beach, the second most popular is the stunning Lumahai Beach. This fine-sand beach is located around the bend from Hanalei Bay on the north shore with two different accesses. The first access is closest to Hanalei Bay where you take an easy hike from roadside parking. This beach was made famous years ago when it was featured in the movie “South Pacific.”
Further up the highway is the Lumahai Valley River Mouth. This is the second entrance to the beach. The river provides calm, fresh water for swimming. There’s a small bridge just across the river mouth. Just for safety sake, don’t try to dive off here or from the rocks nearby because the water can be pretty murky and hides submerged rocks and tree branches.
HINT: Bring your own snorkeling gear – mask, fins, and snorkel. If you’re traveling light, you also have the option to buy a set when you arrive. Having your own gear is infinitely better than renting. Not only is it cheaper, you won’t be sucking on somebody else’s cooties!
2. Jungle Island
So okay, Kauai is not exactly known for its rainforests. The island is, however, known for some of the most excellent hiking trails in Hawaii. In fact, if Kauai activities are spectacular, then Kauai hiking tours or hiking on Kauai in general is at the highest level of spectacular.
Kalalua Trail
Probably the most popular of these hikes is the one along the Kalalua Trail. And although it is extremely popular, it is not that crowded either. Keyword here is “extreme” and that’s exactly what hikers are going to say when you ask them what it’s like.
Hiking along the Kalalua Trial may not be easy, but the views you get to see along the way are better than energy bars to boost your spirits up. Hiking the entire 10.8 miles of the trail takes several days and requires camping equipment. Most people, however, just see how much distance they can cover in one day. If you are in fairly good shape – and you aren’t dragging along kids – trust me, it’s definitely worth the effort.
The trail starts at the end of the road on the island’s rugged North Shore. From there it heads on down to areas offering spectacular views of the Na Pali Coast’s famous cliffs. The trail is narrow, rocky, and muddy since this part of the island is one of the wettest spots on earth.
The first two miles have you stopping at Hanakaipiai Beach. From there, you have three choices: Continue on to Kalalau (only serious backpackers seem to brighten up at the challenge), ford the stream and turn inland to Hanakapiai Falls (another and a more strenuous two miles to a fantastic 300-foot waterfall) or return (uhm…).
HINT: Slipping is going to be commonplace so be sure to wear sturdy shoes. Don’t hesitate to walk on water or mud. There’s going of those to go around and if you get picky, you might find yourself having to walk on air (trust me, not very pretty).
Princeville Ranch Hike Tours
Another hiking trail popular with guests to Kauai is the Waterfall Excursion, yet another one of Princeville Ranch’s Adventure tours. This four-hour, four-mile hike gives you incomparable scenery and a multi-waterfall experience.
The trail offers a 360 degree lookout where you can see the beautiful sparkling waters of the Pacific off the North Shore and astounding views of Kauai’s dragon-backed mountains.
From there, the Waterfall Excursion takes you to a jungle trail leading to the ultimate Hawaiian waterfall where you can have lunch, enjoy a little swim, and relax to the soothing sound of the jungle come alive. Afterwards, hike to another beautiful waterfall swimming hole so deep you can dive in or just play on inner tubes just for the fun of it.
HINT: Bring light comfortable clothing, comfortable shoes (hiking boots or tennis, running shoes). Bring also a swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and rain gear.
Na Ala Hele Trail
Experience a great Kauai hiking trip at the Na Ala Hele Trail. Here you can get a glimpse of Kauai’s natural wonders from a perspective few visitors ever get to see. Most tours passing through this trail operate in the Wailua Forest Management Area, under a permit issued by the Na Ala Hele Trail Access program of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. With expert guides and traveling in air-conditioned 4x4 vans, the Na Ala Hele Trail gives “off the beaten path” a whole new meaning.
The adventure starts right when you cross several streams one after the other. Afterwards, you go then go through the rainforest to the gate used in “Jurassic Park.” From there, you go by foot into the center of the island where you can learn about the history, culture, flora, and fauna of Hawaii.
HINT: A portion of the price of the tour is paid to Na Ala Hele for the maintenance and improvement of trails on Kauai. Advance, paid reservations are required. Reservations are generally non-refundable. However, in the case of weather cancellation, you can have your tour refunded.
3. Life is a Beach and Kauai has Plenty of ‘emAs the fourth largest island in the Hawaiian chain of islands and the one island with the most number of beaches, can you just imagine how much fun you can have in Kauai’s beaches? And the great thing about it is that 45% of these beaches are mostly secluded, so there’s less crowd to tackle with and more beach to enjoy. If you want a stretch of sand all to yourself, just pick anywhere you like. But if you want the ultimate privacy, then head on to Polihale State Park – a two-mile long beach with very few folks around.
Wherever you go, remember that there are only seven beaches in Kauai that are protected by lifeguards. These beaches include Anahola Beach Park, Lydgate Park, Wailua Bay, Po’ipu Beach Park, Pine Trees, Hanalei Beach Park Pavilion and Salt Pond Beach Park.
There are a few unguarded beaches that can be dangerous, such as the Lumahai on the North Shore, the Polihale on the West Side, the Kealia on the East Side, and the Hanakapiai on the Na Pali Coast.
Next to Poipu Beach, the second most popular is the stunning Lumahai Beach. This fine-sand beach is located around the bend from Hanalei Bay on the north shore with two different accesses. The first access is closest to Hanalei Bay where you take an easy hike from roadside parking. This beach was made famous years ago when it was featured in the movie “South Pacific.”
Further up the highway is the Lumahai Valley River Mouth. This is the second entrance to the beach. The river provides calm, fresh water for swimming. There’s a small bridge just across the river mouth. Just for safety sake, don’t try to dive off here or from the rocks nearby because the water can be pretty murky and hides submerged rocks and tree branches.
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