People come to Kauai primarily for one thing: the beaches with their great snorkeling, surfing, swimming, and sunning. But Kauai also boasts more navigable rivers than the other Hawaiian Islands making kayaking very popular. If the surf is calm you can even combine a river run with time paddling the bays and ocean shoreline. You'll find kayak rentals near the mouth of the most popular rivers. Many will also rent roof-top strap-on kayaks for travelers interested in trying one of the several smaller river runs.
Kauai has great hiking and mountain biking trails as well. Outdoor adventurers will find the guidebook Kauai Trailblazer to be helpful in comparing various locations for hiking and biking (as well as snorkeling, kayaking, and surfing). The Waimea Canyon area has extensive hiking trails both into the canyon itself as well as great overlooks of the Na Pali cliffs. Check with the park office on trail conditions and weather before starting your hike.
There are many commercial tour guides that offer various land and sea adventures such as guided hikes, downhill bike tours, back-country ATV trips, river tubing adventures, and more.
You may also Experience Kauai through photography workshops by the same name conducted by resident professional photographer David Allio. These workshops go beyond the normal tourist destinations to some unique and spectacular Garden Island settings.
Other recommended activities are listed below by region.
North: Hanalei is a charming Hawaiian village in beautiful country on the north of the island. Hanalei has a nostalgic, romatic quality of simpler times on the Islands. An easy drive to the northwest of Hanalei is the Na Pali coast. Drive to where the road ends, park and hike the twenty-two mile round-trip journey to mythical Kalalau. The Kalalau Trail is generally regarded as among the most spectaular hikes in the world, albeit incredibly painful. If you want to get a taste, hike 2 miles in to the first beach (Hanakapi'ai). Day hikes are unrestricted, but camping requires a permit from the parks department. There is a long waiting list, so signing up a year in advance is a good idea. Tour boats can also access the coast; they may be chartered out of Hanalei or other outfits on the south of the island. Snorkeling is very good. Be advised, however, that the area is effectively closed to boats in the winter due to the intense Pacific weather hitting that part of Kaua'i.
East: Kapa'a is a small, cute, tourist-friendly town on the east side. It features a movie theater, an internet cafe, several restaurants, and a Birkenstock outlet. Look up from Anahola and see the mountain that faded in from the Paramount logo at the beginning of "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
South: The South Shore has a number of great beaches such as Maha'ulepu Beach with its ancient petroglyphs and the rocky Shipwreck Beach, both perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving. Poipu Beach, often ranked as one of the world’s top beaches by travel surveys. Venture to Kipu Falls, where the opening sequences for Raiders of the Lost Ark were filmed.
West: A drive up to the Waimea Canyon is highly recommended or explore the Canyon and surrounding areas on a breathtaking tour.
If you rent a jeep make sure you take a trek out to Polihale beach. It is located at the southern end of Napali and to the north of Barking Sands. It is a wide sprawling sandy beach. The sunsets here are truly awesome and with a permit you can camp there too (it is a state park). During the winter and early spring you can also see the whales from the beach. However, the last couple of miles of the road to get to Polihale, run through an old sugar cane field. At (Feb 2007) the road was still not maintained and is in very poor condition. If you have a regular rental car don't even bother unless they have started maintaining the road, instead rent a fourwheel, this beach is the most beautiful beach on the island. If you can get to Polihale do it. You won't be sorry!
Weddings & Honeymoons:
Kauai is considered a major Destination Wedding & Honeymoon location. A "Destination Wedding" adds a "Big Place" to the couple's "Big Day." A Destination Wedding brings the wedding to the honeymoon spot. When the wedding is over, the newlyweds are already on honeymoon.
Wedding locations on Kauai, compiled in conjunction with the Kauai Wedding Professionals Association:
A lush, tropical garden, blooming with floral scents and colors (like Smith's Tropical Paradise).
On a private estate—where the paparazzi won’t find you (like the Sea Cliff Estate).
In one of Kauai’s several quaint and charming historical churches (like the "Green Church" in Hanalei).
On the meticulously manicured and gorgeous grounds of a resort (like the Princeville Resort or Grand Hyatt).
On one of many pristine, white sand beaches (like Lumahai Beach - featured in the film South Pacific --in summer).
At the Coco Palms, where Elvis married Joan Blackman in a flower-bedecked double-hulled canoe in Blue Hawaii.
In the Fern Grotto, on the Wailua River, Hawaii's main navigable river.
Next to a sparkling silver waterfall (like Na Aina Kai).
At a scenic lookout, with the magnificent Waimea Canyon in the background (dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" by Mark Twain).
In an idyllic chapel surrounded by a peaceful lagoon (like the Chapel of the Sea).
Information on this page has been extracted http://wikitravel.org/en/Kauai from and is based on work by rentals@aloha.net, Evan Prodromou, Shallana, David, Amy Kammerman, Todd VerBeek, Paul Matsi, Stacy Hall and Sam, Wikitravel user(s) PatelRahul and Applegettwo, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.
