We were pleasantly surprised to find the 4 x 4 tour took us to several places we had not "bothered" to visit on several trips to Kauai. The 4 x 4 tour covers the central coast around Kapa'a plus a trip up Wailua Canyon where the highlight is the location of the Jurassic Park "gates" scene.
We were picked up from our Po'ipu resort and taken to checkin in Kapa'a. Seven of us boarded a 4 x 4 van. Film clips from a number of movies shot on Kauai were played on a tv in the van. We visited locations of Blue Hawaii, Jurrassic Park, Flight of the Intruder, Hawaii,......
Our tour guide, Guy, did a nice job pointing out the many, many locations and a ton a trivia about each area and film. Some of the spots like Wailua Falls would be easy enough to reach on one's own, but certainly the small van and expert driving by buy made even those spots more pleasant. The trip up to the Jurassic Park gates sight was certainly more fun with him driving.
The tour stopped at the soon to be restored Coco Palms Hotel. It is most famous for the Elvis wedding scene from Blue Hawaii. This stop is a great example of a good tour guide adding depth and breadth to what otherwise looks like "just an abandoned" resort.
I would recommend this trip for first time visitors and particularly if you're only on the Kauai for a few days. You see a lot! Unless your teen is an old movie buff or you have younger kids, I don't think this is their idea of fun...I don't think it's a good family trip.
The "coastal" tour overlaps a bit with the 4 x 4 tour but goes north towards Hanalei instead of up the canyon. Lunch is included on both tours at Lyngate Park (it's a sandwich from Foodland). Bathroom stops are available at several stops on the tour.
We actually did this tour a few years ago and wanted to get better photos. We were pleasantly surprised to find the same office person and the same guide still working for the company. We found that tourist companies with long time employees generally give a better account of themselves... tours, restaurants, resorts, local stores.
For the right couple, this is a nice activity.


