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Things to do on Kauai

Things to do on Kauai
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Looking for some suggestions for activities in Kauai beyond the beach or hiking.

My partner and I will be travelling to Hawaii with another couple this May. So far, we are looking to spend one week on a single island and have narrowed our choices to Oahu and Kauai.

We all love the more laidback, less-touristy vibe that Kauai seems to provide, but some of us are more avid hikers than others and none of us is likely to spend long periods of time lounging on a beach. With that in mind, I'm looking for interesting activity ideas on Kauai to break up the hiking and beach walking.

Are there any good factories to tour, vintage or toy shops to explore, or museums to visit on Kauai?

South Dakota
Level Contributor
55,625 posts
45 reviews
35 helpful votes
1. Re: Things to do on Kauai
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Let's see . . to me there is so much to see and do on Kauai - you can be as busy as you want to be - or not!

There are museums - I haven't been to those yet! Maybe this next visit.

A few amazing botanical gardens to tour!

I have gone for a rum tasting: https://koloarum.com/

I have done this tour, if farming taro & taro products is of interest: http://www.haraguchiricemill.org/

Stopped here but I don't drink coffee: https://kauaicoffee.com/

I would recommend a boat tour of the Napali coast - I went with Holoholo charters leaving from Hanalei:

https://www.holoholokauaiboattours.com/

You could also go kayaking on the rivers, do a luau, bike along the coconut coast (Kapaa).

Lots of lovely driving around even if you don't hike - Waimea Canyon & Kokee state park.

Perhaps take in a slack key guitar performance?

I think if you stay one full week, you will run out of time before you run out of things to do. I usually stay 2 weeks and I still haven't gotten around to everything I want to see and do on Kauai and have been numerous times. Have fun! :)

Edited: 6 years ago
North Berwick, Maine
Destination Expert
for Kauai
Level Contributor
2,898 posts
71 reviews
41 helpful votes
2. Re: Things to do on Kauai
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Here are a few suggestions:

1. Tour the tropical Gardens. There are 3 on the island. Most well known is National Tropical Botanical Gardens located on South shore. There are 2 gardens on the North shore. All worth visiting.

2. Visit Kiluaea Lighthouse. Gorgoeous views of the North shore, and opportunity to see many birds, as a bird sanctuary area.

3. Kauai Museum in Lihue.

4. Rum tasting at Kilohana Plantation. Mead tasting at Nani Moon Meadery.

5. Attend Hanapepe Friday Night Art walk. Art galleries and shops open. Street food vendors.

6. Tour Kauai’s Hindu Monastery.

7. Take the Garden Island Chocolate Tour.

8. Visit Kauai Coffee Company...sample their many varieties.

9. Visit the towns of Hanapepe, Koloa, Kiluaea, Hanalei.

10. Walk or bike Kauai Coastal Path starting in Kapaa.

La Mirada...
Destination Expert
for Palm Springs
Level Contributor
22,794 posts
119 reviews
106 helpful votes
3. Re: Things to do on Kauai
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Other museums:

Grove Farm Homestead

Wai‘oli Mission House

Waimea Historic Walking Tour

Level Contributor
286 posts
4. Re: Things to do on Kauai
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How about putting some energy into your kauai visit.

1. Kayak the napali coast, 17 miles, along that magical creation . all day adventure, including transportation, rest with shore landing at miloi'i, and do a short hike or just relax. Then on to polihale for a beach landing ( kayak surfing ). Includes entering the sea caves if the conditions are safe.

2. Napali Small Raft Tour , into the sea caves , along the coast, stop at nualolo kai for quick tour of the ancient hawaiin village, then lunch on the beach and snorkeling. Small fast moving seal type inflatables. Super hoot !

3. Ziplining with one of the zip line companies.

4. Skydiving with Skydive Kauai....Tandem jumps.... out of port allen air strip.

5. kayak the Wailua River and hike to secret falls.

6. Snorkel lawai Beach, next to the beach house restaurant in the poipu area. Best on kauai .

7. BBQ at Anini Beach, after a day of beaching it, snorkeling, or swimming in the reef protected waters.

Beautiul beach on the north shore....easy parking.

8. Stand up paddle board lessons at Kalapaki Beach ( at the Lihue Marriot or next door and around the corner at the local kauai fellah's stand up paddle board lessons and rentals.)

9. Repelling down water falls.....thru concession at the Lihue Marriot at Kalapaki Beach. Transportation to falls.

10. Best REAL Happy Hours :

Back bar of Pizettas, at the bar, in koloa town

Robs Good Time Bar and Grille, Rice Shopping Center in Lihue. Sport bar , but well poured drinks and good bar food.

Oasis Bar in the Waipoli Shopping Village in north kapa'a, next to the coco nut market place, Kapa'a

( a couple of others , but those are a start )

Yep, we do not do much resort roosting, and really enjoyed being very active on kauai....for nearly 22 years 10 of that as residents. Kauai is an amazing adventure island. Or vege on slow or neutral. It is all good.

Or , you can de-tune, and relax, and mellow out. All your choice of how to spend your time on kauai.

What ever feels good to you all is there.

St. Paul, MN
Level Contributor
1,207 posts
18 reviews
8 helpful votes
5. Re: Things to do on Kauai
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If you're comfortable on a bike, my favorite way to enjoy Waimea Canyon is to coast downhill on a bike:

http://outfitterskauai.com/activities/waimea-canyon-bike-downhill-tour/

The van follows the bikers to block the lane, and the guide stops at overlooks and provides info on the culture, geology, and botany.

Edited: 6 years ago
Corvallis, Oregon
Level Contributor
1 post
9 reviews
2 helpful votes
6. Re: Things to do on Kauai
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Highly recommend the Steelgrass Chocolate farm tour - Very informative and great tour with lots of gourmet chocolate tasting!

Livingston Manor...
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1 post
1 review
7. Re: Things to do on Kauai
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There is so much to do on this beautiful island. I have read tour replies of which someone recommends the Na Pali Sunset Dinner Cruise, I will second that. We took the Blue Dolphin Charters and had a great time. We also did a Movie Tour (over 600 movies were made on the island). Some may think this excursion would be boring but on the contrary was not only fun, but extremely informative. We were able to tour most of the island with the exception of Na Pali. I learned things on this tour that I would never had known if I did not take it. Coupled with being fun and educational it also provides one with an internal map for future visits to the island.Also recommend Smith Family Plantation Luau. AWESOME. Have a great trip.

South Dakota
Level Contributor
55,625 posts
45 reviews
35 helpful votes
8. Re: Things to do on Kauai
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I had forgotten about the chocolate farm tour - I may need to do that! :)

Kekaha, Hawaii
Level Contributor
18,167 posts
30 reviews
66 helpful votes
9. Re: Things to do on Kauai
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Aloha from Kaua'i!

The Kaua'i Museum. On Rice Street in Lihu'e. In a historic building, it has the history of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau from pre Western contact thru the Missionary and Plantations periods and beyond.

http://www.kauaimuseum.org/

Set in two large buildings, save yourself some time to go thru the whole thing. Or you can come back for free within 7 days of your receipt to see more!

I am the Tour Guide at the Museum and I give free (with admission) tours in the Hawaiiana Gallery on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30. They last roughly 45 minutes to 2 hours! Depends on the visitors!

Malama Pono,

Janet

Edited: 6 years ago
Coronach, Canada
Level Contributor
215 posts
78 reviews
32 helpful votes
10. Re: Things to do on Kauai
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What is the movie tour? Details?

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