ATVs:
Kipu Ranch Adventures – Lihue
Bike Rental
Kauai Beach Bike Rentals in Kapa’a is in town.
We suggest doing an internet search on “bike rental Kapa’a” to identify the current vendors in the area who are renting bikes when you are visiting. There are always plenty of options in the Kapa’a area but the locations and vendors change often.
Bird Watching
Kilauea Lighthouse is a must-do for epic coastal views and an opportunity to see nesting albatross, boobies, and more. It’s also a fabulous location to whale watch (approx. January – April). Gorgeous and educational, this is a great stop for a North Shore day. Take our binoculars with you for sure. To visit, you must make a reservation and buy tickets in advance at their website.
Boogie Boarding Beaches
Kealia Beach in Kapa‘a
Kalapaki Beach in Lihu‘e
Brennecke’s Beach in Poipu
Botanical Gardens
Limahuli Gardens – Haena
McBryde & Allerton Gardens – Poipu
Na ’Aina Kai Gardens – Kilauea
Cute Dogs!
Kauai Humane Society Field Trips Take a shelter pup with you on a hike or to the beach! This is a very popular program with visitors and locals alike and a wonderful service for the shelter dogs! They give you everything you will need for your adventure! It is an incredibly fun experience for dog lovers! If you fall in love, you can adopt your dog! Many lucky pups are adopted and flown to their forever home as a direct result of this field trip program!
Driving Tour
Shaka Guide This is a self-driving tour. Download their app and purchase one of their tours. The app geo-locates you with GPS and points out the attractions as you drive. One of our sweet guests mentioned this in our guest book and said they really enjoyed it!
G-K Activities
Golf Courses
The Ocean Course – Lihue
Pua Kea Course – Lihue
Poipu Bay Course – Poipu
Kiahuna Course – Poipu
Helicopter Tours:
Tip: For the best view and experience, pay the premium for the “doors off” experience. Where possible, pay the extra fee for the seat in the front right.
Blue Hawaiian– Lihue
Jack Harter– Lihue
Hiking/Camping Information/Permits
Division of State Parks Refer to this website when planning a hike to one of Kauai’s state parks. For some parks, like the popular Ha’ena state park where the famous Kalalau trailhead is, you must reserve an entrance permit in advance. For other parks, you will purchase a parking pass upon arrival. Refer to the website before you go to review the most current access information.
We have 2 great guide books in the condo on Kauai hiking:
- Best Easy Day Hikes Hawaii: Kauai (Best Easy Day Hikes Series) by Suzanne Swedo
- Kauai Trailblazer: Where to Hike, Snorkel, Bike, Paddle, Surf Paperback by Jerry Sprout
Hiking Tours
Kauai Nature Tours Guided naturalist hikes. Highly recommend for those who want to learn about Kauai’s unique ecosystems. Chuck is a long-time Kauai resident and geologist.
Kauai Photo Tours Check out hidden hiking and beach spots around the island. Great for photographers and nature buffs alike.
Hiking Kauai A few of our guests took a hike with this company to the Blue Hole/Weeping Wall and loved it. Difficult hike we hear.
Horseback Riding
Silver Falls Ranch – Kilauea
CJM Country Stables – Koloa
Kayaking & Stand Up Paddling – River
Kayak Kaua‘i – Wailua
Kauai SUP – Wailua We recommend this outfitter if you prefer to paddle board the Wailua river on your own without a tour.
Wailua Kayak Adventures – Wailua. We really like this outfitter because they offer a service to deliver the kayak to the water’s edge for you. They also offer tours.
Wailua Kayak & Canoe – Wailua
Ali’i Kayaks – Wailua
Kayaking – Ocean
Napali Kayak – Haena
Outfitters Kauai – Koloa
L- S Activities
Luau
Smith’s Family Luau – This luau is close to the condo and they offer a pick up and drop off service from the Islander.
Massage
Aloha Massage – Reserve a relaxing in-condo private massage! We love that they come to you. Enjoy a massage in the privacy of the condo while listening to the soothing ocean sounds. They offer a full range of massage styles. Our top recommendation.
Spa Maka’iwa – Next door to the condo in the Kaua‘i Coast Resort, 2 minutes walking. Our guests recommend the massage on the beach.
Spa by the Sea – Waipouli near the condo
Mountain Tubing
Kauai Backcountry: Try tubing through Hawaii’s old plantation irrigation system. A popular experience for many!
Scuba
Fathom Five – Poipu
Bubbles Below – Eleele
Snorkeling: Below are our favorite snorkel beaches and snorkel tour guides, but there are dozens of great snorkel spots all over Kauai. It all depends on the wave and wind conditions that particular day, as well as recent storm patterns. The Kauai Ocean Report is a handy reference for expected conditions. Lifeguards are always the best source for understanding current conditions at that beach and they post them at their station.
Protect the reef as you snorkel. Please protect our beautiful, yet struggling and fragile reef system by practicing reef etiquette. Learn how here: Snorkeling Etiquette
Lydgate Beach Park – East Shore. This is the closest lifeguarded beach to our condo. A 2-minute drive or a 2-mile walk. It’s perfect for beginners as it’s protected and calm all year.
Hideaways – North Shore (Best in the summer months)
Poipu – South Shore (Best in the winter months)
Holo Holo Charters – This is our #1 recommendation for snorkel tours or sunset cruises. We especially love them because they are environmental stewards and have done great work helping to remove dangerous nets from the ocean that could entangle whales and other marine life. We recommend the “Super Tour” which includes an unbelievable snorkel off Ni’ihau and a cruise along the gorgeous Napali Coast.
Snorkel Rental Stores
Snorkel Bob’s– Kapa’a Our #1 recommendation for snorkel gear. Snorkel Bob also works to protect our beautiful and delicate reef system through educational programs and resources.
Boss Frog – Kapa’a
SNUBA
SNUBA Tours of Kaua‘i – Lawai Beach near Poipu
Surfing
Kauai Beach Boys – Kalapaki Beach in Lihue. This is the beach in front of Duke’s restaurant and the waves are pretty much consistently calm. Great spot to learn how to surf or paddle board.
Hawaiian Surfing Adventures – Hanalei . An epic location to learn how to surf in world-famous Hanalei Bay. The waves can be a bit bigger here at times, but it’s still a good beginner’s spot to learn.
T- Z Activities
Yoga
Kauai Yoga On The Beach – next door at the Kauai Shores Hotel
Zipline
Koloa Zipline – Koloa
Outfitters Kauai – Koloa