Kauai Adventures!

So a gal friend of mine ( Krissy =) ) asked about what cool adventures I have come to know here on Kauai and since this is a question I commonly receive even from complete strangers, I decided its best to just blog about it!


Heres a list of things we have learned in our many vacations and 1.5 year stay here on Kauai but instead of starting with the least to most, I am starting with the most to least! After all, who wants to spend all their money on stuff thats further down the list first !?!?


1. Na Pali Coast Cruise

MY friends, It cannot get any better than this! After going on all the little tours around, this is the most bang for our buck! Which tour company to use? Capt Andy's is the best we have found! They have the newest catamaran. For your money, we suggest going on the sunset cruise. The trips that include snorkeling are not really worth the extra dough. You can go snorkel in much better spots with a cheap set from snorkel bobs for pete's sake and anyways, I have NEVER found snorkeling to be that amusing. Its just a few pics of some random fish with a very outweighing threat of sharks! ( don't be scared) Oh yeah, the cruise..... Well, you start off by going west side to Port Allen where you check in and wait for your capt to bring you down to the dock. There a little restaurant there you can eat at for lunch. You get on the boat and immediate fun and adventure happens as soon as you take off. Some of the oldies sit below to avoid splashings, but I have always been the one to sit in the splash zone at seaworld so what the heck, sit on the front deck and enjoy the amazing ocean and its power. You will most likely see all sorts of dolphins! little spinners are awesome! They jump out of the water and spin...pretty cool. Not to mention the views from the boat. As soon as you round the point and see those napali cliffs, you are going to be in awe. Theres a lot of cool movie spots too.

After you finish heading up the coast on your wild ride, you stop and turn around, sometimes letting the sails out (if the wind is right) and dinner is served ALONG with some drinks of your choice. The sneaky teaky always bites ev in the booty. hehe.

You then head back down the coast to catch the sunset.


I cant tell you enough about the beauty of this trip! Its really the only way you can see the coast up close and personal aside from the higher up helicopter ride...(but you cant really talk and be romantic on the helicopter)






2.Kayak to a Waterfall...



This is the perfect little island outing. Its a great workout and is something that you'll want to tell people you did! The Wailua one is the only one that I have done personally, but I don't think any kayak trip would be a disappointment. Just make sure to bring LOTS of bug repellent. Thats for everywhere here though. Those mosquitos are EVERYWHERE and LOVE white girl flesh!


ON this trip you kayak to a little outlet with a guide and hike back into the falls which are gorgeous!



3. Head up north to Hanalei Bay.

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This is my fav beach. Be prepared for hippies galore, but this place is heavenly. Theres a beach called Pine Needles that is our all time fav. You can sit there under the shade of a pine tree on the most gorgeous beach with the most gorgeous views! We got married at the St.Regis' beach! This beach was ranked #1 last year. It is filled with charm On the way there you will pass the beautiful "green church".


I LOVE this place. Theres even a little school there and I wonder how it would have been to go to elementary school and look up into pure gorgeousness. I mean, its like looking up and understanding why Hawaiians have the mountain Gods they have.

Don't mind the random man doing the hula!






4. ATV/zipline

This is super fun if its really rainy. Otherwise its kinda whatevs. I guess I just like to get all crazy adventurous and the amount of dirt that is caked on my car is a direct measure of how much fun off roading was.




5.Helicopter

This is something that is awesome if you have the extra cash. It takes you up up and over all the sights of Kauai. Its not totally my cup of tea but most guys like it.

6. Kipu Falls

Head on over to Kipu falls( where they shot the opening of "Raiders of the Lost Ark") and hike into the grass to get to a fun waterfall that you can jump off of if you dare. I have only done it once...on our honeymoon...eeeeekkkk! Theres also a fun rope swing. Best of all...Its FREE!



7. Resorts that no one can afford to stay in but you REALLY should check out!

1. St Regis- This is an absolutely gorgeous visit. It also has the BEST food on the island. You can enjoy some primo food at the Kauai Grille or head up to the makana terrace for a dinner with a view! Either way this place is to die for.





2. The Hyatt Grand Regency- This place is the epitome of Poipu class. I think its like $500-600 a night for a garden view? Anyways, you HAVE to go visit here! The views are spectacular. If you can afford it, splurge for a night here. Its worth it. At the Hyatt is a really great cocktail lounge call Stevenson's Library. You def need to hit this place up for drinks and live music!


7. FOOD!


The BEST places to eat on Kauai! Im breaking it down into N,S,E,W sides!


West Side- NOt MUCH! theres a taco stand thats pretty good.

South side- a. Kalaheao Cafe $$

b. Merrimens downstairs $$

c. Stevensons library $$

d. Keokis Paradise $$$

e. The Beach House $$$


Workin our way to lihue

a. Dukes (Nawiliwili) $$/$$$

b. 22 North at Kilohana.$$ lunch $$$ dinner ( all organic kauai grown) Our FAV for Sunday brunch! Theres a rum company there as well.. A pretty good spot to go and shop and a great place in general. Food is outstanding! We had our rehearsal dinner here as well.

c. Kauai Pasta $$

Workin our way to Kapaa ( East side)

a. Monicos $$- Good Mexican

b. Kauai Pasta Lounge $/$$- This is a recent fav! GREAT food at decent prices with a really late menu. Open till 11pm! Everything closes here at like 8 so having a lounge to go grab food and drinks with your hubby or friends is a GREAT THING!

c. Trees Lounge $/$$- This is one of our fav little local spots that serves really good drinks and has pretty good music. Their Garden salad is my fav and they have some excellent pupus too!


d. Chicken in a Barrel $- This is the best take out place in Kapaa and the healthiest. Its awesome tasting steak, pork or chicken with great chili and brown rice. its a little secret on the side of the road right after you pass Ostukas furniture!

e. Verde $/$$- BEST MEXICAN ON THE ISLAND! This place is a little bit pricey but its worth it. Its in the Big Save Shopping Center in Old town Kapaa near the Shell gas station. We LOVE it and you have to try the Ahi tacos!


North Shore!

a. Kauai Grille $$$$ - BEST gourmet food on the island. Very posh.

b. The Tavern $$/$$$ This little place is located at the Princeville Golf Club just south of The St regis turn off. It is a little hidden gem! Great food, Great prices and selection for a nice place in the North shore.



Heres my "Bests"

Best trip
Napali Coast Cruise

Best Beach
Pine Trees

Best Food
Kauai Grille

Best Cheap Food
Chicken in a Barrel

Best Luau
Smiths


Best Hotel
St. Regis

Best side for Sun
Poipu

BEst side for beauty
North shore

Best church to visit
Lihue Missionary Church =)

Best Kept Tourist Secret
Actually, head on over to Kealia Bike path in Kapaa. Its not THAT secret but I sure wish I knew about it when I visited. The most GORGEOUS path to go for a morning walk on. You will not regret it. Its really really a sweet peek into the way we who live on Kauai start our days off with. Its so peaceful and relaxing.



Of Course this list is not the tell all of Kauai! There are tons more things to do also!

Off the top of my head :
horse back riding
hiking
snorkel
scuba
snuba
kauai coffee
waimea canyon
tubing
spa days
deep sea fishing
golf
rafting
art nights
wailua falls
taro fields
all of hanalei



Enjoy you guys! This place is pretty darn amazing!