Kauai Vacation

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Kauai Travel Tips for Lone Visitors and Big Families

It is important to determine the right modes of transportation during your Hawaiian vacation to ensure that you save a lot of time, effort and money. There are a lot of Kauai travel methods available depending on the number of people and places where you intend to go. The island is relatively small but great spots are spaced far apart so walking is not always ideal on all occasions. Here are some to help you plan.

Kauai Driving

If you’re visiting a relative, you may be fortunate to be lent a car to drive around in. There are 2 major highways in Kauai and both starts in Lihue. From Lihue Airport, Kapule Highway or Highway 51 is on the right. Kapula Highway eventually merges 1 mile away into Kuhio Highway or Highway 56. Kuhio Highway leads to Coconut Coast and through the North Shore then ends at Kee Beach at the starting point of Na Pali coast. There are no roads along Na Pali Coast in the northwest of the island.

Following Kapule Highway will lead you through Lihue and Nawiliwili. Taking Nawiliwili Road or Highway 58 will lead you to an intersection with Kaumualili Highway or Highway 50 that leads to the south and southwest parts of Kauai up to Waimea then ends at the opposite end of Na Pali Coast. Take Maluhia Road or Highway 510 south if you want to go to Poipu. Waimea Canyon Road or Highway 550 or Kokee Road or Highway 55 both join halfway up to Waimea Canyon.

Traffic tends to congest from Monday through Friday from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. You can get stuck in traffic for over an hour since only a single road circles the entire island connecting all towns and locations.

The 2 main highways, however, almost lead to every popular attraction and site for your Kauai travel. Hawaii traffic regulations also strictly enforce proper of wearing of seat belts. On the highways, go for an average of 40 to 50 mph and 30 to 35 on smaller roads.

With fairly normal traffic, expect to reach Poipu from Lihue in 20 minutes, from Poipu to Polihale in 35 minutes, from Lihue to Kapaa in 10 minutes and from Kapaa to Hanalei in 30 minutes. It is important to know about contra flows wherein cones are placed on lane divisions resulting to traffic driving on the wrong side of the road. This approach aims to reduce traffic congestion during commute hours. Bypass roads ideally help you enjoy the scenery without having to worry about heavy highway traffic.

More Kauai Driving Tips

As far as insurance goes, Hawaii is a no-fault state so you are required to pay for all damages should you be involved in a collision and do not own collision-damage insurance. This applies regardless of whose fault the accident was and you need to pay before leaving the state. Some car insurance plans cover a number of car rental policies so check your company for privileges and insurance benefits.

You may opt for the optional insurance but bring your insurance identification card if not. Aside from insurance companies, credit card companies may also provide collision-damage insurance so check for these.

Hawaiian state law requires all car passengers to wear a seat belt. All infants should be strapped into car seats as well. A $50 fine will be given to violators. Pedestrians always have right of way all the time. You can cautiously turn right on red from the right lane after a full stop unless there’s a sign that prevents you.

Nature at Its Best: The Famous Kauai Trails

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Going on feet never seemed more exhilarating, fun and enjoyable with the several Kauai trails. You get to enjoy scenic tropical views like uncharted rainforests, waterfalls, secret caves, oceanfront cliffs, beaches, canyons and valleys. Many tourists all over the globe flock to experience the pacific paradise and get a feel of the 97% uninhabited conserved natural treasures of the oldest island in Hawaii.

The Great Hikes

The Kauai Kalalau Trail Na Pali Coastline is one of the ultimate hikes in the island which takes about 2 days to finish. The trail starts at the end of the road at Kee Beach. Many hikers hike for 11 miles and upon reaching the end at Kalalau Beach, get picked up by a tour bus. From the starting point, you work the incline up to the Na Pali Coastline.

The first 25 minutes of the trail is fairly mudde, steep and rocky although you get to see a great view of Kee Beach. Views of the coastline will come and go as you continue on the trail. Hanakapi’ai Beach is just 2 miles from the starting point but you get to go through streams, boulders, caves and cliffs along the way.

You may choose to stop at Hanakapi’ai Beach. If you go 2 more miles inland, you get to see the 300-foot majestic waterfall where you can enjoy a quick dip. It takes about 8 hours back and forth if you pick Hanakapi’ai Falls as your destination spot.

For families and beginners, the Kauai Kuilau Ridge Trail is good. Drive past Opaekaa Falls to the end of the road just before reaching Keahua Arboretum and the first stream crossing to find the starting point on the right. The first mile has an asphalt base path which slowly rises to a picnic area on top of a valley. Views include Mt. Wai’ale’ale, rolling hills and the ocean. There is a wooden bridge that leads to the end of the trail as well as the starting point of Moalepe Trail. Most find this an easy and relaxing hike.

Kauai Kukui Trail is more challenging which winds down 2000 feet into the Waimea Canyon floor. You get to see a lot of unique landscapes and views in the first 1.5 miles such as dramatic canyon formations, mountain goats and plants.

Choose the forest and brush paths if you’re up for a tough hike. Expect the trails to be slippery during dry days and make sure you have enough energy since you still need to hike back up. The end of the trail is at the Wiliwili campsite and Waimea River. You can also walk to nearby Waimea town through the canyon.

Beautiful Isolated Walks

Kauai Nounou West Trail is located about a mile from Opaekaa Falls. You climb the mountain known as “Sleeping Giant” leading to a sheltered picnic area on the giant’s chest. Some magnificent views include Wailua River, Mt. Waialeale and the ocean. Mt. Waialeale will provide you the same view similar to the remake of the movie “King Kong”. It takes about an hour and a half to reach to total elevation of about 1000 feet from the base to the head.

Kuamoo Trail is another fairly easy isolated route that starts half a mile past Opaekaa Falls. The first mile features a few Hawaiian homes and green canopies. You also get to see a wooden bridge and the river feeding Opaekaa Falls.

Total Kauan trail is about 2 miles long with lots of ferns, vegetation and mud. The destination is in a pine tree grove at the intersection of the Nounou West Trail.

The Top Kauai Activities You Should Not Miss

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Kauai is very rich in natural resources, culture and traditions which is why you have to make the most out of your vacation. If you’re only planning to stay for a few days, make sure you do the most memorable Kauai activities that will truly make the trip worthwhile. These things are great whether you’re going solo, on a honeymoon or with the entire family. Make reservations and a sound budget today.

Appreciating Nature

Kauai has a lot of state parks and natural scenic views such as Koke’e State Park and Waimea Canyon. Koke’e State Park borders the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” and ranges more than 4,000 acres. Here you can enjoy over 40 hiking trails with captivating backgrounds. Waimea Canyon is 10 miles long, 2 miles wide and 3,600 feet deep featuring an array of colors.

The Na Pali Coast is one of the most popular sites in the island featuring 22 miles of volcanic cliffs. Take a boat or helicopter ride to view the coast fully. Helicopter rides are definitely preferred if you want a clearer picture of waterfalls, sea cliffs, mountains and volcanoes. The Limahuli Garden and Preserve is more than 1,000 acres of tropical abundance in Haena at the northern part of Kauai.

Some spots in Kauai have been used in movies and television shows. Find out where big hits like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, Gilligan’s Island, Blue Hawaii, etc. were shot by taking the Movie Tours via bus, 4x4 or helicopter. Learn more about the plantation life and fields of old Kauai by taking the Kauai Plantation Train which features wooden cars at Kilohana camp. You get to see the best of Hawaiian agriculture and produce like pineapple, coffee, tropical flowers and banana.

Enjoy the many open and commercial beaches and resorts all across the island where you can enjoy Kauai activities on and off shore. Some must-visit spots include Princeville resort, Hanalei Lookout and town, Ke’e Beach, the Coconut Coast and Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse. Kauai is also every golfer’s paradise featuring some of the best golf courses in the world. Try a few holes at Poipu Bay Golf Course which has an attractive ocean view and challenging layout.

Modern Kauai Activities

If you prefer to explore the towns and cities in Kauai, there are also a wide array of restaurants, spas, shopping centers and business hubs available. Poipu Beach has several great dining places specializing in ethnic cuisine and seafood. In Hanapepe Town you can find Hanapepe Cafe for a romantic dinner and original slack key guitar tunes by Cindy Combs then visit the nearby galleries afterwards.

Hanapepe comes to life in the evening especially during weekends so expect to see clubs and bars offering delectable appetizers and cocktails. Tradewinds, a South Seas Bar is located in Coconut Marketplace in Kapaa where you can enjoy a Hawaiian style bar with karaoke, games and other fun Kauai activities.

Crafts and other gift items are available at Vintage Aloha in Hanapepe Road, Kalaheo. Glass art can be found at Kela’s Glass Gallery while Hawaiian tank tops, shirts and outfits are sold at Nite Owl T-Shirts in Eleele, Kauai.

Shopping centers and malls are also located in Lihue such as the Anchor Cove Shopping Center where you can buy Hawaiian books, crafts and souvenirs.