Kauai is known for its natural beauty and endless opportunities to explore. The Hill family took the leap and rented a condo in Princeville for one glorious month in the fall so that they had time to be adventurous, but also time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the peacefulness of the island. They made every minute count, and were thrilled to have different friends and family visit each week.
Kauai’s reputation for adventure is much deserved - it isn’t as commercialized as most of its sister islands, and the locals want it to stay that way. To them, it is essential to preserve their culture, and that includes educating visitors on conservation efforts to ensure native plants survive, and to help prevent erosion and insect infestations. Most of the island’s population lives along the coastline (wouldn’t you?), and much of the island can’t even be reached by road.
Experiencing the Na Pali coast is an absolute must, but there’s a catch - you have to hike, fly or boat to see it.
If you are nautical, Holo Holo Charters, which just celebrated its 25th year and was one of the first companies to offer boat tours of Na Pali, is a great choice. Their top priorities are safety and protecting the environment, and in the spring of 2022, they were awarded #1 Best Boat Tour in the US by USA Today.
If you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground, you can hike the Kalalau Trail to Ke’e Beach and Hanakapi’ai Falls. The path to Hanakapi’ai Falls Trail is challenging -- 6 - 8 hours in total! Make sure you bring plenty of water, snacks, and don’t forget the hiking poles on this one - you will need them. Pro tip: individual passes are currently only good for 3-4 hours, so if you plan to hike all the way to the Falls, make back to back reservations and take a shuttle to the trailhead at the beach.
Hiking and boating not your thing? See the Na Pali coast from the air! Air Ventures Hawaii gives small plane tours, and is one of the best ways to see not only Na Pali, but canyons, waterfalls, valleys and beaches. You may even get as lucky as the Hills and see a 360 degree double rainbow during your flight!
Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, has numerous trails. The Hill family fave was the Waimea Canyon trail. Waimea Canyon Trail ends at the Mini Falls and has an offshoot - the Cliff Trail - which is great for inexperienced hikers. The Phiea Vista Trail is another option, and provides stunning vistas of the coast.
Kayaking the Hanalei River and snorkeling in the Hanalei Bay area were some of the trip’s top activities. The Secret Falls Kayak Tour is not to be missed for people of any fitness level - it has flat, low-key kayaks and an easy hike to amazing waterfalls. The secret - you get to go behind the falls...and reward yourself with a refreshing swim under them!
The Rice family plantation (you will recognize scenery from Jurassic Park, The Descendants and Pirates of the Caribbean) is only accessible by taking the Kipu Ranch 4X4 tour. The tour, great for adventure junkies and movie buffs alike, brings you to picnic at a waterfall, fly along ziplines, see movie locations, and hear the history of these stunning private lands. The best part? You get to do all of this on an ATV.
If the Hill family took a vote, the Private Hawaiian Jungle Waterfall Adventure Wit Da Hawaiian Dundee would come out on top by a landslide. As a Hawaiian, Charlie (the guide) can take you places others can’t, and he will customize your tour to match your experience level and interests. A jeep ride from Anahola, hiking, repelling 250 feet, waterfalls you can jump off, and more - the thrills are nonstop, and this expedition is not for beginners!
No matter what activities you choose to do, this island will not disappoint. A hui hou, Kauai!
Explore | Dream | Discover | The Road
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