The oldest geological island in the Hawaiian chain has some of the most unspoiled beauty in Hawaii. It’s no wonder so many scenes in “Jurassic Park” were filmed there. We spent seven days on the “Garden Island.” Its down-to-earth personality meant slowing down the pace of our honeymoon.
Why you’ll want to rent a car
Kauai’s roads are easy to navigate. The main towns are anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour apart. We had a kitchen at our timeshare, so we were able to go to Walmart and Safeway to buy food.
From our timeshare in Lihue, which is near the airport, we were halfway between the destinations of Poipu and Hanalei. We could visit the nearby waterfalls and go snorkeling at our leisure.
When we decided we wanted to go to the artist haven of Hanpepe, it was just a simple drive away. Don’t miss Kauai Coffee Company‘s tasting room and self-guided tour along the way.
Why helicopter is also the way to go
Kauai does not even have a road that wraps around the whole island. In fact, many attractions are on private lands. The only way to see the famous “Jurassic Falls” is by helicopter. This time, we took Blue Hawaiian. Our pilot flew us over rainbows and through the lush green rainforests.
The water along the famous Na’Pali Coast can be rough during the winter. According to our research, motion sickness medications are useless, so the helicopter was the best way to see the jagged green cliffs plunging into the ocean.
While we did fly through the Waimea Canyon, the drive up to the lookout was even better. The views are amazing. There’s a reason it’s known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” If we had been short on time, I think the helicopter would have been sufficient.
Why you’ll want to keep tabs on the weather
Hawaii’s famous micro-climates are brutal on this island, which boasts one of the wettest spots on Earth. The weather was fickle at best in Lihue, but mostly beautiful in Poipu. When we visited in December, the famous Hanalei Bay was overcast and rainy. At least one day was a total washout for the entire island.
There is not a lot to do on rainy days, but Smith’s Boat Tour to the Fern Grotto was covered. It also featured entertainment along the short river cruise.
I packed shoes I was able to throw away at the end of the trip, as well as rain gear. My sneakers were caked in mud and soaked through at times.
Why you’ll want to go snorkeling
The crystal-clear waters of Poipu Beach Park were incredible. Fish darted right in front of our noses and into the shallow reefs. The snorkeling is accessible from the beach. We tried out another spot by a boat ramp in Kukui’ula Harbor. Sea urchins filled every crack of the shallow reef there. There are so many beautiful, tropical fish, even though the waves could be strong at times. We brought our own equipment, but there are plenty of places where rentals are available.
Why you’ll want to pay to see gardens
The National Tropical Botanical Garden is stunning. It’s also an expensive attraction. For $60/person, you get an all-access guided tour through two separate gardens. Our tour guide knew just about everything humanly possible about all native and exotic plants. His knowledge made this experience worthwhile. We also got to take some cool pictures with the huge tree roots, featured in “Jurassic Park.”
Why you’ll want to try out a variety of restaurants
Two places that were recommended to us were Keoki’s Paradise and Puka Dog. Keoki’s was more upscale and even gave us a free dessert to celebrate our honeymoon. The atmosphere and the band both reminded us we were in, in fact, in paradise. Puka Dog was a Hawaiian-style hot dog stand in the same plaza. There were a number of relishes and toppings to try.
We also had brunch at Kiawe Roots. This Hawaiian barbecue restaurant is in another shopping plaza full of restaurants. Merriman’s Fish House was also recommended to us, but we decided to skip it because we were sick of fine dining by that point in the trip.
If you’re looking for something more casual, we enjoyed Kenji Burger which serves up burgers and sushi burritos, Kauai Pasta (both in Lihue) and Pizzetta in Koloa.
We also got a suggestion to eat at The Beach House Restaurant near Poipu. I wish we had booked our reservation around the time of sunset. We later found out the restaurant is famous for its sunsets. While the food was delicious, the service truly left a lot to be desired. While I was disappointed, I would still recommend it. I would advise anyone to book a reservation in advance around sunset time and just be aware that your service might not match up to the price you’re paying.
Kauai’s laid-back lifestyle is contrary to busy Honolulu and less upscale than Maui’s five-star resorts. That mix makes for a low-key, beautiful destination.
Adventures of Alyssa 