Kauai Vacation Packages

Waimea Canyon (the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific"), Wailua Falls, Fern Grotto, and the magnificent Na Pali coast are highlights of the "Garden Isle," and sights not to be missed when you book one of our Kauai vacation packages.

Kauai is also a land of the menehunes, Hawaii's "little people" who, according to legend, preceded the Polynesians by centuries and built massive fish ponds and other structures in single nights.

The sheer beauty of Kauai has made it a favorite of honeymooners and others who relish the quiet life. But even on this unhurried island, there's plenty to do, such as helicopter tours, golf, tennis, rafting and river cruises.

Kauai Attractions
All prices listed are approximate

Koke'e State Park
The boundaries that separate Waimea Canyon State Park from Koke'e State Park - and, for that matter, from the Pu'u Ka Pele Forest Reserve and the Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve - are imperceptible, and in places not even defined. Broadly speaking, Koke'e State Park starts beyond the Pu'u Hinahina Lookout, as the highway veers away from the canyon rim. To the south and east, the park abuts the high valleys that lead into Waimea Canyon; to the north and west, it drops to the sheer cliffs of the Na Pali coast. Waimea Canyon Drive follows the crest of Kaunuohua Ridge as it climbs and narrows through the woods until it finally peters out. Although much of Koke'e consists of alpine forest, its most remarkable feature is the all-but-impenetrable Alaka'i Swamp. In this natural volcanic bowl, cupped between the mountaintops, the heaviest rainfall on earth collects to form a strange, primordial quagmire. More of a very wet rainforest than a conventional swamp, it remains home to a unique range of flora and fauna.

Wailua Falls
One of the most picturesque Kauai attractions, the eighty-foot drop of Wailua Falls interrupts the south fork of the Wailua River, a couple of miles upstream from the Fern Grotto, and may be familiar from the credit sequence of Fantasy Island. A parking lot, offering a side-on view both of the falls and of the stream bed below, comes after a climb of three slow and sinuous miles through the cane fields. Depending on recent rainfall, you're likely to see from one to three cascades, one of which emerges from a small tunnel a little way down the cliff face.

Menehune Fishpond and Hule'ia National Wildlife Refuge
West of Nawiliwili Harbor, Hulemalu Road climbs a hillside beyond the village of Niumalu to reach a viewpoint the Menehune Fishpond, created when the ancient Hawaiians sealed off a right-angle bend in Hule'ia Stream with a half-mile-long low wall of rounded stones, the artificial lake was originally used for rearing mullet. The Hawaiians developed fish farming to a greater level of sophistication than anywhere else in Polynesia, and the Menehune Fishpond is the best-preserved such pond in the islands. It's now under private ownership, so unless you explore the stream by boat (guided kayak trips are offered by Island Adventures; tel 245-9662, www.kauaifun.com) the overlook is as close as you can get to the actual pond and makes an appealing stop on a driving tour.

Standing at the fishpond viewpoint, you'll probably hear the cries of the waterbirds wheeling above the Hule'ia National Wildlife Refuge just upstream. Like its equivalent at Hanalei in the north of the island, this area still bears traces of terraces formerly used to grow first taro and later rice. It's now a sanctuary for endangered Hawaiian wetland birds, and there's no public access.

Kahili Mountain Park
Kahili Mountain Park is a little-known private enclave that belongs to the Seventh Day Adventist Church, which finances a small school here by renting out small cabins (PO Box 298, Koloa HI 96756; tel 742-9921, fax 742-6628; $40-70). Though rustic, it's as idyllic (and inexpensive) a mountain retreat as it's possible to imagine. Perched on stilts, the cabins are arrayed at broad intervals along the edge of a large grassy meadow, with mountain ridges soaring on three sides and views down to the sea on the fourth. The tiniest of the cabins, with basic cooking facilities but sharing a communal bathroom, start at just $28 per person per night; en-suite facilities are available for just slightly more. There's also a fully equipped vacation home for under $100 per night. Reservations are essential. The park is also the starting point of the Kahili Ridge Trail, the finest hike on the southern side of Kauai, and an easy half-day outing for Po'ipu-based visitors.

'Anini Beach
'Anini Beach is a gorgeous long strip of yellow sand paralleled a couple of hundred yards out to sea by one of the longest reefs in the state. Coral reefs take millions of years to form, so it's not surprising that Hawaii's largest are in the oldest region of its oldest island. This one shields an expanse of shallow, clear turquoise water that offers some of the safest swimming on the North Shore. Snorkelers and scuba divers explore the reef; if it's calm enough, you can peek at the huge drop-off beyond its outer edge. Other than during winter surf, the only area to avoid is around the outlet of the 'Anini Stream at the western end, which is plagued by treacherous currents that sweep out through a gap in the reef. The inshore area is a good place to learn to windsurf, but surfing and boogie-boarding are largely precluded by the jagged coral where the waves break.

Napali Coast
Unmarred by roads, Kauai's Na Pali Coast is accessible only by boat, helicopter, or via one of Hawaii's most famous hiking trails. With wind and wave-worn cliffs jutting thousands of feet above sea level, the Na Pali Coast is one of Kauai's most frequented natural wonders.

Kilauea Lighthouse And Wildlife Refuge
Built in the early 1900's, the lighthouse guided ships heading to and from the Orient. The lighthouse sits on a narrow peninsula, one of Kauai's most popular attractions. Visitors can enjoy bird watching and learn of Kauai's natural history.

Fern Grotto
Centrally located on Kauai's eastern shore, the Fern Grotto is the site of many of Kauai's most memorable weddings. A massive green natural lava tube, the Fern Grotto is located along the Wailua River and can be reached by flat-bottom boat.

Waimea Canyon
Nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," this 3,567-foot deep canyon is brushed with deep shades of russet, jade, amber, rose and gold. One of the island's most spectacular natural wonders, Waimea Canyon is a "must see" for any visitor to Kauai.

National Tropical Botanical Gardens
There are three botanical gardens on the island, each with its own unique beauty. Allerton Gardens is also known as the "Garden of Art", see Queen Emma's Cottage at the McBryde Garden or surround yourself by sculpted mountain ridges at the Limahuli Valley Garden.

Kauai Activites
All prices listed are approximate

Helicopter flight-seeing
Kauai is the best Hawaiian island to see from the air. It's small enough, and its mountains are low enough, for a single flight to cover the whole island - plus, many of its most spectacular spots are impossible to reach any other way. Full island tours start from Lihu'e and follow a clockwise route up Waimea Canyon and along the north coast; they last 45 minutes to an hour. If you're satisfied to see just the Na Pali cliffs, take a shorter flight from Princeville. Prices generally range from $105-125 for a 45-minute tour and $150-175 for an hour-long excursion.

Watersports
A veritable armada of sport fishing vessels sets off into the waters around Kauai daily from harbors on all sides of the island. Typical charter rates start at around $90 per person for a half-day trip. Operators along the South Shore include Sport Fishing Kauai (tel 639-0013, www.fishing-kauai-hawaii.com) and Standup Fishing Charters (tel 635-TUNA), both in Po'ipu, and Lahela Ocean Adventures (tel 635-4020, www.sport-fishing-kauai.com) in Nawiliwili.

Kauai is unique in Hawaii in offering river kayaking on several inland waterways. Guided trips are available along the Hule'ia Stream near Lihue (Island Adventures; tel 245-9662, www.kauaifun.com; $52), the Wailua River on the East Shore (Wailua Kayak Adventures; tel 822-5795; from $30), and the Hanalei River on the North Shore (Kayak Kauai; tel 826-9844, www.kayakkauai.com; $55).

The high North Shore seas preclude diving for most of the year, while the coast elsewhere tends to be short of spectacular coral - its waters still hold some truly superb dive sites. For novices, the best of the lot lie close to Po'ipu and are usually accessible year-round. Sheraton Caverns, just offshore from the Sheraton hotel, is a network of three massive lava tubes that shelters a large population of sea turtles and lobsters. At the slightly harder General Store site, colorful fish swarm through the wreckage of the steamship Pele, which foundered in 1895. In summer, popular North Shore snorkel sites such as Tunnels Reef and Ke'e Lagoon also attract plenty of shore divers. Dive operators based along the South Shore include Fathom Five (tel 742-6691 or 1-800/972-3078), Mana Divers (tel 742-9849) and Seasport Divers (tel 742-9303 or 1-800/742-9303, www.kauaiscubadiving.com).

Snorkeling is more of a year-round activity on Kauai than diving, as even along the North Shore several mini-lagoons are sufficiently sheltered by offshore coral reefs to remain calm through most of the winter. Prime North Shore sites include Ke'e Beach and Tunnels Beach, while the best spot along the East Shore is Lydgate State Park, just south of the Wailua River. Probably the safest and most convenient sites of all, however, are those abutting the resorts of Po'ipu, such as Po'ipu Beach and Lawa'i Beach. Any number of outlets rent out snorkel equipment, including the ubiquitous Snorkel Bob's, here based at 4-374 Kuhio Hwy in Kapa'a (tel 823-9433) and 3236 Po'ipu Road in Koloa (tel 742-2206); both locations are open daily 8am-5pm.

For surfers, conditions on Kauai are reminiscent of those on Oahu, in that southern beaches such as Kalapaki Beach and Po'ipu Beach are ideal places for beginners to learn the ropes, while the North Shore provides some great challenges to experts. Hanalei Bay in particular is immensely popular with serious surfers, with Tunnels Beach a close second. The best site on the East Shore is Lydgate State Park near Wailua. Among those offering surfing lessons on Kauai are Mikie's Surf School in Kapa'a (tel 635-6664) and, in the Po'ipu area, Kauai Surf School (tel 742-6331, www.kauaisurfschool.com) and Margo Oberg's Surfing School (tel 742-8019).

Cycling
Among companies which rent out bicycles on the island are Kauai Cycle and Tours, 1379 Kuhio Hwy, Kapa'a (tel 821-2115, www.bikehawaii.com/kauaicycle), which charges $15-35 per day and up to $150 per week and also offer guided tours, and Hawaiian Riders, 4-776 Kuhio Hwy, Kapa'a (tel 822-5409), which charges significantly lower rates and also has a fleet of mopeds and motorcyles for rent. For most of the way around Kauai, conditions are generally pretty flat, but only a real glutton for punishment would attempt to cycle up Waimea Canyon Road to Koke'e State Park. It is, however, possible to be driven up to the Kalalau Lookout and then be given a bike on which to freewheel all the way back down again. Both Kauai Coasters (tel 639-2412) and Bicycle Downhill (tel 742-7421) charge about $70 for the privilege.

Horseback riding
The two main stables offering guided horseback excursions on Kauai - Princeville Ranch Stables on the North Shore (tel 826-6777, www.princevilleranch.com) and CJM Country Stables near Po'ipu (tel 742-6096). Smaller companies elsewhere on the island include the Silver Falls Ranch in Kilauea (tel 828-6718) and, in Kapa'a, Esprit de Corps (tel 822-4688, www.kauaihorses.com) and Keapana Horsemanship (tel 823-9303, www.keapana.com).

Hiking
The island of Kauai offers hikers the opportunity to experience some of the world's most beautiful scenery. Whether you're a novice looking for a relaxing afternoon spent exploring an easy trail, or an avid hiker seeking a weeklong adventure, you'll find it here.

Luaus
What's a visit to Hawaii without an evening spent at a luau? Kauai has some good ones, including a few award-winners. Enjoy a hearty island buffet dinner and a tropical beverage or two, then sit back and experience the songs and dances of the Islands.

Golf
An impressive array of golf courses dot Kauai. The oceanfront courses at the Poipu Bay Resort annually play host to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, and the majestic fairways and greens at Princeville provide some of the world's most spectacular golf experiences.