I have a wonderful group of friends that I have knows since 7th grade. I am the first of the "girls" to turn 40 (and they like to remind me about his over and over again), but the rest are getting there. For our 40th Birthday, we decided to to a girl's trip. After the Summer North Lake College Hawaiian Field studies course is over (check it out if you are looking for a great way to warn college credit hours), I will be extending my time in Kauai for a week with the girls. I am so excited. This will be my 6th year with the NLC HFS program and the first time that I will not be vacationing alone after we are done! I am hoping to do some new things, but I want to reminisce about some of my favorite activities in Kauai. I keep seeing top things to do in Kauai, so these are my top things to do.
1. Because I love to eat, let's start with my favorite place to eat. The Kilauea Fish Market by far has the best Ahi fish tacos. The Kilauea Fish Market is in Kapaa on the back side/outside of the Coconut Market Place. I've had other things there, but always go back to the tacos. They prepare them two ways...both great! They are fresh and the flavor is wonderful!
2. Ice cream! Yes. Hawaii is best known for its Shave Ice, but I do love Lappert's Ice cream. Get a punch card...you will be back! There are several around the island. This one was in Poipu at a great shopping area.
3. On with some nature. I have done this kayak/hike to a waterfall twice and I absolutely love it! The kayaking is not too difficult (though, on the way back you are going against the wind, so be prepared to work harder). The hike has been super easy (it was a dry year) and super challenging (WET year). Have shoes that fit well and won't come off your feet. The waterfall is beautiful! Go early so that there are not a ton of people. You kayak up Wailua River to the Secret Falls.
4. Spouting Horn - I have seen this spouting horn so many times. We go there each time with the College course and then I go back on my own. I don't always mean to, but I seem to find my way back there to stare out into the ocean and watch the water shoot up. Each time is different. Last year, the first time I went, the water was not shooting up very far. The second time, it was shooting up and the light was catching it right creating a rainbow. You often see Green Sea Turtles there and sometimes get a glimpse of a Hawaiian Monk Seal. There is a shopping area there too. Spouting horn is on the South Shore near Poipu. Just across the street is the National Botanical Gardens. Go check it out. You can see the beautiful entry for free. When we were there (2016), they had expanded the gift shop area.
5. Anini Reef is one of my all time favorite places to snorkel. There is a boat ramp and off to the right of the ramp (looking out in the water) is a great place to snorkel. I have snorkeled there every year that I have gone to Hawaii and there are always sea turtles at this spot. The fish are great too! There is a parking lot, a restroom, shower, picnic tables, and often a food truck. This is not a deep area and it is not too rough (well, at least the times that I have gone in June).
(This is Anini Reef, but down the road a bit. Very shallow, but great critters to see!)
7. Kilauea Lighthouse is another of my favorites. Watch the closing time - it is early! It is very close to Anini Reef, so go see both! The view is breathtaking and the birds are fantastic! As you are walking out to he lighthouse, look to the right. There is an area where you might see Hawaiian Monk Seals basking in the sun. Look to the left in the dirt for holes with nesting momma Wedge-tailed Shearwater birds. In the winter, you can apparently see whales here too. As you are driving in to park - 1 be careful! There is a very sharp turn! and 2 - look out for the Nene's! These are the state bird of Hawaii and I love them! Where you turn down to go to the Kilauea Light house, there are a bunch of shops. Stop there. There are some neat thing to see and buy.
8. Well, since you are right there, might as well stop at Banana Joe's. They have great hand-made Pineapple Ice cream and Fruit Smoothies. They also have some locally grown food, great Salsa, and some other goodies. If you are looking for some local spices, they have some here too. Right next to Banana Joe's is a Chocolate Farm next door, but I've never got the timing right for it.
9. On the other side of the island (West Side), there is the must see Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Lookout. The Waimea Canyon is considered the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific". On the way up (make sure that you have plenty of gas!), stop at the different lookouts. My favorite is the Iliau Nature Loop. Stop at the Kokee Museum before heading up to the Kalalau Lookout. This is a breathtaking view of the Napali Coast. You cannot get to the coast by car (other than the look out). You will have so see it by water (I'll make this my #10), air, or hiking in (which is really long and dangerous!).
10. The Napali Coast is only accessible by water, air, or hiking in. I have taken a day cruise to the coast. It was beautiful. I was lucky because the water was not too choppy the day that I went. We saw spinner dolphins, some kind of ray jumping, and green sea turtles. I took the Capitan Andy's tour. It left out of Port Allen. I was by myself and the staff treated me well. I did the BBQ Sail because I did not want sandwiches and the boat was newer.
I'm debating whether to expand my list because there are so many wonderful thing to see and do in Hawaii. Maybe I'll come up with a second list. Go, enjoy, there is no wrong way to see Kawaii (well, there is...be kind to the land and the people!). Mahalo for reading. I would love some feedback and/or to hear your favorite things to do in Kauai!
