Cruises from Kauai

The tropical island of Kauai sits approximately twenty minutes by air from Honolulu, in the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean. Kauai is the oldest of all the Hawaiian Islands, having existed for over six million years. This magnificent island is rich with tropical flora and embodies the spirit of the Hawaiian peoples.

Take a helicopter flight along the Napali Coast, where beautiful cliffs stretch upward from Waimea Canyon toward the sky. Go hiking in Waimea Canyon, the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’ to see the stately, cascading waterfalls.

Visit the Hauola Place of Refuge, a sacred spot of the ancient Hawaiians and Waioli Mission House, which is filled with antique furnishings. You should also visit Grove Farm Homestead Museum, an eighty-acre sugar plantation, built in 1864. The Kauai Museum offers exhibits, artifacts, dioramas and murals along with portrayals of Kauai history and culture.

If you are looking for local produce, visit the Kauai Sunshine Markets. Fruits and vegetables, nuts, flowers, plants and other agricultural products are among the items sold. There is no shortage of eateries around the island.

Taking rainwear is a good idea, as are casual cloths and shoes. Credit cards are accepted widely and ATM machines are abundant. Anything you forget to bring with you is sure to be available in the many retail stores and malls across the island. The average temperatures are 75-85º F, April through November, which are the warmer months, while December through March is slightly cooler.

Go see the locations of scenes from some great movies, like the waterfalls from ‘Jurassic Park’, the Wailua River, from ‘Blue Hawaii’ and the Anahola Mountains, which formed the backdrop scenes in ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’. Over sixty movies include scenes found in Kauai, the centerpiece of Hawaii’s tropical gardens. Kauai caters to couples who want a perfect backdrop for their wedding pictures, so for the ultimate inspirational and spiritual ceremony, choose Kauai at sunset.

Along the Na Pali Coast are many cultural and archaeological sites. Kalalau Trail begins high above Ke’e beach and runs through coastal valleys, up and down steep inclines. The narrow footpaths lead through muddy, slippery and eroding cliffs, to Kalalau Valley. The beautiful lagoon at Ke’e Beach has a reef protecting snorkelers from the crashing Pacific waves.

On the south shore, Poipu beach is the best on Kauai and one of the few with any facilities. It is a great spot for experienced surfers, but definitely not one for beginners. Maha’ulepu Trail, a research site and habitat for many of the endangered plants and animals is ruggedly beautiful. This is a site for windsurfing, kite surfing and snorkeling, when the water is calm. To native Hawaiians Maha’ulepu is a sacred area.

When visiting a beach, make certain lifeguards are present. Ask about safety and swimming tips for the beach. As Hawaiians say, ‘read and heed’ warnings signs. When arranging for your holiday, get a copy of, ‘The Explorer’s Guide to Kauai’ an eBook that contains helpful information about the island. It is available from the website, ‘Go Hawaii.com’.

Bus transportation is available Monday-Friday from 5:27am to 7:50pm and Saturday from 6:21am to 5:50pm. Information, bus stops and schedules are available at hotels. There is also a bus service to and from the airport for Koloa and Poipu.