Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
include transportation and lunch for the all-day excursion. Kayak Kauai also has
its own private dock (the only one on Kauai) for launching kayaks and canoes.
Rick Haviland, who gained fame after he was mentioned in Paul Theroux's
book
The Happy Isles of Oceania,
is the owner of
Outfitters Kauai
, 2827A
Poipu Rd. (in Poipu Plaza, a small five-shop mall before the road forks to
Poipu/Spouting Horn), Poipu (
&
888/742-9887
or 808/742-9667; www.
outfitterskauai.com). A number of different kayaking tours includes one that
takes you up a jungle stream and involves a short hike to waterfalls and a swim-
ming hole. Although children as young as 5 are allowed, it may be a bit too
strenuous for younger children. The cost is $94 for adults and $72 for children
ages 5 to 12, including lunch, snacks, and drinks. Outfitters Kauai also rents
river kayaks by the day ($30 for a single, $45 for a double).
The cheapest place to rent kayaks is the
Activity Warehouse,
788 Kuhio
Hwy. (across from McDonald's), Kapaa (
&
808/822-4000;
www.travelhawaii.
com), where a one-person kayak goes for $10 a day and a two-person kayak is
$15. You can also rent from
Chris the Fun Lady,
4-746 Kuhio Hwy. (across
from Waipouli Town Center), Kapaa (
&
808/882-7447;
www.christhefunlady.
com);
Kauai Water Ski & Surf Co.,
Kinipopo Shopping Village, 4-356 Kuhio
Hwy. (on the ocean side), Kapaa (
&
808/822-3574
); or
Pedal 'n Paddle,
Ching
Young Village Shopping Center, Hanalei (
&
808/826-9069;
http://pedaln
paddle.com).
SNORKELING
See the intro to this section for locations of
Snorkel Bob's.
For great shoreline snorkeling, try the reef off
Kee Beach/Haena Beach Park,
located at the end of Highway 560.
Tunnels Beach,
about a mile before the end
of Highway 560 in Haena, has a wide reef that's great for poking around in
search of tropical fish. Be sure to check ocean conditions—don't go if the surf is
up or if there's a strong current.
Anini Beach,
located off the northern Kalihi-
wai Road (between mile markers 25 and 26 on Kuhio Hwy., or Hwy. 56), just
before the Princeville Airport, has a safe, shallow area with excellent snorkeling.
Poipu Beach Park
has some good snorkeling to the right side of Nukumoi
Point—the tombolo area, where the narrow strip of sand divides the ocean, is
best. If this spot is too crowded, wander down the beach in front of the old
Waiohai resort; if there are no waves, this place is hopping with marine life.
Salt
Pond Beach Park,
off Highway 50 near Hanapepe, has good snorkeling around
the two rocky points, home to hundreds of tropical fish.
SURFING
Hanalei Bay
's winter surf is the most popular on the island, but it's for experts
only.
Poipu Beach
is an excellent spot to learn to surf; the waves are small and—
best of all—nobody laughs when you wipe out. Check with the local surf shops
or call the
Weather Service
(
&
808/245-3564
) to find out where surf 's up.
Surf lessons are available from
Margo Oberg's School of Surfing,
at the
Nukumoi Surf Shop, across from Brennecke's Beach (
&
808/742-8019;
www.
surfonkauai.com). Margo charges $50 for 2 hours of group instruction, including
surfboard and leash; she guarantees that by the end of the lesson, you'll be stand-
ing and catching a wave. Children must be able to swim; generally, by the time
kids are 7 they will be able to paddle and learn how to surf without a problem.
Equipment is available for rent (ranging from $5 an hour or $20 a day for “soft”
beginner boards to $7.50 an hour or $30 a day for hard boards) from
Nukumoi
Surf Shop,
across from Brennecke's Beach, Poipu Beach Park (
&
888/384-8810
