Trip Report - 10 days in Kauai - Dec 2024

Question

Hello All. We just returned from 10 incredible days. Thank you to all of the contributors and DE's who provided a ton of info.

We do trip reports to document our travels for friends and family. But you never know, it may help others and glad to reciprocate as we read plenty of reports before we arrived. Also, You Tube has some great videos out there.

General impressions - We stayed on Kauai in Poipu. It was much more developed than anticipated, but did not seem overcrowded. I can just imagine what it was like 10 or 20 years ago. We purchased the Guide Along app which provided great narrative. The weather was low 80's most days with some touches of light rain periodically.

Our lodging was at Waikomo Streams Villas. This is a smaller property near the round about. There is a quiet pool and a common BBQ area. If you are looking for a large pool with activities, a bar and restaurant, this may not be the right place for you. For us it was just fine. It is walking distance to several beaches, shops and restaurants. Very centrally located.

We mixed in activities throughout our time and didn't push it too hard. Some of the highlights:

1. Na Pali Sunset Tour with Kauai Sea Tours - We got lucky this day as the seas were very calm - 1 to 2 ft swells. The following days 10 footers were forecast. Our captain made the trip- Captain Kauai(probably not his real name, but easier to say than his Hawaiian name). Very knowledgeable of the history and culture. He told some great stories. The coast line was beautiful and we even got close enough for a waterfall to soak an unsuspecting passenger. We saw a family of 3 whales spouting and saw a couple of breaches. The food was so so, but this wasn't the prime reason for going on this tour. Awesome sunset and day.

2. Rum Safari - This trip was very enjoyable and the 2 hours went by quickly. Basically, you get on a motorized tram to see a working local farm. The produce supplies the restaurant on site and not much else. Our guides showed many of the various fruits and picked some to make cocktails or mocktails. There were some penned in animals to see like the tortilla eating pigs. And there were 2 stops. The first stop was a rum tasting followed by a Mai Tai. At the second stop, an exotic rum drink was served. This is probably not for kids. It is a cocktail party on wheels. While the Koloa rum is produced locally, the sugar cane is not.

3. Kayak and Secret Falls hike. This is the day to get a good workout. After a 2 mike kayak, we hiked with a guide to a beautiful waterfall and then worked our way back. You need to be in fairly decent physical condition to do this. A good portion of the hike is on a muddy trail, with some boardwalks, but there are a couple of places where you need to do some small vertical climbs. Another fun day.

4. Waimea Canyon - we drove this one day and stopped at the main designated lookouts for some awesome pictures. We were planning on some hikes, but were advised by the staff to not do so as the trails were muddy and slippery from recent rains.

We also went to Kilauea Lighthouse to see the seabirds. Some volunteers had spotting scopes so you could get a close look at the red footed boobies and albatross.

Beaches & snorkeling - a necessary part of a Hawaiian vacation, at least for us. We went to the following:

1.Poipu Beach - fairly calm waters. Good for families, but too much turbulence to see many fish. The highlight was seeing about 10 Honu Green Turtles resting on the beach. Even though the lifeguards mark a territory to keep a respectable distance, it never ceases to amaze me how many people do not listen.

2. Shipwreck Beach - this was a great spot to park and do the Heritage Trail. We also saw a Monk Seal here.

3. Lawai Beach - this was our favorite place to snorkel. It is a small beach and you have to be careful getting in because of the rocks, but it was worth it. This is also a good spot to watch surfers do their thing.

We also did the Hanapepe Art Walk which was fun. Good food trucks, some local artisan booths and lots of people. We had the Panko crusted Ono at Hoku and tried fresh Masalas at a small shop down the street. I was wearing a t shirt from a favorite band in the mainland called Poi Dog Pondering. The band started out as street buskers in Hawaii and became relatively successful in Austin and Chicago. Anyway, my shirt attracted some attention and I learned that a Poi Dog is a type of Hawaiian mutt.

We also stopped for pictures at Spouting Horn and Wailua Falls during our time on the island.

Food - last but certainly not least. We are not huge eaters, but do like to try the local cuisine. Here is a list of some of our favorites:

Merriman's - very good happy hour. Amazing Mai Tai with Lilikoi foam. We liked the hummus made with taro. Stay there for the sunset view.

Keoki's Paradise - great tropical atmosphere.

Wailua Drive In - very casual - excellent crispy spicy chicken. Guy Fieri was right about this one.

Lava Lava Beach Club - fun place for drinks and a flatbread & salad.

Lilikoi Bar & Grill - Excellent banana macadamia pancakes.

Little Fish Coffee - excellent acai bowls

Koloa Fish Market - make your own poke

Da Crack - burritos big enough to share and very good

Java Kai Coffee - for macadamia nut latte

Kauai Juice Co - for their excellent blends

Food trucks galore. Now I am very hungry.

Mahalo. Thanks for having us.

Answer

It sounds like you had an incredible 10-day trip to Kauai, and it's great that you're sharing your experience to help others! It’s always useful to hear detailed, first-hand accounts of activities, lodging, beaches, and food. Here’s a breakdown of your trip report with some additional insights:

Lodging: Waikomo Streams Villas

The location of Waikomo Streams Villas seems ideal for those who want a quieter, more relaxed environment. While it’s not a large resort, its central location allows for easy access to beaches, shops, and restaurants. For guests who don’t mind a more intimate and tranquil atmosphere over larger hotel resorts, this is a good choice. The amenities, like the quiet pool and BBQ area, are perfect for downtime after a day of sightseeing.

Highlights of the Trip:

Na Pali Sunset Tour with Kauai Sea Tours: It sounds like you had a wonderful time on the Na Pali Coast tour! Calm seas, whale sightings, and soaking under a waterfall sound like a perfect day. The captain’s knowledge and storytelling seem to have added to the experience, making this one of the best ways to appreciate the coast from the water. The sunset views must have been spectacular, too.
Rum Safari: A unique experience with cocktails and farm tours! It's great that you enjoyed the farm’s produce and the rum tastings. This type of tour provides a relaxed, fun way to experience local culture. The cocktail-making stops were a great touch, even if the sugar cane wasn’t locally grown.
Kayak and Secret Falls Hike: This activity seems like a great way to get a workout while experiencing Kauai's natural beauty. The physical demands of the hike, combined with the muddy conditions, must have made it a more adventurous experience. The waterfall reward was a great payoff!
Waimea Canyon: The lookouts at Waimea Canyon offer some of the best views on the island. It’s a shame the trails were too muddy for hiking, but it sounds like you still managed to capture some great photos. Waimea Canyon, often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," is one of the island’s most stunning landmarks.

Beaches & Snorkeling:

Poipu Beach: This beach is great for families and wildlife watching. Although you didn’t see many fish while snorkeling, the presence of green sea turtles (honu) on the beach must have been a highlight. Poipu is known for being a relatively calm spot, though as you mentioned, people don’t always respect the designated boundaries for sea life.
Shipwreck Beach: A good place for the Heritage Trail, and spotting a monk seal is always a treat. It’s more rugged and wild compared to Poipu, but still beautiful.
Lawai Beach: This was your favorite snorkeling spot, which is great to hear! Small, rocky beaches often hide the best underwater experiences, and Lawai Beach is no exception. It’s quieter and has good marine life, making it a favorite for snorkelers and surfers alike.

Other Experiences:

Hanapepe Art Walk: A fun way to experience Kauai’s local culture and art scene. It sounds like you had a great time sampling food trucks and meeting artisans. The personal connection to Poi Dog Pondering is a neat anecdote!
Spouting Horn and Wailua Falls: These are two must-see natural attractions on Kauai. Spouting Horn is a geyser-like formation that makes for an impressive sight, and Wailua Falls is one of the island’s most iconic waterfalls.

Food Highlights:

It’s great that you tried so many local spots! Kauai has a rich food culture, and you hit some of the best spots on the island:

Merriman's: Known for a great happy hour, stunning sunset views, and local dishes, Merriman’s is a popular choice for an upscale, yet relaxed dining experience.
Keoki's Paradise: This tropical spot offers a lively atmosphere, making it a perfect place to unwind after a day of sightseeing.
Wailua Drive-In: Casual dining with excellent crispy spicy chicken—sounds like a perfect meal for a laid-back evening.
Lava Lava Beach Club: A fun place to grab a drink or enjoy a casual bite. The flatbreads and salads seem like great choices to accompany a relaxed beach day.
Lilikoi Bar & Grill: Their banana macadamia pancakes must have been a delicious way to start your day! Lilikoi’s local flavors make it a popular spot for breakfast.
Little Fish Coffee: Great for a healthy acai bowl—a perfect fuel for your Kauai adventures.
Koloa Fish Market: It’s nice that you tried the poke here. Kauai’s fresh seafood is a highlight of many meals.
Da Crack: Big burritos and excellent flavors—definitely a place to get a satisfying meal.
Java Kai Coffee: A must-try for macadamia nut lattes, which are a local specialty!
Kauai Juice Co: Their fresh blends are a healthy and refreshing option.
Food Trucks: Kauai is known for its food trucks, offering a diverse array of fresh, local options. You can find great flavors at these mobile kitchens!

Overall, your trip to Kauai sounds like it was packed with adventure, relaxation, and fantastic local experiences. From the stunning Na Pali Coast to the serene Lawai Beach, you made the most of your time on the island. Kauai truly offers something for every type of traveler, whether you're into outdoor adventures, scenic drives, or just enjoying the local food scene. Thank you for sharing your trip report!

Trip Report - 10 days in Kauai - Dec 2024

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