Need help with activities - going in May

Question

Hello , we are a couple 69/71 and we will be in Poipu for 3 weeks in May. We were there last year as well and had a really lovely time that we decided to return this year . This will be only our third trip so we have done some of the more common things to do and see - e.g. Hanalei, Lighthouse, Waimea canyon, Hanapepe, two botanical gardens . We did the Napali catamaran years ago so this year we will do it again, the snorkel one. We do love to snorkel. We are not into a helicopter tour or zipline.

Another idea is the movie location tours. Are they still doing that? Sounds like fun. Any recommendations?

Are there any farm to table type tours similar to the one in Maui? Chocolate tour? Coffee tour?

Is there a Standup paddle place that would give lessons in Poipu?

Any other light activity type things to do?

We will definitely have plenty of beach time and just relaxing, just looking for some fun ideas of activities.

Thank you in advance!

Answer

What a wonderful way to spend three weeks on Kauai — you’ll have plenty of time to mix relaxing beach days with some more offbeat, light activities. Since you’ve already hit many of the “big ticket” sights, here are some tailored suggestions plus thoughts on your ideas.

First, to your specific questions:

Movie-location tours: Yes — you can still do movie/TV location tours on Kauai. For example, there is a guided “Kauaʻi Movie & TV Tour to Scenic Hanalei” that departs from Poipu (or nearby) and takes you to some iconic filming locations, with clips shown on the tour.
- This tour is about 9 hours long, so a full-day commitment.
- The guide will point out spots from films like *Jurassic Park*, *Gilligan’s Island*, *South Pacific*, and more.
- You’ll also see Opaekaa Falls, viewpoints, and beautiful scenery.
Farm-to-table / chocolate / coffee tours: Yes, there are some great options:
- Lydgate Farms Chocolate Tour: A 3-hour guided tour where you’ll walk through their gardens, taste tropical fruits, learn about cacao trees, and sample chocolate produced on Kauai.
- Garden Island Chocolate Farm Tour: A 3-hour educational tour where you see cacao trees, learn about processing cacao into chocolate, and enjoy quite a few chocolate tastings (they have ~20 types!).
- Princeville Botanical Gardens + Chocolate Tasting: They run a 3-hour walking tour through the gardens with fruit tastings, stories of the plants, and a chocolate tasting segment.
- Kuaiwi Farm (Organics + Cacao): On this smaller organic farm, you can tour cacao orchards, try their coffee and chocolate, and sample macadamia nuts and tropical fruit.
- Common Ground Farm & Food Experience: Offered through a Kauai food tour company, this farm-to-table experience explores a regenerative food forest (with coffee, pineapple, bananas, etc.) and includes a meal made from island-grown produce.
Stand-up paddle (SUP): Yes, there are good options right from (or near) Poipu:
- Kauai Vacation Tours SUP Lessons: They run 90-minute lessons in Poipu. It starts on land (to teach balance/technique) then gets you out on the water with an instructor.
- Hawaii Adventure Center: They have SUP tours and paddle lessons, including on calm water like the Hule’ia River.
- Poipu / South Shore SUP via Hoku Water Sports: According to local guides, you can do group or private lessons and rent SUPs.

Beyond those, here are some additional “light activity” ideas you might enjoy that are a little different, but not strenuous or high adrenaline:

Scenic drives + picnics: Even though you've done many of the major spots, consider driving lesser-traveled scenic roads at a relaxed pace, stopping for viewpoints, lookout points, and hidden beaches. Having a picnic at a scenic overlook can be really peaceful.
Waterfall viewpoints or gentle walking trails: For example, Wailua Falls is very accessible and famous (it was used in the opening credits of *Fantasy Island*).
Garden or nature walks: If you like botanical gardens, you could revisit different ones — or look for guided nature walks, bird-watching, or plant-education tours. The Princeville Botanical Gardens you mentioned are especially lovely.
Kayak or gentle river float: Even if you don’t want strenuous activity, some river kayak tours or gentle guided floats can be peaceful and scenic, especially on the calm waterways.
Food truck or local market touring: Explore local food trucks, farmer’s markets, or farmers’ stands. May may be a good season for fresh tropical fruits, and it’s a great way to connect with local flavors and makers.
Sunset or sunrise beach walks: With three weeks, you have time to pick your favorite beaches for early morning or evening walks — often magical at those times with fewer people.
Photography-focused day: If you like, you could plan a “photo day” where you hit up scenic lookouts, lesser-known coastal stretches, and viewpoints purely to slow down, take pictures, and soak in the vistas.
Artisan and craft shopping: Visit local galleries, artisan shops, and studios around Koloa, Hanapepe, or other towns — Kauai has really lovely local art, woodwork, jewelry, and crafts.
Evening luaus or music nights: Depending on how much you want to get out in the evenings, look for small local luaus, live music nights, or cultural performances. These can be very pleasant and not too taxing.

A few tips to make the most of your time and avoid any stress:

- Since you're staying three weeks, spread out guided tours rather than packing them all in — leave “free days” for spontaneous exploration or just relaxing. - Book your farm tours (especially the chocolate or food-forest ones) in advance. Some operate only certain days. - For SUP lessons, mornings are often calmer on the water, so scheduling earlier may make for a more relaxing experience. - Bring good walking shoes and maybe a lightweight daypack for garden tours or viewpoints, so you can comfortably carry water, a camera, and snacks.

Overall, I think you’re in a great spot: you’ve already done many major highlights, so this trip can be more about depth, relaxing, savoring the island, and enjoying smaller experiences that resonate more personally. The mix of a movie-location tour, a chocolate or farm-to-table tour, a few SUP lessons, plus leisurely beach and nature time sounds very balanced and fulfilling.