.

Kauai is rich in diversity and you will find an amazing range of activities that will allow you to explore Kauai’s best-kept secrets. Kauai is full of rainforest, waterfalls, and miles of secluded white sand beaches, hiking, ocean and fresh water fun. Discover Kauai’s interior by foot, explore one of the three main rivers in a single or double Kayak, zip line above a spectacular canopy of trees and gorges or float through a maze of old plantation tunnels on an innertube.

Kauai has so much to offer all visitors. The most popular activities here on Kauai would be a boat trip down the enchanting Na Pali coast, a helicopter tour, golfing, hiking and horseback riding. There are many other activities to choose from to keep you busy while on vacation.

Boating

Kauai’s choices for the seafarer include fishing trips, sailing, whale watching, and snorkeling trips. The Na Pali coast is the main attraction for boat tours. You are sure to see dolphins and other marine life on any of the trips. The Na Pali coast is a must see and is not accessible to cars. A boat tour will save you the 6-26 mile hike. In the winter months whale watching is popular along the south shore. Most tour companies leave from Port Allen in Eleele; there are some that leave from Nawiliwili in Lihue, or Kikiaola on the west side in Waimea.

Surfing

Poipu Beach is the ideal spot for a surfing spree especially during summer. A prominent spot is Brennecke's Beach known as a world class boogie boarding spot and the body surfing capital of Hawaii. If you are there during winter, the best place would be the North Shore of Kauai and the Kalihiwai Bay. Hanalei Bay is a professional surfers paradise. There’s no place like is Kalapaki Beach at The Marriott where gentle waves coax beginners to get wet.

Beaches

The abundance beaches are specialized for various activities- swimming beaches, shelling beaches, sunset beaches, beaches with lots of activity and alternatively those where you can spend a quiet private evening with not much crowd. Many beaches offer safe swimming, good snorkeling, picnic tables, and outdoor showers. Kauai beaches will leave you with great memories of a wonderful holiday. Always use caution on and in the water.

Horseback Riding

The equestrian facilities at Kauai are excellent. They include 3 stables -

CJM Stables in Poipu ,offers daily trail rides along the shores of the remote Mahalepu coastline. Princeville, where both Silver Falls Ranch and Princeville Stables offer 3 hour trail rides through Kauai's back country to a private waterfall ideal for a picnics.

Snorkeling

There are shops offering equipment rentals as well as snorkeling tours.
There is no shortage of snorkeling spots on Kauai Poipu. Dive into a magical world of sea life and colorful corals. Anini Beach, on Kauai’s North shore offers the best diving along with along a 3 mile coastline enclosed by a long outer reef. Tunnels beach is a popular spot for snorkeling. Ke’e beach (pronounced kay- ay ) at the end of the road in Haena, offers crystal clear waters and breathtaking backdrops.

Hiking

Hiking on Kauai is no less fascinating than snorkeling. The trail head gateway to the Napali Coast is a picturesque must-do. The first two miles along the Na Pali will lead you into the Hanakapiai Valley, which houses the magnificent Hanakapiai Falls. The remaining 9 miles to Kalalau Beach will require a permit which can be obtained from the Department of parks and Recreation (tel. 245-24 Kokee State Park offers an abundance of flora and fauna as well as a variety of day hikes through rain forest, canyon rim trails and vistas of the Na Pali coast.

Nightlife

There are some places in Kauai where nights are as exciting as the day. Local groups play music of all kinds from reggae to rock and the place becomes a hub of activity. The most popular hangouts include the Sushi & Blues, in Ching Young Village, (tel. 808/826-4105) at Hanalei and also at the Hanalei Bay Resort (tel. 808/826-6522). It is advisable to call and check the schedules as the bands keep changing. The resort has a Sunday Jazz Jam in its Happy Talk Lounge from 3 to 7pm Sundays and contemporary Hawaiian music at the Happy Talk Lounge Monday through Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30pm. It has been graced by the likes of Al Jarreau and Quincy Jones besides being frequented by many popular Hawaiian jammers. Saturday Nights are especially exciting as Kenny Emerson, a fabulous guitar and steel guitar player teams up Michelle Edwards to enthrall the audience.

Tennis

Kauai is not all water sports, there are excellent tennis courts, for example in Poipu ( at Poipu Kai, and The Poipu Hyatt there are well equipped Pro shops, daily clinics and round robins. There are two fine tennis clubs on the north shore Princeville Resort club has 6 courts. The Hanalei Bay Resort has 7 courts overlooking Hanalei Bay. These clubs are fully equipped with everything from on site tennis pros, a racquet shop, and equipment rentals which the public can make use of. Other spots include The Kauai Lagoons, near the Marriott at Kalapaki Beach.

Water skiing
30 minutes by drive away one can water ski along the Wailua River, the only navigable river in the state of Hawaii. Facilities include equipment rentals, boats for towing skiers, and ski instruction.

Fishing
If angling is your cup of tea, get ready to fish some exciting varieties such as sailfish, marlin, yellow fin tuna and so on by making use of the many deep sea fishing charter boats. Companies offer private and group charters to offshore areas ideal for fishing. You have a choice of charters- Half and full day charters, with all fishing gear included, are available at KukiulaHarbor, Nawiliwili and from Hanalei.

Polo
The Polo at Kauai’s Anini beach matches any other in the world. The Polo season is time for warm Sunday matches against the backdrop of the balmy blue skies of the Pacific on the field across from Anini Beach Park. 3:00 on Sundays during season.

Windsurfing
There are spots in Kauai that have good facilities for windsurfing, with both the novice and the expert in mind. The latter can go to the Mahalapu near Shipwreck Beach in Poipu, The former on the other hand can go to other spots in Poipu which offer equipment rentals and lessons. Some of the noted spots for great surfing are Tunnels Beach and Anini Beach, to the North.

Kayaking

Its easy to go mobile with ocean and fresh water kayaks available for rent from a variety of vendors island wide.

Scuba

Scuba diving is a very popular activity in Kauai because of its clear offshore waters. Add to this easy accessibility of all the equipment needed and instruction classes for beginners. Scuba lessons and certification for beginners is available from most hotels as well as many independent companies. A number of onshore and offshore scuba tours can be taken from Poipu or Port Allen in Eleele where the companies provide a package complete with equipment rental, lessons, as well as certification.

Sailing
There is no lack of variety in sailing tours, boat companies host tours on large ocean sailing and power catamarans. Definitely don’t go home without experiencing a cruise down the Napali coast. You may also opt for a romantic sunset cocktail cruise. Sailing tours commence at different times of the day from Poipu and in nearby Port Allen.

Helicopter
To explore the unseen and untouched fantasies stored away in the interiors of Kauai, you have to have a bird’s eye view, which a helicopter tour will provide. The experience promises to be a breathtaking one. Tours commence from Lihue and Princeville airports.

Shopping
Shopping at Kauai promises to be a totally different experience with small shops selling interesting stuff like local crafts, roadside stands selling exotic tropical fruits, organic produce, and flower leis. There is also a flea market at Spouting Horn Park, where tourists can buy trinkets of their choice. This by no way goes to suggest that there is an abundance of modern shopping centers on Kauai. Kauai's largest shopping center the Kukui Grove Center is found in Lihue . Kapaa, Koloa, Poipu, and Hanalei offer a variety of shopping, great restaurants, art galleries, clothing stores, and crafts.