Kauai is known as Hawaii’s Garden Isle and it’s no wonder – the entire island is spread with dense luscious greenery from its highest point, Mount Waialeale down through mountain ranges, over its 4,000-foot Na Pali Coast cliffs and alongside its 8 rivers that flow down into the ocean.
Although Kauai is the oldest of all the Hawaiian islands, it is one of the most secluded and undeveloped – and nearly every single resident of Kauai would do anything to keep it that way. If you want resorts and beaches, go to Maui – but if you’re looking for real adventure getaway to get the blood moving and stimulation for your senses, there is no other than Kauai. After all, it was featured as one of our Indiana Jones’ Adventure Travel Destinations!
Read on for more from tripatlas.com/new on the best high-energy and exhilarating activities to be had on your ultimate adventure getaway to Kauai, Hawaii’s Garden Isle – rather, Hawaii’s Adventure Isle. Perfect for families, couples, children, a girls getaway or a guys getaway, there’s fun for everyone in Kauai.
10 Ideas for Your Ultimate Adventure Getaway in Kauai, Hawaii’s Adventure Isle!
Surfing on the North Shore at Hanalei Bay. On the North Shore’s Hanalei Bay, you’ll find some of the best surfing in Hawaii – and the world, for that matter. It’s a great spot for experienced surfers and beginner surfers alike, you may even spot some pros when you’re surfing here! Hanalei Bay also offers a great beach for relaxing and the town of Hanalei nearby has tons of small shops offering Hawaiian crafts, lively coffee spots and surf or water sport gear and rentals. Be sure to check out 10 Surfing Tips for Beginners from Kauai, a recount of my first surfing experience here at Hanalei Bay.
Adventure to the Na Pali Coast by Boat. Imagine gigantic 4,000 foot cliffs of reddened rock covered with deep greenery and flowing waterfalls, jutting out from the ocean floor – that’s the Na Pali Coast. Accessible only by foot or by boat, the 18-mile-long Na Pali Coast located on the north-west corner of Kauai is one of the most remote areas of Hawaii and yet one of the most breathtaking. One way to see the Na Pali Coast is by boat or catamaran with charters like Blue Dolphin Charters, leaving from Port Allen in Ele’ele. The 5-6 hour catamaran takes you along the western coast of Kauai, past sugar cane fields and up-close look at the massive Na Pali Coast from the water. Go to www.kauaiboats.com for more.
Kayaking in Kauai is a “must” for an adventure getaway on Hawaii’s Garden Isle. The four major rivers to kayak in Kauai are the Wailua River, the Hanalei River, the Huleia River and the Kalihiwai River. Sea kayaking is also popular along the Na Pali Coast but only for experienced kayakers. Kayaking in Kauai gets you up-close to Kauai’s jungle, wildlife, stunning waterfalls and best hiking trails. Check out Kayak Kauai for more: www.kayakkauai.com.
Fly through the Kauai jungle on zip-lines. Flying through the jungle is no longer just for Tarzan or Indiana Jones. One of the newest and most exciting adventures in Kauai, zip-lining and rappelling tours bring you into Kauai’s jungle and sends you soaring above rivers, tree tops and waterfalls. Be sure to check out outdoor and adventure specialists, Outfitters Kauai, offering a Kipu Falls Zipline Safari: a full day of kayaking, hiking, ziplining, enjoying wildlife, waterfalls and swimming holes. Go to www.outfitterskauai.com/KipuFalls for more.
Horseback Riding at Silver Falls Ranch. Imagine exploring tropical Kauai at the base of the Makaleha mountain range on horseback. As the light fog rises from the mountain range as your ride progresses, you’ll begin to realize how unique of a place Kauai really is. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Silver Falls and take a break from the sun for a swim before you head back on your ride through the ranch’s citrus crops. Go to www.silverfallsranch.com for more.
Waterfall and cliff jumping + diving. There’s no lack of swimming holes and waterfalls in Kauai. Let your inner-jungle man or woman go free in Kauai. On Outfitters Kauai’s Kipu Falls Zipline Safari tour, you’ll visit Kamapua’a Falls where you’ll have the chance to jump off of Kamapua’a Falls or dive in via rope from above. Don’t forget to beat your chest and do your “jungle cry” while you’re soaring in the air!
Hiking to see Kauai’s hidden gems. Guided hikes take place daily in Kauai and bring you into the jungles and mountains of Kauai to explore and learn about Kauai’s plants and trees, wildlife. You’ll also encounter hidden waterfalls and swimming holes along your way. A popular hike route is the the Kalalau Trail, accessible via Haena Beach Park at the “end of the road” on the North Shore. The Kalalau Trail brings hikers by foot to the cliffs and valleys of the Na Pali Coast only accessible by foot.
Get Down and Dirty on an ATV Adventure. ATV tours are a great adventure activity for families and girls or guys who just want to kick it back, get dirty and have a ton of fun on Kipu Ranch. You’ll learn how to operate your very own Honda 400 AT fully automatic ATV and then drive throughout the ranch’s property, through jungle forest, wildlife and mountain areas. Besides learning about the legends and history of the area, you’ll visit the areas on Kipu Ranch where scenes of many Hollywood movies were filmed. Visit www.kiputours.com/atv-tours for more.
Helicopter Adventure to Kauai’s Best. Approximately 80% of Kauai isn’t accessible by road so the best way of seeing Kauai is on a helicopter ride with Island Helicopters. Each tour brings you up close and personal to Kauai’s best sights that only few have ever beheld: Manawaiopuna Falls in Hanapepe Valley where Jurassic Park was filmed; Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the South Pacific’s deep valleys and streams; along the Na Pali Coast’s majestic cliffs and hidden waterfalls; as well as Mount Waialeale Crater – known as one of the wettest spots on earth. This is a definite “not to miss” when visiting Kauai. Go to www.islandhelicopters.com for more.
Visit Movie Adventure Locations on Kauai. If Kauai is good enough for Indiana Jones and the tyrannosaurus rex dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, then Kauai is definitely the perfect adventure destination for you. Hawaii Movie Tours take you on a 5-6 hour tour all over Kauai to see well-known movie locations for the many films that have been shot on Kauai: Jurassic Park, South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, Tropic Thunder, Gilligan’s Island, Six Days Seven Nights, Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark and more! Go to www.hawaiimovietour.com for more.