Hike the Kalalau Trail
Amazing views!
The Kalalau Trail is considered by many to be one of the top hiking trails in the world. It is rated #2 by Outsideonline.com, #4 by TimeOut, #4 by Pandotrip, #11 by Road Affair, and #16 by Local Adventurer.
You do not need to be an experienced hiker or in great shape to enjoy the Kalalau Trail. If you can hike 1/2 mile uphill you can enjoy beautiful views of Ke'e Beach, and if you can hike 4 miles round trip (with a few hills) you can enjoy some of the best scenery in the world.
You must have reservations to enter Hā’ena State Park and access the Kalalau Trail, see details to the right.
The trail head to the Kalalau Trail is at Ke’e Beach. There are generally three hiking options:
1. Hike to Hanakapiai Beach: it is two miles to the beach (four miles round trip), and has amazing views of the Nā Pali coast. The photo above was taken at around the 1.5 mile marker. Because of the vertical gain, it will take 2 - 4 hours to make the round trip hike, unless you are running and not taking picture. We recommend that you take pictures and enjoy the scenery! Note that you must not swim at Hanakapiai Beach when you reach it. It is one of the deadliest beaches in Hawaii, and even if the ocean looks calm do not go in.
2. Hike to Hanakapiai Falls: when you arrive at Hanakapiai Beach, you would turn left and follow the trail uphill another two miles to reach Hanakapiai Falls. This is a much more rigorous hike than the first two miles to Hanakapiai Beach, with multiple stream crossings and steeper climbs. The total distance is eight miles round trip from Ke’e Beach, and make sure you bring plenty of water and give yourself 6 - 8 hours for the round trip (you could do it in 4 hours if you hustle). Be careful when crossing the streams while hiking, as there can be flash floods from rains at higher elevations. Your reward when you reach Hanakapiai Falls is a beautiful 300-foot waterfall with a pool in which you can swim.
3. Hike 11 miles to Kalalau Beach (22 miles round trip). The trail continues along the ocean past Hanakapiai Beach; note that you do not pass Hanakapiai Falls, as the hike to the falls is a separate trail from Hanakapiai Beach. You need an additional permit to hike beyond Hanakapaia Beach to Kalalau Beach. Some people like to camp around mile marker 6 and complete the hike to Kalalau Beach on Day 2, while others hike all the way to Kalalau Beach in one day and then camping there. Very few people make the round trip hike in one day.
For options #1 and #2, we recommend that you bring a beach wagon from the condo so you can easily transport a cooler, beach chairs, etc to the beach. It is 1/4 mile from the parking lot to Ke’e Beach and the Kalalau Trail, with a path that is built for pulling wagons. We like to set up the beach chairs and cooler at Ke’e Beach, so they are all waiting for us when we finish the hike. Also remember to carry plenty of water for the hike!
Reservations are required!
Reservations open 30 days in advance at 12:01am Hawaii Time. We strongly recommend making reservations 30 days in advance if you can, as reservations often sell out quickly! Costs are $10 for parking, $5 per person for an entry pass, $35 per person for a shuttle pass + entry to the park. Click here for more information, or the button below to make a reservation.
Massage
Massage therapists who come to you
We love to go for a hike in the morning and then schedule a massage for that same day in the afternoon. The picture above is a couples massage in Orchid Point, two tables set up in the living room. Getting a massage with the lanai doors open, a breeze blowing through the living room, and the sound of the waves below is true definition of paradise!
There are multiple mobile massage services in Kauai that will come to the condo, we've received such fantastic massages from Amy's Mobile Massage that we haven't tried any others.
Amy's Mobile Massage Kauai
We have had great experiences with Amy's Mobile Massage service. We have used them both at Orchid Point and at The Cliffs, and find their prices to be very reasonable and their massage therapists to be outstanding.
North Shore Nā Pali Snorkeling Tour
Leaves from Hanalei, about ten minutes from our condo
One of the most popular activities in Kauai is a boat tour of the Nā Pali coast. Most boat tours launch from the south / southeast part of Kauai, or a 60 - 90 minute drive from Princeville. Honestly, we've heard great things about all of them.
There is a snorkeling tour that launches out of Hanalei, about ten minutes from our condo from a company called Hanalei Charters. They use a zodiac boat that technically holds 24 people, but they told us they only allow a maximum of 22 people on the boat. It is a four hour tour of the north shore, with amazing views, and snorkeling the reef at Tunnel's Beach near the end of the trip. If the waves are small enough, they will take the boat into a few caves, which is fun. The ride is fairly bouncy (particularly on the ride back to Hanalei), and if you are susceptible to motion sickness make sure you take medications.
We really enjoyed it, and thought the crew was a lot of fun.
Island Helicopters Kauai
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Island Helicopters Kauai
We hired Island Helicopters and they were great. They are the only company that is allowed to land at Manawaiopuna Falls, where the opening scene in movie Jurrassic Park was filmed. Great experience.
Jack Harter Helicopters
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Island Helicopters Kauai
If you are into photography, Jack Harter Helicopters is an excellent option, particularly with the doors off. You feel safe, or Bill wouldn't have allowed his 21 year old to son lean out to take photos (in the picture above). Seeing the Nā Pali Coast and all the waterfalls with the doors off is pretty amazing!
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
We have not used Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, but we have heard good things from friends who have used them. According to their website, their fleet "is made up of the best touring helicopters in the industry. Featuring state-of-the-art Eco-Star helicopters—the first touring helicopter of the 21st century—all Blue Hawaiian aircraft incorporate the latest in cutting-edge technologies, materials, systems, safety features, and avionics, and offer incomparable passenger comfort and sweeping views. Blue Hawaiian owns and operates the largest fleet of Eco-Stars in Hawaii and the largest fleet by far of the latest model Eco-Star T2."
Kayak and hike to Secret Falls
Kayak up the Wailua River and hike a mile to a beautiful waterfall
There are multiple tours that take you to Secret Falls. All tours begin in Kapa'a, about 30 minutes from our condo. It is about a two mile paddle up the Wailua River, until you get to an island where you leave your kayak and hike about a mile to Secret Falls. The kayaking is relaxing and beautiful, and the falls are magnificent. After the falls, you turn back, for another ~one mile hike and two mile paddle.
We booked our adventure through Hawaii Tours, and their tour guide (along with the entire experience) was great.
Note that you do not need to be part of a tour to go to Secret Falls - you can rent a kayak and probably find the trail and the waterfall on your own.
Kipu Ranch Adventures (great for kids)
Off-Road & 4x4 ATV Tours
Kipu Ranch Adventures is a fun tour that includes driving ATVs through the Kauai jungle and visiting waterfalls. Our favorite part of the tour was swinging on the rope into the river from the same
tree where Indian Jones swung to his plane in the opening scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Our 11 year old is pictured above.
We thought the tour group was extremely friendly, and our tour guides were fantastic. Go to Kipu Ranch Adventures for more information to to make reservations.
Waimea Canyon
The Grand Canyon of the Pacific Ocean
On the West side of Kaua'i is Waimea Canyon, a 14 mile wide scenic canyon more than 3,500 feet deep with fantastic views. There are also multiple hiking trails in and around Waimea Canyon; we haven't hiked these trails, but have heard good things. You can find information about five trails here.
Exploring Waimea Canyon from Princeville is a "all day" affair. You have to drive clockwise almost all the way around the island. Waimea Canyon Lookout (where we took the above photo) is about an hour and 50 minute drive from our condos. There are multiple places to stop and take pictures and enjoy the view.
As of December 2021 there is a fee to enter the park for non-Hawaiian residents: $10 per car, plus $5 per person (children 3 and under are free). Please see more details here.
We recommend that you drive past Waimea Canyon Lookout another ~20 minutes to reach Kalalau Lookout.
Hanapepe Art Night
We like to go to Waimea Canyon on Fridays and stop in the little town of Hanapepe for Art Night on our drive home. Every Friday starting at 6pm Hanepepe hosts a street party - there are art galleries, musicians, restaurants, and street vendors.
Kalalau Lookout - The End of the Road
Kalalau Valley
On a clear day, the Kalalau Lookout will provide you amazing views. The road ends, and it is a relatively short and easy walk to the view point in the picture above. You will be at 4,000 feet elevation, and you can also find a sign for Mount Wai'ale'ale, "one of the wettest spots on earth" - a great photo op.
At Kalalau Lookout, you will only be about 12 miles from our condos as the crow flies (through the NāPali Coast State Park), but it is approximately a two hour and 10 minute drive back to the condos.
Kauai Golf
Kauai has a number of fantastic golf courses. While prices can be high, the scenery is amazing and the golf course layouts are excellent.
Makai Golf Club
Ocean Course at Hōkūala
Wailula Golf Course
Makai Golf Club is a ~3 minute drive from our condos. It is a fantastic Troon Course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr, with many holes along the ocean, and excellent practice facilities. Greens fees are pretty high. You can also pay for a monthly tennis membership to play tennis at Makai.
Wailula Golf Course
Ocean Course at Hōkūala
Wailula Golf Course
Wailua Golf Course is a municipal course just south of Kapa'a, about 40 minutes from our condos (~6 minutes north of the Lihue Airport). Wailua Golf Course is a very nice course and is the best deal on the island, nonresident green fees are $48 on weekdays and $60 on weekends. Reservations are required!
Ocean Course at Hōkūala
Ocean Course at Hōkūala
Ocean Course at Hōkūala
Hōkūala is one of our favorite golf courses anywhere. It is located near the Lihue airport, about a 50 minute drive from our condos. Greens fees are pretty high, but getting a tee time is usually relatively easy. The last seven holes are along the ocean and are spectacular.
Poipu Bay Golf Course
Poipu Bay Golf Course
Ocean Course at Hōkūala
Poipu Bay Golf Course used to host the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, and was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. It is a challenging course on the south shore of Kauai, about a 65 - 70 minute drive from our condos. Greens fees are high and the golf course is excellent.
Puakea Golf Course
Poipu Bay Golf Course
Puakea Golf Course
Puakea Golf Course is a very nice golf course in Lihue, a 50 minute drive from our condo. Puakea's greens fees are less than Makai, Hōkūala, or Poipu Bay.
Queen's Bath
Why it is popular
*Please make sure you also read the section on Queen's Bath Dangers below*
Queen's Bath has become a very popular and destination, known for beautiful views and a pristine tide pool. When the waves are calm, visitors enjoy jumping off the rocks and swimming in the pool.
Parking
Queen's Bath only has about 10 parking spaces available to the public. If you park on the local streets nearby, you are almost guaranteed to get a ticket. This area is monitored constantly for illegal parking.
The Hike
The trail down to Queen's Bath takes 10 - 15 minutes for an average adult. It is basically always muddy - even if it hasn't rained in a week, the trail will somehow still be muddy. If it has been raining a lot, the trail can be extremely slick, and falls are common. You need to assume any shoes you wear will be covered in mud. We like to bring 2 liter bottles of water with us to rinse off the mud when we return to the car.
When you get down to the ocean, you turn left, and need to walk a ways on the lava rocks. There are a couple places where new visitors think they are at Queen's bath, but keep going until you see something like the picture above.
Queen's Bath trail closures
The gate to Queen's Bath is typically open from around April until late September or early October each year.
The Kaua'i Ocean Safety Bureau locked the access gate to Queen's Bath on October 4, 2021, and it typically remains locked until March or so, when officials deem the winter swells to have sufficiently died down. Some visitors walk around the fence to get down to Queen's Bath; we do not encourage this, but if you do try to get down to Queen's Bath during the winter months please please please 1) be respectful of the neighborhood residents who live near Queen's Bath, 2) do not trespass on their properties, and 3) be extremely careful about going into Queen's Bath when winter swells can sweep you out to sea. Please see more on Queen's Bath dangers below!
Queen's Bath Dangers
Dangerous Tide Pool
There have been around 30 confirmed drownings at Queen's Bath over the years. The main cause are the large waves that can crash into Queen's Bath (particularly during winter months), and pull swimmers or people standing on the rocks out to sea.
As you can see in the photo above, a large wave can overwhelm Queen Bath and basically "erase" the rock walls that isolate Queen's Bath from the ocean. As the wave recedes, it can pull anyone it catches out to sea.
Please exercise extreme caution if you visit Queen's Bath.
Queen's Trail
Muddy Trail
The trail to Queen's Bath is almost always very muddy and slippery. Be aware that this is a trail where slipping and falling is quite common.
Yoga in Princeville
Waves Yoga Kauai
We haven't personally used Waves Yoga, but we've received requests from guests for yoga info in Princeville. Waves Yoga has both indoor and outdoor classes - we haven't seen their studio, but we have seen the classes at Prince Albert Park.