north shore acivities

Back for our second trip to Kauai on 10/3 for a week; can barely wait. We%26#39;ll be staying in Princeville this time so I%26#39;m looking for some tips for this area. Local-cuisine restaurants with good, reasonably priced meals are a must. We%26#39;ll probably do a %26#39;fancy%26#39; meal too; so a recommendation for a sunset dinner would be great. Snorkeling will be a major endeavor; the more detail the better and please include ';don%26#39;t do';. Light hiking on the list. I%26#39;d like to see the Napali coast up close and personal thinking a kayak would fill the bill; any guided kayak tour recommendations ? Would putting in a kayak on my own at the end of the road be advisable ? Shore fishing tips would be greatly appreciated (I%26#39;m not bringing my own gear, any places around that rent gear ?). Charter boat recommendations ?? although we%26#39;ll be in Maui the following week...should I wait for a charter there instead ??? All recommendations sincerely appreciated..Mahalo.

north shore acivities

Here%26#39;s some websites that could answer a lot of your questions:

http://aloha2hawaii.com/kauai_beaches.html

www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauaerials.html

http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/hiking_kauai/

www.kuhio-shores.com/kauai-restaurants.html

north shore acivities

Rent your snorkel gear in Hanalei Town, there are a couple of places, including peddle and paddle in the chin young shopping village.

There is also another place, single building on the muaka side, before entering town that has snorkeling rentals.

For kayaking, if you want a great guided tour, with people with loads of aloha, you mighy check out Kayak HANALEI.

If you want to go solo, give Kayak KAUAI a call. Paddle the river and the bay. Plenty good workout.

Mild hiking on the north shore. Well, the north shore is rugged and beautiful, and the hikes should be done with sturdy shoes ( sneakers ) or boots.

HANAKAPIAI: Two miles into hanakapiai beach, but, for a photo opportunity, you could make it a whole lot shorter. One site , a short distance from the traihead, you will have a marvelous view of Ke%26#39;e Beach, southward. Killer photos.

Also, keep on walking, and you will come across another area that is open, with a great photo opportunity of the Napali. Those are about the best, as much of the trail has vegetation obscuring the views.

Then do a 180, and head back to the trail head should you decide that you do not want to continue.

KAYAKING: Unless you are experienced, and really know what you are doing, you might re-think ocean kaying from Ke%26#39;e beach ( end of the road )....you will probably be limited to the Hanalei River and Hanalei bay, unless going on the guided tour of both of those and then out and around the point to Hideaways. ( Kayak Hanalei )

Oh, a great and easy walking tour..GUIDED IS BEST..is inexpensive and fabulous , and up on the north shore. Call Limahuli Gardens for reservations.

Very,very beautiful. Pleasant and peaceful.

Snorkeling: Probably hideaways, Ke%26#39;e, and Tunnels.

If you get the chance to take a KAUAI Napali boat tour, highly recommend doing so. That coast was called the 8th wonder of the world in National Geographc. Check what appeals to you in the UKG.

Do not know of any coastal tours on maui, other than snorkel boats headed out to Molokini. Pretty good snorkeling.....so you might consider both Kauai and Maui..they will be different and each will be fun.

Dont%26#39;s:

Do not stand on the reefs, feeding the fish, etc.

( just saw that gem today at Tunnels ).

Do not just charge into the ocean, look at the conditions, pay attention to warnings, visually check the clues as to possible currents. None today when we there . Not always the case.

Always wear fins, enter at a sandy area. ( watched several people walking and crawiling over the rocks today.)

Do not swim alone....always swim with a buddy, and do not swim in the ocean at night.

Do be courteous at the one lane bridges, of which there are several up on the north shore.

Give the other folks a chance to start crossing. We are not in any hurry....so we do not mind holding, even when following a line of crossing cars.

If we are sixth in line, we stop, and give others a break.

Now, as far as eating goes, we have our favorites, but will let others help you out with that one.

Have fun...

Denny