Things to do / Travel Guide
Rafting Expeditions
For a truly unique and educational experience on Kauai, try a rafting expedition. The Captain Zodiac group runs boat tours of the breathtaking Napali Coast for small groups. The tours take place in U.S. Navy-approved inflatable rafts, and feature a staff handpicked for their expertise of the area. Another unique feature of the rafting expedition is the microphones dropped down into the water that can be used to hear whales communicating, when they're in the area during the winter season.
Kauai by Airplane
Wings Over Kauai lets you fly high above Kauai to take in the spectacular scenery. Custom routes allow you the opportunity to make the most of your time aloft. For instance, you are welcome to spend time over areas that interest you so that you can get better views and picture-taking opportunities. You'll also hear an expert narrative to accompany the sights you see. This deluxe tour lasts approximately 65-70 minutes, and while the trip is pricey, the views are definitely worth it.
Helicopter Tour
If you choose to soar to the top of the Hanalei Valley by helicopter, you'll see a unique world of sea cliffs, lush tropical rain forests, spectacular mountains, beaches, and volcanic craters. Enter the crater of Mt. Waialeale and you'll have a fantastic vantage point of the numerous cascading waterfalls.
Fly on from there to Hanapepe Valley, where you'll see Manawaipuni Falls, made famous in the movie “Jurassic Park.” You can also fly right into the heart of Waimea Canyon with its awesome colors. At the bottom of the canyon is Waimea Bay, where Captain James Cook first landed in 1778. Pass over the Alakai Swamp before crossing the spectacular 4,000-foot cliffs of the Napali Coast and beautiful Kalalau Valley.
Generally speaking, a 45-minute flight around the island will set you back about $130. Despite the price tag, however, helicopter flights are nothing short of spectacular, allowing you to see some of Kauai's beautiful sites that simply cannot be accessed in any other way.
Four-Wheel-Drive Tour
Enjoy a full-day, guided, four-wheel-drive (4WD) tour that can take you into magnificent natural areas. These areas are generally inaccessible and off-limits to the general public. Generally speaking, most 4WD tours start at around $25-$30, and, depending on how elaborate the trip and how far the distance, they can run as high as $75-$100. Tours can, of course, be customized to fit the wants and needs of the tourist, and there are many operators located all across the island. In a typical guided 4WD tour, visitors will hear expert narration while taking in many of the beautiful sights Kauai has to offer, like Waimea Canyon, Kokee State Park, the Grove Farm Plantation, and Kilohana Crater.
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