AIR / HELICOPTER TOURS: Almost all
helicopter companies operate from Lihue, with a few exceptions from
Princeville. Best times for tours seem to be the early morning hours. Even
though there will be almost always morning fog and clouds, colors of the green
foliage, the water and the sky will be as bright as possible. Chances for
rainbows in the mist are much higher than during the day. It will be a
memorable experience.
ATV TOURS: The ultimate off-road experience! ATV
(All Terrain Vehicles) tours allow you to travel into the thick vegetation and rugged terrain
of the Kahili mountain range on the South Shore. This is the perfect way to cover a lot of
ground in a short period of time. You will explore the true beauty of Kauai, the terrain ranges
from lush green pastures to mountainside trails.
BOAT TOURS: Boat tours on Kauai's allow you to enjoy
sailing or rafting, snorkeling, whale watching, sunset cruises, while exploring the majestic NaPali
Coast. Sea tours are the only way to reach the private, inaccessible beaches of the northwestern shores.
BOTANICAL GARDENS: Kauai has the
most beautiful National Tropical Botanical Gardens as well as some private Botanical Gardens at various locations on the island. These tropical
gardens make for a great day trip in exploring the islands history and learning about the flora and fauna of Kauai .
CAMPING: Kauai offers many beautiful campsites
which all require permits through the Division of Parks and Recreation,
Department of Land and Natural Resources, or the Division of Forestry and
Wildlife.
FISHING: The Hawaiian reef fishing can be
observed around the island and will require great skills for the novice.
Regular fishing can be done from the shore, piers, boats, etc. Sport fishing is very popular and can be arranged through charter boats. Some outfits offer nighttime torch fishing and harpooning is also
available.
GOLF: The # 1 golf course rated by Golf Digest,
The Prince Course at the Princeville Resort, is only 12 minutes away from the
Hale Makai Cottages. Next to this course you will find The Makai Course which
has been rate the 7th best course in the state of Hawaii. There are
several beautiful golf courses on the island for excellent golfing.
HIKING: As the Garden Island, Kauai offers some
of the most amazing and unusual hikes. Most of Kauai beauty is hidden in the
most remote parts of the island, inaccessible by roads or cars and only
partially in reach by foot. The most well know hike is the 11-mile Kalalau
Trail along the NaPali Coast and is recommended for experienced hikers only.
The Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park offer exceptional trails as well.
HORSEBACK RIDING: Horseback riding is
a tradition on Kauai there is still many cowboys on the island. Before mass
tourism Hawaiian land owners used the abundance of horses as their main source
of transportation. Today there is a variety of private ranches and stables that
offer both short guided tours to all day adventures. Perfect for romantic
outings to the waterfalls or unforgettable family excursions.
KAYAKING: Sea and river kayaking can be a
great adventure on Kauai. There are many different levels to choose from.
Beginners have ample opportunities on the Wailua River and the famous Fern
Grotto or the Huleia River from Nawiliwili to the Menehune Fishpond. The
Hanalei River on the north shore is very calm with scenic views of the Hanalei
Valley and the NaPali Coast and its shimmering waterfalls. Ocean kayaking can
as challenging as one decides depending on ocean conditions and stamina.
KITESURFING / KITEBOARDING: Next to facing
a shark, kitesurfing probably will provide the highest adrenalin rush. Once
hooked it will be the sport for life. Kitesurfing is possible directly in front
of the Hale Makai Cottages as well as nearby at Tunnels beach and Ke’e Beach on
the north shore.
LUAU: Celebrate the Hawaiian spirit of aloha with a
traditional Luau. The perfect evening, filled with live entertainment, great food and
Hawaiian traditions. Observe the lyrical sway of the Hawaiian Hula, the Samoan
fire knife dance and the Tahitian drum dances.
MOUNTAIN BIKING: Mountain biking is
easily accessible on Kauai for all skill levels on many trails, best places
might be around Anahola, Kealia Beach and the Poipu area. Some island
outfitters provide tours which allow you to bike the entire island. Safety
precautions need to be observed, wearing helmets, gloves and possibly bike
shoes. Dehydration and sunburns are great risks, so water and sunscreen should
always be on hand.
SCUBA: Beginners and experienced divers will
find many places for scuba diving, most introduction scuba courses on the north
shore are given at Tunnels Beach which is only 10 walking minutes from Hale
Makai and 1 minute by car. Boat dives, night dives and dive tours are offered at
many outfitters. Things to see range from the Hawaii State Fish, the
Humuhumunukunukuapuaa, all sorts of tropical fish, reef creatures, dolphins,
sea turtles and the occasional tiger shark.
SNORKELING: Snorkeling is a very easy
activity to learn, and will probably the absolute highlight of the vacation.
Ocean conditions changes daily and can be dangerous. We highly recommend to
check conditions prior to entering the waters.
The best and most well known snorkeling on the island are at Tunnels Beach and
Ke’e Beach both in walking distance from the cottages.
SHOPPING: There is a variety of shopping on
the island. Hanalei and Koloa offer some quaint specialty shops for apparel,
jewelry, art, and souvenirs as well as grocery stores. Princeville has a more
modern style shopping center as well as Kapaa and Lihue.
SPA / MASSAGE: Visiting Kauai can be the
most spiritual experience and enhanced by traditional Hawaiian massages,
healing practices and spa treatments. Outdoor Pagoda spa treatment are
available throughout the island and practitioners are available to provide
services directly by the ocean on the grounds of Hale Makai.
SUN BATHING: The island of Kauai is very close to the equator.
Even in overcast conditions, sun exposure can be extreme, especially for very
young children and the elderly. It is advised to avoid full sun exposure during
peak mid-day hours. Shady places will provide shelter from the sun. Sunblock
and sunscreen should be worn at all times and according to the newest research
needs to be reapplied every 2 hours exactly in order to provide protection.
NUDE BEACHES: There are no nude beaches on the island of Kauai,
since it is illegal on public beaches, but is frequently done on private
grounds off the beach.
SURFING: It is assumed that the first surfers
around the 1770’s were Polynesians from Tahiti and Hawaii. The sport became
very popular in 1920’s with the Olympic champanion Duke Kahanamoku introducing
surfing to the rest of the world. Surfing is still the predominant sport for
the locals it has over 300 places to surf and many surfing schools are
available.
SWIMMING: Kauai is the middle of the Pacific Ocean and all beaches
are potentially dangerous. Daily surf advisory should be consulted and good
judgment made before entering the water. Under calm conditions swimming at
Kepuhi Point, in front of the Hale Makai Cottages, as well as all north shore
beaches, is most pleasurable and elating.
TENNIS: Kauai’s public tennis courts are free,
facilities can be found in Princeville, Lihue, and Poipu and are on a
first-come, first served basis. The Princeville Tennis Club or the Hanalei Bay
Resort Tennis Club are both great places to play they are private courts but
available for a fee.
TUBING: This unique activity allows families of all
ages to travel back in time to the old sugar cane plantation era of 1870. A series
of ditches, tunnels, and flumes was hand-dug by Chinese laborers to deliver water
from the rainforest to thirsty sugar cane fields near Lihue. This land is privately owned
and has never before been accessible to the public. The recent closure of the Lihue
plantation has made this tour possible. Kauai's visitors have the chance to travel
into the island's interior and witness this engineering feat in a fun and relaxing way!
WHALE WATCHING: Kauai whale watching
season is from late November through early May. It is possible to spot whales
from the beach. The best places seem to be from Kilauea Point National Wildlife
Refuge, the Kalalau Trail on the North Shore, Kukui O Lono Park at Kalaheo and
Poipu Beach on the south side. The best and most reliable way to see whales is
on a boat tour, close to their environment. Binoculars will come in very handy.
YOGA / MEDITATION: For spiritual
healing ample yoga studios and meditation places can be found on the island.
Hanalei Yoga is only 10 minutes away from the Cottages. The Hale Makai grounds
provide the perfect environment for independent Yoga or meditation practices
among the tropical flowers and the sounds of the surf in the background.
ZIPLINING: Ziplining is the newest and most
exciting Eco-adventure. Different outfits will take participants through the
air in the jungle, over waterfalls, rivers and valleys. From most platforms,
sailing can happen at 50 feet above the ground at a speed of up to 35 miles per
hour. On the return back to the platform for another run, rope swinging,
swimming and hiking are all part of this exciting activity.