Enjoy a 6 hr exploration of Kauai’s famed Na Pali coastline aboard the 65 ft sailing catamaran Southern Star and you’ll agree it’s one of the best things to do on Kauai! The vessel boasts all the amenities – from spotless bar, kitchen, and restroom facilities to an ample air-conditioned interior lounge with bar and an aft deck featuring tables, lounges, and steps for easy snorkeling access. With the early departure you’ll get to see Niihau, Polihale, and the green ridges of Kokee bathed in morning light and enjoy calmer sea conditions while looking for dolphins. You’ll marvel at the up close views the skilled captain and crew are able to provide of sea cliffs, waterfalls, and lava tubes while sharing stories of this ancient coastline. Then its time for a relaxing downwind sail to anchor up at a secluded snorkeling area to explore or just relax while a delicious lunch is prepared!

MENU: Continental breakfast of assorted pastries with fruit, juice, and coffee and a Barbecue lunch of your choice of chicken or vegetarian burger with cole slaw, baked beans, fresh baked cookies. Beer and wine available after snorkeling.

Includes: Continental Breakfast, BBQ Lunch, snorkel gear and instruction.
Bring: Wear your swimsuit, bring a towel and sunscreen.
Restrictions: No children under 2 yrs or pregnant woman in third trimester.
Daily (except Sunday)
Departure time: 8:00 am
Duration: 6 hrs
Check in: 7:15 am at Port Allen Marina Center
Note: Na Pali coast and snorkeling are weather dependent, tour destination based on passenger comfort and safety. Private charters available.

Prices Shown ALWAYS Include ALL Taxes!

Just off Waimea – a small rain squall enveloped us. With plenty of dry seating aboard we chatted with other passengers and waited about ten minutes for the showers to subside. When they did we found ourselves presented with a magnificent double rainbow and dolphin escort to Na Pali! It’s obvious why this is one of the most magnificent coastlines in the world when sitting just offshore gazing at the incredibly serrated ridges and valleys. After hoisting sail we went smoothly downwind and enjoyed the delicious BBQ while watching the sunset over neighboring Niihau. All of us agreed it was a wonderful way to make the day one to remember!

Sunset aboard this magnificent 65 ft sailing catamaran has to be one of the best ways to spend an afternoon on your Hawaiian vacation.  With excellent gourmet food and great service the Southern Star is usually escorted by pods of dolphins to one of the most beautiful places in all the Hawaiian Islands – the Na Pali coastline. You’ll see the amazing colors and geography of the sharply ridged coastline come alive in the afternoon light and subtly change as the sun sinks lower toward the island of Niihau in the distance. After you’ve headed upwind to Na Pali (and probably taken in your share of rainbow sightings) the rest of the sailing tour takes place on a relaxing downwind sail while being served a gourmet meal and watching the sunset at sea!

SALAD: Caeser Salad, Kauai Mixed Green Salad with Lilikoi Vinagerette Dressing.
MAIN COURSE: Grilled New York Steak (Vegetarian option upon request – Portabello Mushroom with Tamarind Glaze), Barbecue Jumbo Shrimp, Roasted Potato Medley, Seasonal Vegetables.

Includes: Snacks of Fresh sliced seasonal fruit, Salads, Main Course, Fresh Baked Dessert, Cocktails, soft drinks and water.
Bring: Layered clothing, camera.
Restrictions: No children under 2 yrs,  pregnant women in third trimester.
Daily except Sunday
Departure time: 3:00 pm
Duration: 4 hrs
Check in: 2:15 pm at Port Allen Marina Center office.
Note: There is no snorkeling on this trip and destination is based on passenger comfort and safety.

Prices Shown ALWAYS Include ALL Taxes!

We all know about the favorite visitor activities in Hawaii – horseback, helicopter and ATV tours, zip lines, luaus, the Atlantis submarines – but here’s a few fun family things to do on the island of Kauai that you may not have heard about and that you might find to be a nice way to pass a couple hours of your vacation time…

Kilauea Mini Golf – The good folks from Anaina Hou have recently finished up a miniature golf course and botanical garden just a minute or so past Kilauea Town on the north shore.  Its 18 holes of fun runs through gardens representing different eras of Hawaiian culture and we can tell you its truly a unique experience for our little island. It’s open every day from 11:00am – 9:00 pm and costs $15 for ages 11 and up, $10 for ages 5-10, and is free for 4 and under. You also have to love the fact that it’s right next to Banana Joe’s fruit and smoothie stand where you can enjoy something tasty after your game!

Kauai Plantation Railway – At Kilohana estate you’ll find an authentic narrow gauge railway tour that chugs along on a 40 minute ride through almost 100 acres of sugar cane, pineapple, banana, papaya, hardwood trees, tropical flowers and coffee. This new attraction recreates the time of the plantations and is highly informative about Kauai agriculture past, present, and future. Running every day except Sunday, the train leaves the depot every hour beginning at 10:00 am with general passage at $18 for adults, $14 for children 2-12 yrs old, and free for under 2 yrs. Next door, the 16,000 sq ft managers home is open daily with galleries and a courtyard restaurant.

Lydgate State Park – A favorite for generations of locals and their keiki, this east side park (Leho Rd access in Wailua) fronts two wonderful boulder enclosed swimming areas that allow freshwater and fish in and that are well protected from ocean waves. The water is calm and clear and perfect for beginning swimmers and snorkelers with bathrooms, picnic areas, a playground and lifeguards right there as well. The area is also part of an extensive network of archaeological sites in what was a historically significant part of Kauai for Hawaiians. Be prepared for lots of kids and a fun time at the beach!

Kick back and ease into the mellow lifestyle of Hanalei on the north shore of Kauai while staying in one of the two rental units at this original and tastefully decorated home just steps away from the incredible beach and ocean of Hanalei Bay. You’ll have your choice of the Elvis or Cowgirl rooms – both with private entrances, private barbecue areas, California King-sized beds with Egyptian Cotton sheets, flat screen TV’s with DVD players, CD player’s with I-Pod docks, Laundry, wireless internet, outdoor showers and if you’ll forgive the phrase – much ,much more! The residence is newly built, fully soundproofed, and plumbed with a water filtration system keeping in character with its first-rate construction. Surrounding the tropical, manicured entry courtyard is the fence from where the holiday rental gets its name, a true showcase of both artwork and history…

Go ahead and check it out at www.hanaleisurfboardhouse.com

On a picturesque ranch on the north shore of Kauai you have the opportunity to enjoy two of Hawaii’s most popular vacation activities – horseback riding and ziplining!  You’ll first ride for 30 minutes as your guide shares with you the history of the working cattle ranch and describes the local flora and fauna of the stunning mountain scenery all around.  Horseback rides at the ranch are special as riders are allowed to spread out as you ride across pasture land, sometimes riding through the cattle herd – and in season seeing the newborn calves.

Then, you’ll tie up your horse and have the opportunity to glide effortlessly as you zipline over the lush Kauai backcountry. Three different zip lines varying in length from 410ft to 700ft in length will thrill you now, and give you a vacation memory to always remember!  Tours are led by trained guides who are CPR certified and equipped with cell phones and first-aid kits.  On the ride only western saddles are provided and helmets are available upon request.

Restrictions: Ages 12yrs and older in good physical condition and not afraid of heights. No expectant mothers, recent surgeries or injuries.  Maximum height 6’5″ and weight 250lbs.
Bring: Completely covered shoes that can get muddy (rental shoes available), long pants recommended, sunscreen, hat.
Monday Through Saturday
Duration of Tour: 3hrs
Check in Times: 10:00am (seasonal) or 1:30pm
Note: Tours go out rain or shine. In the event weather is hazardous tour may be canceled and guests rescheduled.

Prices Shown ALWAYS Include ALL Taxes!

For your vacation planning its good to know that in Hawaii our seasons may not be as varied as what you’re used to back home – still it sometimes feels like we’re having a different season every week, and sometimes several times a day! For example, all of Hawaii has been under mild to extreme drought conditions this past winter (great for visitors, not so great for farmers). There were so many clear, cloudless days it seemed like it would never end – but it certainly did in April! Now, as we begin to enter into our summer months we are all “expecting” lots of clear, sunny days – and generally speaking, as far as “climate” goes, that’s what we should expect.

One of the main influence on summer rainfall patterns are tropical disturbances and storms that come westward across the Pacific. When they dissipate or pass south of us, they have little to no effect. When they end up passing over us they tend to drop a lot of rain in a fairly short period (maybe a day or two) as they move over the island chain. Further complicating things is that islands have both “dry” and “wet” sides (leeward and windward aka “westside” and “eastside”) – and that the islands themselves have different climates!

So, my suggestion is to plan for “climate” – but expect “weather”. A handy bit of travel advice is to schedule weather dependent Hawaii activities toward the beginning of your holiday before your vacation is over so you’ve got time to reschedule in case of “weather”…

But, the largest culprit to delay your arrival to that highly-anticipated zipline or horseback ride can be the infamous “road closure” for scheduled work . It may be tree trimming, culvert clearing, pothole filling – but its guaranteed to give you a nervous fit that you’ll be late for your activity check in. So, straight from the DOT here in Hawaii…

http://hawaii.gov/dot/highways/roadwork

And, here’s a gem of a site – scroll down to check their regular post on “Events that will affect traffic this weekend” (Hmm…do I see a block party in downtown Honolulu Friday night?)

http://trafficnewshawaii.com/

Tunnels Beach on Kauai is one of the best beaches on an island already known for its incredible beaches – with a great surf spot on the outside reef and clear, calm snorkeling in the inside lagoon. A two minute walk from this affordable vacation rental gets you to a beautiful white-sand beach, and the Tunnels snorkeling area is only a twenty minute beach walk away!

Surrounded by tropical fruits like banana, papaya, avocado, citrus as well as plumeria and lush vegetation,  you’ll find this two bedroom/two bath tropical getaway a laid back and hassle free place to enjoy your Hawaiian vacation. There are large outdoor lanai’s for that afternoon BBQ and amazing views of the surrounding mountain vistas. The rental home has redwood construction with oak floors and Hawaiiana furnishings, with an outdoor shower for after that long day at the beach.

Weekly – Starting at $1095

Monthly – Starting at $3995