jfmkem

My wife and I are celebrating our 50th birthdays in Kauai. We leave on Dec 26th and are staying at Kuhio Shores Condos on the South shore. I am looking for any suggestion as to "must dos". We are already planning a trip to the Canyon. We would also like to do some kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking. Our interests are bird watching, waterfalls, and photography in general.

Any thoughts as to moderately priced restaurants with memorable food?

Any suggestions at all would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

twelveoaks

House of Seafood in Poipu is outstanding. Helicopter tour of island is breathtaking. Zodiac or catamaran tour of Napali coast. Snorkeling is great all over BUT bring your own masks and snorkels as rental gear is not that sanitary and a well fitted mask is a must.Scenery is beautiful all over and plenty of photo opps.

rncheryl

Congratulations! My husband and I spent our 40th in Kauai this spring. We were on the other side of the island, so can't help with restaurants. The helicopter tour was primo, breathtakingly beautiful. You might want to check out the Kileaua Lighthouse, which is in a wildlife preserve with lots of birds. We had a nice lunch there at the Lighthouse Bistro. Have you checked luaus?

montereybob

I cast one more vote for the Heli tour (expensive but worth every penney). Also, definitely explore the North shore. Great ambiance, food, and reasonable prices at Keoki's Paradise restaurant on the South Shore. Where ever you go, try the shave ice (especially with ice cream in the bottom). In the winter, there is good snorkeling at Poipu Beach.
In the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook by Doughty, you will find many, many more fine suggestions on sights, activities, and restaurants beyond the helpful suggestions you will get on this site. I would highly recommend it.

wbpiii

Snorkel: Kee beach, tunnels and hidden beach.

food: Roy's, Beach House, Hanalei Gourmet, Hukilau Lani

Mango Margaritas: Brennecke's

Hikes: Kalalua trail, first few miles or to hanakapi falls. Awaawpuhi Trial in Koke'e, sleeping giant.

Garden: Allerton Garden, poipu

Sushi Rolls: Hanalei Dolphin fish market.

Bill

ksucat

we just got back from celebrating our big birthdays and though we stayed at the Grand Hyatt in Poipu, it looked easy to sneak in and swim in their unbelievable salt water lagoon that is huge and wonderful.
Keoki's paradise is excellent for the chicken stir fry..one of the best.eat at Roy's or Red Salt for happy hour.
Shrimp Station for the Coconut Shrimp and the coveted Hamura Saimin's in Lihue for the best saimin and lilokoi pie!
Duke's for drinks and some great places in Kapaa.
Have drinks at the St. Regis and spend time in the North Shore.
The Napili tour on the Cat is rough and lots of people get sick and really not worth the $$ but the view is killer..do the helicopter tour.
The people of Kauai are so lovely..they have the true Aloha spirit!

Shar

Roy's would not be considered a moderately priced restuarant. It is costly and has no view. we enjoy Brenecke in Poipu Beach for reasonable. Camp House Grill also but can't remember the name of the town (help me all you Kauai Fans). It is on the way to the Canyon. Red Salt is wonderful but again very expensive. - perhaps a special night out for the anniversay celebration. Bird watching - the old lighthouse is a bird sanctuary. Some snorkeling at Poipu but tunnels is better as is Ke'e beach. Beach House has gone way downhill in the past few years. Great for sunset drink or just sit on the lawn and watch the sun set but food - I'd go elsewhere.

Hinking the canyon rim is a must do as well as hiking Napali - bring water! We love Cap't Andy for snorkeling cruises. Have been with them on several tours. enjoy your time - Kauai is next to heaven in my opinion......

ksucat

Shar..
Just got back from Kauai late September and we had happy hour at Red Salt for under $30 for two and we had 3 app's, drinks and dessert for under $50 at Roys.
Keoki's is reasonable but you have to watch what you get.same owners as Hula Grill.
Waimea is the town you are thinking and Captain Andy's is ok..food is below average and the tiki punch is a bad version of Hawaiian punch.
Hamura's is our favorite place for the cheapest best food in the islands!

dusty56438

Lots of Kauai sites:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g2...ackground.html

Barbara5353

Camp House Grill was in Kalaheo. Alas, it closed down last year. Wrangler's Steak House in Waimea is good, if you plan to be down that way. I like the vintage paniolo decor.

wbpiii

Moderate is a fuzzy term for me. The Beach House is not cheap and usually I don't get out of Roy's for under $100.00. However, Kauai is not really a hotbed of culinary delight. If you want good food you generally have to pay.

Puka Dogs in Poipu is however moderate.

Bill

Kal

"Puka Dogs in Poipu is however moderate."
And OH...so deadly!


How long will you be staying? We get there 12-30.

We'll buy you a birthday beer/Wiki Waki Woo at the Sand Bar in Kapaa.
You can have dinner at Huki Lau Grill next door afterward.

rncheryl

Kal: You the Man! What, pray tell, is a Wiki Waki Woo?

rncheryl

Topping for a response to a vital question re: Wiki Waki Woo

Shar

ksucat....wish we'd thought about happy hour. Our tab was way up there but then my husband orders expensive wine! enjoyed the restaurant however. Did you notice how quiet it was. Tourism is way down. There were 3 other couples at Red Salt. Noticed it also on the BI... We try to get to one new restaurant each time and Red Salt was it for this trip. I'm dreaming of my next visit. kauai is the best....

BeachGirl247

rncheryl, I think Kal is the devil in disguise. Don't say I didn't warn you.

travelinandgolfin

If you want real "local" food (and cheap), try Tip Top Cafe in Lihue and order their oxtail soup or bento plate (Yokozuna Bento if you're really hungry!). It's strictly a diner type restaurant, so don't expect anything fancy, just tasty and filling food.

Po's Kitchen also in Lihue is a great box lunch place as well. It's strictly takeout. Pick up some box lunches for you and your family and head out to Ahukini beach (actually it's more a pier just past the airport), park in the parking lot, eat in your car and watch the waves and take in the great view!

Kal

HEY HEY HEY O
A Wiiki Waki Woo is the "Pat O'Brien's Hurricane" of The Sand Bar at The Islander.

I was last allowed to have one in 1995....long story.

francebound

Congratulations on your choice to spend your birthdays in Kauai. My husband and I are just back from a 10 day stay. We have been three years in a row at this time of year and have always enjoyed revisiting some of our favorite sites.

One thing - snorkeling is usually not possible this time of year on the north coast as the surf can be high (maybe it won't when you're there), but there is very good snorkeling on Lawai beach, just past Poipu. Buy some cheap reef shoes so you can easily wade in.

We had great hiking in the canyon, and there is a walk you can take to a falls there, although you don't get a good view of it. The Kalalau is fantastic if it's a good day; kind of muddy in spots but incomparable views. Take lots of water.

Kauai is a photographer's dream. If you can, visit this place in Hanapepe: www.hopmanart.com - the photographs are beautiful and you'll be inspired. There is an art night in Hanapepe on Fridays between 6 & 9 when the galleries are open, it's kind of fun.

For bird-watching you can go to the lighthouse in Kilaulea (not sure of the spelling there), where there is a bird sanctuary, and you may be able to spot some whales off shore.

We had a good breakfast at the Country Kitchen in Kapa'a, good lunch at Merriman's in Poipu (the cafe not the dining room), Mexican food at Monicos in Kapa'a, and for dinner Casa Blanca near Poipu Village, and the Beach House. The food at Roy's was really good, but it is pricey. The Beach House is too, but the atmosphere is very good.

Have a wonderful trip!

NeoPatrick

I was scanning through all the posts looking for what I think is the prettiest spot in all of Kauai --Kilauea Lighthouse -- and finally found it in francebound's post. It's a don't miss -- not only because of the amazing array of birds and wildlife, but the point itself is simply breathtakingly beautiful.