Kayaking the Wailua River

This is finally the last Kauai post. Friday was our last day but we didn’t fly out until 8pm so we had just enough time for one last excursion. We hadn’t made reservations or anything for kayaking until I think a day or two before. Me and JJ quickly browsed through a Kauai magazine and basically picked the first company that seemed good and cheap, Kayak Wailua. We seriously lucked out with them! Some of our group ended up staying home and they thankfully weren’t even charged a cancellation fee. We arrived at Kayak Wailua in Kapa’a early in the morning and drove a few minutes to the spot in the river where we started our tour. Our group was small, only our group and another young married couple. The best thing ever is that Kayak Wailua starts their tours early enough that you have the whole river to yourselves! It was quiet and beautiful. The river starts to really fill up with other Kayakers and even motor boats throughout the day so I can’t even tell you how lucky it was that we were literally a few of the first on the river. We kayaked to a little beach about a mile or two up river and docked our boats. Then we took a short but beautiful half hour hike to Hidden Falls, a place you can only get to by kayaking and then hiking in. While hiking our guide told us crazy stories about the original Islanders and their history.

 

 

         

       

Another amazing thing, we were also the only people at the falls and had the whole place to ourselves for almost an hour. We played around in the freezing fresh water, ate some island snacks and talked with our great tour guide. As we were leaving huge tour groups were arriving and within minutes the beautiful clear water we were just swimming in had turned muddy and choppy from all the people. So grateful we had such a good experience with our tour. And that was the final activity that topped off what was truly a trip of a lifetime. Mckay and I realized how lucky we were to get to experience such an amazing trip with my family, without having to worry about kids. We probably wont get that opportunity again for awhile so we definitely took advantage of our time there. This was a trip we will be dreaming about for awhile.

the end.

Kalalau hike and Hukilau Lanai

Another way to experience the Napali Coast is to hike. Thursday morning we once again headed over to Ke’e beach, this time to hike instead of swim. The Kalalau trail starts at Ke’e beach and after a few minutes of steep climbing you get to the top of the coast where you are rewarded with amazing views. After that most of the rest of the hike comes with an ocean view. The trail is 11 miles and is the most famous trail on the island. We chose to only do the first 2 miles of the hike which takes you to Hanakapi’ai Beach. The hike was a little tricky in places but I’m happy to say our whole group made it. The scenery was beautiful and the views were breathtaking. The hike took most of the morning and early afternoon.

(View of Ke’e beach from the trail)

 

 

                 

         

           

          

         

          

After the hike we relaxed for a bit at the house before heading down Hukilau Lanai, a restaurant famous for their fresh fish and amazing views, for a fancy pants dinner that was just too tasty for words. Lobster Bisque and the Mixed Grill (Spicy Grilled Spear Fish and Butter Fish with Coconut Curry Risotto and Sugar Cane Shrimp with Pineapple Mango Salsa). See, I still remember it perfectly. Definitely one of the best meals of my life.

     

After dinner we walked down to the beach and enjoyed the sunset. The beach was covered in driftwood and was incredibly pretty.

        

        

I love my fam.

Ke’e Beach and swimming with sharks

A couple minutes north of Tunnels Beach on the North shore is Ke’e beach. It’s the farthest north you can drive on the island and sits right at the tip of the North end of the Napali Coast. We loved this beach. Not only was it beautiful but despite how the pictures look it never really felt that crowded. But the best thing about Ke’e is the snorkeling. The water is shallow and crystal clear and the reefs attract dozens of different fish. Chris and JJ got to swim with sea turtles. paradise. Half of us spent all day Tuesday at the beach while Marty, Dad, Adam, Carley and Jordan went skydiving. Swimming, snorkeling, reading, eating, laying in the sun, there is nothing better. Hanalei Pizza for Marty’s B-day dinner and Olympics ended the day.

 

 

                                        

Wednesday Mckay, Adam and Chris went scuba diving while the rest of us went back to Ke’e beach. We loved it that much, and had to take the others that missed out on Tuesday. This was Mckay’s first official dive, he got scuba certified days before our trip. This was definitely the highlight for him, he saw three white tip sharks! I’m so glad he got that amazing experience. (pictures by Chris)

 

 

 

Also, I just have to share these pictures Chris took of the sunset Tuesday night. I swear I’ve never been to a prettier place than Kauai.