{"id":2510,"date":"2009-11-20T07:59:04","date_gmt":"2009-11-20T13:59:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/?p=2510"},"modified":"2016-12-17T00:44:13","modified_gmt":"2016-12-17T06:44:13","slug":"kauai-hawaiis-island-of-adventure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.orbitz.com\/blog\/2009\/11\/kauai-hawaiis-island-of-adventure\/","title":{"rendered":"Kauai: Hawaii’s island of adventure"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Kauai<\/em><\/em>

Kauai (Courtesy: Kauai Visitors Bureau)<\/p><\/div>\n

By Lena Katz<\/em><\/p>\n

When people say you may spot dolphins off the shore of Kauai, they don\u2019t mean just one or two. Noisy, fun-loving, fearless spinner dolphins cruise the Na Pali coast in pods, swimming alongside the sailboats and wowing the humans with airborne antics and graceful waterborne power. Spinners can\u2019t be trained, and they can\u2019t survive beyond a few days once taken from their natural habitat. They\u2019re one of many unforgettable Hawaii vacation<\/strong><\/a> experiences that can only be experienced with Mother Nature\u2019s permission, and if you\u2019re willing to go a little out of your comfort zone to reach them.<\/p>\n

Kauai\u2019s nickname is \u201cThe Garden Isle\u201d but its gardens are not merely the pretty floral kind. It\u2019s got thousands of acres of backcountry and jungle where bold visitors can hike or zip line, kayak to waterfalls or four-wheel through swamps — ALWAYS with a tour guide, of course — even the locals know better than to go running around the ancient jungle by themselves.<\/p>\n

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\"Cave

Cave tubing (Courtesy: Kauai Backcountry Adventures)<\/p><\/div>\n

If you want to score immediate daredevil points with the folks back home, you could include a Kauai Backcountry Adventures<\/a>\u2019 cave tubing expedition<\/strong> on your Hawaii vacation. It takes place way up in the private lands that used to be the Lihue Plantation, and the \u201ccaves\u201d and streams are actually part of a canal and tunnel system built forthe sugar plantation in the late 1800s. Guests sit in big black innertubes and ride the current through a series of underground caves \u2014 the last one completely in the dark. It sounds like something out of \u201cIndiana Jones\u201d but in reality, anyone with a sense of adventure and a sense of humor can participate. It\u2019s the jungle version of a \u201cLazy River\u201d water amusement ride\u2026which is to say, a lot chillier with some unexpected bumps, but so much more fun.<\/p>\n

\"(Courtesy:

(Courtesy: Kauai Backcountry Adventures)<\/p><\/div>\n

Kauai Backcountry Adventures also operates a zip line course (7 zip lines), but it\u2019s not the only place tooffer this attraction. Kauai, with its countless waterfalls and dense jungle canopy and picturesque valleys, is a place that practically begs you to go a little bit Tarzan-style in your explorations. Outfitters Kauai just introduced a new<\/strong> zip line course featuring an 1800-foot tandem flight followed by a \u201cWater Zip\u201d — AKA a swing out over a natural-fed swimming pool — let go and jump in, or hang on and enjoy the view<\/strong>. There\u2019s also a zip line experience at Princeville Ranch<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Horseback

Horseback riding (Courtesy: Princeville Ranch Stables)<\/p><\/div>\n

Princeville Ranch is primarily famous as the spot where Hawaii\u2019s paniolo (island cattle rancher) heritage still thrives \u2014 ergo, one of the most popular activities here is horseback riding. There\u2019s only one horseback outfitter on the 2500-acre working cattle ranch: the Carswells, who\u2019ve been on Kauai for many generations and have operated Princeville Ranch Stables for more than 25 years. Join them for a trail ride\/waterfall swim, or put on your working boots and saddle up for an actual cattle drive<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

And what about the ocean, you ask? In winter it can be a wee bit rough, but when conditions are good, it offers an endless variety of adventure: surfing at Hanalei Bay; snorkeling the protected lagoon at Ke\u2019e Beach or the \u201cTunnels\u201d at Makua.<\/p>\n

\"(Courtesy:

(Courtesy: Captain Andy\u2019s Sailing Adventures<\/p><\/div>\n

Boat tours abound, but if you can only take one and you want to hang out with those amazing spinner dolphins, my recommendation is Captain Andy\u2019s Kauai Sailing Adventures<\/strong>. Everybody \u2014 from tourism professionals, to tourists who plan regular Hawaii vacations on Kauai, to locals who remember taking their first job with Andy one summer 15 years go \u2014 has good things to say about this Na Pali Coast tour operator. Raft tours operate year round, though beach landings are usually only do-able in the summer. The sailing adventures take place aboard beautiful, perfectly maintained catamaran yachts. They usually start off sunny and smooth-sailing, but things get rolling \u2014 and soaking wet–when returning home through a Na Pali offshore swell.<\/p>\n

Not all Kauai adventures require a helmet and\/or a swimsuit, though. At historic Kilohana Plantation<\/a>, guests<\/strong> ride antique-styled trains through the working farm, stopping for a rainforest hike and picnic<\/strong>. If that\u2019s too rugged for you, upon your return, explore the shops in the refurbished plantation house, dine at Gaylord\u2019s, be among the first to taste newly launched Koloa Rum, or enjoy the awesome evening spectacle of Luau Kalamaku.<\/p>\n

\"(Courtesy:

(Courtesy: Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa)<\/p><\/div>\n

Tired yet? You will be, after a day out under the sun, doing any of these activities or ones I haven\u2019t thought of yet. Happily, Kauai hotels<\/a><\/strong> know how to take care of salt-spattered, punch-drunk travelers who have packed just a wee bit too much adventure into a too-brief itinerary. Stagger into the beautiful lobby of the Grand Hyatt<\/strong><\/a>, burned like a lobster and staggering on sea legs, and reception will present you with a cold glass of juice before spiriting you to a cool, spacious, herbal-scented hideaway mere steps from the swimming pool. Arrive at the Sheraton Kauai<\/strong><\/a> with a passel of over-excited kids going a zillion directions at once\u2026and you\u2019ll be relieved to find a sprawling condo-styled property with drive-up units and a casual, kid-friendly vibe. Castle Resorts operates several condo resorts on the island, including Castle Kaha Lani<\/strong><\/a> and Castle Kiahuna Plantation<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Related Orbitz resources:<\/strong><\/h3>\n