For this trip we wanted to spend more time exploring on our own and we found many more hiking and exploration opportunities than could be found just looking at the brochures. Get yourself a recent Kauai guidebook – it will prove indispensable! We used "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook" by Doughty and Freidman. We found several hikes to go on this trip and many more we didn’t have time for and will try our next trip back.
Here’s a couple we didn’t see: several trails off route 550 on the west side of the island and starting at Koke’e lodge that are accessible by four wheel drive only and go down along the ridges of the "fingers" of the Napali coast. Another is the two and a half mile "secret tunnel" that ends in a waterfall starting from the Keahua arboretum. And of course, going farther than Hanakapi’ai beach from Ke’e beach.
Activities:
We did enjoy several activities this trip. Snorkeling at Ke’e beach – we saw a fairly great variety of tropical species of fish including several large schools that seemed "tame" as they did not flee as you approached – simply moved out of the way – I guess they pretty much know they can swim a whole lot faster than humans! We also snorkeled at Annini beach – this is briefly mentioned in the guidebook but not at all in any of the local brochures. We saw a sea turtle and followed it around the area protected inside of a long fringing reef. Pohihale beach – the farthest point (or nearest to Napali coast) that you can drive – access here is best by four wheel drive, or a very slow and bumpy ride in a passenger vehicle. I grew up in New York, famous for its potholes, but this road takes it to a new level!