Active Kauai Weekend Adventure

Active Kauai Weekend Adventure Itinerary:

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• Day 1 Ride the waves with a surfing or stand-up paddle boarding lesson or search for sea turtles snorkeling in brilliant blue waters.

  Your trip begins today in Lihue, Hawaii. Arrive at Kauai's Lihue Airport by 12:00 p.m. noon. We hit the ground running with many active options to choose from. Get out in the waves with a traditional surfing or stand-up paddle surfing lesson- a perfect introduction for beginners! Or, skip the surf and explore the depths with a snorkel in the brilliant blue waters. This area is a favorite hangout for marine turtles and countless tropical fish. After a full day of fun in the sun, your guide transfers you to our comfortable campsite located on Kauai's north shore. Steps from the waves and good swimming, enjoy the lush tropical setting while you unwind, sip a cold tropical drink and settle in as your guides prepare a delicious welcome dinner of Hawaiian specialties. Dinner included.

  Stand-up paddle surfing, traditional surfing, and snorkeling options.

• Day 2 Paddle gorgeous Hanalei Bay, enjoying the backdrop of 4,000’ mountains and cascading waterfalls. Keep an eye out for abundant birdlife.

  The smell of fresh roasted coffee wakes us this morning as we throw on our swimsuits and head out to kayak gorgeous Hanalei Bay. Refine your technique in preparation for tomorrow's big kayak as we paddle in and around the bay, enjoying the backdrop of 4,000 foot high mountains and cascading waterfalls. We will enjoy a picnic lunch on a beach with the sand at our feet and take time for a swim in the crystal blue waters. The bay is fed by one of the only three navigable rivers in Hawaii, Hanalei River. This area is also a wildlife refuge and bird sanctuary. Keep your eyes out for boobies, albatrosses, wandering tattlers and herons. Late this afternoon we return to our campsite where dinner and an evening of stargazing awaits. All meals included.

  Kayaking: 5-8 miles.

• Day 3 – May through September departures Kayak the famed Na Pali coast, below verdant 3,000’ sea cliffs dotted with caves and secluded beaches.

  Following breakfast we take down our camp and head out on one of the best adventures in the world - a full day of sea kayaking along the famed Na Pali Coast. This is one of the most beautiful and remote shorelines in the world. Paddle below verdant 3,000’ sea cliffs dotted with dark sea caves and past secluded beaches. This is a challenging paddle with virtually no “turn-around” options; we recommend guests prepare for this trip in advance by kayaking and developing upper body strength. You should feel comfortable on the water and be a good swimmer. En route we park our kayaks at picturesque Milolii Beach for lunch. Completely isolated and only accessible by water, Milolii Beach was one of the first inhabited settlements in the state, carbon dating back to 600 A.D. when Milolii was known as a rich fishing village. Our day of kayaking ends with a landing on the westernmost beach. A private shuttle transfers us to a secluded campground on Kauai’s west side where our guides prepare a final delicious “aloha” dinner to celebrate our time in paradise. All meals included.

  Kayaking: Up to 16 miles. This is a challenging paddle day, especially if there is any wind.

• Day 3 – December departure Kayak the south shore past caverns, blowholes, hidden coves and black sand beaches.

  We are up early this morning to break camp before embarking on our paddle of the glorious south shore. We put in our kayaks at Poipu Beach and follow the coastline southwest past caverns, blowholes, hidden coves and black sand beaches. The south shore is known locally as Kauai’s "sunny side" for good reason since the rain shadow means for drier days and plenty of sunshine. Our one-way kayak is the perfect way to explore this secluded coastline. There are many highlights along this coast besides the crystal blue water. One is the greeting committee. Hawaiian green sea turtles frequent this area year-round, and it is not uncommon to have one pop up right beside our kayak. Spinner dolphins and the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal are also locals here, and it is always fun to see these playful creatures put on a show. Be sure to keep a sharp eye out for Great Humpback Whales! They migrate every year from Alaska to Hawaii to give birth and honeymoon, and winter is the best chance to see them frolicking just offshore. We will stop along the way for a picnic lunch on a deserted beach where we will also have time for a swim. Our paddle ends in Port Allen where a private shuttle transfers us to a secluded campground on Kauai’s west side where our guides prepare a final delicious “aloha” dinner to celebrate our time in paradise. All meals included.

  Kayaking: Up to 10 miles.

  Note: Winter departures cannot paddle the Napali coast due to oceanic conditions. We will kayak Kauai’s south shore from Poipu Beach to Port Allen.

• Day 4 Hike through the fragrant understory then up onto the fluted ridges of Waimea Canyon for incredible views of the wild Na Pali Coast.

  Today we switch gears and grab our hiking boots for a ten-mile loop hike. One of the most unexpected and dramatic natural wonders in tropical Hawaii is Waimea Canyon. This rugged region of deep river gorges and multi-hued cliffs is more than 10 miles long and more than 3,500 feet deep. Though Waimea may be one of the most iconic destinations in Kauai, very few visitors do more than snap a picture from the rim. Odds are that down in the canyon we will have the trails almost completely to ourselves. Your trekking poles may come in handy today as we make our way through the fragrant understory of the canyon and up onto its fluted ridges that offer incredible views of the wild Na Pali Coast. Conjure up the lost worlds of Jurassic Park and you've pretty much got the picture. Our van meets us at the end of the hike for the drive back to Lihue, arriving in town by 5 p.m. Flights out of Lihue can be scheduled for any time after 7 p.m., or choose to continue to explore the Hawaiian Islands on your own. Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner on your own.

  Hiking: 10 miles rugged terrain with substantial elevation gain and loss.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions.

Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.

Meals as noted in the daily itinerary; 3 nights camping; skilled trip leader; group airport transfers; all equipment for various activities (2-person tents; kayaks, PFDs); permits and entrance fees; private transportation throughout.

Airfare to Lihue, Hawaii; additional hotel nights; cost of medical immunizations; snorkel equipment (can be rented); insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages and soft drinks; optional gratuities to guides and items of a personal nature.

Major: Lihue Airport - Lihue, Kauai

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members should be experienced campers in good physical condition. It is not necessary to be an expert kayaker, but we recommend that you have some previous kayaking or canoeing experience. Kayaking the Na Pali coast is a long paddle and requires that you have good core and upper-body strength. The stretch of the Na Pali Coast we paddle is remote with no easy turn-around point. You should be at ease in a small boat, be a good swimmer and be comfortable in deep water. Due to weather conditions, the hiking trails in the Waimea Canyon area may be muddy with stream crossings and can be slippery. This trail could be considered a Moderate Plus 3+. We ask that you come equipped with a spirit of adventure and willingness to pitch in and help with camp chores.

Kauai's climate is subtropical, with weather that varies more by location than by season. Average coastal daytime temperatures are in the mid-70s year-round while nighttime lows can drop into the upper 60s. During the summer months, the trade winds keep the humidity from becoming oppressive. Kauai's average annual rainfall is about 40 inches; this is what keeps the garden isle so lush and beautiful. Warm afternoon showers are not uncommon, so please bring adequate raingear. Because this trip spends a lot of time in and around water, good sun protection (long sleeves and pants, hat, sunscreen, etc.) is imperative.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

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