You should really check out the official website for Kauai (and all the other islands of Hawaii) here. But to give you an idea of the kind of things you can do, read on.
There are loads of things to do on your adventure holiday in Kauai. Obviously there are plenty of beaches to relax on where you can also go snorkeling, surfing, diving, sailing, cruising, fishing or whatever else you do on beaches.
As well as all that stuff these the following were the highlights for Paula and myself when we visited Hawaii & Kauai in August 2007. There are also a couple of MUST dos for Hawaii08.
Shopping
Hawaii is basically a small America in the middle of the pacific. Anything and everything you'd get shopping in America you will have little trouble finding in Hawaii. There are massive shopping malls like the Alamoana shopping center (near Waikiki), and other shopping centers scattered all over the place with great shops like Walmart, Boarders and K-Mart to name a few. Kauai has snorkel bob's for diving and snorkeling gear and the usual Walmarts and Kmarts where you can find low cost cool stuff (sports equipment, apparel, essentials, toys).
Dinning
Hawai‘i is a melting pot of nationalities and cultures and this is reflected in its cuisine. You'll notice the Islands US connection through the hamburger bars, all you can eat buffets and breakfast pancakes but Hawai‘i has far more on the menu.
Culinary excellence in Hawai‘i is on the rise. With the abundance of fresh produce and a great climate, it is no wonder that Hawaiian restaurants, gourmet delis and even cooking schools are now competing on the world culinary stage. When in Hawaii you can sample the sweetest pineapple, piping hot Kona coffee straight from the source and locally grown vegetables and exotic fruit.
Golf
Some of the world's best golf courses are on Kaua‘i. The island has a great selection of courses with greens fees ranging from discount to resort, but even the more expensive courses offer some specials when you purchase multiple rounds.
Poi‘pu Bay Golf Course is where the golf elite meets at the end of each year for the annual PGA Grand Slam of Golf. There are courses scattered all around the island, so no matter where you're staying there will always be somewhere near by to hit a few balls.
Snorkling & Diving
There are a number of excellent dive sites around Kaua‘i but access can be limited due to Kauai's unpredictable weather conditions. In the summer months the north shore, including the spectacular Napali Coast, is a good spot for snorkellers and divers alike.
O‘ahu is the only island in Hawai‘i to offer wreck dives. Several shallow reefs also make excellent shore dives for both divers and snorkellers. Good dive sites are found all around the island. One of the most famous dive and snorkelling sites is Hanauma Bay located only 30 minutes outside Waikiki. With a beautiful beach and calm waters it is a good place for first time divers and snorkellers.
Hiking & Biking
Hiking is a great way to explore the Hawaiian Islands. Walk into a rainforest and spot birds found nowhere else on the planet, trek along a rugged lava shoreline or hike into mysterious sea caves, the home of many ancient legends. Embark on trails to waterfalls with plunge pools along the way perfect for a swim stop, as well as walks into valleys so deep they never see a sunrise or a sunset. By foot you can access more remote areas of which are inaccessible by road.
Do you prefere flat roads or steep volcanoes? Cycling in Hawai‘i can be as relaxing or challenging as you like. You can hire bikes or join an organised tour on all Islands. The most famous bike ride in Hawai‘i is on Maui. It's the 61km ride down 10,023 vertical feet from the summit of Haleakala to the coast. Get up bright and early and catch the sunrise before you start freewheeling down the mountain. Leave at least 3 hours for this thrilling ride.
Surfing - Kauai
Favorite spots for surfing on Kaua‘i include Salt Pond, Po‘ipu Beach, Shipwrecks Beach, Nawiliwili Harbor, Hanalei Bay, Tunnels Beach and Cannons.
Outrigger Canoeing & Kayaking
The ancient art of outrigger canoeing still lives in Hawai‘i. Some resorts throughout the Islands offer canoe tours where visitors can get a taste of this traditional form of transportation.
Kayaking is a great way to explore Hawai‘i's beautiful coastline. Hire a kayak for a few hours to explore at your own pace or join an organised tour. One of the most breathtaking kayak tours is along the Napali Coast on Kaua‘i. Kaua‘i is also home to the only navigable rivers in Hawai‘i making it ideal for river kayaking.
Sailing, Cruising & Fishing
If kayaking seems to strenghonous a sailing trip or cruise is a good option. A number of dinner cruises operate on O‘ahu. These cruises give you a fantastic view of the sunset and the glimmering skyline of Waikiki. While on Kaua‘i take a sailing trip along the Napali Coast - this is guaranteed to be one of the highlights of your vacation.
Sport fishing is popular off all Islands, with Marlin, MahiMahi, Ono and ‘Ahi the usual catch.Deep-sea fishingis very popular on the Big Island and the island is world famous for its Marlin. Kaua‘i is the only island where you can do river fishing.
ATV, Zipline & Horse Riding
If you like to feel the adrenaline pumping then ATV's and ziplining is your thing! All terrain vehicles, ATV's, are a fast and fun way to discover the Islands. Organised ATV tours are available on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui and the Big Island.
Soar on a zipline through the forest canopy high above rivers and waterfalls at speeds up to 50 km/hour. It's an amazing way to take in the scenery! Zipline courses are available on Kaua‘i and Maui.
Horesridingis offered at a number of ranches around the Islands. You ridealong bluffs, across foothills, toward the coast, past secluded beaches and bays, across sugar cane fields, and even passing by a waterfall. Not many people know it but Hawai‘i is paniolo (cowboy) country!
Air Adventures
Some of Hawai‘i's most breath taking scenery is best experienced from the air. It's the nature of these Islands that some of their real treasures are hidden. There are a number of helicopter and light aircraft companies that offer aerial tours. A popular way to see Kilauea volcano and its lava flows is by helicopter. Seen from the air the views of the lava flows are uninterrupted.
