Big Island (Hawaii)
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Feb 6 - Feb 12
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Hawaii
4 days on Maui, 5 on Kauai, and 3 on the Big Island. Adventure mixed in with relaxing beach time.
 
13
DAYS
Destination(s):
Big Island (Hawaii), 
Kauai, 
Maui 
Trip type(s): Active/Adventure
Author: dorigen
4 days on Maui, 5 on Kauai, and 3 on the Big Island. Adventure mixed in with relaxing beach time.
Day 1 - Maui
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The Honokowai Beach Park lies north of Honokowai Point on a rocky stretch of shoreline. A rocky area lies immediately off the beach diminishing the swimming conditions, although there is a shallow area that may interest children. The north end of this beach provides access to an outer reef for snorkeling. The park itself lies in a grassy, shaded area with eleven picnic tables and five grills. Other facilities include restrooms, showers and a large parking area.
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Alii Kahekili Nui 'Ahumahi Beach Park extends north more than a mile from Black Rock. This is a newly established beach park with full facilities including: picnic tables, grills, showers, restrooms and changing rooms. The picnic pavilion lies in a grassy area that backs the beach. The park has a gate and is open to the public from 6:00 - 6:30 everyday. Parking is easy with a paved lot designated for park use. The beach itself is wide and sandy, but has a steep descent into the water. There is snorkeling at either end of this beach at Black Rock and Honokowai Point.
Honokowai Beach Park
Day 2 - Maui
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Feast At Lele (The)
 Cuisine: Seafood, Pacific Rim
Top-notch entertainment and perfectly prepared cuisine make this a premiere Maui attraction. A little island history: Lahaina used to be known as Lele. In those long-ago days, gala royal feasts were held along the beach. They featured the best food, music and dance of the island. This is a reconstruction of the ancient royal celebrations. Excecutive Chef James McDonald presents a mouth-watering array of specialties representing all the regions of Polynesia.
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Black Rock Beach
 Type: Beach
Black Rock beach lies at Keka'a Point backed by the Sheraton Hotel. This is the northern end of the Ka'anapali/Hanakao'o Beach. Black Rock is well known for excellent swimming conditions and the best snorkeling in Ka'anapali. The rock formation that forms Keka'a Point consists of black lava rock the extends into the ocean and supports a variety of fish and coral. This beach has full facilities as well as equipment rental. Snorkelers and swimmers are encouraged to check conditions of currents around Black Rock at the Sheraton beach hut.
Day 3 - Maui
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Goofy Foot Surf School
 Type: Outdoors: Surfing
Surfing, while never easy, is certainly more fun at this West Maui surf school. Head instructor Tim Sherer and his dedicated staff keep classes small to ensure that each person gets enough attention. As a result, testimonials and words of thanks keep coming from satisfied customers worldwide. The school also offers board rentals, intermediate lessons and guided surf safaris to prime Maui surf spots. Direct booking is encouraged.
Goofy Foot Surf School
Day 4 - Maui
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Milagros Food Company
 Cuisine: Mexican
Mouth-watering innovations like Pepper-Crusted Ono Pasta and Blackened Ahi Taquitos add a kick to classic Mexican fare at this restaurant. In addition to the delicious eats, the margaritas are tangy and strong (there are happy hour specials daily from 3pm-6pm). The interior is dark, informal and a little bit confusing; it's hard to tell whether you should seat yourself, order at the counter, or buttonhole a passing waitress. The huge sundeck is where the action is.
Milagros Food Company
Day 5 - Kauai
 Day Note

Depart Maui 8:40am, arrive Kauai 10:26am.
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Hanalei Beach Park
 Type: Beach
Hanalei Bay is an amazing destination for different reasons, at different times of the year. When visiting these shores during the winter, visitors should always check with a lifeguard before entering the water. Hanalei Bay boasts 30 – 60 ft. waves at times during the winter, and is home to some of the best “Big Wave” surfers in the world. On the other end of the spectrum, during the summer this versatile bay changes, and boasts snorkeling, swimming, amazing sunsets, beautiful cliff sides, waterfalls and of course some of the best surfing in the world.
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Few places are as romantic as Kauai—and few hotels cater to romantics to the extent that this one does. Weddings can be seen almost any day, and the hotel is full of honeymooners, folks on anniversary or vacationing lovebirds. Of course, people who are not in the middle of a great romance can also appreciate this gracious hotel and its gorgeous beachfront setting. A myriad of entertainment options are within easy driving distance, but fine dining can be enjoyed right on the property at Bali Hai.
Hanalei Beach Park
Day 6 - Kauai
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Kayak Hanalei
 Type: Outdoors: Paddling
Kayaking is big in Hawaii. The perfect combination of exercise, adventure and sightseeing, this adventure appeals to all ages. Kayaking Hanalei cannot be beat. The famous bay is a vision of clear blue water and stunning mountain scenery, while the river figures heavily in Hawaiian history. The morning tour lasts four hours and includes snorkeling and lunch. The afternoon tour lasts three hours and traverses the Hanalei River. Call to reserve a seat.
Day 7 - Kauai
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Ke'e Beach
 Type: Beach
This is the end of the road my friend. Go as far as you can go on the north shore, and you have found Ke’e Beach. Finding parking is sometimes challenging, but good things come to those who wait. The beautiful reef and the abundant shade make this beach a favorite for visitors. Families can spend the day snorkeling and swimming, or they can choose to take a quick hike along a portion of the Na Pali Trail. Few are disappointed after visiting this gem of Kauai.
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Kalalau Trail
 Type: Outdoors: Hike/Walk
This is considered Kaui'i's best hike, but it is a difficult one. Views include the Na Pali Coast, surrounding valleys, waterfalls, and ancient ruins. There is a shorter, two-mile version from Ke'e Beach to Hanakapi'ai.

The Kalalau Trail provides the only land access to this part of the coast. The trail begins at Ke'e Beach in Ha'ena State Park, at the northwest end of Kuhio Highway (Route 56). The eleven-mile trail traverses five valleys before ending at Kalalau Beach in Na Pali State Park, where it is blocked by sheer, fluted Pali. The trail is almost never level as it crosses above towering sea cliffs and through lush valleys. The trail drops to sea level at the beaches of Hanakapi'ai and Kalalau. For most backpackers in good condition, hiking the eleven miles will take a full day.

For experienced swimmers, knowledgeable in local sea conditions, nearshore waters offer limited opportunities for swimming and bodysurfing. Follow Highway 560 to Haena Beach Park. This is a good alternative to leaving your car at the trailhead as it is much safer. The trailhead is a one mile hike west from Haena Beach Park.

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Hanakapiai Falls
 Type: Outdoors: Other
Feeling adventurous? Take the 4 mile hike out to Hanakapi’ai Falls along the majestic Na Pali Trail. Hikers begin their journey fm Ke’e Beach along the Na Pali Trail for 2 miles to Hanakapi’ai Beach. Enjoy the scenery, but do not swim here as the conditions can be unforgiving. Turn left up the valley and follow the trail across swimming holes and beautiful high jungle, all the way to Hanakapi’ai Falls. These falls are breathtaking from their origins 100’s of feet up all the way down to the swimming hole at the bottom. This is a truly rewarding experience, and a great way for experienced hikers to enjoy the Na Pali Coast in a single day.
Ke'e Beach
Day 8 - Kauai
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Waimea Canyon State Park
 Type: Recreation & Nature Area
Waimea Canyon State Park preserves the Waimea River and the terrain that surrounds it beginning about six miles north of the town of Waimea. The park is a slender parcel of land that follows the river for approximately five miles. It includes a few canyon overlooks from which views of Ni'ihau Island are possible. Backcountry trails take adventurous visitors deep within the canyon for a closer look at flora and fauna. A short nature trail provides an opportunity for plant identification.

This state park provides access to a variety of recreation pursuits. Picnicking and viewing scenery top the activity list for many visitors to the park. Hiking and backpacking opportunities are also available within the park and the adjoining nature reserve. Other pursuits open to visitors include shore fishing and pig and goat hunting.

This state park is located in the western interior of Kaua'i and is accessible from Kokee and Waimea Canyon Roads.

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Waimea Brewing Company
 Type: Offbeat
Perched on the Western shore of Kaua'i is the Westernmost brewpub in the country. It serves a variety of handcrafted beers, among them Pakala Porter and the signature brew, Wai'ale'ale Ale. The menu features an impressive array of Hawaiian bar food, which is like American bar food with an Asian twist. Pupus (appetizers) include Ale-Steamed Shrimp, nachos and the ubiquitous Ahi Poke (raw Ahi in shoyu). Sandwiches, salads, pastas and filling meat entrees are also served. Wednesdays through Saturdays the pub is alive with live music.
Waimea Canyon State Park
Day 9 - Kauai
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Maniniholo Dry Cave
 Type: Outdoors: Other
Maniniholo Dry Cave lies off Kuhio Highway across from Haena Beach Park on Kauai's north shore. The cave was once part of the shoreline, but erosion has created the beach between the cave and the ocean. The cave is approximately 300 yards deep and large enough to enter. Water constantly drips into the cave and down it's walls creating humidity inside of it.
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Anini Beach Park
 Type: Beach
Located on the northern shore of Kaua'i, this gorgeous beach is often nearly empty. Although many private guest homes and vacation rentals are situated outside of the designated park area, the homes are spread out enough to allow beach-goers some privacy. Other than sunning and surfing, the main activity here is windsurfing. Windsurfing schools operate onsite. Snorkeling is good in the lagoon area created by the reef, but always check conditions first. Across the street is the playing field for the Kauai Polo Club.
Maniniholo Dry Cave
Day 10 - Big Island (Hawaii)
 Day Note

Depart Kauai 8:32am, arrive on the Big Island at 10:36am.