Kauai and its many natural wonders lend themselves to an array of outdoor activities. You can zipline over the Kauai rain forest canopy or kayak the many waterways to explore some of the island's remote areas. Kauai is home some of the best golf courses in Hawaii and feature spectacular views of the ocean. Water sports, such as snorkeling and scuba diving, are also great ways to explore the island's diversity.
Kayaking
Kauai has the only navigable rivers in all of Hawaii. Kayaking is one of the best ways to discover the island's many attractions, such as the Wailua and Huleia Rivers, as well as the Hanalei River, the island's longest, on the northern shore. Besides rivers, you can also do some ocean kayaking if you are experienced. The southern Shore's Port Allen and Poipu are popular kayaking destinations. During calm conditions, the 17-mile Napali Coast is widely considered to be one of the best kayaking excursions in the country.
Ziplining
Seeing Kauai from 50 to 80 feet from above the ground and ziplining at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour will give you a new appreciation for the lush island greenery below your feet. You'll cruise through a diverse ecosystem home to some rare animals and plants. Several opportunities exist for ziplining in Kauai. Princeville Ranch Adventures offers ziplining tours on the North Shore, Kauai Backcountry Adventures and Just Live have tours in Lihue, and Outfitters Kauai covers the South Shore.
Mountain Tubing
The many waterways on Kauai make for some great mountain tubing experiences. The over 100-year-old Hanamaulu ditch system, consisting of several canals and tunnels to transport water from Mt. Waialeale to sugar cane fields, are now purely used for water-sport adventures. The gentle currents carry you through the canal system and to isolated sections of the island. Bring plenty of sunscreen and bug repellent for your trip.
Golfing
Kauai has a number of stunning golf courses, many situated directly along the coast. One such course is the Princeville Makai Course on the North Shore. The course consists of 27 holes that overlook the Pacific Ocean and Hanalei Bay from high atop a rolling plateau. The course has been the site of several professional golfing tournaments.
Wailua Golf Course is Kauai's only municipal course and is scenically located seaside on the island's East Side. Considered to be one of the best courses in America, its 18 holes measure 6,991 yards. Holes 14 through 18 are the course's highlights with two ocean par-3s.
Windsurfing And Scuba Diving
Kauai has a number of popular windsurfing spots. Some of the best are Kalapaki Beach and the South Shore's Poipu Beach. Anini Beach is perhaps Kauai's most idyllic for windsurfers. The breeze here blows throughout the year. Veteran windsurfers head to the North Shore's Haena Beach for the stiff winds and gentle swells.
The South Shore on Kauai provides perfect scuba diving and snorkeling conditions. The calm waters are home to a diverse sealife that can easily be observed with a visibility of up to 50 feet below the surface. Several scuba and snorkeling outfitters, including Fathom Five Divers, rent all the necessary equipment for a great diving adventure.
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