Guides & tips

Plan your trip like a local

Honest answers to the questions travellers ask us most.

Food Tours and Cooking Classes on Kauai: What to Book

Kauai's food tour changes sides of the island by weekday and asks you to drive yourself. Compare it with a Hanalei walking tour, a hands-on cooking class and a botanical garden chocolate tasting.

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Kauai Helicopter or Air Tour: Which Flight Should You Book?

The two most-reviewed air tours in our Kauai listings are small planes, not helicopters. Compare them with the helicopter flights, the landing in Olokele Canyon and the two doors-off flights.

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Luau Kalamaku on Kauai: Which Ticket Is Worth It?

Luau Kalamaku sells four tickets: standard buffet, elevated seating, premium seating and a VIP manor-house dinner. See what each includes, what it excludes and who should pick which.

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Movie Locations on Kauai: Which Film Tour Is Worth Your Day?

Two road tours take you to Kauai's film sites: a seven-hour tour with Jurassic Park and Pirates of the Caribbean stops, and a nine-hour mini-coach tour that adds waterfalls and chocolate. What each includes, who should skip them.

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Na Pali Coast by Boat: Catamaran, Zodiac Raft or Sailboat?

Compare the Na Pali power catamaran, the Zodiac raft into the sea caves and the sunset sailing cruises by duration, ride, age limits and who should stay ashore.

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Snorkeling and Diving on Kauai: Boat, Shore Dive or SNUBA?

Compare Na Pali snorkel cruises, the Niʻihau day trip, the Koloa Landing shore dive and SNUBA by duration, age limits and swimming requirements, plus a flight warning for divers.

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Surf Lessons on Kauai: Kalapaki or Poipu?

Two small-group surf lessons, one at Kalapaki Beach near Lihue and one in Poipu. Compare group size, gear, age and weight limits and the swimming requirement before you book.

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Wailua River on Kauai: Kayak to Secret Falls or Cruise to Fern Grotto?

Two guided kayak and hike tours to Secret Falls, two Fern Grotto river-cruise day trips and a short waterfall hike compared by effort, age limits, duration and what is not included.

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Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe: Guided Tour or Drive Yourself?

Compare four Waimea Canyon day tours with a self-drive, including the state-park fees, the lookouts, who should not book a minibus tour and why to check park closures first.

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Zipline or E-Bike in South Kauai: Which Is Better?

Koloa's eight-line zipline and a morning e-bike ride through Poipu and Koloa compared: duration, age and weight limits, what is included and who should pick which.

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