Known as the “Garden Isle,” Kauai is filled with splendor for people of all ages. While the island offers countless outdoor adventures and opportunities for thrill seekers and action sports enthusiasts, there are numerous attractions and activities perfectly suited for retirees desiring a more tranquil connection to Kauai. From luaus to sight-seeing tours, by bus or boat, to museums and more, you will be delighted by Kauai’s plentiful choices for fun and informative activities. We have picked a few relaxing experiences and excursions that allow you to easily glimpse into Kauai’s rich history and blossoming future.
Enjoy a comfortable and scenic ride on the Waimea Canyon Experience, touring Kauai’s southern coast. This convenient, half-day tour allows you to absorb many of Kauai’s must-see locations in air-conditioned luxury. Ascending the incredible 3,400 feet of Waimea Canyon with ease, your tour will provide an impressive window to the place that author Mark Twain described as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Witness the famous and magnificent Spouting Horn, with lofty bursts of ocean spray, as you continue your journey through Kauai’s striking south shore. You will travel through the lavish resort area of Poipu, which Elvis Presley’s movie, Blue Hawaii made famous. Visitors who are not staying in Poipu will also have the opportunity of a side trip to the old Koloa Sugar Mill, Queen Victoria’s Profile, and the Nawiliwili Harbor. This is a fantastic tour for those visitors using a wheel chair, as all stops and facilities visited are accessible. Be sure to indicate accessibility needs during booking, with notification of at least two weeks prior to you tour date, in order to secure a transfer vehicle which is equipped with a lift.
Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto offers another stunning view of the Garden Isle’s natural bounty. With live music and hula instruction, this tour, on spacious, open-air boats, will fill you with the Aloha spirit. During your excursion, you will learn about the deep cultural heritage of ancient Hawaii, through stories and songs. You will drink in the magnificence of the sacred capital of ancient Kauai, the lands along Wailua River, which were the birthplace of Kauai’s ali‘i, or royalty. Savor a short nature walk through the brilliantly colored rainforest, when the cruise reaches its destination, to the flourishing Fern Grotto, where ferns grow inverted from the grotto’s millions-of-years-old roof.
Smith’s Kauai, which offers the Wailua River Cruise, also provides a gorgeous 30-acre botanical and cultural garden within the Wailua Marina State Park. This easily accessed, yet secluded estate is ideal for an afternoon picnic or garden stroll, including an abundance of tropical fruits and dazzlingly plumed peacocks and other birds. Smith’s Tropical Paradise Garden Luau is a fantastic addition to your river cruise, though you are welcome to join in the luau festivities without partaking in the cruise. Visit smithskauai.com for further information about the grounds and activities offered, as well as pricing and purchasing requirements.
Grove Farm Sugar Plantation Museum is yet another destination for a taste of Hawaiian history. In the center of Lihue, this wonderfully preserved one hundred acre homestead includes the original plantation main house, owner’s cottage, guest cottage, old office, and other resident and plantation workers’ housing camp. Be prepared for a walking tour, in which you will need to remove your shoes when entering some of these old buildings, to help preserve the antique floors. While visiting Grove Farm, be sure to try some of the delicious sugar cookies made on-site!
Featured Property: Sea Lodge Unit A7
Make this charming and cozy 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom condominium your private vacation getaway. Perched atop Princeville’s bluff, you will behold sweeping ocean views, perfect for whale watching December through May. With a convenient path to the beach below and a swimming pool nearby, you can easily fit morning laps or a relaxing afternoon dip into your schedule. This property has what you need, from linens, towels and a luxurious queen size bed to keep you comfortable, to a dishwasher and coin operated laundry room to make chores a breeze. Wireless internet and TV will help you to stay connected or to find a little escape. Give us a call at (800) 800-3637 or send us an email at info@princeville-vacations.com for more information and availability. We are excited to hear from you and to help give you the serene vacation you deserve!