Location: Hanapepe
Top Things to do in Hanapepe
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10 Things to Do in Hanapepe That You Shouldn't Miss
Hanapepe is a historic, unincorporated community in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States. The name means "crushed bay" in Hawaiian which may refer to landslides in the area) For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Hanapepe as a census-designated place (CDP). The census definition of the area may not precisely correspond to local understanding of the area with the same name. The population was 2,638 at the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Hanapepe
1. Captain Andy's Sailing Adventures
Overall Ratings
5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Wendy M - Courtenay, Canada
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2. Niihau Helicopter
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By IdaIllinois - Illinois
This is a company that will actually take you to the “Forbidden” Hawaiian island of Ni’ihau. They offer their flight, commentary, and time on a beach of the island for around $450 a person; however, there needs to be five people in order for the trip to proceed. (They will fly if you agree to pay the entire amount should not enough people agree to go.)
Ua was our contact with the company; she kept us informed about all logistics and necessary things. George was our pilot and guide who gave a running expert commentary on the history, people, geology, geography, etc. of the island. Both were great!
We left the Port Allen Airstrip on Kauai around 1300, flew around Ni’ihau, and spent three relaxing hours on a coastal beach walking, learning, watching the flora and fauna, and truly enjoying this very unique excursion—truly an Hawaii apart.
Our fellow travelers were wonderful, and we enjoyed their company; thanks to Dan and Cindy!
The island itself was purchased from the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1864 and has been privately owned since by the Sinclair/Robinson family who also own the helicopter. Fees for the tour go to fund the medical and emergency uses for the aircraft for the resident Hawaiians. There are also hunting excursions that are held occasionally. Contact with the Hawaiian population is not allowed, and there are no services, restaurants, hotels, bathrooms, or tourist “things” there.
This is the only company that offers a true trip to Ni’ihau although one company does go to the waters offshore of the small crater, Lahua, for snorkeling; they, however, do not go ashore.
This activity is very highly recommended!
3. Kauai Coffee Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Susan J - Fort Collins, Colorado
Took the self-guided tour, though there is a guided tour offered. This is the largest coffee plantation in the United States and their product is wonderful. Taste all the different blends and flavors. I stocked up on my favorite beans to stash in my suitcase!
4. Hanapepe Friday Night Festival & Art Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 277 reviews
Reviewed By HT0375 - Chicago
We went there on the recommendation from locals and it was well worth the drive. Hanapepe is a small village located on the southwestern side of Kauai, half-way between Waimea & Poipu. It is usually pretty quiet outside of Friday Night Festival & Art Walk. On Friday nights, it becomes filled with locals & tourists alike strolling down the main street amidst the live music that fills the street. Many stores will be open till quite late (around 10:30pm or 11pm I think) and there will be market stands on the streets as well where you can buy all kinds of merchandise.
A few food trucks will be there too, though the best food is at places like Grandma's Japanese where you will have very nice sushi/maki. It's a nice place to be when you want to just relax and enjoy some local food as well as local art & shops, while listening to local musicians.
5. Salt Pond Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 399 reviews
Reviewed By thedogColumbia_MO - Columbia, MO
I think we've gotten spoiled by the remoteness of Barking Sands beach, where two's company, three's a crowd. Salt Pond beach is lovely, but it's fairly crowded, and the crowd is not particularly concerned with cleaning up after themselves. I'm always surprised that people litter the most beautiful places in the world. Seems to be a hangout for some shady characters, too. There were plenty of families and small children because the beach itself is fairly protected.
6. Holo Holo Charters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Get to the Fun Faster! The memories will last a lifetime... Our four boats, Leila, Holo Holo, and Adventurer II & III, get you to the action quicker than anybody else, so you have more time to snorkel, sightsee, relax and enjoy the pristine waters and spectacular cliffs of the Napali Coast & Niihau. We are the only Kauai boat tours company that offers daily trips to the "forbidden island" of Niihau.
Reviewed By onechiropractor - Seattle, Washington
Captain Drew and his crew did a fantastic job of finding wildlife to view in natural surroundings and an unbelievable snorkel experience near the Forbidden Island of Niihau and the Lehua crater. We saw spinner dolphins, humpback whales, pilot whales, albatross and we snorkeled among the manta rays! I would definitely go again! Plenty of food and drink. The entire crew was very friendly and extremely accommodating for all the guests on board.
7. Catamaran Kahanu
Overall Ratings
5 based on 801 reviews
Na Pali Coast Tour experience the majestic cliffs, sea caves, and marine animals. Enjoy swim and snorkel. Best day on your vacation with Captain Lani Tours.
Reviewed By Sacha O - Los Angeles
I initially chose Catamaran Kahanu because they were a smaller size with a more intimate crowd size (we had 8 passengers), and with it being my four year old daughter's first boating and whale watch experience I thought smaller would be better. Boy was I correct! From start to finish, the aloha and ohana feelings permeated the experience...really captured the essence of Kauai. Now, the whale part could have been the disappointing part of the review, because as the time for the tour to end approached, we had seen only a few spouts in the distance, but had yet to catch one even sort of close up...so much so that my daughter had begun to state that she didn't believe whales were real--that they were just legends. Well, Captain and his crew were having none of that and after checking that none of the other passengers had any time constraints, he was determined to show her a whale. And his perseverance paid off as we came upon not one, but two, whales, very close up (close enough to see their "whiskers" as my daughter says) and I know he did it just for her. We are so grateful we chose to go with Catamaran Kahanu--I whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone and everyone! Mahalo nui loa!
8. Blue Dolphin Charters
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
No visit to Kauai is complete without an adventure on Na Pali Coast! Blue Dolphin Charters is proud to run the two largest motor sailing catamarans on Kauai specializing in tours of Na Pali Coast and the forbidden island of Niihau. Whether you are here for a family vacation, honeymoon or looking for a new adventure, Blue Dolphin Charters will make your trip to Kauai a memorable experience for years to come!
Reviewed By EDWARD L
Went on a Sunset Cruise & Seasonal Whale cruise on 3/31/2018. Captain Chad and his crew of Quinn and Whitney were awesome! They were funny, helpful, and most of all, competent and focused on everyone's safety. Plenty of food and drinks for everyone. We saw three whales, had plenty of time to observe them. Had a great time and definitely recommend them. If I had more time, I would have taken the cruise to the Na'Pali coast as well.
9. Swinging Bridge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 277 reviews
Reviewed By jellybellymelly - Singapore, Singapore
There's absolutely nothing at Hanapepe (when we were there at least, on a Sunday); everything was closed and there was practically nobody. Fortunately we were treated to a double rainbow when crossing the bridge when it was drizzling - beautiful sight.
10. Liko Kauai Cruises
Overall Ratings
5 based on 402 reviews
Reviewed By BucketListExpl0rer - Rochester, New York
My husband and I have been on boat tours before and this ride was average. Our group was not able to go into the caves due to rough water. We were actually rescheduled because of high waves earlier in the week. The tour guide was repetitive and there was not enough historic or interesting facts provided throughout the trip.
The boat was smaller, which was understandable for going in the caves, but it made for a rocky ride at times. I ended up getting sea sick and my husband asked if there was anything we should do to help alleviate the nausea. The staff was not very empathetic and though I understand there was not much they could do, it was the communication style and the way they handled the situation that we did not appreciate.
I would not have gone on the ride had we known entering the caves was not a possibility. There should be a definite communication/decision at the beginning of the tour versus a "maybe". I don't believe the tour was worth the amount we paid.
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