Location: Poipu
Top Things to do in Poipu
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Poipu, United States
Kauai’s South Shore is home to some of the country’s best beaches—for swimming, diving and all sorts of water sports. If sunbathing on a gorgeous beach isn’t relaxing enough, try a spa (where many treatments incorporate local ingredients). And if you’re in Poipu for a romantic escape, splurge on an oceanview room—the sunsets are spectacular.
Restaurants in Poipu
1. Tread Lightly Kauai Tours- Private Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 166 reviews
Tread Lightly Kauai Tours provides wonderful Kauai private sightseeing and private light hiking tours. All of our Kauai tours are customized according to your personal preference, and physical ability level. We cater to your individual needs and abilities. Only you and your party will be on tour. No one else!
Reviewed By billgrady2016 - Pass Christian, Mississippi
What a great day we had exploring Kauai on a private tour with Jay. After reading reviews about Jay we decided that his tour was the one for us. When I called him to book our tour he told us his van was not available the day we wanted. I was so disappointed and I remember telling him we had to come up with something else. He then said that if we didn’t mind going in his personal car instead of the van we could make it happen.
We spent the most memorable day exploring Kauai the way a friend would show you his home town. We saw of the most beautiful beaches and scenery Kauai has to offer. Jay is so versed on the every day life of the area which made the tour very up front and personal. We warndered through his neighborhood stopping to buy fresh fruit from his own neighbors. He was even able to add a few personal stories about celebrities who live in his area that were quite entertaining.
If you are interested in seeing the Kauai that the locals see than this tour is the one for you.
2. Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 778 reviews
Reviewed By jammerspot - Minnesota
Hiked with friends. Beautiful scenery. Ocean very turquoise, many rock formations as well as area of tortoises sanctuary. Very very worth the hike.
3. Makawehi Lithified Cliffs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
Reviewed By mek99 - Syracuse, NY
We did the hike which begins at Shipwreck Beach and continues for several miles along the coastline. The terrain can be a bit uneven due to lava rocks and exposed roots so good, comfortable shoes are a must. The hike passes ancient sacred spots of the native Hawaiians, incredible vistas, caves, a tortoise conservancy, and a fairly remote, sandy beach. We went in the morning when there were very few hikers but by afternoon the trails were becoming busier. The trail head is marked but there are very few markers after that. It is easy to lose the trail but it seems that the differing trails all eventually meet up again so it's not a problem.
4. Lawa'i Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By Nessy18
One of the best snorkeling spots on Kauai. However be mindful of the semi difficult entry on mostly rocks and the presence of currents towards the outer reef. Wildlife variety is great, honus are regulars, and there are some coral heads (not a lot). I recommend it for a quick dip. It used to be better for lounging before Beach House swallowed up a lot of the lawm for their use.
5. Makauwahi Cave Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By jswhit - Bloomington, Illinois
We enjoyed this unexpected tour! We happened to be driving down the dirt road and turning around...only to meet the person who gives tours here! It was quite interesting and both my husband and I enjoyed hearing the history. It is donation based, and they are only open Wed, Fri, Sat, and Sun from 10 - 2. After the tour we checked out the tortoises and then explored the area...only to find am amazing view of the Pacific! What an enjoyable way to spend a few hours!!
6. Allerton Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
NTBG’s Allerton Garden Garden is located on the south shore of Kauai in the picturesque Lawai Valley. Tours run daily and include a ride from the Visitors Center in Poipu along a scenic coastal route and continue along the valley rim on a former sugarcane train railbed. Visitors disembark on the valley floor to explore this former private estate, named by National Geographic Traveler magazine as one of the 50 places to see in a lifetime. Plants form the walls of outdoor rooms, the canopy of trees the ceiling. Housed within are elegant statuary and water features. A popular spot for photos is the ‘Jurassic trees’, with their massive curving roots.National Tropical Botanical Garden is a nonprofit institution, dedicated to saving and studying tropical plants.
Reviewed By dixiedorena - Athens, Georgia
Perhaps I didn't understand what this tour entailed. I wanted to learn more about the fabulous tropical plants in the region and less about Robert Allerton who created this garden. Though we walked through some incredible vegetation, our guide talked incessantly about things unrelated to the site. For the high cost of admission, I was disappointed.
The tour was exactly 2 1/2 hours as scheduled. We took a shuttle van for the 10-minute drive from the Visitor Center to Allerton Gardens and then walked easy paths through the forested landscaped areas. Along the ride to the garden, the guide talked a bit about Queen Emma who began the first gardens in this valley. Once we were off the bus we had long periods of standing, perhaps waiting for another group to move through the area, which could have been used to teach us about the plants rather than idle chatter. We were an hour into the tour before the guide began to show us some interesting things. There were only two outdoor "rooms" but several other sculpted places with ponds and statues which demonstrated how Allerton created a feeling of "place" within a larger forest. We walked past a Victory Garden orchard but the guide seemed to know little about the specific trees. The last site on the walk was the fabulous area of giant tree roots where Jurassic Park was filmed and the guide offered plenty of time for photos.
With a lot of wasted time up front and a quick walk through a few other sites, I felt like the tour was not well-designed for the best visitor experience. Overall, though I learned a few things about Queen Emma, the Allertons, and the plants in these gardens, I wished I had spent my money on something else.
7. Poipu Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By MNpat - minnesota
Poipu Beach park is VERY popular for everybody. You can understand why when you arrive. The wave are very small here due to the rock walls and reefs. This makes swimming and snorkeling very enjoyable and safe. The water is also warm and fairly shallow. You can even view fish easily without snorkeling- just by walking near the reef. It was also enjoyable just to watch all the different people from around the world visiting this beach. Very entertaining. I would recommend this beach to anyone visiting Kauai. Nice place to spend the day.
8. Baby Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 171 reviews
Reviewed By Lodi-grape-picker - Portland, OR
This beach is called Baby Beach for a reason. The water here is very calm, but very shallow, not reaching much more than 2-3 feet. This is a small beach that is tucked away behind private homes. It can get crowded depending on the amount of tourists in the area.
9. Shipwreck Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 932 reviews
Reviewed By ShamysShores2 - Regina
This beach is a great place to spend the day soaking up the Hawaiian sun and letting the sand fall between your toes. Bring a chair, a picnic lunch and a good book for a relaxing day out. Nearby eateries offer drinks and a nice variety of foods.
10. Old Koloa Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
Reviewed By Brent W - Stowe, Vermont
Quite a few different shops of many kinds, from trendy and funky to typical touristy. It was nice to go there once, but that was enough. It might be more hopping during the daytime, with food trucks all around and being easy to walk around. Worth checking out for some souvenirs.
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