Location: Hanalei
Top Things to do in Hanalei
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Top 10 Tours in Hanalei, Hawaii (HI)
The beautiful little town of Hanalei could almost have been designed as a holiday island paradise. Its stunning beach, mountain scenery and its mostly fabulous weather conditions mean that you are going to want to spend most of your holiday outdoors. The bay on which Hanalei is located boasts beautiful white sands. Hanalei beach is perfect for lazing around or taking part in traditional beach games, as well as for enjoying a dip in the clean, warm waters. The conditions are often perfect for surfing, with locals and visitors alike keen to engage. When the water in the bay is rough, there remains an area towards the west of the bay which is reasonably sheltered for bathing. The pier at Hanalei is very important to the culture of the town and is used for fishing, as well as social and musical gatherings. The pier was featured in the musical, South Pacific.Hanalei TownThe small town that is Hanalei is famed for its dedication to Kauai’s island history and culture. Its art galleries contain carvings produced by indigent tribes people from local wood, with many souvenirs available for purchase. The Waioli Mission House and Church date back to the early part of the nineteenth century and were established by Christian missionaries to Kauai from the US mainland. Regular music and celebratory events are held, where you will be given the opportunity to taste poi, a locally produced Hawaiian delicacy. The freedom of your holiday rental will also allow you to sample the local island cuisine at the town’s traditional restaurants.
Restaurants in Hanalei
1. North Shore Kauai Audio Driving Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Explore Kauai's scenic north shore with Shaka Guide and visit the beautiful beaches, gorgeous hiking trails and even a hidden waterfall. You will love the gripping stories we tell of this unique island. Skip the tour bus and explore Kauai at your own pace for a fraction of the cost. Shaka Guide's North Shore Kauai Tour uses GPS to give you turn-by-turn directions to the best spots! Shaka Guide is the #1-rated app for Kauai with over 2K reviews on the App Store and Google Play Store! WHY SHAKA GUIDE: ✅ Tours never expire. ✅ Tour work offline. No data needed. ✅ Reliable GPS directions. ✅ A guided tour for a fraction of the price. ✅ Save time planning! We’ve done the work for you. ✅ Your vacation, your terms — freedom to stop and go as you please. ✅ The #1-rated travel app for Maui. ✅ Listen to interesting stories and Hawaiian music!
Inclusions: Offline map of the entire island with turn-by-turn audio navigation, Interesting stories and history and the freedom to explore at your own pace, Purchase will NEVER expire and tours work offline, Tour highlights in the app with restaurant and activity recommendations
Exclusions: Parking fees, Attraction entrance fees, Meals, Car rental, Crowded tour bus
Reviewed By chanyu1
This is a good and inexpensive way to do the Haleakala sunset tour with audio narrative of things to see along the way to the mountain top. Good value for the price. A quick tip: this app burns through your phone battery fast so having a car phone cable is a must or else your phone battery will run out of juice pretty quick...
2. Walking Food Tours on Kauai
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
Enjoy culinary delight's while we sample the best of the north shore restaurants. Join us on Kauai as we explore Hanalei, known for it's cascading waterfall's, breath taking beaches, and rich culinary history. The last commercial town before the legendary Napali coast, Hanalei a beautifully small and prosperous community. Our group will meet up at a local spot, where we'll get to know each other and begin sampling delicious food. We will be walking to select local favorites to try signature dishes. No better way to learn about the local foods than trying for yourself. Each of our vendors has selected and prepared special sevings for you. Come Hungry and leave full! We feature an original selection of Hanalei restaurants. Avoid the waiting, or second guessing whats best on the menu! Book today for a fun afternoon of delicious Hawaiian foods and laughter. Hele Mai (Come join us) while we share food, absorb scenic Kauai, and learn some of the history of Hanalei!
Inclusions: Bottled water, Snacks, Lunch
Exclusions: Gratuities
3. Private Kauai North Shore Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
This full-day private tour of Kauai’s north shore starts with a visit to Wailua Falls, one of the Garden Isle's most famous natural sights. With an informative private guide, continue sightseeing around the coastal area, stopping for multiple photo ops at Opaeka’a Falls and the Wailua River Overlook, Kilauea Lighthouse, Hanalei Bay, the Hanalei Valley Lookout . Visit Kauai hidden beaches and ancient sites. Learn about Kauai's history and local culture along the way. * Price displayed is based on a party of four to six passengers
Inclusions: Transport by private vehicle, Private guide, Bottled water, Fruit drinks, Hotel, airport or harbor pickup and drop-off (Visitors from Princeville or Poipu meet in Lihue)
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless specified
Reviewed By Jason H
Fantastic people working for a fantastic company. Stopped at unique places we wouldn’t have seen on a big tour bus.
4. Kauai Shore Excursion: 55-minute Helicopter Adventure Flight
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 15 reviews
This 45-55 min flight covers all of the highlights the island of Kauai has to offer! There is free round trip transportation from your cruise ship docked at Nawiliwili Harbor to the Lihue airport a few minutes away. Some of the most spectacular sights include: Jurassic Park Falls , Waimea Canyon, also know as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" where several waterfalls cascade down steep cliffs, Jagged cliffs of Na Pali coast, Hanalei Valley of waterfalls, National Tropical Botanical Garden Bali Hai and much more! There is a maximum of 6 passengers per helicopter.
Inclusions: Fuel surcharge, All taxes, fees and handling charges, Port pickup and drop-off, Driver/guide
Exclusions: Gratuities, DVD (available to purchase)
Reviewed By GreenThumb331
Kona is the second stop in Hilo on our cruise. We booked a whole day tour with C Big. We started seeing green turtles at the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. Our next stop at the famous Royal Kona Coffee Center was very informative. Aside from free sampling of the many types of coffee, a guided tour was available. We learned how the coffee bean was carefully handpicked in this farm. The stages how the coffee bean goes from the tree to your coffee cup was also explained. Since this visit, the knowledge i gained gave me a better appreciation when I take my coffee. After a lunch stop, we visited the painted church. The tour’s last activity was a drop off at the Kahaluu beach for some snorkeling. I had about 45 minutes to see the fish very near the shore before we were picked up and brought back to the ship. We did most of the activities that Kona had to offer in one day.
5. Hanalei Bay Kayak & Snorkel Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 119 reviews
Our Hawaiian family takes great pride in sharing Hanalei’s rich history and culture with you. Our ocean-river combo tour will take you to a hidden beach. Learn to snorkel in the clear blue Pacific amongst our abundant marine life. Or simply eat lunch, “talk story” and relax on the beach.
Inclusions: Turkey, Vegie, and gluten free sandwich options. Hawaiian style chips, fruit, juice, and bottled water provided., Use of Snorkelling equipment, Water resistant dry bags
Exclusions:
Reviewed By beckymenlove
We took a kayak and snorkel trip with Kolo as our amazing guide. It’s a trip we took seven years ago on our 40th anniversary, and it was just as much fun the second time. Beautiful scenery, great stories, yummy lunch, lovely ukulele music, lots of interesting sea life, and fresh coconut and a coconut-frond rose from Kolo at the end!
6. Kauai Learn to Surf Lesson - Private. Adult
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 40 reviews
Looking for something different to do while on Kauai? You've always wanted to surf, and now here's your opportunity to learn how with Kauai surfing lessons! What could be better than surfing at Hanalei Bay, with an expert local surfer to teach you the moves with a Kauai surfing lesson.Sandy bottom, close to shore, stand up after your ride. Beginner to advance beginner waves most every day of the year. **at this time or reopening during Covid-19 we offer private or semi private for 2 or for 3 Private 13+ is 150.00 plus tax//semi private if you have 2 is 180.00 plus tax//semi private if you have 3 is 250.00 plus tax. Private for under 13 is 125.00** If you are a group of 4 that is available at 300.00 plus tax. This also assists the instructors to be safer.
Inclusions: Group lesson with water safety trained instructor, Use of the top of the line surf boards, leashes and rash vests
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, Hotel pickup and drop off
Reviewed By jmsaathoff
Best surf lessons my adult children have ever had. First of all great communication by the owner prior to our lesson. There is serious road construction on the way to Hanalei and received several texts alerting me to the road schedules a week out from our lesson. We would not have known this without this help. Got checked in early and it was easy. The instructor for my 21 and 18 year old kids lesson was Nate. He got there early, asked if we wanted to start early we did. We commuted the 2 minutes to Hanalei Bay and he gave them about 20 minutes of onshore instruction. My daughter had been surfing about half a dozen times and my son twice. Both were beginners, but my son had really struggled prior to this lesson. Nate got them out in the water and the waves were just perfect. Slow to break, giving them time to get set properly. My daughter rode almost every wave for the 90 minutes. My son struggled early, but Nate told him to focus on the very first part of the pop up and getting stable, and by the end of the session, my son was up on every wave. A miracle to say the least. Great time by all, would highly recommend this group again.
7. Kauai Learn to Surf Private and Semi Private Lessons
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 21 reviews
Want to learn to surf at pristine Kauai North Shore beaches with the luxury of your own Kauai surfing lesson instructor? Discover why Hanalei Bay has the best beaches in Kauai and get personal instruction as you have private surf lesson Kauai style from your expert instructor who is a local big wave surfer. DUE TO VIRUS we will be slow. We would appreciate it if you would choose private if you are 1 person or semi private for 2 if 2 person or semi private for 3 if 3 persons. Group if you are 4 plus. . Thank you.
Inclusions: Private lesson with water safety trained instructor, Use of the top of the line surf boards, leashes and rash vests
Exclusions: gratuity appreciated
Reviewed By 86carlaf
This was a 5 star experience from the phone call to schedule the lesson to the lesson itself. Everyone was so professional and very very helpful. Nate gave me my first ever surf lesson and I had a blast!! He was patient and very encouraging. I managed to get up on the board a few times.
8. Kauai Adventure Bundle: 4 Epic Audio Driving Tours
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 66 reviews
Shaka Guide is an audio tour app that gives you the benefits of a guided tour with the freedom to explore on your own terms. This Kauai Adventure Tour Bundle comes with four socially-distanced audio driving tours: • Waimea and Na Pali Tour (6-8 hour tour) • Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour (6-8 hour tour) • Poipu and Koloa Tour (4-6 hours hour tour) • North Shore Kauai Tour (6-8 hour tour) The app uses GPS to give you turn-by-turn navigation to historic sites, popular attractions, world-class beaches and scenic hikes with stories about the places you’re visiting and music to entertain you along the way. All Shaka Guide Tours... • Never expire - take them multiple times or buy in advance • Work 100% offline - no data or wifi necessary • Let you take the tour when you want - download the tour and choose the day that works best for you *Please use the link in your confirmation email to download the app*
Inclusions: All 4 Shaka Guide audio driving tours for Kauai, Audio narration with stories and music , Turn-by-turn audio navigation using GPS, Freedom to explore at your own pace, Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations, Offline map (map and GPS work completely offline -- no wifi or data needed), Tours NEVER expire
Exclusions: Parking fees, Attraction entrance fees, Car rental, Meals
Reviewed By chanyu1
This is a good and inexpensive way to do the Haleakala sunset tour with audio narrative of things to see along the way to the mountain top. Good value for the price. A quick tip: this app burns through your phone battery fast so having a car phone cable is a must or else your phone battery will run out of juice pretty quick...
9. Limahuli Garden Self-Guided Tour
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 25 reviews
A unique opportunity to engage with the rare and culturally significant plants of Kauai, their stories and how they connect with people who care for them. Experience a place that inspires and leaves you with a spirit of authenticity and aloha to last a lifetime.
Inclusions: Entrance
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Karen B
A beautiful collection of native plants that not only looked nice, but also told a story about the way plant life has evolved on the island as settlers landed. The booklet provided was chock full of interesting info. The views from the top of the walk (about 1/2 way through) were incredible of both the mountains and the ocean. Peaceful and beautiful. I could have sat on the benches throughout the walk all day long taking in the scenery. I am no botanist and my family doesn't have much interest in walking around in the sun looking at leaves, but all of enjoyed this thoroughly.
10. Private Luxury Tour of Kauai: North & East Shores
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 27 reviews
See the Best of Kauai's south and west shores on this private tour! You'll have the flexibility to customize your itinerary with the help of your friendly guide, who'll take you to picturesque beaches, waterfalls and wildlife reserves. Depending ont he size of your group and the availability, experience Kauai in our luxury sedans, SUVs or Mercedes Sprinters.
Inclusions: Private tour of Kauai, Knowledgeable local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities
Reviewed By IowaTraveler50021
We did a private tour today with our guide, Domi. It was a great way to not only see the island spots but also learn a ton about the history! It was a perfect way to spend a day. Domi adjusted quickly when not only rain changed our plans but also closures due to COVID-19. This is the way to see the island!
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