Private North East Shores, Picnic

Private Luxury Tour of Kauai: North & East Shores runs through Kauai Luxury Transportation & Tours. Rated 4.7 across 52 reviews. Runs 6 hours (approx.). From $437.34.

Check park access before you go. Stops inside state parks (Waimea Canyon, Koke'e, Wailua River and Secret Falls) follow current DLNR notices and can be closed. Check the booking page for which stops are running on your date.

Overview

This is a six hour private tour of Kauai's North and East Shores, run by Kauai Luxury Transportation & Tours, with hotel pickup and drop-off included and a knowledgeable local guide. Because it is private, only your group participates, and one reviewer described working with the guide to shape the day around their interests, which made it a special day for them.

The route runs up the east side and along the north shore, with stops listed at Hanalei Valley Lookout, Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Anini Beach and Opaeka'a Falls. Kilauea Point admission is included in the tour; the other stops carry no admission charge. Reviews repeatedly praise the guides' knowledge of island history, culture and flora, and one mentions a spontaneous farmers market stop where the guide helped pick local fruit.

It suits travellers who want to cover a lot of ground without driving themselves, and reviewers mention reaching places they would not have found on their own. Note that lunch is not included, so plan for a meal break or bring food. The minimum booking is two passengers, and the tour is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, with infant seats available.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup and drop-off at your hotel are included. Confirm details at booking.
2. Hanalei Valley LookoutA 5 minute stop, free admission, for views over the valley.
3. Kilauea Point National Wildlife RefugeA 30 minute stop with the admission ticket included in the tour.
4. Anini BeachA 10 minute stop, free admission, on the north shore.
5. Opaeka'a FallsA 10 minute stop, free admission, to view the falls.
6. Hotel drop-offReturn to your hotel at the end of the roughly 6 hour tour.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things to know before booking this tour.

• Shape your route. Several reviewers said the guide adapted the day to their interests, and one described working with the guide to build a custom route. It pays to say up front which places matter most to your group.
• Bring lunch money. Lunch is not included in the tour price, and gratuities are also excluded. One guide took a group to a farmers market where fruit was bought, so there may be chances to buy food during the day. Budget for food accordingly.
• Long day in the car. The tour runs approximately 6 hours and covers both the North and East Shores, so expect plenty of time in the vehicle between stops. The trade-off is scenery and stops reached without having to drive yourself. Dress comfortably for extended periods in the vehicle.
• Weather and clothing. The tour operates in all weather conditions and the listing asks travellers to dress appropriately. Beach stops can be crowded on sunny days, according to one reviewer. Layers are a sensible choice.
• Guides vary. Reviews name many different guides, so who leads the day will differ between bookings. Most describe them as knowledgeable about island history and culture, and one guide reportedly bartered for fruit at a market, so experiences differ by guide and by group.
• Dietary needs. The listing asks travellers to advise any specific dietary requirements at the time of booking. Since lunch is not included this mainly affects any food stops the guide adds. Mention requirements when booking rather than on the day.

Common issues. Lunch and gratuities are not included in the price. The minimum booking is two passengers and the tour runs in all weather conditions, so the day you get depends partly on the forecast. Agreeing with the guide at the start of the day on which stops matter most to your group is the best way to avoid disappointment.

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