Private South West Shores, Picnic

Private Luxury Tour of Kauai: South & West Shores runs through Kauai Luxury Transportation & Tours. Rated 4.7 across 18 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

Six hours with a private driver-guide, covering the south and west shores of Kauai. The route strings together Wailua Falls, Waimea Canyon State Park, the Kalalau Lookout, Spouting Horn and the Kauai Coffee Company, with hotel pickup and drop-off built in. Only your group rides along, which is the main draw for travellers who want the day shaped around what they have already seen or what interests them most.

The pace is stop-and-go rather than hiking. Waimea Canyon gets about 20 minutes, the coffee company about 30, and the other stops about 15 minutes each. Reviewers repeatedly single out the guides' storytelling, from island history to Menehune legends, and several said the guide adjusted the plan on request, adding spots like the Hanapepe swinging bridge or lunch in Waimea.

Two caveats from the listing: a minimum of two passengers per booking, and lunch is not included, so budget for food or mention dietary needs when booking. The Kalalau Lookout views depend on cloud cover, as one reviewer found when the clouds rolled in.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupThe tour begins with pickup at your hotel, and drop-off at the end is included.
2. Wailua FallsA 15-minute stop. Admission is free.
3. Waimea Canyon State ParkA 20-minute stop at the canyon, with admission ticket included in the tour.
4. Kalalau LookoutA 15-minute stop, admission ticket included. Views here depend on the clouds, as reviewers have noted.
5. Spouting HornA 15-minute stop at Spouting Horn in Poipu. Admission is free.
6. Kauai Coffee CompanyA 30-minute stop, free to enter.
7. Return to hotelThe driver returns the group to the hotel. Lunch is not included, and dietary requirements should be advised at the time of booking.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points worth knowing before reserving this tour.

• Bring layers. The tour runs in all weather conditions, and the listing asks travellers to dress appropriately. One reviewer hit rain at Waimea Canyon, so a light rain layer is a sensible call.
• Bring cash for extras. Lunch is not included and neither are gratuities, and reviewers mention buying lunch and shave ice in Waimea. Park admissions at the canyon stops are covered by the tour.
• Private pace. Only your group participates, and several reviewers said the guide adapted stops to their interests, including places they had not yet seen. Mention dietary needs at booking if you plan a lunch stop.
• Guide storytelling. Reviewers consistently praise the guides' knowledge of island history, from King Kamehameha stories to local eating and shopping tips. Several reviewers named different guides, so the exact narration varies by departure.
• Weather at lookouts. The Kalalau Lookout can be socked in by clouds, a fact one reviewer said the guide warned about in advance. The tour runs in all weather, so views at the lookouts are never a sure thing.
• Family logistics. The tour is pushchair accessible, allows service animals and offers infant seats, but it is not wheelchair accessible. One reviewer's group spanned ages from 7 to 77 and had a full day.

Common issues. Lunch and gratuities are not in the price, and there is a minimum of two passengers per booking. The tour is not wheelchair accessible. Lookout views are weather-dependent, and one reviewer saw little at Kalalau because of cloud cover. One reviewer felt the price was high compared with a longer private tour they had taken on another island, and another complained about the vehicle and seating, though most reviews describe the guides and the day positively. Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Which Tour Matches Your Plans