Small-Group Island Day Trip

Small Group One Day Trip Kauai Island runs through Alohawaii Travel. Rated 4.4 across 27 reviews. Runs 7 hours (approx.). From $199.

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

Alohawaii Travel runs this roughly seven hour day trip around Kauai in an air conditioned vehicle, capped at 12 travellers. The route stacks up the island's signature viewpoints in one push: Ahukini State Recreational Pier, Hanapepe, Waimea Canyon State Park, Kalalau Lookout, Waipo'o Falls, the Kauai Coffee Company, Spouting Horn and Poipu Beach Park, the last of which passes by the Tree Tunnel. Hotel pickup is included, arranged as detailed at booking, and an English speaking guide accompanies the group.

The longest single stop is Hanapepe at an hour. Most other stops run between five and twenty minutes, so the day has a lot of short hops rather than long wanders. All fees and taxes are covered in the tour price, including admission to Waimea Canyon and the falls stop.

It suits travellers who want to see many of the island's highlights in a single day. It is less suited to anyone wanting long shopping time or a slow afternoon in one place.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup is included, with the exact arrangement detailed at booking.
2. Ahukini State Recreational PierA 15 minute stop with free admission.
3. HanapepeOne hour with free admission. This is the longest stop of the day.
4. Waimea Canyon State ParkA 15 minute stop, admission ticket included in the tour.
5. Kalalau LookoutTwenty minutes with free admission.
6. Waipo'o FallsTen minutes, with the admission ticket included.
7. Kauai Coffee CompanyTwenty minutes with free admission.
8. Spouting HornFive minutes with free admission.
9. Poipu Beach Park and returnTwenty minutes with free admission, passing the Tree Tunnel on the way, then the return leg.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in reviews of this tour, and they are worth knowing before booking.

• Winding roads. The drive up toward the canyon involves lots of winding roads, as one reviewer noted directly. Anyone prone to travel sickness should plan accordingly before the day.
• Mountain weather. Reviewers mention it can be cold with strong winds at the higher elevations. Bring a layer even on a warm day at the coast.
• Bring lunch money. Lunch is not included, but there is a purchase opportunity during the tour break. Reviewers enjoyed the lunch stop, and one recommended a taco spot in Waimea.
• Quick stop pace. Most stops are brief, often in the five to twenty minute range, with Hanapepe the only full hour. This is a see a lot in one day format rather than a deep dive into any single place.
• Small group feel. The tour runs with a maximum of 12 travellers.
• Wildlife luck. Some reviewers reported seeing whales and many turtles during the day.

Common issues. The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of travellers, and if either condition is not met it may be cancelled with an offer of a different date or a full refund. One reviewer reported a cancellation without notification, so it pays to keep an eye on messages before the day. The listing states the tour is not wheelchair accessible and expects a strong physical fitness level, and infants must sit on laps. One reviewer also received conflicting pickup instructions before managing to meet up with the guide, so confirming the exact pickup details at booking is wise. Lunch is not included.

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