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How to Make the Most of Your Time in Port in Kauai

We visited this lush island during our Hawaiian cruise. We made the most of our time in port by renting a car to drive along the north shore as far as the road would go. We stopped at various points of interest including Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and Kee Beach. Then we turned around and drove to Poipu Beach after a brief stop at the Spouting Horn on the south shore.

On our first day in port before driving around the island, we did a helicopter tour to see the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon. And on our second day we took an excursion to the Wailua River State Park and Fern Grotto before going on a snorkeling tour.

So, it seems that combining both cruise ship excursions and doing a self-guided drive around the islands was a winning solution to make the most of our time in port.

Kauai Island self-drive tour highlights

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

The Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to go to observe wildlife. Depending on the time of the year you will see different types of seabirds, humpback whales, dolphins, green see turtles and even Hawaiian monk seals. You can also visit the century-old lighthouse that stands at the hedge of the peninsula.

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Kee Beach

This lovely beach is located at the end of the road, where the picturesque Na Pali Coast begins. It’s a popular beach for snorkelers and locals.

Poipu Beach

Poipu Beach is a beautiful white sand beach with excellent snorkeling conditions. You might be lucky enough to see a Hawaiian monk seal in or out of the water. These adorable creatures are endangered and are protected by law. This is also a good beach for swimming and sunbathing.

Hawaiian Monk Seal

Spouting Horn

Spouting Horn is a blowhole that creates a geyser when the water gushes up to the surface from a small hole under an old lava tube. It can spray up to 50 ft in the air!

Spouting Horn Blowhole
Spouting Horn Blowhole

Cruise ship excursions 

Since we were staying in port overnight, on top of doing our self-drive tour we also had time for some shore excursions.

Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai
Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai
Wailua River State Park and Fern Grotto

This excursion included a boat ride on the Wailua River to visit the Fern Grotto. Unfortunately, prior to our visit, the ferns had been damaged by a hurricane and were not as spectacular as they should have been. But it was still beautiful with lush greenery and colorful tropical flowers.

Snorkeling excursion

One thing’s is for sure, Kauai underwater world is well worth exploring. The reefs are thriving with sea life and the water was warm and clear. No luck in spotting Hawaii’s endangered monk seal but still a fun thing to do.

Sailing by the Na Pali Coast
Sailing by the Na Pali Coast
Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast by helicopter

The highlight of our visit was without a doubt our helicopter flight over the Waimea Canyon and the iconic Na Pali Coast. This is a must do of any visit to Kauai and the easiest way to see the most scenic coast of Hawaii and the largest canyon in the Pacific.

Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon

Conclusion

Kauai is the oldest island of Hawaii and because of its lush vegetation it’s also known as the Garden Island. There are also many beautiful waterfalls to see.

One of the waterfalls in Kauai
One of the waterfalls in Kauai

With only two days in port, we managed to see quite a few of the island’s must-see attractions by combining a self-guided island tour and ship shore excursions. However, with a few extra days we could have spent more time exploring this beautiful island. Perhaps one day we will return for a scuba diving vacation!

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*Post updated in December 2020

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By Nathalie

Avid Traveler and Master Scuba Diver
Sharing stories, photos and insights about the places I’ve visited. Simply sharing my experience and giving travel tips to help others plan their own dream trip and travel independently.