Why You Should Plan a Trip to Kaua‘i

Hanalei, Kauai

Kaua‘i is the 4th largest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian island chain. It is said to be the oldest of the Hawaiian islands and it’s nickname is “The Garden Island” as 97% is undeveloped and consists of extremely lush mountains, valleys and rainforests. Additionally, Kaua‘i has 43 miles of beaches to explore and, of course, world class surfing! Read on to see why you should plan a trip to Kaua‘i!

The Na Pali Coast

Scenery.

Almost all of the Hawaiian islands have amazing, lush tropical scenery, but Kauai’s landscape is simply stunning. With colorful canyons, the amazing Na Pali Coast, Mt. Waialeale (one of the wettest spots on earth), jaw-dropping waterfalls, beautiful beaches and verdant valleys, there is no shortage of scenery to take in. Many movies and television shows have been filmed in Kaua‘i , such as Jurassic Park, Fantasy Island and South Pacific, due to the incredible landscape. (Check out a list of movies and television shows filmed in Kaua‘i here).

The island receives some kind of precipitation (many times just a short shower) an average of 144 days a year and averages 240 days annually of beautiful, warm sunshine. This weather is apparently perfect for fruit (pineapples, bananas, guava and papaya to name a few), flowers, coffee, macadamia nuts, and a wide variety of vegetables, trees and other foliage to flourish.

Plumeria and Bird of Paradise

Best ways to check out the scenery?
Hiking. There are many great hiking trails for hikers of all abilities. Advanced hikers can trek to epic waterfalls on the interior or the unbelievable green folds and ruggedness of the Na Pali coast.
Driving the island is pretty easy and enjoyable (with the exception of a few areas during rush hour and several one lane bridges on the north side of the island) and a great way to take your time, stop and explore and really experience the different parts of the island.
By Boat. There are many companies that offer boat excursions, primarily to the Na Pali Coast. These excursions are mostly offered in the summer season when the seas on the north shore are calmer.

The Weeping Wall inside Mt Waialeale

Another option? A helicopter ride. To really see the interior and the Na Pali Coast (where there are no roads) a helicopter ride will give you amazing views of the entire island – including The Weeping Wall, an area on Mt. Waialeale that features a long, steep green wall with multiple waterfalls cascading down the grooves of the mountain. We booked a doorless helicopter ride with Jack Charter Helicopters and it was the ride of a lifetime – fantastic! There are many other helicopter options (with doors!) available too. Check out more photos from our helicopter ride here.

Beaches.

Although technically part of the “scenery” covered in the previous paragraph, we’re big on beaches and are dedicating an additional paragraph to them! Kaua‘i’s beaches range from calm and swimmable to rough and scenic. The sand color varies on different parts of the island, but is commonly a golden or light tan. Some beaches have life guards and amenities and others are hidden, remote treasures just waiting for you to find them. (Check out a list of secluded Kaua‘i beaches here).

Mahaulepu Beach

Some of our favorites?
Mahaulepu Beach on the south side. It is actually separated into 3 different parts: Gillin’s Beach, Kawailoa Bay, and Hāʻula Beach and is not the easiest to find – but worth it. There is a small area for swimming, a very long expanse of walkable beach, and some trees for shade. Apparently it’s a favorite of the endangered monk seal. We saw two huge monk seals basking in the sun on the sand while we were there.
Hanalei Bay on the north side is actually comprised of several different beach areas. It’s a large, beautiful bay that with a backdrop of stunning green mountains. In the summer, the bay is calm and great for swimming and SUPing. In the winter, the surf becomes rougher and perfect for surfers.
Kealia Beach on the east side. Although not the best for swimming, the long swath of golden sand is great for walking, running or just enjoying the sunshine. It’s a great place to catch a glimpse of whales during the winter months. The sunrises here are beautiful!

Mai Tai’s at Tahiti Nui in Hanalei

Rum.

The Mai Tai. It seems that the Mai Tai is the rum drink of choice in Hawaii and that left us wondering why. After all, the Mai Tai is said to have originally been created in 1944 by Trader Vic at his restaurant in Oakland. Why then is it so popular in Hawaii? We found the answer quite interesting in this article by Chow Hound. Anyway, after embarking on some “research” during our last trip to Kauai, the best Mai Tai we had was in Hanalei at Tahiti Nui. What’s the secret? No one would tell, but it was good. You can find a recipe for a Mai Tai here.

Rum Tasting at Koloa Rum Company

Kōloa Rum Company. Located in Lihue, the Kōloa Rum Company has a lineup of award winning rums that you are able to sample and buy at their tasting room/store. We attended a tasting, which not only allows you to taste quite a few of their delicious rums, but gives an interesting history of rum on the island. Be sure to sign up as soon as you get there; tastings are on the half hour for 16 people and fill up fast!

Puka Dog, Poipu

Eats.

What should you eat during your time on Kaua‘i ? To start with, opt for fresh fish and fresh local produce whenever you can. Opah, Ono (Hawaiian for “good to eat”), Onaga, Opakapaka (red snapper), Ahi and Mahimahi are all delicious local fish options to try. We couldn’t get enough of the fresh fruit during our visit, particularly the Sugarloaf Pineapple, which you can pick up at farmer’s markets or even ordered online.

There are many dining options in Kaua‘i , from fine dining overlooking the ocean to farm to table experiences to food trucks and everything in between. Here are a few casual options that we’re happy we tried:
Puka Dog in Poipu. Although I’ve never been a fan of hot dogs, it was suggested that we try a Puka Dog, or Hawaiian style hot dog while in Poipu. I’m so glad we did! The freshly baked Hawaiian Sweet Bread Puka (means hole) Buns are toasted on the inside only, which creates an interesting texture, then your choice of garlic lemon secret sauce – mild, spicy, hot or lava and your choice of tropical sauce – mango, pineapple, papaya, coconut, banana or starfruit is added. Choose a polish sausage or veggie dog topped off with a generous dollop of Aunty Lilikoi’s Hawaiian Mustard and wash it down with a glass of their fresh squeezed lemonade. Mmmm!
Shave Ice. There’s no better way to cool off after a day on the beach than a cold, sweet and colorful heaping serving of Hawaiian Shave Ice. It can be found in locations all over Kauai and comes in lots of tropical flavors and combinations. See the 5 Best Shave Ice Stands in Kauai according to Hawaii Magazine here.
Bubba Burger’s. We enjoyed our first Bubba Burger in Kaua‘i years ago at their north shore location in Hanalei. Unfortunately the north shore location has closed, but Bubba has 2 new locations; one in Poipu and one in Kapaa. Bubba Burgers are made from Fresh Ground Kaua‘i “Grass Fed” Beef, and are simple, quick and reasonable. This popular eatery is an experience and if you are easily offended by snarky slogans and signs, you might as well go somewhere else. As Bubba says, “Always Juicy–Never Greasy. Where the food’s hot, the service is cold, and the music’s too DAMN LOUD!”

Ziplining in Kauai

Explore and Adventure.

Each time we visit Kaua‘i , we’re amazed at the variety of things to explore. Although we’ve seen a lot, there’s an ever growing list of things to do – or re-do upon our return. Here are just a few suggestions:

Hike the Na Pali Coast. The Kalalau Trail is an 11 mile trail that provides the only land access to the Napali Coast on Kauai. It is a strenuous trail that rewards hikers with incredible vistas of mountains, a rugged coastline and hidden beaches. Many people hike just to Hanakapiai Beach, which is a strenuous 2 miles (each way). Find out more about hiking this incredible trail here and see photos from our hike to Hanakapiai Beach here.
Visit Waimea Canyon. Dubbed “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, this colorful 10 mile long and up to 3,600 ft deep canyon is spectacular. There are several lookouts that provide parking and several pullouts to sneak a peak at this geological wonder. Challenging hiking trails and hunting are abundant in and around the canyon as well. Find out more about visiting Waimea Canyon here.
Zipline! Fly above the Kauai rainforest on a zipline adventure with one of several companies providing zipline tours. An exhilarating way to experience the beauty of Kauai! Read more about our Kauai zipline adventure here.
Visit Kauai Coffee Company to taste the different blends of coffee made from beans grown at their plantation, such as Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Big Braddah’s Coffee and Rooster Alarm and take a self-guided walking tour of the estate.
Check out a Farmer’s Market or Arts & Craft Fair to sample and buy some local products.

Koloa’s Kauai Reserve Rum

What to Bring Home.

Want to bring home something that reminds you or your wonderful vacation on Kaua‘i ? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Kōloa Rum – some flavors are available on the mainland, but if you go to a rum tasting and fall in love with one or two, why not bring them back, just in case!
2. Kaua‘i Coffee
3. Macadamia Nuts
4. Tropical Fruit Preserves. Unfortunately the delicious fresh fruit grown on Kaua‘i must be consumed there and cannot be taken home on the airplane. So, why not remember the delicious taste of pineapple, mango, guava or passionfruit with a delicious jar of a locally made fruit preserve?
5. Hand painted ceramic tiles, pottery or fine art from local artists. A good place to shop for this? Banana Patch Studios.
6. Chicken Poop. Say what? I asked our local guide for a suggestion on a local product to bring home for the kids/grandkids and after a few minutes of thinking, she said “Chicken Poop”. After chuckling at my confused look, she told me this story. Hurricane Iniki hit Kaua‘i without warning in 1992. It was a devastating Cat 4, the strongest to ever hit the Hawaiian Islands and it hit Kauai particularly hard. After the hurricane finally passed, locals began to realize the damage and found that the storm had destroyed most of the chicken coups on the island resulting in many escaping into the woods. Today in Kaua‘i , there are a large number of wild chickens and roosters that roam free on the island. Our guide said that the bags of Chicken or Rooster Poop (actually chocolate covered macadamia nuts or almonds) was a way of making light of these now wild creatures that roam as they please. Guess who brought some home?

These are just a few of the reasons why we think you should plan a trip to Kaua‘i . Who’s ready to go?!

Other posts you might enjoy:
Why You Should Plan a Trip to St. Thomas, USVI
Why You Should Plan a Trip to Barbados
Why You Should Plan a Trip to St. Croix

Sunrise in Lihue

Copyright©Rum Therapy 
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

Helicopter Ride in Kauai

I’d never even been on a helicopter before and as I’ve mentioned before, have a bit of a fear, well, of falling, so I was pretty impressed that the other half of our team was able to talk me into not only a helicopter ride over Kauai, but a DOORLESS helicopter ride. After all, (he said), with no doors to block the view, this would be THE BEST way to get photos of Na Pali. Don’t tell him I said so, but, he was right…

We booked a 90 minute morning ride which took off from Lihu’e Airport.

Helicopter 1 (600)

We each had the back seat with a totally unobstructed view. I was a bit nervous until our pilot strapped us in – tightly – with large straps over the shoulders. We were each given a headset to hear the pilot and  to ask questions. And then we took off.

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Heading south towards Nawiliwili, we got an excellent view of the harbor where the cruise ships dock.

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Then turning west, we headed into the ultra lush and green mid-section where we were treated to one spectacular waterfall view after another…

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And could see why so many films, such as Jurassic Park had chosen Kauai to film scenes in their movies.

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We soon came upon Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
Note the small hang glider below us…

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Helicopter 4 (600)
And suddenly popped out on the rugged and colorful Na Pali Coast.

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Nearly at visual sensory capacity, we were then flown into the center of an extinct volcano which was eerie and beautiful at the same time…

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More stunning scenery of the North Shore on the way back to the airport.

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This was an experience we will not soon forget.

 

To see more posts on Kauai and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory


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Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

Hiking the Na Pali Coast in Kauai

When visiting the tropics, do we like to do something other than soak in the sunshine and drink rum drinks? Absolutely, although we really do like to sit in the sunshine and drink rum drinks….

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Anyway, during a trip to Kauai, we wanted to experience the incredible Na Pali coast. Since there are no roads over the Na Pali coast, the only way to experience the beauty in person is by helicopter (which we did), boat (which we did not do due to the rough surf while there) or by foot.

The trail along the Na Pali coast extends 11 miles (one way) from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Beach along the spectacular cliffs of Na Pali. Many people like to backpack in and camp close to Kalalau Beach and camping permits can be obtained through Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources.

Although we would have loved to experience the phenomenal beauty of Kalalau Beach in person, the thought of hiking 11 miles (one way) and sleeping in a sleeping bag (as opposed to the very comfortable bed we had back at the resort) was, well, not that appealing. Instead, we opted to hike two miles in to Hanakapi‘ai Beach with the option of continuing another two miles to Hanakapi‘ai Falls.

We drove to Ke’e Beach, parked in the parking lot at the trail head and headed up the trail.

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First part of the trail, hmmm….what are we getting ourselves into?

Ke'e Beach from Na Pali
Overlook of Ke’e Beach from the trail

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Pretty clear why Kauai was chosen as a filming location for Jurassic Park!

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Dramatic scenery around every bend. As we approached this area, we heard thunderous crashing – almost cannon like and then spotted this sign on the trail.

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Yikes! Think we’ll take this one seriously…
The next corner gave us our first glimpse of Hanakapi‘ai Beach.

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A few hundred more feet down,we crossed a river and landed on the sand of Hanakapi‘ai.

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River

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At that point it was fairly obvious why getting in the water was discouraged here…

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After exploring some of the geological features of the area, we sat on the beach enjoying some water and Snickers bars.

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We lingered a lot longer than we should have, taking in the rugged beauty and tremendous power of the ocean.

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And when we finally stood up again, we realized that there was no way we’d make it another two miles to Hanakapi‘ai Falls. In fact, with our legs feeling like limp noodles, we’d be lucky to make it back the two miles to our car in time to get back to the resort for our scheduled, and after this hike, very needed 4:00 massage on the beach….

More Hawaii Posts:
Rum Therapy On Kauai
Ziplining in Paradise
Helicopter Ride in Kauai
Lava Flow Recipe

copyright©Rum Therapy 
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

Rum Therapy In Kauai

A few years ago, we were lucky enough to spend a week on the island of Kauai. This misty, aromatic, lush island with almost surreal scenery was magical.

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From the beautiful sunny beaches in Poipu, to Mount Waiʻaleʻale, one of the rainiest spots on earth, Kauai has a tremendous variety of places to discover and enjoy. Our week there was a mixture of excitement and total relaxation – just what we look for in a great vacation.

Just what did we experience? Well, we’ll show you!
We flew into the Lihue Airport, rented a Jeep and set off for the north side of the island to Princeville. Click here for a Kauai Map.

Beaches
On our way to Princeville, we stopped to scope out a few beaches. We saw nearly deserted stretches of golden and bronze sand just waiting for a set of fresh footprints. We of course obliged.Resort in

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Flowers and Foliage
Upon checking into our resort we were taken aback by the lushness of the foliage surrounding us and the beautiful flowers and treesFrom then on we had no doubt why Kauai had earned the nickname “The Garden Isle”
(Bird of Paradise, Foliage around our resort, Rainbow Eucalyptus Bark)

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Waterfalls

Kauai is a land of amazing waterfalls. I mean AMAZING. Some of them have even been filmed in the opening of The TV show Fantasy Island and the movie Jurassic Park. You can drive to see Wailua Falls (Fantasy Island) and the others we saw while on an incredible helicopter ride – some were on the inside of a volcano!!

Kauai 8 (600)
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Na Pali Coast
Is there a more spectacular place on earth? The Na Pali Coast is a 15 mile stretch of unbelievably beautiful rugged coast on Kauai’s northwest side. There are no roads on the Na Pali Coast and you can only experience it by hiking, boating or helicopter. We were there during the winter when the north side experiences rough water, so we opted to experience the Na Pali Coast by hiking and helicopter. Both offered a unique and unforgettable experience.

Hiking the Na Pali Coast
We drove to Ha’ena State Park where the Trailhead for the Kalalau Trail is located. The Kalalau Trail is an 11 mile trail that leads from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Beach on the Na Pali Coast. Na Pali apparently means “The Cliffs’ in Hawaiian and pretty soon after starting the hike, we saw how it earned its name. The trail is steep and rocky in parts, but SO worth the effort. We encountered this part towards the start of the trail, but it leveled out a bit after that.

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We only made it to Hanakapiai Beach ( 4 miles round-trip).

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We hoped to make it to the waterfalls (an additional 2 miles up AND back), but found we didn’t bring enough water to chance it. With the elevation changes and rough trail, the hike to Hanakapiai was about all we could handle that day and returned to our resort for a poolside massage….
Find out more about our Na Pali Coast Hike here: Na Pali Coast Hike

Doorless Helicopter Ride
Seeing Kauai by helicopter is an experience we will never forget. The fact that I was able to be talked into taking a DOORLESS helicopter ride still amazes me, but I would do it again in a heartbeat…

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Waterfalls, Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Coast, Wai’ale’ale’ and Nawiliwili are all completely different experienced by air and the ride exposes you to sights you won’t see from the ground. Amazing. Read more about our Doorless Helicopter Ride over Kauai here: Helicopter Ride in Kauai

Ziplining
I was feeling adventurous after our doorless helicopter ride and actually thought that  ziplining through a tropical  forest would be fun. It was. After working up the nerve to hurl myself off a perfectly good platform, I was amazed at how cool it was to soar over the lush tropical land below us.  There were two zipline locations in Kauai when we visited and we chose the zipline closest to Mount Waiʻaleʻale. We were transported to the zipline in the all terrain vehicle pictured below – which was quite possibly more nerve-racking than the zipline itself!

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Read more about our zipline experience here: Ziplining in Paradise

Odds and Ends
We saw so much in one week and took so many pictures that we really couldn’t cover the whole experience in detail in one post! Here are a just a few additional things we’d recommend seeing and doing while in Kauai:

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Kilauea Lighthouse

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Kalalau Lookout (In Waimea Canyon Park)

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Waimea Canyon (nicknamed “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”)

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Walking Tour and Coffee Tasting at Kauai Coffee Company

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Golf on Kauai – There are 9 courses on Kauai – some with pretty spectacular views!

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See if you can catch a glimpse of a Monk Seal sunning on one of the beaches in Poipu

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Although we visited Kauai prior to the opening of  Kōloa Rum Company, you can now visit their tasting room and store in Lihue. Check out our previous post using Kōloa Rum in a Pineapple Daiquiri.

And – don’t forget to just relax, enjoy the scenery, take in the sights and fragrances of this tropical paradise, order some of the freshest fish at one of the many great restaurants, and leave your footprints in the golden sand

Aloha!

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To see more posts on Kauai and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy 
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

Ziplining in Paradise

I’m not a fan of heights, Actually, heights probably don’t bother me as much as the fear of falling – off of something high. So, I really didn’t know what to think when asked if I wanted to go on a zipline during a trip to Kauai. I was assured that falling really wasn’t an issue and that we would be strapped in quite well. After all, they said – how many chances would I have to zip through the lush tropics of Kauai?

There were two options for ziplining in Kauai and we chose Kauai Backcountry Adventure simply because it was recommended by a friend who had recently ziplined with them. We set up a tour time for the following day.

To say I was nervous as we drove to the Kauai Backcountry office that day would be an extreme understatement. It was a beautiful day and I should have been looking at the lush foliage and beautiful scenery as we drove with the top off of our rental jeep, but all I could think of was whether I could actually allow myself to hurtle down the mountain on a thin cable.

We checked in and I immediately felt a little better. The staff was wonderful and our guide, who must have sensed my fear, was funny and very reassuring. We signed the obligatory forms, got strapped into our gear and took a very bumpy four wheel drive up to the ziplines.

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The Kauai Backcountry Adventure Zipline Tour begins at a point with an astounding view of Mt. Waialeale – one of the rainiest spots on earth with an average 426 inches of rain a year. All of that rain makes it one of the greenest and most vegetated places I’ve seen.

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We took in the beauty of the area for a few moments and then saw this:

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My irrational fear kicked into high gear and I thought “I’m not walking off of that platform!!!” Fortunately, the platform we started on was not near as high or steep. I watched as several brave souls went before me and then it was my turn. As I looked down, I second guessed my choice of clothing that morning. Wouldn’t bright neon colors be easier to find it I somehow plunged into the foliage?

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My heart pounding in my throat, I stepped off the platform and zipped down the cable towards the next platform, screaming loudly the whole way! I had the presence of mind to keep my feet up and landed squarely on the platform. Realizing I had lived through it, I took a deep breath. That wasn’t bad at all!

During subsequent zips ( I believe there were seven cables in all) I even relaxed enough to look around and see the incredible beauty around me. Rivers, lush plants and trees and that beautiful mountain. Wow- what a ride…

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Ziplining has become quite popular and is now available in other tropical locations such as Antigua, Dominica, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Roatan and St. Martin. Hmmm…I actually liked it so much that I might even be convinced to try it again on an upcoming trip to St. Martin. Think I’ll wear some neon colors though – just in case…

To find out more about Backcountry Adventures, visit their website here: Kauai Backcountry Adventures

Other posts on Kauai that you might be interested in:

Hiking the NaPali Coast in Kauai

Helicopter Ride in Kauai

Rum Therapy On Kauai

Lava Flow Recipe

copyright©Rum Therapy 
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC
All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.