Escape To Kaua’i

WITNESS A LEGENDARY COAST – The best view of the 3,000-foot cliffs of the Napali Coast is from the water. Hop in a catamaran or a high-powered raft, and if the conditions are right, the captain may stop for snorkeling.

SEE THE VIEW, FROM THE SKY – For a bird’s-eye view that reveals why Hollywood can’t get enough of Kaua’i’s paradisiacal treasures (think Blue Hawaii, Jurassic Park, and The Descendants), take a helicopter ride over the island’s unspoiled landscapes.

TAKE A ROAD TRIP – A road trip should always be on the vacation to-do list, especially when the destination is 3,567-foot-deep Waimea Canyon. Dubbed “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” this geologic wonder boasts colorful eroded cliffs in a natural palette of green, orange, red, and brown.

GOLF LIKE THE PROS – Golfers: If the names Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones, Jr., ring a bell, then you should know that both PGA legends designed signature courses right here on Kaua’i.

EXPLORE WATERWAYS – Water lovers should consider kayaking along the Wailua River, one of Hawaii’s only navigable rivers. Want more? Go for a two-mile tube ride down a rainwater irrigation ditch-which, in certain sections, is pitch-black.

TRY WAVE-RIDING – Kaua’i is blessed with epic surf spots on every shore. If you’re eager to paddle out, sign up for a lesson with a pro-and revel in your victory when you first stand up.

GO OFF-ROADING OR ZIP-LINING – Adrenaline junkies in need of a white-knuckle fix should consider zip-lining over a rain forest. If heights are an issue, go off-road exploring through lush jungles in an ATV.

ACT LIKE A PANIOLO, OR HAWAIIAN COWBOY – For a relaxing activity, explore Kaua’i’s incredible landscapes on horseback. Ride through a sugarcane field, discover a working cattle ranch, or witness a cascading waterfall.

LEARN TO HULA – At an island luau, you can try poi (pounded taro root) and a coconut pudding called haupia— both are staples of the Hawaiian diet. If you’re feeling brave, dancers can take you on stage to teach you how to hula.