[Bertrand]

Going to Kauai next week for the 1st time. From the guidebooks, it looks like a sleepy little place, so I never really thought about cycling there. The other thread about cycling in Hawaii has led me to wonder: would it be possible to rent a road bike in Kauai?

 

[baratta930]

Yes you can. Kauai cycle in Kapa'a rented bikes the last time I was there others do as well.

The roads are pretty narrow and don't have a shoulder, but it depends on where on the island you're staying. If you want to do distance you'll have to ride on the highway that rings the island (Kuhio highway?).

I did a little mountain biking the first time I went, but didn't bother the last trip (I figured I was there to enjoy the ocean so snorkeled A LOT ).

Hope this helps ...

Berardino

 

[ColoRoadie]

I didn't think the roads looked very inviting for road biking, so I spent my time scuba diving, snorkeling, free diving and doing the airplane tour. If you are into scuba, Kauai isn't a terrible place to do so. While I much prefer Cozumel, I think it would be a vast waste not to dive or snorkel with the Manta's and the Hawaiin Monk Seal off Ni'ihau if you are already on Kauai. We used Bubbles Below dive op which was enjoyable. Kauai was cool, but I won't go back. Better vacations are available closer and for far less money.

 

[PoorCyclist]

I guess you can climb up Waimea Canyon as I remembered it really strained the rental car
as others have said not sure if it's worth road biking there I'd rather be snorkelling, but watch the beaches for high waves warning as different facing beaches gets different intensity waves depending on the season.
The restaurants in general are terrible I should have gone to costco and buy a pack of steaks

 

[cparrish]

roads are narrow for the most part and tourists everywhere. I was a bike tour taking people to the top of the canyon road to ride down when I was there but other than that its not a great place for a road bike. Also PookaDog on the southern end is the best grub on the island.

 

[skygodmatt]

I was there in August for a week.

These guys are right. Road cycling would be terrible. There are only a few paved roads with no shoulder and lots of traffic. Food was really bad and expensive too.

The hiking and water sports are fantastic...particularly on the North shore around Hanalei.
Check out Tunnels Beach for snorkeling. It's harder to find and a short walk. Best on island and don't forget the Kaulaulau trail at the end of the road. Also there's a good hiking trail at the top of Waimea Canyon you can drive to the trailhead.


Mountain biking on the other hand would be good. There are dirt roads that go into the interior that are not busy.

You're gonna love it.

 

[wiz525]

Agree with those above. I was there for a week and had no desire to ride a road bike.

I also never got more than ankle deep in the ocean, but that's for another forum!

 

[Bertrand]

Great. Thanks for the input, everyone. Snorkeling and beer it is.

 

[Goodbarsix]

My Wife and I went to Kauai and Maui for our Honeymoon in April of 2008. I enjoyed Kauai over Maui as it was less touristy.

Below are some photos of one of the main roads. There is a little edge to the road where you could ride, but I sure as hell would not do it with all of the drunk tourists driving about .

I would recommend the tour of the Na Pali coast in one of those small navy seal looking boats (cannot for the life of me remember what they are actually called). The boat ride was a lot of fun (if you do not get sea sick easily), the views were amazing, and the dolphins came close enough to the little boat to where I could touch them if I wanted to (see last picture).

Love Kauai!

 

[skygodmatt]

The Guide

This is the only guide book you will need--Ultimate Kauai Reveled". It's awesome. Costs $20. Don't forget to dive under the cave wall and surface up to the "blue room" where the water reflects around the cave. It only happens at around noon when the sun is overhead.

I met the author when I was there. We're both pilots. He owns Scotty's BBQ restaurant in Kapaa.
He flew by the next day in his ultralight doing stunts over the beach.
If you can't afford the book, send me a PM and I'll mail it to you.

 

[nipsip]

Please do not miss Barking Sands Beach. Not many tourist go there, but it is the most majestic beach on the island.

Directions

 

[tom_h]

Zodiac ?

.... I would recommend the tour of the Na Pali coast in one of those small navy seal looking boats (cannot for the life of me remember what they are actually called). ..

Zodiac inflatible boat?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac_boat

 

[Travis]

tunnels beach on the north end is my favorite in all of Hawaii.

I think you could road ride on the south/SW corner of the island and the climb up Waimea Canyon. That said, its Hawaii and the oceans and beaches are a better use of time.

I thought this place was pretty fun: http://www.waimeabrewingkauai.com/. The Beach House in Poipu is very nice
Stop in to see the Hyatt and their parrots if you have time, cool place

 

[Bocephus Jones II]

Going to Kauai next week for the 1st time. From the guidebooks, it looks like a sleepy little place, so I never really thought about cycling there. The other thread about cycling in Hawaii has led me to wonder: would it be possible to rent a road bike in Kauai?

I've only ever seen cruisers and MTBs for rent. You CAN ride on "the road" (literally there is only one main road on the island) but I wouldn't. And past Princeville the lanes are narrow, no shoulders and there are tons of tourists driving. Do something else IMO. There is plenty to do. You could cycle up Waimea Canyon if you could get a road bike. That is about the only enjoyable ride I could think of there. And the wind will also be a big factor. It's almost always windy there.

//up north there is a really cool long bike path that would be a lot of fun to ride on a cruiser bike. Rent a cruiser and ride that...it runs right along the ocean.

 

[Bocephus Jones II]

This is the only guide book you will need--Ultimate Kauai Reveled". It's awesome. Costs $20. Don't forget to dive under the cave wall and surface up to the "blue room" where the water reflects around the cave. It only happens at around noon when the sun is overhead.

I met the author when I was there. We're both pilots. He owns Scotty's BBQ restaurant in Kapaa.
He flew by the next day in his ultralight doing stunts over the beach.
If you can't afford the book, send me a PM and I'll mail it to you.

+1....the Bible for Kauai tourists.

 

[Bocephus Jones II]

The restaurants in general are terrible I should have gone to costco and buy a pack of steaks

+100...get a condo and cook for yourself.

 

[Steve D]

I rode in Kauai several years ago after renting a road bike from a shop in Poipu. I loved it and would do it again. Had a nice 20 mile route that avoided all the main roads. The shop had a cue-sheet of several safe rides. Great scenery, some good climbs and lots of wild chickens!

 

[Lelandjt]

Food was really bad and expensive too.

You guys are doing it wrong. If you want fancy restaurants go to Manhattan. If you want to sample fresh poke and the best Hawaiian food eat at the little local places.

You're right about the roads not being conducive to riding there. Maui has better riding. Then again, so do Colorado and New England. Enjoy the ocean, go for a hike in the jungle, and work on getting rid of those lycra tan lines.

 

[Bocephus Jones II]

You guys are doing it wrong. If you want fancy restaurants go to Manhattan. If you want to sample fresh poke and the best Hawaiian food eat at the little local places.

You're right about the roads not being conducive to riding there. Maui has better riding. Then again, so do Colorado and New England. Enjoy the ocean, go for a hike in the jungle, and work on getting rid of those lycra tan lines.

God yes...the poke is out of this world. If you don't give it a try it's your loss.

 

[Bertrand]

Kauai Guide Book

+1....the Bible for Kauai tourists.

I've got the book. It's great. I have been reading it for weeks now.