Kauai is beautiful. I was there last February. It's quieter than Oahu, Maui or the Big Island and not overrun by tourists.
I highly recommend
The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, as it really is the ultimate guide to the island. You'll see lots of other people with this book in their hands, but it's still possible to find some nice isolated places to hang out.
Our favorites, in no particular order:
1) Waimea Canyon - "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific" as dubbed by Mark Twain. Take your car up to the top and check out the views. On your way back down, stop at the various shoulders on the side of the road to see other views.
2) Princeville Stables - We did a horseback ride with a few others - you eventually get off the horse, do a short hike downhill, and wind up at an otherwise inaccessible waterfall! The water's cold but it's beautiful. Then you hike back up and take the horses back. Lots of fun.
3) Helicopter trip! Most of Kauai is inaccessible by car - as you'll see when you realize there is one main road around (almost) the entire island. The helicopter ride allows you to see all the beauty of Kauai that you'd otherwise miss. There are a bunch of companies but the ones I've heard the best things about are Will Squyres and Jack Harter. We did a trip with Will Squyres and it was a little bumpy, but it was because of the weather at the time. I took a lot of pictures with my digital camera and caught a lot of glare. For that reason, if you're up for it, I recommend Jack Harter - one of their helicopters allows the doors to be fully opened for breathtaking views and pictures. A little scary, probably, but they have an excellent reputation.
4) Boat trip - either day or dinner/sunset cruise - up the Na Pali coast. We unfortunately didn't get to do this because it was wintertime and the waters were choppy - but again, you get great views and perhaps a chance to snorkel, plus food.
5) Hikes - there are plenty of hikes for varying levels of athletic ability. Quadrette and I did a few simple ones that led to quiet, out-of-the-way places with beautiful crashing waves and soothing beaches. One was to "Queen's Bath" and the other to "Secret Beach." Directions on how to get to them are in the book.
6) Finally, this is one you won't find in any of the books, we stumbled upon it and are so glad we did. For a taste of authentic Hawaiian slack-key guitar music, which is SO relaxing, seek out
Aloha Plenty. They are a husband and wife duo who really represent the essence of "aloha." Check out the link to "concerts" to see when they play. They do shows at a community center in Hanalei, but they also play almost every night at sunset at Pavilion Beach Park. Give them a call to get directions to the park, bring a picnic basket, sit and watch the sun go down. It's beautiful.
We didn't do a lot of swimming since we did a lot of that in Oahu - just keep in mind that as it gets closer to winter, the swimming on the North Shore is more dangerous - check with your hotel for advice on thiis.
I do have some photos up online somewhere of our trip to Kauai. If you'd like to see them, PM me. Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip and remember to take time to just relax and let it all happen to you- that's what "aloha" is all about.
