Poipu Adventures

Poipu Area Adventures

Spread your wings and enjoy some of the many adventures around Poipu and nearby.

Koloa Kaua'i Zipline

The Koloa Kaua'i Zipline is the longest zipline tour in Kaua'i. Glide over lush jungle, past the Hoary Head Mountain Range, the Waita Reservoir, and the Koloa Sugar Mill. The 8-line course lasts about 3½ hours. Participants can choose to fly upside down, hands free, backwards, in tandem, or for the biggest thrill, try superhero style. The minimum age is 7 years old. All minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Koloa Kaua'i Ziplines

3477A Weliweli Road, Koloa

Secret Falls Kayak and Hike

Secret Falls Kayak and Hike combines a 2-mile (each way) kayak adventure on the gentle Wailua River followed by a 1-mile hike through rainforest to the foot of 120-foot Secret Falls. At times the moderately difficult trail involves wading through streams, negotiating muddy trails, and maneuvering over a giant tree root system. After arriving at the base of the falls, participants can choose to go for a swim or simply enjoy the beauty of the area.

Ali'i Kayaks

Directions: Begin your adventure at the Ali’i Kayaks parking lot, 180 Wailua Road, Kapa’a. Reach Kapa'a by driving north 8 miles from Lihue on Highway 56.

Captain Andy's Sailing Adventures

Captain Andy's Sailing Adventures are a popular way to experience the majesty of the Na Pali coast from the comfort of a well-equipped vessel. A variety of tours are available, from cruises along the Na Pali coast to sea cave adventures. Along the way enjoy snorkeling, whale watching, and a catered meal. Captain Andy has been providing adventures since 1980.

Captain Andy's Sailing Adventures

4353 Saialo Road #1a, Eleele
Directions: From Koloa take Highway 50 about 9 miles west to Port Allen.

CMJ Country Stables Trail Rides

CMJ Country Stables offers a variety of guided horseback rides in the Maha‘ulelpu area, southeast of Koloa along the Maha'ulepu Heritage coastal trail. A scenic 2-hour beach and valley ride travels along mountains and valleys to panoramic ocean views. Choose the 3-hour Secret Beach Picnic ride with time to dismount, explore on foot, and enjoy a beach picnic. Small personalized groups make for relaxed and enjoyable outings. Children must be 8 years or older.

CMJ Country Stables

Directions: The stables are located just a mile and a half past the Grand Hyatt in Poipu. Proceed straight past the resort on the main paved road until it becomes the old Sugar cane road. You will soon see the first CJM stables sign indicating you are 1.5 miles from their location. Continue straight to their second sign and make a right hand turn. Then follow the road up and over the hill to the stables.

Mountain Tubing Adventure

Mountain Tubing Adventure takes inner tube riders on a 3-hour ride, gently floating down 19th century canals, through 5 amazing tunnels, and along historic flumes. The waterway was originally constructed as part of the Lihue Plantation. Participants begin with a ride in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle up through the plantation to a point near the base of Mt. Wai’ale’ale, one of the wettest spots in the world. Catch views of waterfalls cascading down the mountain slopes. Tube riders are provided with headlamps to illuminate their way through the tunnels. At the end of the ride, participants are treated to a picnic lunch and a swim in a natural swimming hole.

Participants must be at least 5 years old and 43 inches tall.

Mountain Tubing Adventure
3-4131 Kuhio Highway (Hwy 56), Lihue
Directions: Follow Highway 56 heading north out of Lihue. Just beyond Laulima Street on the outskirts of Lihue, watch on the left for the turn into Kauai Backcountry Adventures.

Scuba Diving

Fathom Five prides itself in offering excellent guides dedicated to safety along with outstanding service and equipment. At their Koloa dive shop they carry a full supply of SCUBA gear. Fathom Five offers shore dives from Koloa Landing and boat destinations such as Sheraton Caverns and Brennekes Ledge. Their well-equipped, 6-passenger boats launch from Kukuiula Harbor along Lawa'i Road. Divers are grouped with those of similar skill levels.

Fathom Five offers a half-day Scuba Diving program for beginning divers in a safe, pool-like setting. They also offer programs for those seeking their Open Water Diver certification.

Fathom Five

3450 Poipu Road, Koloa

Dive Kaua'i Scuba Center at Poipu Beach provides underwater ocean experiences for first-time to advanced divers. The Center's team of PADI trained professional scuba instructors can provide instruction for beginners just setting out to obtain their dive certification to those looking for open water courses. A number of tours are available to certified divers such as their South Shore Dive or South Island Boat Adventure Dive. Dives begin at Koloa Landing off Hoonani Road, Kukui’ula Small Boat Landing along Lawa'i Road, or Tunnels Beach on the north shore.

Dive Kaua'i Scuba Center

Dive Kauai Scuba Center, Main Office: 3417 Poipu Road, Suite 105, Koloa, HI

Directions: Find the Dive Center in the Sheraton Kauai Resort, 2440 Hoonani Road

Wailua River Paddle Tours

Wailua River Kayak Paddle Tours are available on weekdays from November 20th to February 9th when the days are shorter. Paddle 2 miles up the gentle Wailua River to the junction of the river's north and south branches. The 2½-3 hours tour includes breaks along the way where the tour leader shares information about the Wailua River canyon. The double, sit-atop-kayaks are safe for ages 5 and older. One adult must accompany every child 12 and under.

Kayak Kaua'i

3-5971 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa

Directions: From Lihue drive north on Highway 56 about 30 minutes to the same left turn as Smith's Garden. Find the paddle tours on the same side as Smith Motor Boats offices on the south side of Wailua River.

Poipu Beach Surf School

Poipu Beach Surf School offers 1½-hour beginner and intermediate group lessons at Poipu Beach. Expert lessons are half-day at various sites. Beginner lessons are available for parties of 1 to 8 people, ages 6-76; although ages 6-9 would do best with private lessons. Group classes never have more than 4 participants per instructor. For intermediate lessons, surfers should have surfed at least 20-30 times to be considered “intermediate”. Those taking expert lessons seek out more challenging surfing locations with the guidance of their instructor.

Poipu Beach Surf School

2100 Hoone Road, Poipu Beach

Directions: From Koloa drive south to the round-about, then west along Poipu Road, watching for the right hand turn to Poipu Beach. Parking can be crowded during peak times.

Kauai Helicopter Tours

A number of experienced companies offer Helicopter Tours of Kauai. For those based in Poipu, the Lihue airport makes a convenient base for helicopter tours. We have listed a sample of 3 companies here, but there are others available at the Lihue airport equally as good.

Air Kauai Helicopter Tours, based at Lihue airport, offers 45-50-minute tours over the Waimea Canyon, Hanapepe Valley, the famous Na Pali Coast and Mount Waialeale.
Air Kauai Helicopter Tours

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, based at Lihue airport, features a 50-minute eco adventure including Manawaiopuna Falls, Waimea Canyon, Hanapepe Valley, Hanapepe Valley, the famous Na Pali Coast, rain-soaked Mt. Wai’ale’ale and more.
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters

Island Helicopters Kaua'i, also based at Lihue Airport, has 2 tour options, plus the choice of a private tour. Their Grand Skies Island Tour is a 50-55-minute visit to the most popular island features, including the Na Pali Coast, Hanalei Bay, and Jurassic Falls. Their 75-80-minute Jurassic Falls Landing Adventure includes everything in the Grand Skies tour along with a landing at the waterfall featured in the movie Jurassic Park.

Island Helicopters Kaua'i

Directions: In Lihue follow Ahukini Road east from the Kuhio Highway or Kapule Highway to the helicopter port adjacent to the main airport.

Zodiac Snorkel Tours

Zodiac Boat Snorkel Adventures, provided by Kaua'i Zodiac Tourz, offer 3-hour snorkeling trips to various locations along the Poipu coast of Kaua'i. Premium snorkel equipment is provided along with light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. The ocean adventure includes colorful coral reefs, captivating caves, and a variety of marine life from sea turtles to dolphins. Discover the mysteries of Honu Hale – Sheraton Caverns, known as the home of the turtles. Snorkelers are under the guidance of an experienced captain and crew.

Zodiac Boat Snorkel Adventure

Downhill Bike Ride - Waimea Canyon

Set off on a Downhill Bike Ride, starting on the road overlooking Waimea Canyon and gliding along the road all the way to sea level, an exhilarating 3,600-foot descent. Keko Adventure Tours provides bikes, helmets, gloves, and refreshments to enjoy at the end of ride. Participants must be at least 14 years old, 4'11" tall, and posses good bike handing skills. Maximum weight limit is 250 pounds.

The entire activity lasts 4 hours, but the actual ride is completed in 44-55 minutes. A tour leader sets the pace in front and the shuttle van follows behind. The average speed is 17 MPH, but higher speeds can be reached in some places.
4505 Puolo Road, Hanapepe

Downhill Bike Ride

Directions: From Poipu or Koloa drive out Highway 50 to Hanapepe. Look for the green building on your right at the intersection of Puolo Road.