Help for a trip to Kauai
Oct 24, 2016 12:24:48 #
peterg
Loc: Santa Rosa, CA
In addition to what others have said: Sunrises & Sunsets. Wildlife including Monk seals and birds at the Kilauea Lighthouse ( http://www.kilaueapoint.org/seabirds/ ). Artistic villages. Beautiful landscapes, especially on the North Shore. I'm in Kauai now. Some Kauai snapshots at: http://www.gopeterg.com/Travel/Kauai-2012/ , http://www.gopeterg.com/Travel/Kauai-Nov-2014/ , http://www.gopeterg.com/Travel/Kauai-2016/
Google "best places to take photos in kauai"
Google "best places to take photos in kauai"
Oct 24, 2016 12:45:09 #
We go to Kauai almost every year (skipped this year, went to Maui, but we have 4 weeks in January/February reserved in Kapa'a). I'll second the recommendations above. You can't go wrong. Now, about flying around Kauai... My wife and I took a helicopter trip out of the Princeville airport about 10 years ago. It was OK. There's a guy selling rides out of the Lihue airport in an open cockpit Waco biplane. I've ridden with him twice. Once with my wife and once with my brother. As the pilot said the first time, "I fly slower than the helicopters do." Yes, you will have to contend with aircraft structure in your pictures, but this beats the heck out of helicopters. I'll admit my bias, I'm a fixed wing pilot and helicopters don't do much for me. However, go to https://kauaiairtour.com/kauai-air-tours/biplane-tour/ for more information. They have other aircraft, as well. Oh, and the comment on the web page by "Terikay" about not being able to take pictures in the open cockpit is incorrect. I have plenty from my trips.
Have a great time. I've found that a CP filter can really help with pictures on Kauai. If you don't have one, get one before you go.
Have a great time. I've found that a CP filter can really help with pictures on Kauai. If you don't have one, get one before you go.
Oct 24, 2016 12:53:42 #
If you haven't been to Hawaii before, one thing to note is that there are NO private beaches. All beaches are open to the public by law. Even a row of houses with a beach behind them will have a public access alleyway.
Oct 24, 2016 12:56:57 #
LFingar wrote:
Oregon does it that way too.If you haven't been to Hawaii before, one thing to note is that there are NO private beaches. All beaches are open to the public by law. Even a row of houses with a beach behind them will have a public access alleyway.
Oct 24, 2016 13:10:37 #
al lehman
Loc: San jose, ca.
waimea canyon state park, Na Pali coast catamaran boat tour, doors off helicopter is awesome, Wailua Falls, area around princeville. Have fun, I'm jealous.....
Oct 24, 2016 14:00:15 #
Paul Crisler wrote:
I will be traveling to Kauai in a couple of weeks. My research indicates multiple locations for photo opportunities, however, I will be there only six days. What would be the top five places for photos in Kauai. I am also planning an open door helicopter adventure. Need some help in settings (Rebel 6Ti) and any tips to enhance experience. Thanks in advance for your help.
I live on Kauai and am happy to offer a couple of suggestions. Stop in Costco in Lihue and buy the Ultimate Kauai Guide Book (or better, buy it at home before you leave). It is loaded with great advice. Although the entire island is very scenic, if you want great ocean and beach scenery the north shore can't be beat. The lighthouse in Kilauea offers some of the most spectacular ocean/seascapes imaginable as well as opportunities to photograph great sea birds (it is part of the Kilauea Point National Wild Life Refuge). All the other replies you received were great but be careful if you decide to do Queens Bath. First, if it has been raining (which happens a lot on the norht shore) the steep dirt path down to the ocean can be quite slippery and treacherous. However, even potentially more dangerous is the whole Queens Bath area if there is a large winter swell running (we are just getting into the winter swell time of year on the north shore). Winter swells can sweep across the whole shelf area of the baths and every winter several visitors get swept out into the ocean. There have been many drowings as a result. The north shore drive to the end of the road to Kee Beach is a very pretty and scenic drive. There are many great photo oportunities along this country road. The Limahuli Tropical Botanical Gardens near the end of the road is both interesting and very scenic. It is a good place to photograph many of Kauai's native and endemic plants and flowers as well as some spectacular mountain scenery. Have fun and come back.
Peter
Oct 24, 2016 14:52:38 #
If you are adventurous enough hike the Nu'alolo Trail on the west side of Kauai which ends up overlooking the Na Pali coastline.
Maybe 3 hours down to the cliffs overlooking the ocean and then a fairy strenuous 4 hours back up to the roadway. My wife and I did it in 2010 at the age of 64. Brought tears to my eyes when it opened up to the blue ocean and the cascading rifts shaded in the mountainside. Know that when you head down you have to make the trail back up. We saw only three people on the trail the whole day. Stunning, stunning, stunning. I still get emotional thinking about it.
Maybe 3 hours down to the cliffs overlooking the ocean and then a fairy strenuous 4 hours back up to the roadway. My wife and I did it in 2010 at the age of 64. Brought tears to my eyes when it opened up to the blue ocean and the cascading rifts shaded in the mountainside. Know that when you head down you have to make the trail back up. We saw only three people on the trail the whole day. Stunning, stunning, stunning. I still get emotional thinking about it.
Oct 24, 2016 15:07:19 #
On the South Shore in Poipu; Brennike's Beach for some scenic beach shots without the crowds, and you MUST eat at Brennike's Broiler across the street. The Sprouting Horn (Ocean Water shoots up like a geyser). Further East on the way to Waimea, and the little town of, I think, Pahaha I know I've spelled it wrong for a nice lunch and pretty unchanged Old Kauai town street scene. Also, for a great dinner and superlative sunset photos, The Beach House. On the East Shore on the way to
The best advice is to pick a few spots and spend time. On a six day trip you could easily spend 4 hours a day driving (avg. speed 35mph). On the East side on the way to Hanalei Bay and Princeville is a Lighthouse, clearly marked on the "highway" with a great overlook. Great background for some awesome sea birds slowly flying around.
I Guess I'm ready for a return trip. By the way, there about a dozen old Churches and ALL are extremely photogenic--a potential personal project for my next trip.
The best advice is to pick a few spots and spend time. On a six day trip you could easily spend 4 hours a day driving (avg. speed 35mph). On the East side on the way to Hanalei Bay and Princeville is a Lighthouse, clearly marked on the "highway" with a great overlook. Great background for some awesome sea birds slowly flying around.
I Guess I'm ready for a return trip. By the way, there about a dozen old Churches and ALL are extremely photogenic--a potential personal project for my next trip.
Oct 24, 2016 15:50:58 #
Small island so can pack a lot in 6 days. Was there over labor day week as hurricane was passing through. No problems, just high waves. North east side of island is wet and southwest side is dry. Stayed in Poipu, so was about halfway point. Most roads are 2 lane so allow extra travel time. Many beautiful botanical gardens (Allerton/McBride the best), Fern Grotto river cruise, Kilauea Lighthouse, Princeville area, then North to end of road., Old Koloa Town, Salt Pond, Spouting Horn, coffee plantation, Waimea Canyon.. all the way to the end, tree tunnel, .... too many great photo ops. Also, there are wild roosters and a few wild pigs in all parts of the island. Also a stop at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Poipu and walking along the coast there. Have a great trip.
Oct 25, 2016 00:39:30 #
You have gotten some really good advice. Absolutely buy the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook. My wife and I spent four weeks on Kauai in January 2014. The shots you see here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/124429023@N05/albums/72157646684267624/with/15649585761/
were taken with Nikon D7000, 18-140mm and 70-300 lenses. The shots from the air were taken from Kauai Air Tour's Cessna 182. I had taken the helicopter tour on a previous trip and wanted to try something different. The helicopter tour is much more of a thrill ride, but the airplane tour takes you places the copters don't go and with only two of us onboard I found the pilot surprisingly cooperative in making repeated passes in certain spots so I could get the shots I wanted.
The seabird shots are from Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge and the whales from the East shore in or near Kapaa. The guidebook I mentioned will tell you where the waterfalls are. You would have to be lucky to see one of Hawaii's famous endangered endemic birds, but it's possible at Koke'e. We saw quite a few of the endangered Monk seals on beaches in Kapaa. Depending which side of the island you are staying on you will have chances to capture spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
We are going back to Kauai this coming January for 3 1/2 weeks and I am looking forward to using my new gear, especially the 300mm f4 VR PF.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/124429023@N05/albums/72157646684267624/with/15649585761/
were taken with Nikon D7000, 18-140mm and 70-300 lenses. The shots from the air were taken from Kauai Air Tour's Cessna 182. I had taken the helicopter tour on a previous trip and wanted to try something different. The helicopter tour is much more of a thrill ride, but the airplane tour takes you places the copters don't go and with only two of us onboard I found the pilot surprisingly cooperative in making repeated passes in certain spots so I could get the shots I wanted.
The seabird shots are from Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge and the whales from the East shore in or near Kapaa. The guidebook I mentioned will tell you where the waterfalls are. You would have to be lucky to see one of Hawaii's famous endangered endemic birds, but it's possible at Koke'e. We saw quite a few of the endangered Monk seals on beaches in Kapaa. Depending which side of the island you are staying on you will have chances to capture spectacular sunrises and sunsets.
We are going back to Kauai this coming January for 3 1/2 weeks and I am looking forward to using my new gear, especially the 300mm f4 VR PF.
Oct 25, 2016 01:07:09 #
Great pictures. I recognize a bunch of those locations.
Where are you staying in January? We've got 4 weeks reserved at the Kauai Coast Resort in Kapa'a in January and February. I figure I'll use up a bunch more memory in the computer with pictures from this trip. Kauai is very relaxing and laid back.
Where are you staying in January? We've got 4 weeks reserved at the Kauai Coast Resort in Kapa'a in January and February. I figure I'll use up a bunch more memory in the computer with pictures from this trip. Kauai is very relaxing and laid back.
Oct 25, 2016 01:13:50 #
Ghery wrote:
Great pictures. I recognize a bunch of those locations.
Where are you staying in January? We've got 4 weeks reserved at the Kauai Coast Resort in Kapa'a in January and February. I figure I'll use up a bunch more memory in the computer with pictures from this trip. Kauai is very relaxing and laid back.
Where are you staying in January? We've got 4 weeks reserved at the Kauai Coast Resort in Kapa'a in January and February. I figure I'll use up a bunch more memory in the computer with pictures from this trip. Kauai is very relaxing and laid back.
We are going back to Pono Kai resort in Kapa'a...to the exact same oceanfront condo. January 8 to February 2.
Oct 25, 2016 12:35:04 #
We head over on the 8th, as well. 4 weeks and then we fly home. UA has cancelled our usual early morning flight to SFO from SEA which means that the connection to the direct from SFO to LIH is blown. Now we get SEA-SFO-LAX-LIH and get in that evening. Grrrr.
Oct 25, 2016 13:15:33 #
Ghery wrote:
We head over on the 8th, as well. 4 weeks and then we fly home. UA has cancelled our usual early morning flight to SFO from SEA which means that the connection to the direct from SFO to LIH is blown. Now we get SEA-SFO-LAX-LIH and get in that evening. Grrrr.
Have you tried Hawaiian Air out of both San Fran and Oakland, as well as LA? Excellent service and First Class is surprisingly reasonable. Or, it was the last time we flew with them, which was 2 yr ago.
Oct 25, 2016 14:34:17 #
We fly out of SEA. I can get nonstops to Kauai on Alaska, but I have to pay to check bags. And, this trip is on UA miles, so the price was hard to beat.
We have also flown on Hawaiian and, in the old days, Northwest (the largest unscheduled airline in the world). NWA would now mean Delta, and I avoid them like the plague (no legroom in coach, at least not in the last 40 years).
We have also flown on Hawaiian and, in the old days, Northwest (the largest unscheduled airline in the world). NWA would now mean Delta, and I avoid them like the plague (no legroom in coach, at least not in the last 40 years).
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