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Kalapaki Beach is located about 1/2 mile from the dock and is easy to access on foot. Other shops can be found at the nearby Kauai Marriott Hotel. A free shuttle runs from the Nawiliwili pier to the Anchor shopping mall, Walmart and car rental offices in nearby Lihue. To fully experience the culture and history of Kauai, visitors should consider visiting local museums and attending cultural events.
Top Things to Do in Kauai, Hawaii During a Cruise
By the 19th century, Nawiliwili Bay was becoming a very important harbor on Kauai as the sugar cane industry grew. Landing cargo ships was a problem in the harbor as there were no natural deep water areas that existed along the island’s entire coastline. Most of the tour companies in Kauai fly state-of-the-art helicopters with panoramic windows and run one-hour tours.
Shopping in Kauai
See the rocky red walls of Waimea Canyon, which stretches 14 miles long, a mile wide and more than 3,600 feet deep. You'll find numerous hiking trails for both beginners and experienced hikers, which will take you past dramatic panoramic views of the canyon. This type of tour will take you through sugarcane plantations, waterfalls, streams, across foothills, past secluded beaches, and bays. There are two beaches near the port, Nawiliwiliand Niumalu beach park.
Map of the Nawiliwili Cruise Port
Kauai has the only navigable rivers in Hawaii, making kayaking on this island a delight. One of the most popular kayak adventures takes place on Wailua River. Rent a bike and go bike riding along thisfamous Kauai bike path. Along the path are restaurants like the Kapaa FoodTruck Court. Enjoy the food, the gentle breezes, and the scenic views on thehorizon. You can also spot whales breaching here duringwinter and late fall.
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There are plenty of shops, restaurants, and local attractions within walking distance of the cruise port. One of the most important tips for visitors to Kauai Cruise Port is to plan your itinerary ahead of time. With so much to see and do on the island, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and miss out on some of the best experiences. By planning ahead, you can make sure that you don’t miss any must-see attractions or activities. Waimea Canyon is one of Hawaii’s seven wonders with sixteen kilometers long, 1.6 km wide and more than 1000 meters deep. It was carved by rivers and the resulting rains at the top of Mount Waialeale.
If you have your heart set on seeing a particular area, the bus will not be the most efficient use of your time. Other travelers have stated that it is not easy taking the bus, and that the bus is used mainly by residents to get to and from work. You can walk from the pier in Nawiliwili to the nearby Kalapaki beach, but most passengers prefer to take the free shuttle to Anchor shopping mall and walk from there.
Visit Kauai Coffee Plantation
It’s worth noting that the shuttle service is wheelchair accessible and can accommodate passengers with special needs upon request. This feature ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to experience all that Kauai has to offer. Thanks to recent renovations and upgrades, Nawiliwili Kauai Cruise Port is now able to accommodate larger ships than ever before. This means that visitors can enjoy even more amenities than they could in the past. The Wilcox family has made an important contribution to Kauai’s development in business, politics and community service. Get a glimpse into the lives of two generations of Wilcox by visiting the Sugar Plantation Manor, Grove Farm.
You cannot visit one of Hawaii’s lushest islands and not explore its flora. A not for profit organization that collects, studies and preserves native and exotic plant species in Kauai and Florida. Set in an old-fashioned-mahogany-made train,the heritage tour of the plantations is one of the most interesting things todo on the island. To preserve the rich history and heritage ofthese plantations, the Kauai Plantation Heritage Railway was built. This railway cuts through the main sugarplantations of the island.
Best Time to Visit Kauai via Cruise Ship
You can also take a stroll through the gardens and admire the variety of plants and flowers that thrive in Hawaii’s tropical climate. Another must-visit attraction near the Nawiliwili Cruise Port is the Kilohana Estate. This historic plantation home is surrounded by beautiful gardens and features unique shops, art galleries, and a restaurant serving farm-to-table cuisine. Kauai, also known as “The Garden Isle” due to its famously frequent rainfall, has a total area of over 562 square miles and it is the fourth-largest Hawaiian island.
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The 7-8-mile long path starts at Lihi Park inKapaa and ends at Ahihi point. This paved path winds along the coast and makes fora beautiful walk or ride. Mostly used by bikers, the path is also available forwalkers, joggers, roller bladders, strollers, and skaters. Kapaa Bike Path is also known as” Ke Ala Hele Mekalae” which means a path that goes by the coast is one of Kauai’s most popular attractions.
Citizens of, and visitors to Lihue (home to the cruise port) often take advantage of Kalapaki, considered one of the island's foremost swimming beaches. Not far from town, it offers subdued waves rolling onto white-sand shores. The beach sits near the Kauai Marriott Resort, and its cafes are ideal for a quick bite, in between frolicking on the shore and bodysurfing among the waves.
Although the falls' beauty waxes and wanes depending on rainfall, they're always a worthy site. Some folks choose to hike down to the basin, but the journey, which is steep and somewhat treacherous, is perhaps best reserved for adrenalin junkies. The thunder of the falls is a relaxing sound and whether you hike down to the pool or watch from above it's a wonderful excursion. Although all of these attractions are close to the harbor, you'll need a vehicle to reach them. Check with your ship about free shuttles in the area, or book a rental car just for the day which is usually pretty affordable.
If you are feeling like you want something south of the border, Mariachi’s has authentic Mexican cuisine. Enchiladas, burrito, tacos, chimichanga and nachos will definitely satisfy your cravings. It’s located right at Harbor Mall, so you can do some shopping after your lunch.
One thing to keep in mind when visiting these shopping areas is that they can get quite busy during peak tourist season. If possible, try to plan your visit during off-peak times so that you can avoid crowds and long lines. Therefore packing rain gear such as waterproof jackets or umbrellas is always recommended regardless of when you plan your trip. During your ride, you’ll learn about Kauai’s sugar cane industry and see firsthand how it shaped life on the island.
On your way to Kauai’s south shore, to Koloa and Poipu, you’ll get a chance to drive through one of the most scenic highways on the island. The tree tunnel is the eucalyptus lined Maliuhi road, otherwise known as the gateway to the south. Fly over valleys, descend down mountainsides or glide over tropical forests, it’s your pick. A ziplining adventure in Kauai will offer these and much more.
They also will typically pick you up and drop you off at the harbor if you don’t have a rental car. If you don’t have a tour reservation, you can visit the Aloha Center near Nawiliwili Harbor to try to book one there. Because of the limited space available on helicopters, tours do sell out, particularly on port days. It is home to several shopping centers, the island's main airport, restaurants, a museum and golf course.
