Things to do on Kauai... Indoors?

April 10, 2013 11:41 PM

We are on vacation on Kauai. It's been a great week, and Friday is our last day. We have to check out of our room by 11am, and our flight doesn't leave until 9:40pm. This would be great, except rain and thunderstorms are predicted all day! Any suggestions for ways to spend our last afternoon if the weather really is bad?
posted by Kriesa to Travel & Transportation (4 answers total)

Came in to suggest cultural or craft classes. It looks like the Kauai Cultural Center has some scheduled for tomorrow. Worth calling to see. Also The Children of the Land have their seed bank open, though not sure if agricultural restrictions apply to seeds when traveling elsewhere.

Also sometimes you can avoid the rain by driving to the leeward side of the island. If I remember correctly, Hanapepe begins to be drier and then Waimea Canyon is even drier. We drove out to Barking Sands (fun on bumpy unpaved road without 4-wheel drive!) and enjoyed its relative seclusion.
posted by spamandkimchi at 12:55 AM on April 11, 2013

You wouldn't be able to keep me inside if it was my last day on Kauai.

Find a tarp and a big umbrella. Sit on the beach. In the rain.
posted by fredericsunday at 6:50 AM on April 11, 2013

I like to make sure I've done all my shopping on the last day in Kauai. I'm usually based in Koloa when I'm there and if you aren't already based in Poipu it's your best bet - as mentioned above- to head to the southern side of the island to try to avoid a downpour. You could do the cute little shops at Hanapepe, Old Koloa Town, the Kukuiula Village and make your way back towards Lihue. I always make sure that I hit Long's on the last day for a pair of locals and el cheapo Monoi de Tahiti body oil.

Last time it rained while I was there - we did the Kauai Plantation Railway. It was pretty hilarious and you'll be mostly indoors and can stop at Plantation Gardens (their new bar was almost up and running when I was there in November). You can also do the rum tasting at Koloa Rum Company which is indoors;) There are some cute shops and a pottery studio there as well. It's also a nice place to have a leisurely meal on a covered patio.

Egads - I need to book a flight!
posted by rdnnyc at 11:14 AM on April 11, 2013

Thanks for the advice! It was pretty wet yesterday, but we put on our raincoats and went for a hike, then spent the rest of the day driving up the coast from beach to beach, staying just ahead of the rain for the most part. We lucked out; the coming week looks like it'll be more rain, with flood watches and all.
posted by Kriesa at 11:24 AM on April 13, 2013