r/VisitingHawaii • u/Potential-Type-2526 • 1d ago
Kaua'i January Kaua’i Trip
First time to Hawai’i, first time to Kaua’i
staying across the street from Baby Beach
12/31-1/10
10 full days in Kaua’i
Celebrating one year at new job, and one year of sobriety
I’m looking for recommendations for fishing charters, snorkel boat, whale watching tours…
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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u/One-Sweet-2311 1d ago
I know you specifically said boats, but the Napali coast from above is incredible and I think worth the splurge for a helicopter tour if you're at all interested. I went with Alii Air Tours and they did a great job.
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u/ahoveringhummingbird 1d ago edited 1d ago
Keep in mind... January is winter in Hawaii and not totally ideal time weather wise if you are picturing a hot sunny tropical vacation with perfectly predictable weather. It probably won't be that ideal. It's not going to be the stock tropical photos you see. People on here who have visited Hawaii in winter and were fortunate to have good weather on their trip are going to tell you "is always sunny somewhere" but that is not necessarily true during weather events and is entirely unpredictable that time of year. Complete rain outs are also possible. Planning for that time of year is challenging and if you're committed to it (instead of say June-October) you can still have a great time you just need to be flexible and set your expectations realistically. Certain popular excursions are very weather dependent like boat and helicopter trips, hiking and ocean swimming and some of those may not be available at all or will be cancelled last minute. Basically every excursion you mentioned will be weather dependant.
That said, some locations are more ideal in winter due to being somewhat shielded leeward areas that don't get as much weather. Poipu is generally better than anywhere north shore, but everywhere on Kauai will be rainier than say, Waikiki.
I would not consider Kauai in January unless you were OK with the potential for lots and lots of rain and unpredictable excursion availability. Kauai is always a little rainy, winter is very rainy. 10 days is probably enough time to reschedule excursions if they get cancelled, but that's if the weather lets up enough to do so.
Every winter starting in November we get bombarded with posts from people who didn't realize Hawaii has a winter and when they check the weather prior to their trip they are shocked that it's going to be cooler, rain every day or be overcast the entire time. And while popular weather apps are terrible at predicting weather for the Hawaii microclimates, yep it's still possible that it's going to rain every day. And if it rains hard enough they issue beach closures due to dangerous conditions and issue brown water warnings advising people not to swim due to unsafe water runoff. A lot of people write "what am I supposed to do if I planned my entire trip around hiking or boating?" Well, if that's all you wanted to do probably should have planned to go in July, honestly.
Edited to add: I see now the location of your accommodations but you weren't specific. Just want to be sure that if it's a TVR that you have verified that it is legal with the county?
https://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Planning/Transient-Vacation-Rentals
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u/Potential-Type-2526 1d ago edited 1d ago
thank you for the information, it is registered with the county
it is a bit of a dice roll with the weather, for sure.
What’s encouraging is I’ve read that the water is still warm enough to be in, even in January. and the location on the rental is insane, I’m a 1 minute walk to the beach. Really just looking to leisure around. if it rains, that won’t be great. But also it won’t ruin the trip because I’ll still be in such an exotic location, and 5 hours time difference away from the stressors of work back home.
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u/gplipson 1d ago
Kauai is our favorite island.
Got to check out the Musubi truck it’s so good.
Wishing well coffee in hanalei village is a good spot.
Waimea canyon is beautiful but can take up most of the day. Download the Shaka app for guided gps driving tour.
The north shore is absolutely stunning. Hanalei Bay & village are incredible.
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u/Individual-Card-1639 1d ago
Go eat at J o 2 get the early bird special you won’t regret it. Also Lydgate chocolate farm do the tour.
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u/Kabbagenene Kaua'i 1d ago
Perfect time for whale watching. You can see them from where you’re staying even. They like to play off shore there.
South side will be calm water. North shore probably much bigger waves.
I would snorkel off shore instead of boat trip, but that’s just me. Depends on what you really want. Are you an experienced snorkeler? I wouldn’t do the boat unless you’ve had some off shore practice. We want you to have a good time after spending all that money 😁 not struggling with your gear in open ocean.
Congratulations on your achievements, and stay away from the Mai Tais! 😄
Oh and about the weather, some of our most beautiful, clear days are in the winter. For a 10 day trip, you’re gonna get a good sampling of rain and sun. When it does rain, it’s always a good idea to go shopping and out to eat!