Kauai Books

The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed (Ultimate Kauai Guidebook)

Andrew Doughty

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Wizard Publications Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 24 new & used starting at $10.45

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> West -> Pacific
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Hawaii -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Hawaii -> Kauai

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 430 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Time-saving book made our short vacation packed with the best things to do! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I want to qualify my opinion to say this book worked best for us and our idea of what a vacation on Kauai is....outdoors-y, hiking, beaches, kayaking, biking, scuba/snorkeling, etc. AND NOT resort life, spa sessions and 5-star dining. The author shares his first hand experiences with each helicopter tour, scuba shop, trail, restaurant or not-to-miss sights so you don't waste your precious vacation time sorting through the endless brouchures and ads.

What made this better than the others is the first-hand descriptions of the locations, great maps, and advice on what to do and where. Then it is separated by localized areas...helpful when you want to stay local to avoid driving/Kauai Traffic or to plan where to stay.

Beaches: Some hard to find and not to miss so this guide was invaluable in suggesting parking and how to find the hidden access trail. Also traveling with kids...it laid out what was safe and what to expect. Not all beaches have "facilities" and can involve a neck-breaking tumble or two to get there. The back of the book has a pull-out photo listing of the best beaches in the North East of the island.

Trails: He lists his favorite trails, what to expect and what to bring/wear. Follow his advice and you will be rewarded!!

Food: We ate in most of the time but his suggestions on local hamburger joints and shave ice where right on the money. Advised where to shop and about the Farmer's Markets. Yes, Costco was the best deal on Hawaiian gift products. No, we didn't eat at a luau.

Sight-Seeing: We saved all the plantation and Botanical garden tours for next time but the suggestions and descriptions helped us decide what our group was most up to do for the one-week time span we had on the island.

Sporting Activities: Helped us plan which Kayak place to use and to skip the 'Tubing down canal' activity. Also gave excellent suggestions on what to see along-side most of the activities. BTW-Dude is Funny! His comments and writing style is fun to read in layman's descriptions. It felt like he was our personal tour guide.

Accomodations: Again, not for the resort-minded individual...geared towards condo rentals. We skipped this part of the book as we already had a place to stay.

Maps: One reviewer said that it was difficult to have area maps located in different parts of the book. I would agree but it's not bad as the front folds out to give an overview map of the island and the page locations to the area maps.

Like I mentioned before, the author is a hoot and makes this book entertaining to read...far from dry. The cover seams a little dull but you know what they say about judging books. I usually like Eyewitness and Fodor guides but this one was FAR superior to anything I've read before.

Editorial Review:

The finest guidebook ever written for Kauai and the only one written by a writer who anonymously reviews the island. He visits every beach, restaurant, activity and trail on the island. The result is this comprehensive, humorous and easy-to-read full color guide that will lead you to more adventures than any other book. A must for travelers.

No Worries Hawaii: A Vacation Planning Guide for Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island

Jerry Sprout, Janine Sprout

Amazon Price: $12.21 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Diamond Valley Company Amazon Marketplace: 35 new & used starting at $10.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> West -> Pacific
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Hawaii -> Big Island
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Hawaii -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Get To The Heart of Your Destination
Half of Hawaii's 8 million yearly tourists are first-timers, often unsure of which island to visit, where to stay, and what to choose to do.
NO WORRIES HAWAII, a companion book to the Sprout's adventure guides for each of the islands, comes to the rescue. The book is also useful for repeat visitors or locals looking for new adventures.
Readers first take an armchair voyage, in which they nail down their vacation style (a scouting expedition, a romantic getaway, a solo or group adventure, invigorating, relaxing, healing). These likings are matched with what Hawaii has to offer. A clever but simple self-test allows readers to sort through Hawaii's assets: beaches, nightlife, trails, gardens, attractions, cultural sites, surfing, snorkeling, 36 categories in all, to determine which are important and which island is best.
In the second part of NO WORRIES HAWAII, readers take their decisions from part one and receive all the practical and money-saving advice needed to book a vacation that makes the armchair voyage become a real one. Included also is a complete list of what to pack.
The third part of the book is full of tips on what to do and what not to do after arriving in the islands. Readers will deplane as kama'aina (locals), having the benefit of the Sprout's 20 years of exploration.
Sections include how to plan days to maximize fun and avoid hassle, finding free entertainment, car rental and accommodation money-savers. Readers are advised on how to, and whether to, book tours (snorkeling, sailing, helicopter, horseback, etc.). The book's safety tips are a literal lifesaver, and the everyday advice on driving, hiking, and beach-going are essential forgetting the most fun out of every day.
The meat of NO WORRIES HAWAII is its Best Of section, a listing of Hawaii's top attractions: museums, rainforest dayhikes, snorkeling coves, walk-around beach towns, surfing spots, places to watch surfers, mountain bike trails, people-watching beaches, botanical gardens, short strolls to views, cultural sites, luxury resorts, volcano hikes, bird-watching forests, waterfalls, churches, remote beaches, family beach parks, golf courses, and more.
Taken together, the 50 categories neatly sum up the best of Hawaii. Readers can use these listings as a reference when they get to their chosen island.
NO WORRIES HAWAII is beautifully designed, complimented by more than 100 color photographs, and also contains a "wikiwiki phonebook" with all the contact numbers needed to put a vacation together.

Kauai Trailblazer: Where to Hike, Snorkel, Bike, Paddle, Surf (

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Diamond Valley Company Amazon Marketplace: 50 new & used starting at $7.50

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Outdoors & Nature -> Hiking & Camping -> Excursion Guides -> General
Subjects -> Outdoors & Nature -> Hiking & Camping -> Excursion Guides -> General AAS
Subjects -> Outdoors & Nature -> Hiking & Camping -> Instructional

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 68 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The latest edition of the Sprout's top-selling guide is packed with new and updated activities, dozens of fresh photos, and a special Trailblazer Kids section for families headed to Hawaii's "adventure island." Popular among independent and active travelers, Trailblazer guides are known for their user-friendly format, readability, and sharp graphics. You'll find all the mountain ridges, tropical gardens, beaches, coves and lagoons, jungles, rivers, historic landmarks and cultural sites, coral reefs, ancient ruins, and coastal bluffs-all the places to get wet, muddy, and have fun on Kaua'i. Less energetic visitors will appreciate the book's driving tours, which hit the headliners along with the island's out-of-the-way charms. The authors have spent years exploring Kaua'i, and it shows. A Resource Links section gives visitor information and cultural contacts, recommended recreational outfitters, museums and attractions, Hawaiiana shops and hula shows, as well as a! hand-picked list of restaurants and places to stay. Safety precautions and traveling tips are not to be overlooked, and a Best Of section lets you select among activities to suit your mood.

119 hikes and strolls to mountain ridges, tropical gardens, beaches, jungles, coves, reefs, historic landmarks and ancient ruins, swamps, craters, forests, coastal bluffs and tide pools, towns, canyons, waterfalls and river valleys

- 68 beaches, including 22 reachable only by trail - 42 snorkeling pools, both the island favorites and hidden coves - 61 mountain bike rides along forest, coastal, and countryside trails - 27 kayaking waters: 13 rivers and streams, 14 bays and lagoons - 36 surfing spots - a special Trailblazer Kids section - 10 maps and 175 photographs - 4 driving tours, featuring heiaus, wildlife sanctuaries, cultural and historical sites,tourist attractions and natural wonders - Resource Links to recreational outfitters, stables, golf courses, camping, transportation, accommodations, local-style eats and shops - Appendices of Hawaiian words, place names, movie locations, hula performances, farmer's markets, weather, flora, history

Kauai Underground Guide: And Free Hawaiian Music CD (Kauai Underground Guide)

Lenore W. Horowitz, Mirah A. Horowitz

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Papaloa Press Amazon Marketplace: 37 new & used starting at $7.95

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> West -> Pacific
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Hawaii -> Kauai
Subjects -> Travel -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good Guide to Kaua'i 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I bought 3 books on Kaua'i and I ranked this one second behind Kaua'i Revealed. This is a good guide with many good pointers, but lacks detailed directions on how to get to some places. I have been to Kaua'i now 3 times and I am looking for new places to explore. All in all, this is a good buy for the money.

Editorial Review:

Packed with adventure and money-saving tips, the new 18th edition of the Kauai Underground Guide has been referred to as "the bible" by readers and reviewers alike for finding this gorgeous island’s best beaches, restaurants, tours, adventures, activities, and hidden beauty spots. With more than 225,000 copies of previous editions sold, this original guidebook to Kauai is a must for visitors and has everything travelers need to know to discover Kauai. This edition includes helpful maps and charts, thorough descriptions, “Don’t Miss” day plans, advice for navigating the island’s micro-climates in order to find the best weather, fun things to do with children, and a free bonus CD ­­– the perfect rental car companion – of memorable island music by Hawaiian superstar Keali’I Reichel. Great for explorers — essential for families.

Snorkel Kauai: guide to the beaches and snorkeling of Hawaii (2nd Edition)

Judy Malinowski, Mel Malinowski

Amazon Price: $15.63 List Price: $15.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Indigo Publications Amazon Marketplace: 9 new & used starting at $14.95

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Sports -> Water Sports -> Scuba -> General
Subjects -> Sports -> Water Sports -> Scuba -> General AAS
Subjects -> Travel -> Specialty Travel -> Adventure -> Scuba

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Snorkel Kauai is the one and only guidebook exclusively devoted to snorkeling on Kauai. No other guide comes close to the level of snorkeling detail provided here. Take "Snorkel Kauai", along with a good general guidebook of your choice, and you'll have all the details you need for a great vacation! In this expanded and updated 2nd edition, Snorkel Kauai is even better, with full color maps, as well as beach and fish pictures. From a colorful cover to 41 accurate maps and details on 69 snorkeling sites, SK draws you into the fascinating underwater world that shouldn't be missed by anyone touring Kauai. As Dave Barry says: "When you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you've been missing the whole point of the ocean--it's like going to the circus and staring at the outside of the tent." An award-winning book designer contributed a sophisticated, yet readable style to the cover and interior. The dramatic cover features a green sea turtle being cleaned by yellow tangs. Snorkel Kauai is the third in a series of guidebooks that provide more detailed snorkeling information than ever before available for each of the Hawaiian islands in an attractive, easy to carry package. "Snorkel Hawaii: The Big Island" (2nd edition), also available from Amazon.com, provides the same detailed coverage of Hawaii's biggest island. "Snorkel Maui and Lanai" is the second edition of this popular guide, revised and enlarged. Our website, snorkelguides.com, provides detailed updates when available and more.

Kauai Restaurants And Dining With Princeville And Poipu Beach

Robert Carpenter, Cindy Carpenter

Amazon Price: $8.95 List Price: $8.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Holiday Publishing Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 14 new & used starting at $8.42

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Food & Lodging -> Dining
Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Guidebooks
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Hawaii -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The best guide to authentic ethnic dining experiences in Kauai 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I think its time for Bob and Cindy Carpenter to broaden their horizons and set out across the world to create more restaurant guide series!
This little treasure, Kauai Restaurants and Dining is a pocket book that is a must for anyone traveling to or thinking of traveling the Hawaiian Islands and or to Kauai. Packed with information such as: Diverse Island Cuisines, Regional Dining, Watering Holes, Hawaii Food & Culture Glossary the guide is as easy to read as it is helpful. Looking for the beachfront bistro, excellent views, leisurely dining or Island Icon, its all in this little gem of a foodie guide.
If you think Hawaiian Cusine is just about bananas, coconuts and the Luaus think again. First, Cindy and Bob educate the reader about the rich diverse ethnic cusines that make the island of Kauai a "food lovers" destination. Next in a brilliant and easy format the restaurant collection includes everything from hours, style, dress, phone numbers, prices and more to a menu sampler and their own impressions.
When in Rome do as the Romans do...when in Kauai check out the wonderful diverse ethnic cuisines with the help of this Restaurant Guide book.

Editorial Review:

A comprehensive guide to the "special" restaurants and dining spots on the island of Kauai covering all tastes and styles with priced menu samples included for budgeting.

Kaua'I Trails: Walks, Strolls, and Treks on the Garden Island (Kauai Trails: Walks, Strolls & Treks on the Garden Island)

Kathy Morey

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Wilderness Press Amazon Marketplace: 41 new & used starting at $5.83

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> History -> Australia & Oceania -> General AAS
Subjects -> Outdoors & Nature -> Hiking & Camping -> Excursion Guides -> General
Subjects -> Outdoors & Nature -> Hiking & Camping -> Excursion Guides -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Excellent trail book 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I can't imagine the trip we took without this guide. It took us along trails that were stunning and amazingly little traveled. I felt like we saw the REAL Kauai. Surely it wasn't the hotels at the shore. Our only complaint is that some of the trails narrowed without warning at high altitudes and in places that seemed less than safe - especially along the Napoli coast. But all in all it made our trip the excellent journey that it was.

No longer useful 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book may once have been useful, but we found it outdated to the point of uselessness. Some of the trails described no longer meaningfully existed as such, and one was a dirt road with a heavy 4wd traffic. After having been mislead one too many times, we abandoned this book completely and relied only on the trail descriptions in The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed (Ultimate Kauai Guidebook). That said, we looked to this book only for hikes, not beach walks and the like. It may be that it is a very competent guide for strolls. This book doesn't describe that many more hikes than the Ultimate Guidebook does, but the way some trails are broken into several hikes makes it seem at first glance that it does.

Editorial Review:

The most popular of the Hawaiian islands for backpacking and hiking. Explore miles of seldom-trod trails through areas of magnificent natural beauty: immense waterfalls, untrammeled golden beaches, dense banks of ferns dotted with wild orchids, and more. Dayhikes and backpacks.

Fodor's Kaua'i, 2nd Edition (Full-Color Gold Guides)

Fodor's

Amazon Price: $12.21 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Fodor's Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $10.69

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Australia & South Pacific -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> Australia & South Pacific -> General AAS
Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Guidebooks

Editorial Review:

Fodor’s. For Choice Travel Experiences.

Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. Although you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend in Kaua’i!

•Your vacation never looked better. This Fodor’s full-color guide paints an unforgettable picture of Kaua’i with vibrant maps, vividly illustrated features, and stunning color photos.

•Updated frequently, Fodor’s Kaua’i, 2nd Edition, provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guidebook.

•Fodor’s Kaua’i, 2nd Edition features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.

•If it’s not worth your time, it’s not in this book. Fodor’s discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor’s Choice designations, ensure that you’ll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in Kaua’i.

Experience Kaua’i like a local! Fodor’s Kaua’i, 2nd Edition, includes unique photo-features that impart the island’s culture, covering the Napali Coast, the secluded beaches of the North Shore, the spectacular Waimea Canyon, and much more!

•Indispensable, customized trip planning tools include “Top Reasons to Go,” “Word of Mouth” advice from other travelers, and tips to help save money, bypass lines, and avoid common travel pitfalls.

•Full-color pullout map

Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.

Map of Kauai; Island of Discovery: Reference Maps of the Islands of Hawaii; Full Color Topographic

James A. Bier

Amazon Price: $3.95 List Price: $3.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: University of Hawaii Press Amazon Marketplace: 14 new & used starting at $1.11

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Reference -> Atlases & Maps -> Atlases
Subjects -> Reference -> Atlases & Maps -> World
Subjects -> Reference -> Atlases & Maps -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Nice small map 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

The map is good for carrying around while driving since its small and compact. It shows the main roads but does not show mile markers which would be quite helpful on the island.

Good starter map 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I bought this map on Amazon and it was a good basic starter map for our 10 day trip to Kauai. Ironically, it was the only map we saw available when we first arrived and in many cases what I paid on Amazon was much cheaper then the price for the same thing on Kauai itself! However, if you really want to travel around Kauai and are going to be looking for specific streets, you need something much more detailed then this map has to offer.

Good Overview Map 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This map, like the series of maps for the Hawaiian Islands, provides a good introduction to the island it covers (Kauai). Topography, main roads, towns and geographic features. As long as you want a general map that isn't too detailed, and doesn't provide detailed street names, this is a good intro map to Kauai.

Editorial Review:

This a reference map of Kaia'i in Hawai'i.

Kaua'i (Lonely Planet Travel Guides)

Luci Yamamoto

Amazon Price: $12.91 List Price: $18.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 51 new & used starting at $4.98

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Australia & South Pacific -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> Australia & South Pacific -> General AAS
Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Guidebooks

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Seeking a tropical paradise that’s also an outdoor-adventurer’s fantasy island? Come to Kauai, where nature lovers, water babies and beach bums alike come to escape. Whether hiking the velvety green Na Pali cliffs, helicop­tering over the blood-red Waimea Canyon or floating in the blue bliss of Hanalei Bay, the very best of Hawaii’s colorful Garden Isle is revealed in this in-depth guide.

Follow The Leader – our expert, Native Hawaiian author provides insider tips on the top beaches, hideaways, tour operators, luau, shave ice...

Be Inspired – full-color themed highlights, custom itineraries, thorough directory and 43 detailed maps.

Get Out! – unleash your inner adrenaline junkie with the best outdoor-activities coverage of any Kauai guide.

Eat Well, Rest Easy – opinionated reviews of accommodations and eateries, from campsites and plate lunches to five-star resorts and five-course feasts.

Kauai 101 – extensive coverage of local culture, arts and language, and specialist-written history and environment chapters.