Day 2 - Lydgate Beach Park and the Kilohana Plantation
When planning big trips, especially with kids, I'm a firm believer in alternating busy days with days that are more relaxed. Because the first full day in Kauai was spent exploring Waimea Canyon and the town of Waimea, I planned the second day to be a beach day where we could just hang out.
Before coming to Kauai for the first time, one thing I struggled with was finding great beaches, especially for kids. We had been used to Maui with big beaches all over. Kauai is slightly different. They have great beaches, but they aren't located all over like they are on Maui. Since we were staying in the town of Kapaa, I also wanted to find something close by so we weren't trekking all over. Luckily, I came across Lydgate Beach Park, which was located very close to our hotel and very kid-friendly. If you have small kids or are just trying out snorkeling for the first time, this is the place for you and you will want to add it to your itinerary early on in your trip.
Before coming to Kauai for the first time, one thing I struggled with was finding great beaches, especially for kids. We had been used to Maui with big beaches all over. Kauai is slightly different. They have great beaches, but they aren't located all over like they are on Maui. Since we were staying in the town of Kapaa, I also wanted to find something close by so we weren't trekking all over. Luckily, I came across Lydgate Beach Park, which was located very close to our hotel and very kid-friendly. If you have small kids or are just trying out snorkeling for the first time, this is the place for you and you will want to add it to your itinerary early on in your trip.
Because we knew we would be spending the whole morning and part of the early afternoon at the beach, we wanted to grab some coffee and breakfast. One place I had seen that had wonderful reviews was Java Kai. This place is right in the middle of the heart of Kapaa. It is hard to miss, as it is painted a bright aqua marine color. It was very busy when we arrived, but the line moved fast and soon we had our food and coffee. We sat outside at one of their tables and enjoyed the meal and good coffee. If you are staying in Kapaa, or just driving through, I suggest you stop here.
After breakfast, we packed up our cars with all of our beach gear and took the seven-minute drive to the beach. There was ample parking and a very close walk to the beach. There were people there, but it wasn't packed. What was unique about this beach is that there are two separate and protected lagoons. One is very child-friendly, being very shallow and completely protected. The other one was still protected and makes a great spot for beginner snorkelers, like my dad was.
After breakfast, we packed up our cars with all of our beach gear and took the seven-minute drive to the beach. There was ample parking and a very close walk to the beach. There were people there, but it wasn't packed. What was unique about this beach is that there are two separate and protected lagoons. One is very child-friendly, being very shallow and completely protected. The other one was still protected and makes a great spot for beginner snorkelers, like my dad was.
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Lounging at Lydgate Beach Park
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We spent the whole morning at Lydgate. Reagan, who was only three at the time, was able to wade in the shallow edges of the kids' lagoon and float out around it with her floaties on. Carson was able to swim all over and climb the rocks. He was in Heaven! Joe, my dad, and brothers all went to the other lagoon and started to snorkel. They were able to see a variety of fish. Although it's not the best snorkeling on the island, this place makes a perfect location to test out snorkeling if you are unsure about it. Because it's a protected lagoon, you don't get the waves and movement from the ebb and flow of the ocean. My mom and I spent most of our time on the beach, bathing in the sun, which was such a welcome relief from the cold we had left two days prior in Portland.
Once we were ready to leave, we headed back to our hotel to clean up and grab a bite to eat at our condo. We had scheduled a luau just for my parents that night. After looking into all the luaus on the island, I picked the Luau Kalamaku for them. This is one of the most most highly rated luaus on Kauai, and also promised more of an authentic feel, which was my dad's one request.
This particular luau is located in Lihue at a place called the Kilohana Plantation. The Kilohana Plantation also has a variety of other things to do, like take a train ride and do a rum tasting. So, we planned on taking my parents early, so we could also partake in the other things to do there.
When we first got to the plantation, we just explored the grounds. It is beautifully maintained, with tropical foliage everywhere. Ever since my first time in Hawaii, I have become obsessed with the hibiscus flower. I find it to be one of the most stunning flowers I have ever seen. At this plantation, they had them throughout, which made my day! You can see one of my favorites that I saw on that day in the picture at the top of this page. Stunning, right?
Once we were ready to leave, we headed back to our hotel to clean up and grab a bite to eat at our condo. We had scheduled a luau just for my parents that night. After looking into all the luaus on the island, I picked the Luau Kalamaku for them. This is one of the most most highly rated luaus on Kauai, and also promised more of an authentic feel, which was my dad's one request.
This particular luau is located in Lihue at a place called the Kilohana Plantation. The Kilohana Plantation also has a variety of other things to do, like take a train ride and do a rum tasting. So, we planned on taking my parents early, so we could also partake in the other things to do there.
When we first got to the plantation, we just explored the grounds. It is beautifully maintained, with tropical foliage everywhere. Ever since my first time in Hawaii, I have become obsessed with the hibiscus flower. I find it to be one of the most stunning flowers I have ever seen. At this plantation, they had them throughout, which made my day! You can see one of my favorites that I saw on that day in the picture at the top of this page. Stunning, right?
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On the train at the Kilohana Plantation
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Afterward, we got in line to take the train tour. This train tour goes around the plantation, giving you a peak into the inner workings of the historic plantation, while viewing some incredible plants that you don't usually see on the mainland. We also got to stop and feed the animals, which was a highlight for both Carson and Reagan.
The train ride was about 40 minutes. They have scheduled times that the train departs and you can purchase tickets online beforehand, which I recommend. |
Once the train ride was over, it was time for our rum tastings! The Kilohana Plantation is also home to the Koloa Rum Tasting Room. My husband and I came across Koloa Rum about ten years ago when we were in Maui. We were in Costco grabbing our supplies for our trip and there was a table set up and someone from Koloa Rum sharing about their rums. Because the rum was made in Hawaii, we figured we would give it a try. That night, we sat on our lanai and made a mai tai with the dark rum and our lives have never been the same! The dark rum is like no other rum I have ever had. There is a faint taste of vanilla that makes the best mai tais. I struggle to drink other mai tais that are not made with the dark rum from Koloa Rum because they don't have that delicious vanilla flavoring.
Tastings are done every hour, on the hour, so we had to sign up first. Once it was time for our tastings, my parents went first. They came back feeling the rum and were ready to get their luau started! They graciously watched the kids for us so we my husband and I could go taste. While in the tasting room, we stood around a bar and the server poured the different rums, telling us about each one. The one that probably shocked me the most was the coffee rum. It tasted like chocolate! We ended the tasting with a mixed drink and bite of a rum-infused dessert. Afterward, we went to the store part and quickly purchased the coffee rum. Even if you don't want to do the train ride or luau, come to the plantation just for the rum! You won't regret it!
Tastings are done every hour, on the hour, so we had to sign up first. Once it was time for our tastings, my parents went first. They came back feeling the rum and were ready to get their luau started! They graciously watched the kids for us so we my husband and I could go taste. While in the tasting room, we stood around a bar and the server poured the different rums, telling us about each one. The one that probably shocked me the most was the coffee rum. It tasted like chocolate! We ended the tasting with a mixed drink and bite of a rum-infused dessert. Afterward, we went to the store part and quickly purchased the coffee rum. Even if you don't want to do the train ride or luau, come to the plantation just for the rum! You won't regret it!
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We had timed the rum tastings perfectly, and as soon as we were done, it was time for my parent's luau. We sent them off and we headed off to grab some dinner. My husband enjoys craft beer and had wanted to try Kauai Beer Company, which was just seven minutes from the plantation. We were able to find seat parking, get seated quickly. and enjoy our food. Joe liked the beers. They weren't anything special. It's hard to find special beers when you come from a beer mecca like Portland. So, take that as a grain of salt.
After dinner, we came back to the hotel for more swimming and got the kids to bed. Afterward, Joe went and picked up my parents from the luau. Let's just say they were able to enjoy more rum in their drinks and enjoyed the luau a little too much. They highly recommend the luau and said that it was so well done and they learned so much, all the while having the best time. |
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We had only completed our second full day on Kauai and our trip was off to an amazing start. We had more fun stuff planned for the next day, like golf, exploring the town of Poipu, and getting ourselves the famous Kauai Sugarloaf pineapple. You can find out how that day went, here!