MoFate's Drop in the Bucket List: Kaua'i

Days 2 and 3 on Kaua'i were very different. Mainly because Day 2 was much more expensive. Here's a quick summary of the two days, followed by a video and some of our favorite pics.

Catamaran Cruise of the Napali Coast
Poipu Beach
Waimea Canyon Drive

Things to know if you visit

There's a lot of companies that do Napali Coast cruises. We went with Blue Dolphin. The prices vary based on type of boat and time (morning or sunset). Catamarans are more expensive but calmer, while speedboats are choppy but get you inside the coves on the coast. We ended up paying $290 for two people for a 5 hour cruise on a catamaran (8:30am to 1:30pm) which included snorkeling with gear, breakfast, lunch, and drinks (of the alcoholic variety.)
Poipu beach is a mix of locals and tourists since it is a public beach. On a nice day it'll be very busy.
The Waimea Canyon area is "one of the wettest places in the US". Or at-least that's what a sign at the end of the drive claims. Try your best to find a sunny day but its hard to gauge since weather changes so quickly. The cloudy day worked fine for the first lookout point (Waimea Canyon Lookout) but we weren't able to see anything from the second two lookouts (Kalalau Lookout and Wai`ale`ale.)
Jo Jo's Anuenue Shaved Ice is an awesome place for a snack after the canyon drive. It's in the middle of the Waimea town. We got a great guava and mango shaved ice over macadamia nut ice cream. A small for $4 was perfect size for the two of us to share.

Fun facts

Mai-Tai's are delicious, especially on-board catamaran cruises, so don't hold back.
We met a couple on the cruise also celebrating their honeymoon and the guy works for Deloitte S&O in DC.
Sit at the back of the catamaran if you're feeling sea-sick. It's the spot with the least movement. Also aim downwind and go for distance if the worst should happen (advice from the captain's first mate.)
The captain we met had been doing these tours for 13-14 years and is leaving to be a polar-bear adventures and white-water rafting guide in Alaska with his significant other. Has his 401K vested?
There is no shame in lounging around in the "kiddie pool" section of Poipu beach. There are nice rocks to break the waves!
Fate was nearly attacked by a three year old in the kiddie section of Poipu beach. It turns out he just wanted to give a hug.
People will attempt to snorkel in 2 feet of water.
There are two bars (not counting hotels) open past 10:30 PM.