Kauai Waimea Canyon Experience

Kauai, United States of America

Over 100 years ago Mark Twain nicknamed Waimea Canyon the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific". Experience nature's grandeur first hand on a Waimea Canyon Kauai tour. This fully guided scenic tour takes you to Waimea Canyon and other picturesque locations on Kauai, with plenty of photo stops along the way.

Waimea Canyon on Kauai is the largest canyon in the Pacific and is a dramatic sight to behold. The canyon measures 10 miles long, 1 mile wide, and more than 3,500-feet deep. It was carved thousands of years ago by rivers and floods that flowed from Mount Waialeale's summit which receives an average of 440 inches of rain a year, making it the wettest spot on earth.

The lines in the Waimea Canyon walls depict different volcanic eruptions and lava flows that have occurred over the centuries. Even though it is smaller than the Grand Canyon of Arizona, Waimea Canyon rivals it's beauty. Numerous lookouts and hikes offer terrific views of every aspect of this natural wonder. The elevation of Waimea Canyon makes the air 10-15 degrees cooler than in the valley and by afternoon many areas are often shrouded in clouds.

Review by: Joseph M	February 2012
Have done this tour before and had to do it again. The canyon is fantastic. It's only spoilt by the short period of time spent at the viewing point (just 30 minutes). The blow hole stop on the way to the canyon is unimpressive, as are the stops at sights where films have been short. The extended shop at an overpriced tourist retail outlet is particularly unwelcome, but seems to be unavoidable on these sort of trips. However warm it is at sea level, you should take your coat for the canyon viewing deck as it will be cold and windy. You may also find that every photo you take is different due to the constantly changing weather patterns. If you've opted for the river trip and grotto extension, prepare to be underwhelmed by the grotto and to be forced to hula dance on the boat trip back. The view of the final water fall is also unimpressive, but the drivers are happy to transport your luggage on the bus and drop you off at the airport at the end of the tour if this is your last day on the island. The mid-trip meal is at a reasonably priced restaurant ($20ish), but it lasted a little long for my liking and you should be prepared in case you have a comedy driver. If so, you may find that the tour is interactive and that you'll be expected to get involved in the group discussions and hilarity all day long.

Review by: Anonymous	September 2009
Wonderful trip around the island. The canyon was magnificent.