Private Kauai Eastside Waterfalls and Local Grinds Tour: 5.5 Hours, Bakery and Kapaa Lunch

The private version of a mother-and-daughter company's east side day: 5.5 hours in an air-conditioned vehicle, no hiking, and a driver-guide who tells island stories with a bit of humor. The company has more than 17 years of guiding on Kauai, and the route is a mix of sights and tastings rather than a food tour. It starts with the Menehune Fishpond, built in ancient times by the Marquesas Islanders, and a drive through the Kipu Kai area where many Hollywood movies were filmed. A 30-minute bakery stop follows (Kauai Bakery or Orly Patisserie, depending on the day of the week) with fresh pastries, coffee or tea. Wailua Falls, the waterfall in the opening scene of the old Fantasy Island TV show, has time for photos and local street vendors. Lydgate Beach Park comes next for an easy walk, and Opaekaa Falls and the Wailua River lookout in Wailua town finish the sightseeing. Lunch is in historic Kapaa, with 1.5 hours of free time among food trucks, restaurants, smoothie bars and shave ice stands, plus free tastings at Lydgate Farms chocolate and Kauai Gourmet Nuts. The cost of food is not in the tour price, and all purchases support locally owned mom-and-pop shops. Meeting time is 9 am.