Are you looking for a kid-free activity on Kauai that involves booze? Keep scrolling for my honest Kauai Rum Safari review.
This Kauai Rum Safari Tour review was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
I’ve been wanting to check out the Kauai Rum Safari pretty much since it opened a few years ago, but I’ve ALWAYS had at least one kid with me.
So, when I went for my first kid-free trip to Kauai recently, it was the first thing I booked.
After years of anticipation, I wanted to know if it was worth the hype. Keep scrolling to find out!
Where is the Kauai Rum Safari Tour?
The Kauai Rum Safari is located at Kilohana Plantation in Lihue. The address is 3-2087 Kaumualii Hwy, Lihue, HI 96766.
There is a ton of parking available. It’s right next to Luau Kalamaku, the Plantation House Restaurant, and Koloa Rum.
What is the Kauai Rum Safari?
This is a unique adventure at Kauai Safaris on the Kilohana Plantation, where you can enjoy a two-hour rum safari tour.
Start by boarding their open-air trucks to explore tropical orchards, tasting exotic fruits and viewing farm animals.
Experience rum tasting, enjoy signature Mai Tais, and savor farm-to-glass cocktails made with fresh plantation ingredients.
Conclude your visit with a relaxing stroll through a tropical rainforest and interact with their friendly farm animals.
This 21+ tour combines the excitement of a safari with the luxury of fine drinking and scenic beauty.
What Was Our Kauai Safari Like?
Arrival
We were able to get a parking spot pretty easily, which was great. And then we headed into the Kauai Safaris shop to check in.
The lady there gave us each rubber wristbands to wear that showed that we had checked in, signed the waiver, and were ready to go!
Then, we waited with everyone else next to the boarding area.
Open-Air Vehicle
We hopped onto a one-of-a-kind open-air rum safari truck and met our tour guides/bartenders.
They were really funny and told a bunch of “dad jokes” as we cruised through the plantation.
We also got to see several tropical fruit plants, such as lychee, longan, cashew, and mango. We even stopped so one of our guides could hop out and pick an orange fresh off the tree to use in the first cocktail.
Kahuna Nui Valley
The first stop was Kahuna Nui Valley. We took the vehicle deep into the jungle and it felt like we were in a real-life Jurassic Park!
Then we hopped out and walked through the jungle on a really nice platform walkway. It’s sort of like a bougie jungle experience!
Our guides started working on the drinks. First, we tasted four different shots of rum. This was my least favorite part of the tour because I really like juice with my rum!
But, it was actually a great way to smell and taste the different types of Koloa Rum and it’s the only way that I figured out that I actually prefer the dark rum to the gold rum. And that the chocolate rum is divine!
After the tasting, we got to try their signature mai tai cocktail. It was SO yummy and you could really taste the fresh orange in it!
The ambiance of the whole Jungle Bungalow was really cool and I would have been happy hanging out there for awhile, but the tour continued!
Farm Animal Safari
We were told to grab our drinks and return to the vehicle for the ultimate drinking safari experience!
We got to see a bunch of farm animals like wild pigs, horses, goats, and donkeys. They passed out tortillas so we could feed them!
Loi Lanai
The final stop was at their gorgeous gazebo at the taro patch.
The mixologist created a special farm-to-glass cocktail that didn’t even have a name yet! It featured avocado and I swear it’s one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had!
One cool thing about the Kauai rum tour is that they actually have an Instagram that is specifically for sharing their special cocktail recipes, so I immediately followed them.
They came around and served us potato chips, which really hit the spot while we relaxed. And we had time to chat with the guides and learn a bit more about island life.
Ending
Once we thoroughly enjoyed our cocktails, it was time to get back on the vehicle and drive a few minutes to the parking lot.
What’s cool is that if you’re feeling a bit tipsy, you can always head straight for the restaurant there to eat something and sober up.
What to Know about this Kauai Rum Tour Before You Go
It’s Not Part of Koloa Rum
Even though they use and highlight Koloa Rum (which has a shop and rum tastings at Kilohana Plantation), this company is separate.
But, if you want to buy bottles of Koloa Rum after your tour, it’s easy to walk there after the tour drops you off. It’s all at Kilohana Plantation.
They Can Make Mocktails
While it may seem strange to do a rum tour and ask for a non-alcoholic option, it’s actually such a smart idea.
Part of the fun is getting to go into the jungle and taste artisan drinks. They still taste great even without the rum.
Also, it gives you the option to switch partway through the tour if you’re feeling like you need to hydrate.
You Can Bring Food
They will give you some Maui onion potato chips at your final stop to help you soak up some of the alcohol.
But, I saw a group of people on our tour who brought spam musubi to eat after the first stop and I thought that was brilliant! I’m really kicking myself for not thinking of doing that.
What to Wear
I wore sandals, a t-shirt, and pants and I was quite comfortable. I also saw people wearing dresses. There’s no need for closed-toe shoes. I also wouldn’t wear heels, but that’s because it’s Kauai.
Bug Spray is Available
They do have containers of bug spray available at the first stop.
There’s a bunch right as you get out of the safari vehicle but they also have some in the Jungle Bungalow in case you regretted not applying some earlier.
It’s Mostly Shaded
I brought a sun hat but I really didn’t need it. The stops were all in covered areas and the safari vehicle was also covered.
How Much Does it Cost and Where is it Located?
The tour is 2 hours long and it costs $78 per person. There’s a discounted rate of $58.50 if you are a Hawaii resident with an I.D.
It’s located at Kilohana Plantation in Lihue, which is centrally located on the East side of the island.
So, is the Kauai Rum Safari Tour Worth It?
I thought it was a BLAST! We got to taste yummy cocktails while exploring part of Kauai that you can only access on a tour like this.
Plus, I thought it was pretty affordable for such a unique experience. We’ll definitely be doing it again!
Looking for more Kauai experiences? Check out Best North Shore Kauai Food Tour You’ll Love, 8 Best Kauai Luau Options, Is a Helicopter Ride in Kauai Worth It?, and Affordable Kauai Photographers to Book for Family Photos!
