Frankly, the island of Kauai may be as close to paradise as we can get in Hawaii. There’s plenty of secluded and quiet beaches. You can drive top to bottom in less than a day.

The resorts are first class. The people are friendly. It’s not too crowded. Here’s a list of things you can do in a true paradise…

The Internet makes activity searching as easy as twins make Hugh Hefner smile. Finding something to do while you visit one the most beautiful spots on earth isn’t a challenge.

ThisWeek.com/kauai/activitiesList.html - This Week Magazines publishes a Kauai edition of their visitor magazine. It helps to understand that the activities they feature are “sponsored” activities—these are not independent reviews, so you won’t find a critical analysis of the fun and adventure you’re looking forward to.

What’s your poison?

Air? I counted five helicopter tours. Five. That’s a handful.

Land? Golf to Guava Plantation to tours of Hanalei and Waimea Canyon. And back again.

Water? Kayaks, Dolphins, Scuba, Sea Tours, Snorkel, Zodiac Tours. Puh-leeze.

Activity Reservations? I counted six on this page alone. All have the word “activity” in the title. They all take major credit cards. They all get a healthy commission when you book through them. They have their favorites, so choose wisely.

Alternative-Hawaii.com – This is an alternative view of Kauai. Sorta. If you’re thinking backpacking and trekking through the woods barefoot, well, don’t. If you’re thinking “alternative healing”, well, OK.  It’s not a paradise version of the Betty Ford Center—maybe better.

Some are simply “away from it all” places to relax like the Honua Lani Gardens in Kapaa. It’s not expensive but it’s a treat retreat in the middle of a five acre organic garden estate. Toll Free: 877-820-4982.

Sometimes, just getting away from it all is enough.

If not, Into The Heart of Healing, also in Kapaa, offers transformational healing vacations with Joan Levy, a tranformation psychospiritual therapist. Joan has developed a style of intensive therapy that address and integrates the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of the healing process. Toll Free: 800-599-5488.

And it reduces stress while increasing your credit card balance.

ActivitiesKauai.com – This is an alternate web site that’s not worth your time. There’s an advertisement banner for vacation discounts. And a note telling you that the domain name is for sale. There are no activities listed anywhere on the site.

Trying out activities and writing about them on a web site is a lot of work.

Brenneckes.com – Brenneckes Beach Broiler Restaurant and Activity Center is the sleeper web site of today’s bunch. Brennecke’s has been around for a couple of decades in the Poipu area—first, as a favorite body-surfing beach in Poipu. Later a Steak and Seafood Restaurant. Now, an activities center, too.

“Right on the beach, right on the price” is the slogan. Their activity and information center is an excellent first stop for a hassle-free, fun-filled vacation on Kauai.

Kauai is unspoiled enough that you won’t think they paved paradise and put up a parking lot. But don’t forget that the folks here still want your money. Finding the right activity requires some patience, and a finger that doesn’t mind cramps because of excess web site clicking.

For example, TheKauaiGuide.com lists about every activity you can think of. Unless they can’t get a sponsor. Then there’s nothing on the list.

ExploreKauai.com is a really great site—if you don’t mind a full color, interactive advertisement for the Kauai Underground Guide. It’s only $12.95 but includes a free Hawaiian music CD.

Is there really plenty of information about activities on Kauai? Yes. For a price.

Paradise hasn’t been paved yet. But to see paradise will still cost you.

Want to know the best places to eat in Hawaii? Click over to Ono Dining for totally biased reviews on Hawai's best (and not so best) restaurants.