Island-style #vanlife is quite possibly the best mash-up ever

Kauai Camper Rental
Courtesy of Kauai Camper Rental

People go to Hawaii for the island experience, but quite often end up in high-rise hotels without beach views and a shuttle to the beach. For adventurous travelers who want to be near the ocean — and aren’t interested in a traditional resort experience — there’s another option.

Kauai Camper Rental on the Hawaiian island of Kauai rents out their fleet of restored Volkswagen camper vans to travelers who want to camp beachside and are open to a unique glamping experience. The fully equipped VW Westfalia vans have pop-up tops that carve out a sleeping area when opened and every van rental includes enough camping gear to accommodate three adults or two adults and two children. Each van has a stove, sink, and all the necessities—from linens to pots and pans.

The main perk? The fact that travelers can take their home all over the island. Josh Tjarks, who owns Kauai Camper Rental with his wife Sarah Piano-Tjarks, told the Los Angeles Times, “You can wake up at a different beach every morning, if you want” or if you need a break from the beach you can “wake up in the mountains [and] be the first one on the hiking trails.”

The couple’s fleet of VW campers were built between 1985 and 1990 and are in pristine condition. And for newbies to Kauai, the duo helps out with local tips on how to best experience the island by camper van.

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