Kauai, Hawaii
Hawaii is an archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean and part of the United States. Kauai is known as the “Garden Isle” for its lush landscapes. It is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts offering abundant watersport activities from surfing, boating, snorkeling and more. It is not the most visited island but it should be on your list. This incredible island has beautiful beaches, fantastic hiking, and tons of things to do! Here are some of the top tourist things to do around Kauai!
Getting around
This itinerary is a driving tour so renting a car is a must. If you do not want to rent a car there are other ways to get around such as shuttles, taxis, ride-shares. Many people when visiting Hawaii set up at a resort and can take day tours from their accommodations. I definitely prefer the flexibility to have a car.
Top things to do Kauai
Hiking
Hiking in Kauai is an unforgettable experience, offering some of the most scenic and diverse trails in Hawaii. One of the most iconic hikes is the Kalalau Trail, an 11-mile journey along the rugged Nā Pali Coast. This challenging trek rewards hikers with breathtaking ocean views, waterfalls, and remote beaches. You must get a permit for this hike and parking. For a shorter but still stunning option, the Hanakāpīʻai Falls Trail (a 4-mile round trip from the Kalalau trailhead) leads to a majestic 300-foot waterfall. For panoramic views of Waimea Canyon, the Canyon Trail to Waipo’o Falls offers a moderately difficult route with views of the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” and a picturesque waterfall. Ho’opi’i Falls is a hidden gem nestled in the lush landscapes of Kauai’s east side near the town of Kapaʻa. This scenic trail winds through a tropical forest along the Kapaʻa Stream and leads to two beautiful waterfalls and is about 2 miles round trip.
Kauai’s trails vary in difficulty and terrain, so preparation is key. Weather can change quickly, and trails may become muddy or slippery. But with the right gear and spirit of adventure, hiking in Kauai offers unmatched beauty
Beaches
Beaches are one of the big draws to Hawaii. There are so many wonderful beaches to explore and relax on during your vacation to Kauai.
Some of the top beaches include Popiu, Anini, Tunnels Beach, Hanalei Bay, Shipwreck Beach and Lydgate Beach Park. For snorkeling definitely check out Tunnels Beach and Anini.
Breweries
There are a handful of breweries around the island of Kauai. They are great for a little taste of local crafted beer and to relax. Kauai Beer Company in Lihue is a local favorite. Kauai Island Brewing Company has a few locations over the island. The one in Port Allen claims to be the westernmost brewery in the world. Kauai Brewing is also in Old Koloa Village. Napali Brewing Company is in Wailua and has a wonderful menu as well. Mucho Aloha Brewhouse is also in Old Koala town and offers Mexican cuisine and handcrafted beers.
enjoying sunrises and Sunsets
Watching the sunrise and sunset on the island can be the best way to start and wrap up your day on the island. No matter where you are you can catch the amazing sky. Some of the top places to catch sunrise include Lydgate Beach Park, Hanalei Bay Pier and the Wailua River Lookout. Some of our top places to watch the sunset included Poipu Beach (also catch the monk seals and sea turtles) or Polihale State Park or Kekaha Beach on the west side of the island. We barely saw sunset because of the jet lag with our toddler – but sunrise, we were all over that!
Kauai Coffee Company
Kauai Coffee Company is the largest coffee plantation in the entire United States. You can visit the area and do a small walking tour that is self guided with several informational placards. They also have a small museum and gift shop on site. They offer samplings up a variety of their coffees for free, they also have a window that sells for coffees, iced coffee, ice cream and snacks and there is a patio area if you’d like to relax for sometime.
Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon is also known at the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It is a natural wonder of Kauai. It stretches over 10 miles long and more than 3,500 feet deep. It has epic viewpoints, incredible hiking, ridges and waterfalls. The Canyon Trail to Waipo’o Falls is a popular hiking trail. The Red Dirt Waterfall is also a beautiful and quick stop when visiting this natural wonder.
Kauai from the Air
There is a good portion of Kauai that you cannot see from the ground. Particularly the Napali Coast and some of the interior. That is why I highly suggest doing a scenic flight. There are so many options to choose from including helicopters and small planes. The helicopter tours also have the option of doors off. We had our toddler so we did a scenic flight with Wings Over Kauai which had free for infants.
Snorkeling
The snorkeling is so wonderful around the island. There are several ways to snuggle around the island. You can join boat tour on the Napali coast. There are also several beaches where you can go right from shore, including Tunnels Beach, Anini beach and Popiu Beach. We brought our own snorkel gear and were able to snorkel at various beaches around the island. It is great to see all the variety of the fish and the sea turtles. The middle picture below is Tunnels Beach from above!
Kauai Plantation Railway
The Kauai Plantation Railway is a small 40 minute train ride through local produce and agriculture as well as a stop for petting zoo and feeding of animals such as horses, cows, and pics. It was a great thing to do with young children and those less than three are free.
Waterfalls
Kauai is known as the Garden Isle and is packed with waterfalls. Some are easily accessible and some you can see via scenic flight. Iconic falls like Wailua Falls, easily accessible near Lihue, cascade 80 feet in a dramatic twin drop. Opaekaa Falls, also on the east side, offers a picturesque view from a roadside lookout. The Red Dirt Waterfall in Waimea Canyon is easily accessible from the road. Ho’opi’i Falls is a short 2 mile hike with swimming holes. Secret Falls involves kayak on the Wailua River and hike.
Lydgate Beach Park
Lydgate Beach Park is a great park for swimming with cordoned off areas protected from the waves. There’s also picnic tables and shaded areas in this park. Most importantly, if you have young children, this is a great place to bring them for the best playground on the island the Kamalani playground. There is an old wooden castle with many nooks and crannies. Right next to it is a newer style playground as well. There are several swing slides and things for the other ones to get into. It was a fan favorite for our toddler so we kept going back. This beach is also great for sunrise!
Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens & Sculpture
Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens & Sculpture is a beautiful botanical gardens on Kauai. Reservations are required. They have a variety of different tours through the gardens. Also once a month they have a splash and play which is perfect for young children. We were lucky enough to be there for that and our toddler loved it!
Plan your trip
If you haven’t made it to Hawaii yet, consider this your inspiration to go. It is beyond beautiful and you will not be disappointed. We loved our time on Kauai and I can say without a doubt we will be back. We only scratched the surface of all the incredible things this state has to offer! Check out our top things to do on Big Island and Maui too!
