Top 5 Things to Do on Kauai

The only way to accurately describe Kauai is by saying it’s pure magic. Nicknamed the Garden Isle due to its lush green scenery, Kauai is what most people imagine when they think of Hawaii. During my four day trip, I was continually amazed by breathtaking coastlines, hundreds of waterfalls, beautiful beaches, and mountainous terrain that stretched on for miles.

It’s hard to believe that an island with an area of only 562.3 square miles can house so many unbelievable sites. If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii and trying to pick which island to visit, go ahead and put Kauai at the top of your list.

Something I should mention is that this trip was a little different than my typical travel routine. Instead of planning everything out months in advance and reading every article and book in preparation, I relied on one of my best friends, Madeleine, to plan everything. Madeleine lives on Oahu and like me, loves to cram as many activities into a day as possible when traveling. I knew I was in good hands!

A Foreword on Hawaiian Tourism

If you’ve been to Hawaii before, you know where I’m going with this. Tourism can be a controversial subject in Hawaii. On one hand, tourism accounts for more than 20% of the state’s economy. On the other, the growing level of tourism has negative impacts on the local environment and Hawaiian Natives. I’m not going to pretend like I’m an expert on the various issues at play, but I am sensitive to them. If you choose to go, please be conscious of your impact on the aina (land), be mindful of local customs and traditions, and respect sacred sites. This site has a few recommendations to consider, but be open to learning and adjusting as you plan your trip.

Hike the Na Pali Coast

If there’s one thing you have to do when in Kauai, it’s hike the Na Pali Coast. Spanning 17 miles along Kauai’s North Shore, the Na Pali Coast is known for its razor-sharp cliffs that tower above surrounding turquoise waters. Have you seen the scene in Jurassic Park where the helicopter flies past a beautiful coastline with a waterfall? Well, that’s it and it’s even better in person.

The Kalalau Trail provides the only land access to the Na Pali Coast and if you choose to hike even a portion of it, you’ll be rewarded with hidden beaches and waterfalls tucked away in cliff crevices at every turn. The entire trail is 11 miles long and ends at Kalalau Beach. If you’re an experienced hiker and interested in camping on the coast, I’ve been told this makes for an unbelievable experience.

If, like Madeline and me, you’re short on time, you can instead hike to Hanakapi’ai Beach (4.2 miles, 1,131 ft elevation gain) or the Hanakapi’ai Falls (8.2 miles, 1,919ft elevation gain). We went all the way to the falls and it was, without a doubt, the most beautiful hike I’ve ever completed—and I live in Colorado! I truly felt like I was in a fairy dreamland. There were amazing views the whole way and the waterfall at the end was breathtaking.

Logistically, there are two things to keep in mind if you’re planning to hike the Kalalau Trail. First, depending on the time of year you go to Kauai, the trail might be inaccessible. The island gets a lot of rain which can cause dangerous flooding. We went in April (right after the rainy season) and lucked out because the trail had just opened back up after a long closure.

Even though the trail was open, the water was still up to our thighs when crossing the river—and if you choose to hike to Hanakapi’ai Falls, you’ll have to cross it 10 times! At one point, I dropped a sock and could do nothing but wave as it sailed down the waterway. If you go in the summer months, you likely won’t run into as many issues.

The second thing to keep in mind is that you need to make a Hāʻena State Park reservation to hike any part of the Kalalau Trail. You can make reservations up to 30 days in advance and I recommend buying them as soon as your date becomes available because they tend to sell out quickly. Overnight reservations are especially limited which you’ll need if you’re planning to hike all the way to Kalalau Beach.

Explore Hanalei

Hanalei is a sleepy little surf town on the north shore of Kauai. If you’re on the hunt for true island vibes, this is the place to be. Nestled at the base of mistry green mountains, the town is characterized by clusters of shops with red tiled roofs, laid back beach bungalows, food trucks around every corner, and a crescent-shaped beach dotted with surfers.

Once you arrive, take time to relax at the beach, walk the historic Hanalei Pier, and explore the shops and restaurants. If you’re looking for a great cup of coffee paired with a homemade pastry, stop at Hanalei Bread Company. If you’re a sucker for good views and a nice glass of wine, make a reservation at Bar Acuda. Above all else, take a few deep breaths and relax into island time!

Besides spending time in Hanalei Town, exploring Hanalei Bay and the surrounding area is a can’t miss. One road will take you all the way from Princeville to Hanalei Town to Hāʻena State Park. Take the scenic drive and give yourself permission to stop whenever you see something of interest. You’ll come across scenic overlooks, dozens of waterfalls, huge fields of taro, beautiful beaches, and expansive caves. It’s a gorgeous area that you’re sure to fall in love with.

If you’re looking for a location to see a unforgettable sunset, Princeville is directly to the east of Hanalei and is perched on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean. You can’t find a better view.

Admire Wailua Falls

Besides the Na Pali Coast, the Wailua Falls might be the most photographed destination in Kauai. Spilling 80 feet over a rocky ledge into a fresh water pool below, the waterfall is surrounded by the stunning Wailua Valley.

Not only is the waterfall gorgeous, but it’s an easy addition to any Kauai itinerary. Since it’s located on the east side of the island, you’ll likely have to drive by the access road on your way to destinations in the north or south. It’s also one of the few waterfalls on the island you don’t have to hike to for miles in order to capture its breathtaking beauty. You can get an up close and personal view right from the road.

If you’re up for a little adventure, there is a trail that will take you to the base of the waterfall that provides an even better view. I say this with hesitation because the trail is technically closed and it can get very slippery in the rainy season. I ended up covered in mud after making the trek. Proceed with caution.

If you’re already in the area, be sure to check out nearby Opaeka'a Falls. In comparison to Wailua Falls, the scenic lookout is a bit further away from the waterfall it caters to, but it’s worth the stop regardless. As a bonus, you can cross the street to get a bird's eye view of the gorgeous u-shaped bend in the Wailua River. You might even see a few (or a hundred) wild chickens along the way.

Visit Waimea Canyon and Koke’e

One of the things I loved most about Kauai was the fact that as we drove from one area to another, I felt like I was entering different worlds. When we arrived at Waimea Canyon, I was struck by the fact that it almost felt out of place on the tropical island. Known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, the canyon is approximately ten miles long and 3,000 feet deep, marked by vibrant red and orange colors.

Even though it’s located on the western side of the island, there isn’t a road that connects northern Kauai to the west so you have to make your way around the perimeter of the island to get to the state park. All in all, the drive from Hanalei to the entrance is less than two hours—not terrible, especially if you make a few pit stops along the way.

From the town of Waimea, there are two ways to access Waimea Canyon—Waimea Canyon Drive or Kokee Road. The two roads meet before you reach the canyon, so it doesn’t really matter which one you choose. Both offer great views so my suggestion is to drive one on the way up and the other on the way down.

Since Madeleine and I had a big day of hiking right before visiting Waimea Canyon (lost sock and all), we limited our exploration to the various overlooks. If you’re not sure where to stop, Waimea Canyon Lookout provides an excellent 180 degree view of the canyon with the famous Waipoo Falls in the distance. A little further in the park, the Kalalau Lookout and Puu o Kila Lookout both offer a glimpse into the Kalalau Valley—the same valley you can reach via the 11 mile Kalalau Trail mentioned earlier.

For those not fond of crowds (or paid parking), there is also plenty of room to pull over on the side of the road once in the park. The views can’t be beat and there’s something about not having a guard rail that makes the experience feel a little more authentic.

If you’re in Waimea Canyon, you might also consider checking out nearby Koke’e State Park. Even though the parks are practically on top of one another, the terrain couldn’t be more different between the two, transitioning from dry canyon to rainforest in mere miles. Some hikes within Koke’e enter Waimea Canyon while others will take you to views of the Na Pali Coast. Whenever I go back, I plan to hike the Awa’awapuhi Trail, but there are plenty of great options to choose from.

Take a Boat Tour

You may think I’m crazy for suggesting a boat tour of the Na Pali Coast since I’ve already recommended hiking the Kalalau Trail, but the two activities are entirely different experiences. Taking a boat tour of the famous coastline offers a completely new perspective and allows you to see parts of the island that are inaccessible by foot.

If you’re interested in seeing some of the best views of your life, I highly recommend booking a tour with Blue Ocean Adventures. Madeleine and I went on their Adventure Tour which included a four hour experience on a Zodiak boat.

Zodiak boats are very fast moving so if you’re prone to sea sickness, this might not be the best option. Since Madeleine and I both have steel stomachs, we enjoyed every second! We loved our captain and crew, saw hundreds of dolphins and sea turtles, got up close and personal with enormous sea caves, went snorkeling in turquoise blue waters, and shouted along to Shanai Twain while skimming the ocean surface at 55 miles per hour. What more could you want?

Those that know us personally will probably be the only ones who appreciate this, but once the tour was said and done and we were driving away, Madeleine turned to me and said, “At one point when we were on the boat, I actually teared up because it was so beautiful.” My only response was that I had done the same. Moral of the story? Book the tour. You won’t regret it.

When it was all said and done, Kauai totally blew me away. I’m not typically a person who plans on returning to places I’ve already been because there are so many destinations I want to see and experience. Kauai is the exception. I hope it always keeps its magic.

Welcome

My name is Kolby Tallentire and I’m the creator of Tallentire Travels. This site formed out of my unending love of travel. My goal is to bring you the most unique and affordable travel recommendations for every destination. Learn More