7 Unforgettable Activities to Do in Kauai
Of the four main islands that make up the archipelago of Hawaii, Kauai is one of the most attractive, especially for its wild nature and incredible landscapes. In addition, it has lush vegetation, greenery everywhere, and beautiful places. There are plenty of things to do in Kauai and dozens of great sites that you will surely want to visit.
One of the main attractions of Kauai is the Nāpali Coast, which has to be part of your tourist itinerary. And although it's not considered one of the most developed islands, in terms of infrastructure, it's one of the greenest and most natural islands you'll find.
So if you're looking to get away from the crowds and enjoy huge golden sandy beaches and stunning green landscapes, this is the island for you. If you are still doubting whether or not it is worth including it in your visit to Hawaii, here are seven incredible things you can do in Kauai.
1. Visit the lookouts at Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon is known as the Great Canyon of the Pacific. Its 16 km long and 900 meters deep make this place one of the most impressive in Hawaii. You can get there by car and enjoy the views from its viewpoints.
Due to its landscape and the influence of the ocean, it can be cloudy sometimes. You may have to wait for the right time to see it in all its splendor, but you will be rewarded for your patience. We recommend that you bring a jacket because it can be cold.
There are many hiking trails in the area that you can take to get even deeper into nature.
The first viewpoint is the Waimea Canyon Lookout. From there, you can see that compared to the Grand Canyon, this one is much smaller, and also, throughout the length and breadth of its territory, there is a vibrant green color. However, it doesn’t compromise beauty.
If you continue along the route, there is one more view of the Canyon: the Puu Hinahina Lookout. The latter offers a less panoramic view of the Canyon but more of a vertical panorama. You can see the length of this wonder of nature. Suppose you continue up the trail. You will find a NASA observatory that is sometimes open to the public.
The last viewpoint, but the most incredible, is the Kalalau area of Na Pali Coast, a place that you can easily access on this route and where you will find the best view of all. Undoubtedly the best place to take thousands of photos.
Want to do some more hiking in Hawaii? Check our favorite trails for 2022.
2. Visit Kokee State Park
Following the Waimea Canyon Highway 550, you will arrive at Kokee State Park. The park is full of forests and trails for some of the best hiking in Hawaii. Some of these trails offer views of Waimea Canyon and others of the north shore of the island and the Nāpali Coast.
Trails are susceptible to washout after heavy rains, so we advise you to visit the park's Natural History Museum beforehand. The staff there will be happy to tell you which trails are open so that your hike is safe.
Although some of the viewpoints are located there, you will find many other places to visit, where you can take incredible pictures. Ideally, you should find out about the weather in advance to enjoy your experience to its fullest.
The best trails to enjoy the views of the coast are:
Awa'awapuhi Trail
Kalalau Trail
The recommendation about the weather should be taken very seriously, especially if you want to hike the Awa'awapuhi Trail. It is usually one of the most affected trails when the rains are inclement during the winter. Having a handheld GPS with you during a hiking trail is always a sound idea regardless of the weather. That way, you can be sure not to get lost and stay on track.
3. Take a Nāpali Coast Tour
The Nāpali Coast Tour is the crown jewel of Hawaii. It is undoubtedly the most prominent tourist attraction in Kauai, and you can tour it in different ways.
The natural park has no road access, so there are only three options to see these sharp cliffs of 1,200 meters high: flying over the coast from the air with a helicopter, sailing in a boat or sailboat, or from land after making the Awa'awapuhi Trail (which is mentioned earlier).
Helicopter Tour
The helicopter tour is one of our favorite options. Besides touring the coast, you can also enjoy the view of Waimea Canyon, Jurassic waterfalls, the Nāpali Coast, and enter the crater of the volcano that formed Kauai. We recommend you book the flight in advance (before making the trip). Still, you can also do it while on the island, although it will probably be more expensive. Many tour companies offer early booking discounts.
If you want to take the helicopter tour, here are some tips for you to see Kauai from the air:
Always book the flight after 1 pm. The weather is usually not the best in the morning, and tour companies tend to cancel more flights due to rain and fog.
Ask to be put in the front seat or a window seat if you want to take pictures and enjoy the view to the fullest.
Wear dark or opaque-colored clothes because light-colored clothes reflect on the windows, and you may be put in the back seats with that excuse.
If you get seasick quickly, do not use the camera too much. Most services offer a video recorded in real-time of the entire tour you are doing anyway. You can book that option from the beginning or buy the images at the end. A significant advantage is that it is recorded outside and gives new perspectives. You will enjoy your experience much more if you do not have to concentrate on documenting what is happening.
Having an altimeter watch could be a fun and useful gadget to have during this experience!
Boat tour
If you are not a fan of helicopter rides, you can also see the Napali Coast from the sea by boat or sailboat. The boat or sailboat tours are usually early risers, as they are planned from the morning and last approximately 5 hours. Most of them offer breakfast, and some of the services include dolphin watching.
Most boat tours depart from Port Allen (south of the island); if you stay in a distant area, you will have to get up early to arrive on time and not miss the first departure.
If the departure is cloudy or drizzly, you will be able to see rainbows along your route with some luck.
Mid-morning, it is normal for the tour to stop temporarily so that tourists can snorkel. It is possible to see fish and different types of corals. Still, the ones off the coast of Na Pali are not the best compared to those in other areas of the island because they are far away.
Whichever option you decide to take for your tour, it is an experience that you will enjoy to the fullest.
4. Visit Wailua Waterfalls and the East Coast
The east coast, or Royal Coconut Coast, as this area of Kauai is known, is the most populated region of the island and where most of the hotels are located.
In part of the island, you can visit waterfalls, take hiking trails, kayak the Wailua River and enjoy the area's beaches.
Some places on the east coast of Kauai that you should visit are:
Wailua Beach
Opaeka'a Falls
Kelia Beach
Sleeping Giant Trail Head
Lydgate Beach
The waterfalls are the second biggest attraction on the island, and while you probably can't visit all of them in one trip, you definitely can't miss Wailua Falls.
Located near the Kalepa Mountain Forest Preserve, not far from Lihue, the falls are where the Wailua River splits into two streams before cascading nearly 100 feet into a picturesque pool.
The river's flow varies depending on rainfall, and while it is impressive at any time of day, many visitors who arrive there in the morning are lucky enough to see a rainbow caused by the sun's rays shining through the mist of the falls.
Unlike other waterfalls on Kauai, Wailua is visible from the road, so you won't have to leave the car to enjoy the view. However, if you want to enjoy the experience, we recommend doing so.
5. Go to a Luau and see a traditional Hawaiian dance
Another must on your trip to Hawaii is to see a Luau to enjoy the traditional Hawaiian dances and food. And maybe it's fate's work, but one of the best Luau in all over Hawaii is the Luau Kalamau located in Kauai.
One of the best performances they put on, it tells the story of the Hawaiian people through eight acts that dazzle the audience from the very first moment. In addition, there is a fire show, which is another of the most attractive presentations that they perform majestically.
With the purchase of your ticket to enjoy the event, you can also access a short train ride and visit a small art exhibition where you can buy handicrafts and other souvenirs that portray the island's culture. You can also enjoy good food and drinks.
Both adults and children can enjoy the show, so it is an excellent activity for the whole family.
6. Don't miss the south coast
The south shore of the island of Kauai has perfect beaches for surfing, bodyboarding, and snorkeling in its natural pools formed by rocks and coral.
On the way to the south shore, don't forget to prepare your camera to take pictures when you pass through the tunnel of trees.
For lunch, you can try the Pukadog hot dogs with Hawaiian sauces, which are very famous among visitors to the island.
These are the places not to be missed on the south shore of Kauai:
Mahaulepu Beach
Poipu Beach
Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail
Shipwreck Beach
7. Snorkeling on the North Shore
On the north shore of Kauai, you will find stunning beaches perfect for surfing, especially if you travel to Hawaii from November to February. But the main attraction of this coast is in the hands of Snorkeling, enjoyable activity that you can enjoy 100% at Ke'e Beach.
Snorkeling in this area is one of the favorite activities during your visit, mainly because you don't need to be an expert. There are many corals with a lomanyorful fish, although the lifeguards don't let people get too close.
Recommendations:
If you go during the vacation season, you should arrive early to park on the shore of the beach. Otherwise, you will be about 300m from the coast, and you won't like to make the walk back when you are tired.
You must stay in the area delimited by the reef, even if your desire to explore is enormous. If you want to remain under the protection of the lifeguards, you must stay in sight and away from the currents that expose you to the dangers of the sea.
Ideally, when snorkeling is not the winter season, you will expose yourself to big waves and currents that will easily take you away from the shore.
Stay alert and watch where you are constantly going, as the weather can change from one moment to the next, and you can get out of sight of the lifeguards.
Most importantly, in the summer season, when the currents are not too strong, the weather is more favorable, and the view is even better.
The best beaches on the north shore of Kauai are:
Ke'e Beach
Tunnels Beach
Hanalei Bay
Anini Beach
Additional great tips for first-timers
Getting around the island of Kauai
While the island has a very small public transportation system, it is best to rent a car to get around as you wish. To find the perfect rental car for your trip, whether you are looking for something small or a Jeep or something more extensive and more spacious, you can find different options on the island and different prices.
Where to stay in Kauai
Perhaps the biggest drawback of Kauai is the price of your accommodation, which is relatively high compared to the rest of the islands of the Hawaiian archipelago. But given the experience you'll enjoy on your visit, it's sure to be worth every penny.
Most of the hotels are on the east and north coast of the island. However, the main recommendation is to stay on the east coast because it will be easier to get around to see the south and the island's interior. These sites are only accessible by road from the south.
However, each area of the island has its particular characteristics. Therefore, choosing a good location is essential, especially if you plan to stay several days on the island. Otherwise, it is not so relevant since you will still be moving constantly to see all the attractive places on the island.
In summary, the areas could be classified as follows:
South Coast: Koloa, Lawai, and Poipu
This is one of the most popular areas of the island and the most prominent tourist attraction since it usually rains little so that you will enjoy a sunny and favorable climate. That is at the same time a disadvantage if you are looking for privacy. Because being in the best area will also be where you will find the most people.
North Coast: Princeville, Hanalei and Kilauea
This area has the best places to visit, the largest waterfalls, the most varied vegetation, and white sand beaches, wide enough for a more extended tour, but above all, with few people. This area also has good places to stay, both with affordable prices and higher prices in areas where the view is more attractive. The only disadvantage of this area is that it frequently rains during the season from November to March.
East Coast: Kapaa, Lihue and Wailua
This is the most convenient area to visit the whole island because it is close to the north and west. Besides, access to the south is more straightforward, and more accessible hotel options are available. The only drawback is that the beaches are not as attractive as the north and south zones. Nevertheless, like the rest of the island, it enjoys excellent attractions for tourism.
West Side: Waimea and Hanapepe
This area is the farthest from the island, but two nearby beaches, Kokee and Canyon, are pretty attractive. It is an area where you can stay, but it will take two hours to get to the nearest site. The area remains dry most of the year and is perfect for staying away from the crowds, but it is pretty secluded.
If you are on a tight budget, an excellent recommendation is to stay at the Kauai Shores Hotel (East side). They also organize free yoga classes for guests every morning on the beachfront.
Final Thoughts
Kauai is a small island that offers excellent and unforgettable activities. Although you can find only a few here, you can probably find many more during your visit.
The island has beautiful landscapes, but it is also full of the culture of the Hawaiian people and the warmth of its people. So don't forget to enjoy your visit, take care of the marine life, and respect nature.
If you want to enjoy your visit to the fullest, you should stay at least three days, so that you have time to make several tours and visit several places. Also, make all reservations in advance to get the most out of each of your days there.
Visiting the island of Kauai will be an experience you will remember for a lifetime!
