Ultimate Guide to visiting Kauai
This Ultimate Guide to Visiting Kauai provides an overview of the best things to do and explore while in Kauai. It also includes how to get there, when to visit, where to stay, and how to get around.
I visited Kauai in 2016 with two of my friends and again in 2021 with my husband. I was so excited to explore the remote coastlines, beach towns, and tropical scenery! While all the Hawaiian Islands are beautiful, Kauai has a special place in my heart. Read below to see details about our trip and my tips for visiting the island.
Overview
Ahhh Hawaii. The warm ocean breeze, the sunshine, the salty water, the incredible volcanic mountains…one of my favorite places to be…especially Kauai.
Since it is the smallest of the main Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is a great island to visit if you’re looking to see Jurassic Park-like landscape, have a good adventure, and escape tourism. I would recommend at least going for a few days. Both times I’ve visited, I’ve gone for 5 days and that is just enough (I would love to stay longer!!).
How to get there:
Kauai has one main airport, Lihue Airport (LIH). It is pretty centrally located on the island. Most major airlines fly to Kauai. Depending on the airline and your base location, you may be able to get a direct flight or have a layover in Oahu, LAX, or another west coast airport. Lihue Airport is located 50 minutes from Princeville, 25 minutes from Poipu, and just under 20 minutes from Kapa’a.
When to visit:
Where to stay:
I recommend staying on the North Shore (for a laid back beach town that is close to great hiking, kayaking, and surfing) or in Kapa’a (for a more central island location). There are also a lot of places to stay in Poipu, although this is a higher tourist destination.
- Budget-Friendly Option: While there are many places to stay on Kauai (Airbnbs, resorts, hotels, etc.), for a budget-friendly trip, I recommend nothing other than the Kauai Beach House Hostel. I stayed here during my 5-day visit with 2 friends. Kauai Beach House had a room that slept 3 people so we lucked out with a full room to ourselves! Not to mention this place is oceanfront!! Kauai Beach House is located in Kapa’a, which is centrally located on the island and great as a base location for lots of exploring. They offer private rooms for $125/night and dorm rooms for only $50/night (each additional guest is an extra $29). I really enjoyed staying here. Everyone was so friendly and at night, we would hang out on the grass by the ocean watching the moon rise and the stars.
- More expensive Options:
- The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas: a great hotel on the north shore
- Airbnb: I stayed in an Airbnb rental unit in Princeville
How to Get Around:
Things to Do
What to Explore
For a google maps list of my favorites listed below, click here. Read below to see my favorite places to explore on each part of the island:
- Eastern side, near Kapa’a:
- Wailua Falls: beautiful double waterfall with a swimming hole. This is easily accessible by car.
- Kapa’a Beach: a simple beach with a walking path
- Explore the cool town of Kapa’a. Grab lunch or coffee here and check out the shops
- North Shore, near Hanalei Bay and Princeville:
- Rent a surfboard and head out to Hanalei Bay to surf the rolling waves and enjoy the beach. I recommend surfing at “Pines Trees” aka Waioli County Beach Park
- Kayak Hanalei River with Kayak Hanalei
- Grab coffee in Hanalei and walk out on the Hanalei pier
- Go to Kilauea for sunset and get beautiful views of the island at golden hour
- Visit Kilauea Lighthouse up on a cliff and take in the views
- Hike Hanakapiai Falls Trail along the Napali Coast to Hanakapiai Waterfall
- About: This is an incredible hike that has views of the Napali coastline as you hike along the cliffside, cross rivers, and hike up a river bed to a breathtaking 300 ft waterfall.
- Tips: Make sure you book a permit to enter Haena State Park at gohaena.com. These book up weeks in advance! Once you’re there, drive up to Ke’e Beach and park in the parking lot to start this hike. In total it is 8 miles. This is a cliffside hike with a few beaches that are very dangerous to swim at because of the undertow. Do not swim at these. Instead, wait until you get to the waterfall to swim in the much safer swimming hole.
- Note: if you wish to go farther along the Napali Coast to Kalalau Beach, you must have a permit to complete this 11-mile one-way hike
- South/West Shore:
- Drive up to the top of the Napali Coast for breathtaking views of the rugged mountains
- Drive to Pu’u O Kila Lookout and Kalalau Lookout where you can take in the stunning Napali Coast from above. There are also some great hikes up here, like the Awa’awapuhi Trail
- Book a catamaran to go snorkeling and view the Napali Coast from the water
- Visit Wai’ale’ale, one of the wettest spots on Earth at 5,148 ft elevation
- Hike Waimea Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, on the southwestern part of the island
- View the water spout at Spouting Horn Park
- Visit Poipu Beach and go snorkeling
- Explore Polihale State Park Beach: I recommend going here for sunset. Be sure to have a 4-wheel drive vehicle for driving on the sanding road a few miles out to the beach. This beach is the most western part of the US and has incredible sunset views!
- Drive up to the top of the Napali Coast for breathtaking views of the rugged mountains
Where to Eat:
- Mermaids Cafe in Kapa’a: has great tacos and wraps with vegetarian and vegan-friendly options
- Tahiti Nui for dinner and live music in Hanalei (we loved this place!)
- The Food Trucks in Hanalei for an easy casual lunch
- Paco’s Taco Lighthouse: “The Best Fish Tacos”
- Brennecke’s Beach Broiler in Poipu
- Kilauea Fish Market
- Java Kai in Kapa’a
- Matcha-Ya in Kapa’a
I hope this Ultimate Guide to Visiting Kauai helps you plan your trip! Feel free to reach out on my Contact page if you have any questions!