Kauai, Hawaii
KauaiTravel Guide
Kauai no ka 'oi!
Planning a trip to Hawaii can be difficult. With six incredible main islands, how do you even pick which one to visit? It all comes down to what you want to experience. Is sipping a fruity cocktail on a vibrant beach your thing? Or is fine dining, shopping, and resort life more your style? Maybe you’re interested in surf lessons or playing 18 holes before dinner. Whatever it may be, my Kauai, Hawaii travel guides will help you plan.
For my family, the Hawaiian experience was about escaping the buzz of modern life for a couple of weeks. We wanted the wild, authentic atmosphere of the islands and discovered that Kauai is the perfect place for that.
Kauai is known as the “Garden Island,” and for good reason:
- Pristine white-sand beaches with crystal clear water, perfect for snorkeling
- Dramatic mountains covered in thick rainforest canopy
- Hidden waterfalls and rivers accessible only by paddleboard or kayak
Kauai is paradise. And it’s an outdoor adventurer’s dream.
Volcanic activity formed Kauai five million years ago, making it the oldest (and fourth-largest) of the main islands. Temperatures range from a low of 78 degrees Fahrenheit in February to 85 degrees in August. We visited in mid-August, and the weather was perfect. Rainfall was sparse and only lasted a few minutes at a time.
Navigating the island for the first time can feel daunting. But I still recommend booking on your own, without the help of a tour company, to maintain your freedom and flexibility. Of course, having a general itinerary in mind is essential, but trust me: you’ll want to take your sweet time at some of these unbelievable sites.
First up, you’ll need to rent a vehicle. Availability can be scarce depending on the time of year, so do your research and rent ahead of time. You’ll also want to plan your itinerary based on location. One main highway covers almost all of Kauai, but traveling to different parts of the island can take a while. Good planning will minimize the likelihood of travel time cutting into your activities.
Snorkeling is a must on Kauai, and there are dozens of places on the island that will rent you gear. Everything I found was well maintained, affordable, and available to rent for as long as needed. The amount of sea life you’ll see around here is unparalleled. I have been scuba diving worldwide, but swimming among the sea turtles here was a surreal, one-of-a-kind experience.
Of course, no Hawaiian trip is complete without a luau. Although my family focused on outdoor adventures during our time on Kauai, we loved getting to experience this centuries-old tradition. Modern luaus blend aspects of many cultures; most significantly, Hawaiian, Polynesian, and Japanese. In addition, they feature traditional entertainment like hula and fire knife dancing and incredible food.
Oh, the food!
I’ll be writing an entire blog post dedicated to Kauai’s food, but let me leave you with this: Kalua pulled pork, guava braised short ribs, and fresh, local pineapple and papaya. More on that front coming soon, I promise.
Here are my top things to do and see when in Kauai and some honorable mentions.
1. Ho’opi’i Falls
While finding the entrance to the Ho’opi’i Falls trails can be difficult, the juice is worth the squeeze. An abandoned vehicle conceals the main access to the two miles of trails. The “secret” entrance gives more allure to what you find on the trails, whether intentional or not.
{A note: The entrance is on a private residential street, so please be mindful and respectful to the neighborhood’s residents. Keep the noise to a minimum and don’t drive fast double park, or leave trash. Of course, this goes for anywhere; treat it as though it’s your own home!}
You’ll begin following a dirt (or slightly muddy, depending on the weather) trail through dense jungle. Appropriate footwear is critical since you can easily slip and will be doing mild climbing on the trails and even on some rocks. (Tennis shoes with a decent grip are great; leave the flip-flops at home.)
After around ten minutes of walking, the trail converges with the stream. After following that for another ten minutes, you’ll come to the first waterfall. This waterfall is only about 20-30 meters high, but it has a pool that many people jump into from the cliff above. Be very cautious of the pool as it’s shallow in spots and dotted with boulders. You’ll see where you can jump in safely if you look closely.
Continuing along the trail, you’ll walk another 30 minutes or so through beautiful, fern-draped trees. Some of the scenery may look familiar, as the Jurassic Park amber mines scenes were filmed here. The walk is peaceful, with intermittent sunlight streaming through breaks in the canopy. The second waterfall you’ll come to along the trail is taller than the first but may have less water volume, depending on weather and season.
A lagoon sits at the base of this waterfall, and it features a fun rope swing over the water if you’re feeling brave. I channeled my inner Tarzan and flew halfway across the lagoon into chest-deep water while Jane (my wife, Rosana) took photos.
The lagoon area is a great spot to picnic in the sunlight, surrounded by jungle sounds. I recommend giving yourself three to four hours here to enjoy the hike and explore the two falls and lagoon without feeling rushed.
2. Uluwehi Falls
Uluwehi Falls’s nickname (“Secret Falls”) is a bit of a misnomer given its popularity, but it’s a must-see Kauai destination. This verdant oasis is something straight out of a postcard. And while you have to keep a safe distance from most waterfalls due to location and safety, Uluwehi Falls is perfect for getting up close and personal.
The only way to access the falls is via the Wailua River, so we rented kayaks and paddleboards from the Kamokila Hawaiian Village. Their hospitality is fantastic, and aside from their rentals, they have a traditional Hawaiian village you can explore. (Note: local kayak companies do not rent on Sundays, so plan ahead!).
The journey to the falls is a roughly 20-30 minute hike through thick green foliage sprinkled with beautiful red hibiscus flowers. A wooden platform covers portions of the trail, but eventually, you’ll leave the platform and navigate some large boulders. This hike is relatively easy, but suitable footwear is crucial.
At the end of the hike, you’ll find your reward: the breathtaking beauty of the 100-foot-high Uluwehi Falls. Take a dip in the lagoon at the base of the falls, and don’t skimp on photos. You’ll want to remember this. One of my favorite things about the falls is the sound. I could listen to the soothing, low rumble of the falling water for hours.
3. Wailua River State Park
The Wailua River is another fantastic adventure available at the Kamokila Hawaiian Village. I highly recommend navigating the river via a fun, self-guided paddleboard tour. From the river, you can paddle to the Fern Grotto, the swimming hole, or even further out to Wailua Beach.
If you’re lucky, you may experience a downpour while paddleboarding like we did. Not only did the 15-minute rainfall cool us off, but it also gave the ethereal effect of water jumping back up at us like little fish.
The Fern Grotto is a massive cave lined with lush ferns that thrive due to the sugar cane seeping down the cave walls. Take your time strolling the dirt path to the grotto and soaking in the scenery. A little further down the river is the swimming hole. Here, you can chill on your board or kayak or climb up a roughly 20-foot cliff and jump into the water. The swimming hole is deep, and the climb isn’t challenging. So if you regret not seizing your Tarzan moment, this could be your time to shine.
You’ll want to spend half a day exploring the Fern Grotto and swimming hole. Since they’re near Uluwehi Falls, plan for an entire day visiting these two sites.
4. Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park
Dubbed “the Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is massive and mesmerizing. Spanning 10 miles long, one mile wide, and more than 3500 feet deep, this is the perfect place for picturesque shots and fantastic drone footage! In addition, the surrounding Kokee State Park comprises more than 4300 acres of first-rate hiking and camping land. Passes are required for both and are available for purchase on-site. Even while driving, there are tons of great spots to pull off the side of the road and peek over the canyon rim.
5. Hanalei Bay
With nearly two miles of beaches, scenic views of the mountains, and crystal clear water, this North Shore gem is a must when on Kauai. There also are numerous restaurants, shops, food trucks, a grocery store, and a small mall here. If you’re a coffee-lover, check out The Wake Up Cafe for their delicious concoctions like the ‘Fuzzy Nut,’ a cold brew creation with macadamia syrup and coconut milk. They’re open from 7 am to 12 pm daily. Another must is the Wishing Well Shave Ice Truck, with açaí bowls, smoothies, and their namesake shaved ice to tickle your palate.
The beach isn’t too crowded, so you have plenty of room to spread out. We snorkeled and swam out about 100-150 meters from the shore with no issues.
As I mentioned before, swimming with sea turtles in Kauai was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Hanalei Bay is where I got to experience these beautiful, gentle creatures. While snorkeling, I suddenly realized four of them were floating along right beside me. Every once in a while, they would glance over, seeming to invite me to follow along with them.
6. Queen’s Bath
Located on the north shore in the town of Princeville, the Queen’s Bath is a tide pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Initially, a sacred bathing pool reserved for use by royalty, this unique spot now welcomes visitors of all backgrounds.
You have to find parking in the adjacent neighborhood to access the site, which can sometimes prove tricky. Be aware that these are private residences, so you will get towed if you park illegally. Once parked, you’ll follow the marked path to a rocky outcropping.
A quick jaunt across lava rock brings you to the Queen’s Bath. Here, you can shimmy your way down to the tide pool or jump off the rim into the deep portion. The pool itself formed from a collapsed lava tube flooded with fresh water from natural springs and now brims with sea life, including angel fish and sea urchins.
A word of warning: When wet, the path to Queen’s Bath can get muddy and very slick. This area is also prone to dangerous sleeper waves, particularly during the winter season. These enormous waves appear without warning and have swept people out to sea, so please take proper precautions when visiting. Stay away from the edge of the rocks, and if you aren’t a strong swimmer or hiker, consider skipping this destination.
Honorable Mentions
Tunnels Beach
Luau
Anini Beach
Poipu Beach Park