Best Things to Do in Kauai

Nestled on the North Shore of Kauai toward the Napali Coast, Hanalei Colony Resort is best suited for travelers looking to unplug at a beachy hideaway. The resort has just 48 units, many of which offer exceptional ocean views and are decorated with traditional Hawaiian fabrics and warm wicker furnishings. There are no stereos, televisions or phones at the Hanalei Colony Resort, which helps to create its relaxing ambiance, though there is free Wi-Fi if you just HAVE to answer that work email. After you’ve finished frolicking on the beach at Hanalei Bay, explore Hanalei and the nearby town of Princeville via the resort’s complimentary transportation. 

Amid the sprawling and pricey resorts on the Garden Isle, Kauai Beach Resort & Spa offers budget-friendly accommodations centered on Hawaiian culture. The family-friendly resort is spread across 25 acres in Hanamaulu, just six minutes north of the island’s primary airport in Lihue. Room rates typically range from $235 to $380 a night with views of the mountains, pool and ocean, and each features a private lanai for guests to take in the tropical ether. Beyond the 350 pristine and well-appointed rooms, guests can look forward to four pools — one of which is oceanfront and features a sandy bottom — two waterfalls and hot tubs and a 75-foot lava tube slide for the kids. The bustling resort also features three drinking and dining spots and a Hawaiian Rainforest Spa if you want a private oceanside massage. Modern amenities aside, Kauai Beach Resort & Spa offers guests the opportunity to engage in Hawaiian-focused activities like ukulele lessons, weekly lei-making classes and an “E Komo Mai” reception on Fridays with traditional Hawaiian music and hula performances. After a night of throwing back mai tais, start your day with an oceanfront yoga class each morning.

Travelers seeking accommodations off the beaten path should look no further than the South Shore mainstay Marjorie’s Kauai Inn. Situated in the small town of Lawai, the three-room inn is a secluded getaway ideal for honeymooners, couples or solo travelers who enjoy the personal touches that only a bed and breakfast can offer. The nightly rate ranges from $290 to $375, and each room comes equipped with a private bathroom, air conditioning (important for days when balmy turns to sweaty), a cliffside lanai overlooking the lush Lawai Valley and a mini refrigerator stocked with refreshments upon arrival. A full breakfast spread is included daily and features organic juices, fresh fruits and entrees like buckwheat crepes and eggs Benedict. When you’re ready for more excitement, the bed and breakfast is just a 10-minute drive from the action in Koloa and the ever-popular Poipu Beach. If relaxing is more your speed, soak in one of the inn’s hot tubs or practice your backstroke in the 50-foot saltwater pool canopied by towering palm trees.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is a favorite stay on Kauai, and for good reason. Located in the popular town of Poipu, the resort is at once a haven for couples on a romantic retreat and a family-friendly reprieve for broods with kids in tow. Somehow both groups coexist peacefully here, and that might have something to do with the considerable amount of land the resort covers and its 602 rooms and suites. The grounds of the resort are covered with koi ponds, lush tropical flowers, waterfalls and three freshwater pools, one for adults only. Kids can take the water slide countless times, and parents can float the lazy river or try their hand at golf on the championship course. Before you check out, carve out time for a Lokahi Garden Couples Massage shrouded by tropical plants at the Anara Spa. 

What makes Kalapaki Beach so unique is its proximity to Lihue Airport, so you can swim as soon as you land or take a last-minute dip before boarding your flight back to the mainland. The conditions at the beach are famously tremendous; the gentle waves and slope into the water make it a kid-friendly destination for families hoping to cool off. You can find Kalapaki Beach at the entrance of Nawiliwili Harbor, surrounded by green lawns and dotted with palm trees.

Kekaha Beach is a smaller portion of West Kauai’s larger Polihale Beach, which stretches approximately 15 miles long. The beach offers stunning views of Niihau and Lehua Rock, and its location on the island’s western shores makes it a spectacular setting for a sunset picnic. Kekaha is best suited for fishing and experienced surfers, as the rough currents can sometimes make the waters challenging to navigate. Since swimming is not recommended, Kekaha is generally less busy than other beaches on the island and is a quiet destination beloved by locals and beachcombers. As always, check the water’s  conditions before wading past the shoreline. 

Spread along the South Shore of Kauai, Poipu Beach is beloved by locals and tourists, thanks partly to standout amenities like bathroom facilities, showers, picnic areas and on-duty lifeguards. The site comprises two bays divided by Nukumoi Point, a narrow tombolo that extends from the shore. Each crescent-shaped cove is unique. The left side of Poipu is shallow and kid-friendly, and the right side has turquoise waters more conducive to bodyboarding. The lava rock reefs are also ideal for snorkeling and have giant sea turtles, tropical fish and endangered monk seals, the latter of which have their roped-off area on the beach. 

Tunnels Beach is the crown jewel of Kauai beaches with fantastic snorkeling and scuba diving conditions. Also called Makua Beach, the beach stretches for two miles and is accessible via Haena Beach Park on the island’s North Shore. What makes Tunnels so unique are its two massive reefs — seriously, you can see them from outer space — one which lines the perimeter and the other which is located in the center of the beach. These reefs are rich with tropical fish and marine wildlife, ideal for snorkelers exploring the cerulean waters. The beach is accessible via two access roads marked by locals. Whichever way you go, make sure you get there early as parking can be tricky. 

Kauai’s landscape may not be as diverse as the Big Island’s, but there are still plenty of opportunities to explore its palatial rainforests without so much as lacing a hiking boot. Taking a stroll through Kauai’s botanical gardens will allow you to experience the flora and fauna of the island without wearing out your knees. The North Shore’s Limahuli Garden & Preserve and the South Shore’s Allerton Garden and McBryde Garden are just three of the island’s botanical gardens. 

The best way to take in Kauai’s culture is by exploring the unique small towns that make up the island. The North Shore town of Hanalei is a great place to start and was featured as a backdrop in the 1958 musical “South Pacific.” Here, you can visit local galleries, try a remarkable acai bowl at Aloha Juice Bar and take a tour of the 19th-century Wai’oli Hui’ia Church and Mission House, a historic landmark on the North Shore. On the southwest side of the island, travelers can visit Hanapepe Town on Friday nights when the island’s art capital comes alive with musicians playing in the streets and late-night art gallery viewings. 

No matter how long or short your stay may be, you must spend time exploring the Napali Coast while in Kauai. Spread out on the island’s northwest side,  the coast possesses towering cliffs that rise as high as 4,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean. Marine life, sea archways and hidden coves along Napali are preserved mainly due to the coast’s inaccessibility. That said, adventurers who want to see the Napali Coast by land can access it via the Kalalau Trail, an advanced and rugged 11-mile path that crosses five valleys and is believed to be one of the most breathtaking and dangerous hikes in the country. For those without a death wish, there are several Napali Coast boat tours, some that include a snorkeling trip in the waters surrounding the mysterious neighboring island of Niihau. The best way to see the Napali Coast is by helicopter, where you can get a good look at Manawaiopuna Falls, a colossal cascade featured in “Jurassic Park.” 

If you hear the water calling and want a change from the beach, carve out some time to spend on the Wailua River, the only navigable river on the Hawaiian Islands. The Wailua River Valley is best explored by kayak or boat tour, where you’ll be escorted on an open-air boat to view tropical plants and the Fern Grotto, a geological gem formed millions of years ago. Elsewhere, water lovers can grab a tube and take the island’s only mountain tubing adventure through canals, flumes and pitch-black tunnels lit up by the glow of tuber headlamps. Make sure to make time to chase waterfalls, as Kauai has plenty. One of the best is Wailua Falls, a must-see cascade near the town of Lihue that splits into two streams before falling 100 feet into the crystalline waters below. The lesser known yet just as stunning Ho’opi’i Falls is accessible via a moderately challenging two-mile hike and was used as a backdrop for the amber mine scene in “Jurassic Park.” 

Nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is a colorful, rugged gorge situated on the west side of Kauai. The gully was initially carved by the Waimea River and has coxcomb red soil formed by erosion over time. The best time to visit is in the early morning to view the vibrant blue, green and orange hues across the canyon — and by early, we mean well before noon, as the skies can quickly become clouded. The 14-mile long, one-mile wide canyon is a cool 3,500 feet deep and boasts trails suited for hikers of all skill levels. We recommend setting out on the accessible Pihea Trail or heading to one of several lookouts to marvel at the vast panoramas and craggy rocks.

There may be no greater culinary joy on the island than pulling up a stool at the counter of this historic, unpretentious, cash-only spot in Lihue. Established in 1951, Hamura Saimin has served the same saimin recipe for over 70 years and was named an “American Classic” by the James Beard Foundation in 2006. Saimin is Hawaii’s answer to ramen, one that’s become a schmaltzy dietary staple here and that Hamura Saimin does better than anyone else. The family-owned eatery starts by loading bowls with substantial portions of simmered fish or chicken broth, noodles, a hard-boiled egg, scallion and narutomaki, a type of Kamaboko or Japanese fish cake with a Barbie-pink swirl. The soup is then finished with either ham or roasted pork with veggies and is often served with a side of shrimp tempura, meat skewers or fried wontons. After putting back a bowl of comforting soup, order a slice of their tall and wobbly lilikoi chiffon pie, a substantial and gelatinous passion fruit wonder delicately coated with whipped cream. 

Located in the Kauai Coast Resort, dinner at Hukilau Lanai is recommended on their outdoor open-air lanai. The standout menu items include candied ahi and a rotating selection of  pasta made in-house daily. The restaurant takes a farm-to-table approach with its food and lists detailed information about the Hawaiian purveyors who supply their ingredients online. Hukilau Lanai also features local musicians performing everything from jazz to Hawaiian music from Wednesday through Sunday. Traditional Hawaiian dancers have also been known to make appearances at the restaurant. Make a reservation ahead of time and ask for a table overlooking the resort’s plush gardens. 

Koloa Fish Market is like Zabar’s, but make it Hawaiian. It’s a no-frills, counter-service kind of market and just so happens to have the best poke bowls on Kauai. The tiny outpost in Old Kōloa Town is a cash-only establishment that sells fresh fish caught daily by local fishermen. Poke bowls are thoughtfully packed with rice or salad and topped with assorted pokes like kimchee tako, shoyu ahi and spicy shrimp, among many others. If fish doesn’t pique your interest, or if you’ve overeaten it, grab a traditional plate lunch made with entrees like Korean chicken, lau lau and kalua pork. The fresh ingredients and substantial portions make the spot a favorite among locals and tourists, and the portable foods are perfect for a grab-and-go meal to take to the beach. 

If you’re up early and headed to Waimea Canyon, you should stop at Kalaheo Café and Coffee Co. for the day’s most important meal. Nestled in Kauai’s Upcountry, the restaurant serves grindz in laid-back digs that lean on Hawaiian ingredients for inspiration. Think kalua pork eggs Benedict topped with a rich hollandaise sauce and Paniolo-style breakfasts served with Portuguese sausage or Spam. The quaint café also serves dinner if you pass through Kalaheo town in the evening. Make sure to grab a macadamia nut sticky bun and coconut custard cake for the road.

When you get to the modest outpost at The Fresh Shave, you’ll be greeted first by a hanging sign that reads, “It’s Called Shave Ice, Brah.” Hawaii’s famous dessert has long been mistakenly referred to as shaveD ice, an error that shave ice enthusiasts far and wide hope to quash. Situated in Old Kōloa Town just north of Poipu, The Fresh Shave first started at a food trailer on a mission to serve a healthier variety of the island’s favorite dessert. The shop still uses local and organic produce to make its homemade syrups. Each item on the menu is named after a mustache style in keeping with its barbershop theme. Try the Professor, made with berries and acai syrup and topped with Kauai honey, bananas and shredded coconut. 

Located in the heart of Hanalei town on Kauai’s North Shore, Tahiti Nui dates back to 1963 when United States Air Force Lt. Colonel Bruce T. Marston and his wife “Aunty Louise” Marston first opened the diner. The couple first met in Tahiti before relocating to Kauai and opening the iconic destination. Nearly 60 years after it first opened, “da Nui” remains a family affair and is currently run by Bruce and Louise’s son Christian. The charm of Tahiti Nui lies not in the bamboo fixtures of the modest eatery, but in the laidback Polynesian spirit and warmth that Louise first brought to Kauai in the sixties. Hungry locals and tourists flock to Tahiti Nui for Hawaiian favorites like loco moco, fusion Tikiman pizzas topped with huli huli chicken and strong mai tais that are just $10 during happy hour. Tahiti Nui is also known as one of the best spots on Kauai to listen to live music, and the bar still showcases local Hawaiian musicians and dancers on weekdays throughout the year. While Louise passed in 2003, her legacy lives on at “da Nui,” and her infectious Tahitian spirit landed the bar a cameo in Alexander Payne’s 2011 film “The Descendants.” If you happen to be in Hanalei on a Tuesday or Wednesday, stop by for the Tahiti Nui Luau Night, featuring an open buffet and dinner show with a touching tribute to Aunty Louise.