25 Best Things to Do on Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi
From the towering sea cliffs along the world-renowned Nāpali Coast, to the white sandy beaches that wrap around all sides of the island, to the trails within Waimea Canyon that encompass some of the most beautiful hikes on the planet, Kauaʻi is truly a paradise for any type of traveler and my favorite island in Hawaiʻi for so many different reasons!
I say this largely because there really are so many amazing things to do on all sides of Kauaʻi, but more so than any other island, Kauaʻi is a hiker’s paradise! The trails in the Waimea Canyon, on the Nāpali Coast, and scattered all around the island are truly some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen while traveling, and it’s why I could not recommend hiking more—even if you don’t generally consider yourself a hiker.
Beyond all this, Kauaʻi has so much more to offer, from stunning drive-up viewpoints in both the Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Park to amazing ocean tours, coffee shops, great places to eat, and the best açaí bowl of any island in Hawaiʻi!
This is all to say, the list below contains my favorite things to do across all sides of the island—including beaches, restaurants, tours, and more—and if you get out and explore, I hope some of these recommendations help you see the fun, local side of Kauaʻi that I truly love myself!
My Print - Kauaʻi
Why am I Recommending these Kauaʻi Tours?
One of my favorite things about booking through Viator is the reserve-now-and-pay-later option. As long as you’re booking more than three days in advance, you have the option to book ahead and cancel in the future if you change your mind.
Additionally, I’ve included these tours for two reasons. First, venturing out to some of the local spots that I’ve listed below might not be the way you want to go, but more importantly, some experiences simply can’t be done without booking a tour.
For these reasons, I highly recommend considering the tour operators that I have listed below, as they can absolutely be a safer and more kid-friendly experience than some of my local recommendations listed throughout this article.
25 Best Things to Do on Kauaʻi
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst, but more importantly, I talk about what NOT to do at the end, such as how to keep your car from getting broken into. Don’t skip over the end!
1. Awaʻawapuhi Trail
Distance: 6.6 miles / 10.6 km
The Awaʻawapuhi Trail in Kōkeʻe State Park is not only one of the most beautiful day hikes on Kauaʻi, but all of Hawaiʻi!
I strongly believe this because the views at the end of the Awaʻawapuhi Trail are, without a doubt, some of the best in the world, but that’s not to say that the Awaʻawapuhi Trail is necessarily easy.
By this, I mean that the Awaʻawapuhi Trail is an all-downhill hike, meaning that the entire hike back is obviously all uphill, gaining roughly 1,750 ft. (533 m) in 3.3 miles (5.3 km), depending on how far out on the ridge you decide to go.
However, the effort is certainly worth the reward, especially if you plan to hike Awaʻawapuhi for sunset, which is truly the only time of day I ever try to make it out there!
Read My Separate Post: Awaʻawapuhi Trail
2. Kauaʻi Helicopter Tour
As a whole, Kauaʻi is very rugged, remote, and largely inaccessible by foot, which is what sets the island apart from others and why it is often regarded as the most beautiful island in Hawaiʻi!
That said, a Kauaʻi helicopter tour is the best—and in many ways, the only—way to experience some of the most remote areas on the island that you would otherwise never have the opportunity to see, even by trail. This can even include Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Falls), a towering 400-ft. (122 m) waterfall located entirely on private property.
This is all without saying that a helicopter tour on Kauaʻi is one of my top recommendations over any other island in Hawaiʻi—especially after it has recently rained! I say this because the ruggedness of the Nāpali Coast and the Waimea Canyon often produce more waterfalls than normal, making the experience truly something that cannot be put into words!
3. Hanakāpīʻai Falls Trail (Nāpali Coast)
Distance: 8.0 miles / 12.9 km
Hanakāpīʻai Falls is a beautiful, towering waterfall located within the first few miles of Kauaʻi’s Nāpali Coast, where visitors start off on the popular Kalalau Trail before leaving the trail at Hanakāpīʻai Beach to begin hiking up to the waterfall at the far upper end of Hanakāpīʻai Valley!
This is the reason why permits are not required to hike the Hanakāpīʻai Falls Trail, as they are for the Kalalau Trail, since the permit requirement begins after Hanakāpīʻai Stream.
However, the same cannot be said about Hāʻena State Park (the gateway to Hanakāpīʻai Falls and the Kalalau Trail), which has implemented an advance reservation system to reduce crowds and cars, given the very small parking lot within the state park at the end of the road.
This is all to say that there’s a lot to know regarding the parking lot and shuttle reservations required to reach the trailhead in Hāʻena State Park, which is why I encourage you to read through the details in my separate post, where I talk about all the essential information you need to know about the current situation in order to decide which type of reservation is best for you!
Read My Separate Post: Hanakāpīʻai Falls Trail
4. Kalalea Juice Hale (Best Açaí in Hawaiʻi)
Kalalea Juice Hale is a little roadside shack on the drive to the North Shore that, in my opinion, has the best açaí bowl in all of Hawaiʻi!
Before visiting, I think it’s worth noting that just about everything on the menu is not cheap, but I think Kalalea Juice is worth the price—especially the King Kong Bowl!
Either way, I recommend stopping in if you’re on your way to or from the North Shore, as it can make for a quick, light breakfast before heading out to explore the island or a great afternoon snack after hiking one of the many beautiful trails mentioned on this list!
Yelp: Kalalea Juice Hale
5. Limahuli Garden & Preserve
Distance: 0.75 miles / 1.2 km
Limahuli Valley is a stunning and historic valley just outside of Hāʻena State Park on Kauaʻi’s North Shore, where visitors can either book a guided or self-guided tour to learn about what pre-contact Hawaiʻi was like, including native Hawaiian culture, plants, and more!
The National Tropical Botanical Garden, which runs Limahuli Valley, recommends making an advanced reservation before visiting, as limited parking space is the reason why so few reservations are available.
To learn more, I wrote a separate post about the full 0.75-mile (1.2 km) trail through Limahuli Valley, which can make for a great back-to-back adventure with Hanakāpīʻai Falls, since they’re so close!
Read My Separate Post: Limahuli Garden Tour
6. Nāpali Coast Boat Tour
Whether by helicopter or by boat as mentioned here, booking a tour on Kauaʻi’s renowned Nāpali Coast is a must-do!
I strongly believe this because each Nāpali Coast tour offers a unique perspective that simply can’t be experienced by hiking the Kalalau Trail.
That said, there is quite a bit to consider when trying to decide which boat tour on the Nāpali Coast is best, which is exactly why I wrote a separate post about the subject.
However, to keep it short, the three Nāpali Coast boat tours that I’ve linked below are the best options for a personalized experience, which I explain in more detail in the article linked below.
If you’re not sure whether to choose a helicopter or boat tour, consider the seasonal differences around your trip. By this, I mean that a Nāpali Coast boat tour is better during the summer because large ocean swells in the winter months often keep boat captains farther away from the coastline and the caves that you would normally get to enter during the summer. At the same time, a helicopter tour can be better during the rainier winter months because of all the waterfalls that flow in Waimea Canyon and along the coast after a big storm.
Read My Separate Post: Nāpali Coast Boat Tour
7. Aloha Roastery
Aloha Roastery is a little-known coffee shop and roastery on the east side of Kauaʻi, with two locations—one in Līhuʻe and one in Kapaʻa—that I think is one of the best places to get coffee on the island!
I say this because I’m someone who loves coffee for the taste of coffee, and that’s exactly what this local hidden gem is all about.
However, what may be even better is that they are far less touristy than other coffee shops on the island, like Java Kai in Kapaʻa, making Aloha Roastery my personal favorite grab-and-go coffee shop before heading out on any number of adventures across the island!
Yelp: Aloha Roastery
8. Kukui Trail (Lonomea)
Distance (Roundtrip): 12.2 miles / 19.6 km
The Kukui Trail is a stunning but steep trail that descends into the depths of Waimea Canyon off Kōkeʻe Road to reach the Waimea River and one of several campsites along the trail at the bottom.
That said, the Kukui Trail can be treated as either a day hike or an overnight adventure, but no destination is better than hiking all the way to Lonomea at the far upper end of Koaiʻe Canyon!
I believe this because Lonomea is by far the most beautiful overnight campsite, as the Koaiʻe Stream is an amazing place to hang out, go swimming, and simply relax by a beautiful waterfall adjacent to the campsite!
Now, this goes without saying that unlike the Kalalau Trail, there is only one permit available per campsite per night, meaning that if your group reserves a spot, you will be the only ones there.
However, hiking all the way from the rim to the river and back up with an overnight backpack is certainly not an easy task, so it may be a toss-up as to whether the Kukui Trail is better as a day hike or an overnight backpacking trip.
Read My Separate Post: Kukui Trail (Lonomea)
9. Tunnels Beach (Mākua)
From Kēʻē Beach in Hāʻena State Park to Hanalei Bay, there are a number of beautiful, quiet beaches across the North Shore of Kauaʻi that can all make for a great place to hang out and get some sun away from the busyness of the shops and hotels in Hanalei down the road.
That said, Tunnels, just to the north of Wainiha, is one of my favorites because it’s such a beautiful place to hang out, catch the sunset, and can be enjoyed without a parking reservation, which cannot be said about Kēʻē Beach up the road in Hāʻena!
Google Maps Directions: Hāʻena Beach Park (Tunnels)
10. Da Crack Mexican Grinds
Da Crack Mexican Grinds in Kōloa on the South Shore is a local build-your-own burrito spot that makes for great grab-and-go food when you’re looking for something good to eat but don’t want to spend the time or money to sit down somewhere.
This can be a quick stop on the drive up to Waimea Canyon or when heading to the beach in Poʻipū down the road, but either way, Da Crack is certainly one of the best local places on Kauaʻi to grab a quick meal!
Yelp: Da Crack Mexican Grinds
11. Kuilau Ridge Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5 km
The Kuilau Ridge Trail is a beautiful and easy day hike on the east side of Kauaʻi that traverses through a wet rainforest, with stunning views up toward the bigger peaks that make up the interior of the island!
That said, I say 'easy' because the Kuilau Ridge Trail is one of the most gradual ridge hikes in Hawaiʻi, and as such, I think that it’s a great adventure to do with kids. However, it’s important to know before going that the Kuilau Ridge Trail can be very muddy if the east side of the island has had a lot of rain recently.
To learn more about the full adventure, including the connection with the Moalepe Trail on the far side, be sure to check out the details in my separate post linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Kuilau Ridge Trail
12. Buying Local Hawaiian Coffee
While Hawaiʻi may have a reputation for its famed Kona Coffee, I found my favorite by a long shot to be 100% Maui Coffee from the Maui Coffee Company! Locally, it can be bought at Safeway stores and Target, but to make it easy, you can order it below on Amazon, so that you don’t have to fly home with it.
In my opinion, Maui Coffee is the best, followed by 100% Kauaʻi Coffee. I put these two before anything grown on the Big Island, which in third I choose 100% Kona Gold Roast by Lion Coffee. This is just one person’s opinion, but I’m only saying to not let the famous Kona name convince you that it’s the best.
13. Kauaʻi River Kayaking Tour
Across all the Hawaiian Islands, the north and east sides of Kauaʻi are unique in that there are a number of beautiful rivers that can be paddled—something that certainly cannot be said about countless streams and rivers across the rest of Hawaiʻi!
That said, by booking through one of the local operators below, visitors have the opportunity to experience Kauaʻi and a number of hidden waterfalls, which is truly a great way to spend part of a day and escape the crowds in some of the busier, more popular areas on the east side nearby!
14. Kenji Burger
Kenji Burger is my go-to spot for great burgers and beers after a fun adventure on the island, as they have a number of different locations on all sides of Kauaʻi!
This could mean heading to their location in Kōloa after hiking the Awaʻawapui Trail in Kōkeʻe or up north in Kīlauea after enjoying Hāʻena State Park.
Either way, Kenji’s is usually fairly easy to get to, which I love for their specialty burgers and happy hour after spending a long day in the sun!
Yelp: Kenji Burger
15. Shipwreck Beach (Keoneloa)
Shipwreck Beach on the South Shore of Kauaʻi is a beautiful white-sand beach along Keoneloa Bay that is a favorite among both locals and visitors alike because it’s located near a number of the best places to stay in Poʻipū, without being completely surrounded by adjacent resorts.
This is why Shipwreck Beach is a mix of both locals and visitors—not to mention, one of the most famous parts of Shipwreck Beach is the cliff jump on the far east side, away from the resorts!
Warning
The cliff jump at Shipwreck Beach is a roughly 35–40 ft. (12 m) jump that can be seen in this video, and while it’s certainly not the highest or most dangerous cliff jump in Hawaiʻi, doing it safely is more about the swim back to the sand than the jump itself.
This is why I like to say that the jump should only be attempted on a calm day and by those who are good swimmers, because it really is a considerable swim back to Shipwreck Beach after making the jump, which is the only safe place to exit the water.
Google Maps Directions: Shipwreck Beach
16. Iliau Nature Loop Trail
Distance: 0.4 miles / 0.6 km
The Iliau Nature Loop Trail is a very short and easy day hike off Kōkeʻe Road in Waimea Canyon that I believe is the best effort-to-reward adventure on this list!
I say this because the Iliau Loop Trail is one of the shortest trails on Kauaʻi, but at the same time, it has some of the best views of Waimea Canyon, with little to no effort!
On top of this, the word "Iliau" refers to an endemic Hawaiian species—a plant that can only be found on the Island of Kauaʻi and nowhere else on Earth—making the whole adventure one of the best opportunities to get out of the car, walk around, enjoy the views, and learn a little about the island’s natural history that most often overlook.
Read My Separate Post: Iliau Nature Loop Trail
17. Da Booze Shop (Waimea)
The Da Booze Shop in Waimea is one of my favorite restaurants for local plate–style lunches and dinners, serving big portions and one of the best loco mocos in all of Hawaiʻi!
That said, I recommend dining in because, if you have the time to talk, the folks who own Da Booze Shop can tell you a great and inspiring story behind the family-owned restaurant, which is something I’ll leave out for an in-person visit!
Yelp: Da Booze Shop
18. Whale Watching Tour (Winter Only)
During the winter months in Hawaiʻi, Humpback Whales migrate south from Alaska to the warmer Hawaiian waters, where mothers give birth to their calves.
That said, the time of yearto see the whales Hawaiʻi is very season-specific, meaning that if your trip is too early or too late in the winter, they may not have arrived yet or may already be on their way back to Alaska.
This season in Hawaiʻi is typically mid-December to mid-April, with peak activity occurring from January to March.
This is all to say that the best way to experience the Humpback Whales during this time is to get out on the water, as there’s truly nothing quite like an up-close experience through one of these local operators!
19. Sleeping Giant Trail (Nounou)
Distance: 2.2 - 3.8 miles / 3.5 - 6.1 km
Sleeping Giant, better known as Nounou, is a stand-alone peak on the east side of Kauaʻi that is a favorite among both locals and visitors alike, as the relatively short trail from either direction up the mountain leads to a panoramic summit, making Sleeping Giant one of the best sunrise hikes on a clear morning!
The reason the distance posted above is so variable is that there are two routes up Nounou Mountain to consider, which you can learn more about in my side-by-side comparison of both trails in either of my separate posts linked below.
Read My Separate Posts: Sleeping Giant (East) / Sleeping Giant (West)
20. Kēʻē Beach
Kēʻē Beach is the beautiful beach within Hāʻena State Park and the last beach on the North Shore of Kauaʻi before the start of the dramatic sea cliffs on the Nāpali Coast begin!
That said, Kēʻē Beach is easily one of the most beautiful beaches on Kauaʻi and one of the best places to catch the sunset on the island, but all this cannot be discussed without mentioning the parking/ reservation system that non-Hawaiʻi residents must navigate to visit Hāʻena State Park and everything within.
However, I believe the effort is worth the reward, as Kēʻē Beach and everything within Hāʻena State Park are much more relaxing and enjoyable following the implementation of advanced reservations, which I discuss in detail in both my separate Kalalau Trail and Hanakāpīʻai Falls Trail articles.
Google Maps Directions: Kēʻē Beach
21. Kalalau Trail (Nāpali Coast)
Distance (Roundtrip): 22.0 miles / 35.4 km
The Kalalau Trail is an 11-mile (17.7 km) out-and-back trail that traverses Kauaʻi’s stunning and world-renowned Nāpali Coast, where those who are fortunate to secure a permit will have the opportunity to camp in Kalalau Valley along one of the most beautiful and remote beaches in all of Hawaiʻi!
That said, the Kalalau Trail, along with Kēʻē Beach and the Hanakāpīʻai Falls Trail, all have the same advanced parking/ shuttle reservations mentioned above, but one difference is that the Kalalau Trail requires an overnight camping permit to hike past Hanakāpīʻai Stream, regardless of whether you are planning to spend the night or not.
It’s for all these reasons that there is quite a bit to know about the Kalalau Trail, including reservations for Hāʻena State Park, how to get a competitive Kalalau Trail permit (which is different from the Hāʻena reservations), as well as the long 11-mile (17.7 km) trail itself. This is why, I highly recommend checking out my separate post to learn more, as making the Kalalau Trail a reality requires a bit of advanced planning!
Read My Separate Post: Kalalau Trail (Nāpali Coast)
22. Limahuli Cold Pond
Located just outside the entrance station to Hāʻena State Park is a little-known local swimming hole known as the Limahuli Cold Pond!
The Cold Pond is nothing more than a quick place to enjoy a cold swim, but it’s a nice stop because parking on this little stretch outside of Hāʻena is legal for short visits only.
However, if you try to park here for Hāʻena State Park or Limahuli Valley, you will be ticketed and possibly towed, as this stretch of highway is very strictly enforced following the implementation of the shuttle service and advanced reservations.
Google Maps Directions: Limahuli Cold Pond
23. Waimea Canyon (Kōkeʻe Road)
Given all the beautiful trails, lookouts, and hidden gems there is to find, simply recommending the Waimea Canyon is a bit of a loaded topic, but driving the 19 miles (30.6 km) up Waimea Canyon Drive and Kōkeʻe Road to the Puʻu O Kila Lookout at the top is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do on Kauaʻi!
The scenic drive out of Waimea on the West Side of Kauaʻi is a great way to spend one or a number of days enjoying all the various lookouts, little pull-over spots, and yes, countless stunning trails—many of which I’ve highlighted throughout this article!
Google Maps Directions: Puʻu O Kila Lookout
24. Kauaʻi Lūʻau
A lūʻau in Hawaiʻi is one of those things where there’s no non-touristy way around it!
That said, I hope this list has provided a number of great recommendations to consider because, if so, I don’t recommend leaving Hawaiʻi without enjoying a nice night out at one of the lūʻaus listed below, which are available in several locations on both Kauaʻi’s south and east side.
25. Weeping Wall - Blue Hole (Mt. Waiʻaleʻale)
Distance: 6.2 miles / 10.0 km
The Weeping Wall, also known as Blue Hole and Mt. Waiʻaleʻale, is easily the most beautiful waterfall on Kauaʻi—and arguably the world!
That said, the Weeping Wall Trail is not for the faint of heart, as the long, tedious trail navigates its way into the rugged, remote interior of Kauaʻi, which not only requires good navigational skills but, more importantly, good weather!
To learn more about this stunning but challenging all-day adventure, I encourage you to read my separate post. However, I must say that my separate article is quite old and lacks many necessary details for a safe visit, which is why I want to strongly emphasize that the hike to the Weeping Wall should only be attempted by the most experienced, independent hikers. This is not a family-friendly adventure!
Read My Separate Post: Weeping Wall Trail (Mt. Waiʻaleʻale)
What NOT to Do When Visiting Hawaiʻi!
Don’t ever leave bags or anything valuable visible in your car.
Treat Kauaʻi like you would any city, and you will be fine. I say this because smash-and-grab incidents do occur in Hawaiʻi—especially to vehicles that are obviously rentals.
It’s unfortunate, but some of my favorite beaches and trailheads have glass all over the parking lot because people just don’t understand this.
Do your best to avoid looking like a tourist.
This is a hard one, but hear me out. I’m recommending a number of local things in this blog that will potentially take you to parts of the island where you don’t want to stand out, which ties back to my number one under this section—tourists are easy, vulnerable targets for crime and petty theft.
So, how do you avoid looking like a tourist? Don’t make your rental car look like a rental car. Don’t have your rental full of suitcases, beach toys, and towels that you just got from the ABC store in Kapaʻa. In addition, take any rental car stickers/ logos off the side of the car. I’ve seen rentals with stickers over the door seals to show that it has been through enhanced cleaning.
I’m really just trying to come up with things that come to my mind when I can obviously spot a visitor.
Never leave your belongings unattended on the beach.
Walking away from your belongings on the beach is one of the most common ways that valuables—like phones, wallets, keys, cameras, and even passports—are stolen in Hawaiʻi.
If everyone in your group wants to go swimming, at least one person needs to remain behind at all times to ensure the safety of your belongings.
Do NOT approach or harass Hawaiʻi’s native wildlife.
Common sense goes a long way in Hawaiʻi, but a blatant disregard for right and wrong when it comes to wildlife in the islands—such as touching the endemic and endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal, Sea Turtles, and Nesting Shorebirds, or destroying native plants—has led and will continue to lead to legal trouble for visitors in Hawaiʻi.
This is all to say: feel free to stop, take photos, and enjoy the wildlife you encounter, but do so from a distance. NOAA and Hawaiʻi’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) recommend maintaining at least 10 ft. (3 m) of distance from Sea Turtles and 50 ft. (15.2 m) from Monk Seals.
There are strict penalties for ignoring these laws, and visitors have been tracked down and prosecuted because of social media posts in the past.
Native Hawaiian Plants on Kauaʻi
I wanted to include this last section on this post because this is a subject that’s personal to me.
The native plant biodiversity in Hawaiʻi is insane, and I say this because 90% of the native plants that you will see around the islands are found nowhere else on Earth, which I mention for two reasons.
The first is that I ask that you please do everything you can to minimize your impact on Hawaiʻi’s trails, as many native plants across the islands at risk of extinction. The second is that if you have a personal interest in the subject or may be curious about something that you found, I wrote a separate post entirely about native Hawaiian plants, which hopefully can help to identify anything that you might be curious about!
For example, this species in the photo below can only be found on the Island of Kauaʻi and nowhere else on Earth!
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
Visiting Other Islands
If you are heading to another island on your trip, check out some of my personal recommendations here for Oʻahu, Maui, Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in my separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
