Kauai

When it comes to dreamy and dramatic, Kauai is the place. The oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago is also one of the most dazzling in the world, a stunning backdrop for vacations filled with peaceful moments and adrenaline filled action. Here you’ll find the remote verdant valleys of the northwest Napali Coast, accessible only by sea or by hiking. Equally enthralling are the multi-hued depths of Waimea Canyon, ideal for hiking and cycling adventures. Kayak the Wailua River, hike Kokee State Park, and splash and play along famed shorelines like Hanalei Bay on the North Shore and Poipu Beach on the South Shore. Kauai offers a slower and peaceful way of life. No building is taller than a coconut tree and no town has more than 10,000 people. Slow down and experience the aloha spirit on Kauai.

Getting Around

Exploring Kauai by rental car is the best way to see this gorgeous island. The Napali Coast, a 17-mile stretch of emerald cliffs and valleys, is the only section of the island not accessible by car. Aside from the Napali Coast, one main road will take you from Barking Sands Beach on the West Side to Haena on the North Shore. You’ll find several one-lane bridges on Kauai. If you approach the bridge first, the car on the other side will wait. However, if the car on the other side is the first to approach, it’s expected that you’ll wait for that car to cross the bridge first. And when it comes to visiting the Napali Coast, we offer several kayaking and catamaran tours that combine snorkeling.

Food and Kauai Tours and Activities

Like all the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is a place to savor a variety of cuisines prepared with the bounty of local ingredients from the land and the sea. The island is loaded with wonderful restaurants reflecting Hawaii’s cultural diversity. Dine in restaurants serving authentic Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, Italian, and Hawaiian fare. Of course, you’ll also be able to savor standard American favorites. Poipu and Kapaa have the best selection of restaurants. Don’t miss a traditional luau where you can feast on the kalua pig prepared in the imu (the underground pit lined with hot rocks), and poi, ground taro root. Discover where Kauai chefs are sourcing their fresh ingredients on a farmers’ tour or visit one of the island’s wonderful farmers’ markets. Equally compelling is a visit to Koloa Rum Company where the legacy of sugar and rum in Hawaii lives on today.

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The North Shore: Kilauea, Princeville, and Hanalei

Rugged mountains, lush taro fields, magnificent sea cliffs, and incredible beaches line the North Shore along with many of Kauai’s world class resorts. Head to the Kilauea area where you can spend a few hours meandering through the whimsical landscapes of Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens. Travel over to Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, where you’ll find the Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse built in 1913 as a beacon for ships. Situated on Kauai’s northernmost point, the lighthouse and vantage point provide incredible vistas and photo opportunities. Hanalei Town is a wonderful stopping point, with taro farms, art galleries, restaurants plus Hanalei Bay and Lumahai Beach. Of course, the Napali Coast is among the North Shore’s highlights, a 17-mile stretch of coastline featuring cliffs up to 3,000 feet tall, verdant valleys, waterfalls, and sea caves.

The South Shore

Kauai’s sun drenched South Shore is the place to enjoy endless days on the beach, tee off on emerald fairways, visit beautiful gardens, and immerse yourself in the island’s fascinating history. Old Koloa Town, with its sugar plantation past, is well worth a visit. Stop in at the Koloa History Center and follow the Koloa Heritage Trail which spotlights major historical, cultural, and geological sites between Koloa and Poipu. Vacationers flock to the many notable hotels and resorts in the Poipu area with amazing accommodations, golf, and dining. Poipu Beach is one of the best in all the Hawaiian Islands, well known for snorkeling, whale sightings, and even endangered Hawaiian monk seals that sunbathe on the sandy shores. Learn why Kauai is nicknamed “The Garden Isle” at two National Tropical Botanical Gardens: Allerton Garden and McBryde Garden. And don’t miss remarkable Spouting Horn blowhole, a natural lava tube where Poipu surf releases into a huge spout of water during large ocean swells.

Waimea: Grand Canyon of the Pacific

Located on Kauai’s West Side, Waimea Canyon—the Grand Canyon of the Pacific—is a geological wonder 14 miles long, one mile wide, and 3,600 feet deep with crested buttes, rugged crags, and deep valley gorges. The Waimea Canyon Lookout offers vistas that go on for miles. Experience this one of a kind marvel with our Bike Downhill Waimea Canyon to Coast tour. You’ll start up top at the canyon rim and cycle down to the canyon floor. Your guide leads the group down, making frequent stops for photo opportunities and to show you endemic plants, flowers and trees, all while sharing the history, legends and folklore of Hawaii.