This was the last major Hawaiian island to tick off the list and one I was really looking forward to. Known as the “Garden Island”, Kauai is the perfect island for nature lovers and adventure seekers. I quickly fell in love with the island and already plan on going back, here is my Kauai travel guide.
When to go
Honestly, Kauai is great any time of year. If you want calm seas on your Na Pali coast boat tour, definitely travel to Kauai in the summer. If you want less crowds, I would suggest going in between Thanksgiving and Christmas like we did.
Where to stay
If you want to stay in the same location for your entire stay I would suggest staying on the eastern side of the island or in Poipu. I do suggest doing a split stay between Waimea on the southwest side of the island and Hanalei on the north shore. Different parts of the island have different climates, the north shore is more lush and tropical while the south shore is more arid.
Waimea Plantation Cottages
This is your perfect tipping off point for adventures in Kauai. The cottages feel like a part of Hawaiian history and are the closest hotel to many tourist attractions. The cottages come in 1, 2 and 3-bedroom options and garden view, oceanview or oceanfront. There is a pool and restaurant on the property and a beautiful beach for sunset walks. We picked up some groceries right in town and were able to make breakfasts and lunches. Local attractions include Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Coast, Koke’e State Park and Polihale State Park.
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
Sustainable and gorgeous, a must stay when visiting the island. Some of my favorite things about staying here were the super comfortable beds, the in-room water bottle refill stations and the adults-only pool. There are plenty of daily offerings going on, my favorite was the sound bath. The hotel is pet-friendly and you can even host a dog from the local shelter for your stay. And you really can’t beat waking up to views of the stunning Hanalei Bay and surrounding mountains.
What to do
Na Pali Coast
You can see the Na Pali Coast by boat, helicopter or car. This trip we saw it by boat and car, next trip we definitely plan to see it by helicopter. We met a couple on the trip that saw it by boat and helicopter, and they said by boat was their preferred sightseeing method.
By boat
Pods of spinner dolphins are almost always guaranteed and the views are just breathtaking. If you want a relaxing sailing experience with drinks and Hawaiian BBQ, then I highly suggest going out the Capt Andy’s. Our friends went out with them and said the BBQ lunch was excellent. If you are up for more of an adventure, do what we did and do the zodiac tour with Go Blue Adventures. Hang on tight as you zoom through coastal caves, go for a refreshing dip and take in the incredible views. If you tend to get seasick I suggest choosing a large catamaran tour, the zodiac tour isn’t for the faint of heart.
By car (or foot)
Drive up to Kalalau Lookout for a stunning view of Kalalau Valley, just 45 minutes drive from Waimea. Keep in mind there is a per person fee and a fee to park, we payed $10 to park and $5 per person. Weather here can change quickly, so if you arrive with cloudy conditions be patient, the weather may change. If you want to see an even better view, hike the Awa’awapuhi Trail. This trail is 5.8 miles out and back with a 1,863 foot elevation gain (majority is on your way back out). If you’re up for the hike, you will not regret it!
Waimea Canyon Lookout
We opted for the free view of Waimea Canyon as opposed to paying $10 to park and $5 per person since we were strapped on time. We found this little lookout just before the turn to the Waimea Canyon Lookout as we were coming back down the mountain (look for a chain link fence). The views are not unobstructed like the paid lookout, but still pretty impressive (see picture above).
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving the forbidden island of Ni’ihau and Lehua Crater with Bubbles Below Kauai is a must for divers visiting Kauai! Here monolithic lava formations provide for an array of habitats sure to blow your mind. It is the only dive destination in the world where you have an excellent chance to swim with the most endangered marine mammals in U.S. waters, the Hawaiian monk seal. We got lucky with calm conditions in December allowing us to dive with a spotted eagle ray, Galapagos shark, Hawaiian monk seal and a sea turtle. We dove a dive site called Arches that has an amazing network of erosional sea caves, now submerged along with lava tubes underwater. One formation stands out from the rest with its long straight lines, appropriately named the movie screen.
Polihale State Park
You have to do some off-roading to get here, but it is so worth it for an almost deserted beach. There are even campsites if you are lucky enough to snag one. We went for sunset and it was the perfect end to a busy sightseeing day.
Wailua Falls
Take a guided kayak tour up the stunning Wailua River, hike to the falls and go for a swim and/or have a picnic. We didn’t have time to do this since we went diving instead, but our friends went and loved it. They said it was one of their favorite things the did in Kauai, we will have to check it out next time we are there!
Where to eat
A good portion of our trip revolved around food and drink (thank you foodie friends for the extensive research). Here are my favorites from the trip!
JoJo’s Shave Ice
JoJo’s Shave Ice slaps hard, I honestly wasn’t a fan of shave ice until I had it here. We got the tropical breeze and that macadamia nut ice cream on the bottom is to die for. And that haupia cream on top isn’t so bad either.
Kōke’e Lodge
You wouldn’t expect great food from a state park restaurant, but we were all blown away. The loco moco was especially mind-blowing, we actually ordered a second helping. Work up an appetite on the trails and then head straight to Kōke’e Lodge, you won’t regret it!
Blue Bird Coffee
We tried a few coffee/matcha spots on the island and this one was by far the best! This cute little trailer is owned by a friendly young couple eager to serve you your morning cup of Joe and a fresh muffin to start the day.
Fish Bar Deli
Had one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had here, aptly named ube is my bae. The pupus and sandwiches are on point too. Fish Bar Deli is the perfect spot to stop at for a cocktail when you need a break from checking out the local shops in town.
The Musubi Truck
When in Hawaii, you must Musubi. You honestly can’t go wrong with any musubi from this truck, but their ahi katsu is next level and a must try!
Chicken in a Barrel
Unassuming, but so delicious even the locals come here. We seriously had a few guides suggest this place, so we had to give it a try! Chicken in a Barrel is located right at Waimea Plantation Cottages, making it a convenient grub spot for your stay. Both the pizza and the BBQ plates were delicious and with a wall of self-service beer taps, you can’t go wrong.
I hope my Kauai Travel Guide has inspired you to travel to Kauai. If you liked this blog post, be sure to check out My Guide to Maui, Hawaii (on a budget)!
