Kauai

The Best Kauai Activities: What’s Worth Your Money

Yay! You’re going to Kauai! There is soooo many great things to see and do on the island that you’ll literally be bombarded with activities and excursion opportunities from the minute you arrive at the airport. So how do you know where to save and where to splurge? Listen up, here’s what you need to know:

In my opinion, there are a couple paid tours/excursions on Kauai that are absolutely worth doing. However, many tours and excursions are actually things you can do yourself or things that maybe aren’t worth doing. I’ll break down the activities on Kauai that I think are worth paying for, the ones you can do yourself, and the ones you should skip.

To clarify, this post is breaking down the best PAID activities/tours. For more ideas, check out the best FREE things to do in Hawaii and my favorite general things to do on Kauai.

UPDATE: In April 2018, Kauai experienced record setting flooding especially on its north shore. As a result, the road west of Hanalei town is currently closed cutting off access to the popular Kalalau Trail, Ke’e beach, and snorkeling at Tunnels. I encourage you to check local news coverage before your trip to obtain the most current conditions, and I will also update this as things reopen.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Kauai? Read up on the lay of the is(land) and where to stay plus my favorite beach resorts, budget hotels, Airbnbs, honeymoon resorts, family friendly resorts, luxury resorts, and boutique hotels.

Must Dos

Helicopter Tour: Don’t miss a helicopter tour of Kauai! If you can only afford to do one thing on the island, make it this. You won’t regret it. Read more about it here.

Napali Coast Boat Tour: The other must do experience is a boat ride down the Napali Coast. During the summer months (April to October) you HAVE to take a tour that leaves out of Hanalei on the north shore as you get to see the full coast this way (if you leave out of Port Allen in the south, you’ll spend much of your excursion time just journeying to get to the coast). Read more about it here.

Maui vs. Kauai: Which Hawaiian Island?

If there’s one question I get asked more often than any other, it’s which Hawaiian Island is best?

I’ve done a pretty extensive blog post on that topic here, but I still get a lot of variations on this question.

After reading up on the different Hawaiian Islands, most people can pretty quickly narrow it down to two choices. That’s when I start getting the this island vs. that island questions.

Say you’re going to Hawaii for a week and you want a laid back vacation without a lot of people around. It’s easy enough to cross Oahu off the list. And after doing a bit of research, maybe the sheer size of the Big Island overwhelms you. So that leaves you with Maui or Kauai. So you start asking around. Guess what? All the people who have been to Maui loved it. And all the people who have been to Kauai will say it’s definitely the best. The people who have been to both will either suggest splitting your trip between the two because who could possibly choose, or they’ll have a definite favorite. Bless those people who can make a decisive recommendation!

Now I’ll tell you what I think ; ) There’s no “best” island. People’s “favorite” or “best” islands depends largely on their personality types and what kind of a vibe they like on vacation. Now unless you match that person 100%, your opinions are likely to differ.

So for the first post in this island vs. island series, I’m going to tackle Maui vs. Kauai. But I’m not going to just tell you which I think is best, because that’s not really going to help YOU decide. I’m going to do my best to break down the pros and cons of each island so you can decide for yourself which will be best. I will let you know my personal favorite at the end though.

Nature

I’m going to start out by making a bold statement. You can’t narrow any Hawaiian Islands out of your search by asking “which ones has the best/most ‘nature’?” I’ve heard so many people say, “if you want nature, Kauai is definitely the best island.” Bull. If you want “nature,” you’ll be happy on any of the islands-even on Oahu with its population of one million. These are some of the most spectacular islands in the world and they haven’t gotten that reputation because of their modern architectural marvels. Each Hawaiian Island features STUNNING natural landscapes. The discussion about which is more “natural” or features better nature is a bit more nuanced.

Kauai’s Highlights

Let’s start with Kauai. If I was forced to name the most beautiful Hawaiian Island, I would probably say Kauai. Most of the island (but especially the north shore) is made up of those jagged, green peaks that movies like Jurassic Park have made so famous. It is lush, it is tropical, and it is stunning. However, I have to admit that 75% of the most spectacular sites I’ve seen on Kauai either involved a helicopter tour, a boat tour, or an extensive hike. So while it might be the most beautiful, most of that beauty isn’t highly accessible.

The Napali Coast is by far what makes Kauai the most beautiful island, but like I mentioned above, it’s so remote that you’ll only see it via helicopter, boat, or strenuous hike. Actually, I would say the Napali Coast is trumped in beauty by Wai’ale’ale Crater (the birthplace of Kauai), but since you’ll only see it for a couple of minutes on a helicopter tour (and because of weather conditions only a percentage of helicopter flights are actually able to enter into the crater), it’s not a major factor for most visitors.

However, I will make another bold statement here. I would almost say if you’re not going to do a helicopter tour, skip Kauai because you’ll be missing its most magical parts.

The other major natural site on Kauai is Waimea Canyon, often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It is truly unique, and it’s easily seen by car or via hiking if you’re more adventurous. However, once again, it’s most impressive when seen from a helicopter.

The north shore of Kauai is its true gem. It’s so lush, green, and gorgeous, however it’s that way because of all the rain. It is a rainforest after all. I cannot emphasize how much it rains on the north shore of Kauai, especially during the winter months.

Overall, Kauai does lush and tropical very well, but now on to Maui.

RELATED: Where to Stay on Kauai

Where to Stay on Maui

15 Things to Do on Kauai

15 Things to Do on Maui

Maui’s Highlights

Maui wins easily for the most diverse island. It has lush and tropical, curated resort areas, rainforests, valley, rolling ranchland, and an arid volcano summit. While Kauai excels in the green, jagged peaks department, Maui has it all.

Maui’s two most notable natural features are the Road to Hana which is a gorgeous winding road through the junglish side of Maui featuring countless waterfalls and colorful sandy beaches, and Haleakala, the 10,000 foot summit of Maui’s dormant volcano. Watching sunrise or sunset at the summit of Haleakala is a completely unique experience. You’ll feel more like you’re on Mars than earth due to the terrain. And driving the road to Hana is one of the best adventure day trips in Hawaii. Along this route is where you’ll find the famous black and red sand beaches. Here’s something to note: both of these drives (while not dangerous) feature a LOT of winding roads so if you’re seriously prone to motion/carsickness that may have just knocked those out for you.

Hawaii Like a Local: Kauai with Rae-Marie May

Hawaii Like a Local is an interview series to help visitors to Hawaii start exploring less like a tourist and more like a local. This week’s guest is Rae-Marie May, owner and manager of Kauai Vacation Rental at Honu Point.

What island do you call home?

Kauai, The Garden Island

What’s your “Hawaii life” like?

My husband and I first came to the islands in 1980 and fell in love with Kauai. From that point on we came over whenever we could and eventually bought some property. In 2000 we moved over full time and now call Kauai our home. We live on the mountain side of the highway opposite the Princeville Resort on the north shore. Four years ago, we built a home on our beautiful, bluff lot we bought in 1987. The intention is to move into it once we can’t take care of the 23 acres we live on, but in the meantime, we decided to rent it out as a luxury vacation rental. I work very hard to give our guests the best vacation experience possible. We love our Kauai life and it gives me great pleasure to share it with our guests.

What’s your favorite thing to do on your island?

Enjoy the weather and the beauty of the north shore by riding bikes, taking walks, or reading at the beach. I also enjoy getting together with friends to create our own entertainment and fun.

What are your favorite local “gems” on the island?

I highlight my local “gems” in my blog articles which I write once or twice a week. Here’s my top 10 list.

How to Create the Perfect Kauai Itinerary

So you’ve got your airfare booked, hotel picked out, and rental car reserved. You’re all ready right? Not so fast. While it has glorious beaches, most people don’t go to Kauai just to lie on the beach and work on their tan. I mean, it’s too far and too expensive to just laze around the whole time. You want to get out there and experience the best things to do in Kauai.

So that means you’ll want to plan out some sort of daily itinerary so you’ll be able to see everything you want to see. Surprisingly, many people find this to be the trickiest part of planning their vacation. How much can you do in a day? What are the “don’t miss” spots and what’s overrated? Do you need to do organized tours or can you see everything on your own?

Don’t panic! ; ) I’m going to break down everything you need to know so you’ll be able to see all the best things to do in Kauai!

Island Breakdown

First up, you need to know a little bit about how Kauai is laid out. Kauai isn’t a very big island (it’s the smallest of the four main islands), but there’s pretty much only one road that runs around the island so it feels pretty broken up. It’s divided into four areas:

North shore: The north shore is the most epic part of Kauai. It’s lush and filled with jagged green peaks. You’ll find countless waterfalls and some of the island’s best hiking and beaches. It also rains a lot.

South shore: The south shore is dry and sunny and full of glorious beaches. The south has a nicely developed resort area (Po’ipu) and many people are drawn here because of the sunshine.

East side: The east side (also called the “Coconut Coast”) is a great home base for exploring Kauai. You’ll find easily accessible beaches, plenty of waterfalls and a lot of hiking trails.

West side: Kauai’s west side is pretty dry and desolate but home to Waimea Canyon and a lot of amazing trails.

Don’t Miss List

North Shore

Ke’e Beach: As far as the road goes on the north side, this beach is a stunner and a great spot for beginner snorkeling.

Snorkeling at Tunnels: You’ll find some of the best snorkeling on Kauai right off this famous north shore beach. If you can’t find parking (or the entrance), park at nearby Ha’ena State Park and walk to the right.

Lumahai Beach: Made famous from scenes in South Pacific, this beach is beautiful but not good for swimming.

Hideaways Beach: Accessed by a small trail near the St. Regis’s guard shack in Princeville, just finding this beach is half the fun. Read more detailed instructions for finding it in this post.

Hiking Kalalau Trail: This famed trail along the Napali Coast is 22 miles round trip and requires a permit, but the first two miles (four round trip) are open to day hikers. The trailhead is at Ke’e beach. Don’t miss this!

Hanalei Town: This north shore surf town definitely needs to be checked out. It has some great little boutiques and don’t miss the mai tais at Tahiti Nui.

Napali Coast Boat Tour: During the summer months (April to October), you HAVE to take a Napali Coast boat tour that leaves out of Hanalei. Book a tour in one of the small Zodiacs and spend four amazing hours zipping in and out of sea caves and admiring the most jaw dropping view you’ll see on Kauai.

Kilauea Lighthouse: Not a major attraction, but Kauai’s only lighthouse can be found on the north shore (east end) in Kilauea.

Where to Stay in Kauai

This post may contain some affiliate links, which means I’ll make a little money on anything you choose to purchase. But of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Hulaland possible.

If you’re planning a vacation to Kauai then you’re one lucky dog! It’s one of my favorite Hawaiian islands and probably the prettiest one at that. If you’re very far into the planning process, you’ve probably realized that picking the right place to stay is likely the trickiest (and most important) things you’ll have to do. Where you stay on Kauai can make or break your vacation and there are soooo many options that it can be overwhelming. Not to worry! I’m going to break it down for you, give you an overview of the island.

Side note: After you read up on the lay of the is(land) and know which part you want to stay on, check out these posts for specific recommendations:

7 Kauai budget hotels

12 Kauai beach resorts

20 cool Kauai Airbnb rentals

5 Best Family Friendly Resorts on Kauai

5 best Kauai honeymoon resorts

Top 10 luxury resorts in Hawaii

12 Favorite boutique hotels in Hawaii

Here’s everything you need to know about where to stay in Kauai:

Lay of the Land

Kauai is divided into four major sections (North Shore, East Shore, South Shore, and West Shore). Each section has its pros and cons and own individual personality. Depending on what you’re looking for and what’s most important to you (budget, convenience, stellar views, beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, etc.) one area of the island may be more desirable. Here’s a breakdown of Kauai’s four main areas:

North Shore: In my opinion, the north shore of Kauai is the most gorgeous place on the planet. It has beautiful beaches and the lush green mountainous landscapes that most people’s Hawaiian dreams are made of. As you might guess, it’s so lush because it rains more here than other parts of the island (especially in the winter). The north shore is home to the charming little surf town of Hanalei and some pretty spectacular luxury accommodations. While it’s stunningly gorgeous, it’s also a bit remote if you’re planning on exploring sites on the south and west sides of the island.

East Shore: The east shore is often referred to as the “coconut coast” and is the most developed part of the island. This is where you’ll find the most reasonably priced accommodations and it central location makes it a convenient location from which to explore the north and south shores. There are of course lovely beaches on the coconut coast (hello, this is Hawaii!) but you won’t find any awe inspiring backdrops as you will on the north shore and the amenities are usually not as convenient as those on the south shore. You’ll find more “local” beaches on the east side.

South Shore: Kauai’s south side is the driest and sunniest part of the island, which makes it very popular with tourists. There are plenty of big resorts so you’ll find plenty of shopping and dining options. You’ll also find a nice selection of beaches but expect them to be more crowded than beaches on other parts of the island. The south side is a convenient place from which to explore the west side (Waimea Canyon and Polihole beach) but not so convenient for seeing north shore sites.

West Shore: The west shore is definitely the least visited part of Kauai (except for visitors to Waimea Canyon) and not very many people stay here. It’s very barren, dry, and isolated, and not convenient to seeing the rest of the island. Really the only people who are going to be staying over here are hikers and backpackers.

RELATED: 15 Things to Do on Kauai

How to See the Napali Coast

Where to Eat on Kauai

5 Best Kauai Honeymoon Resorts

Hawaii is one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world and for good reason…it’s tropical, it has all of the amenities and activities you could want, and it’s relatively easy to get to for being on the other side of the world. Kauai is popular with honeymooners because of its laid back vibe and secluded nature.

Before I let you in on my favorite Kauai honeymoon resorts, here’s my biggest tip for planning the best honeymoon…pick the right time of year to go. Hawaii is an extremely family friendly vacation destination so when kids are out of school, expect even the swankiest resorts to have a pool full of kids. While a lot of places have adults only pools, kids are always around everywhere else you go, so if you’re looking for a quieter time to go, pick spring or fall (or at least avoid the summer and winter holidays). I’m not telling you this to make you think Hawaii isn’t the perfect honeymoon destination (it is), but many people mistakenly believe that by staying at a super expensive beach resort they’ll limit the kids (noise) around, but that’s not necessarily the case. When you go has more to do with it than where you stay.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Kauai? Read up on the lay of the (is)land here.

That being said, here are 5 amazing Kauai honeymoon resorts…

St. Regis Princeville: If you’re honeymooning on Kauai during the summer months (roughly April to October) there’s no place better than the St. Regis. It’s located on Kauai’s stunning north shore which is without a doubt the prettiest part of the island (although it rains a LOT in the winter months). The pool at the St. Regis boasts the BEST view of any resort in Hawaii hands down, and the luxe vibe is perfect for a honeymoon. Pricing starts at $515/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Ko’a Kea Hotel and Resort: Ko’a Kea is located on Kauai’s best beach (in my opinion) in sunny Poipu. If you’re visiting Kauai during the winter months, this is probably the best place on the island to stay. It’s luxurious and swanky and it’s well situated for day trips to Waimea Canyon and the north shore. You’re also likely to see turtle and Hawaiian monk seals basking in the sun just steps from the resort. Pricing starts at $449/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Grand Hyatt Kauai: If lounging by the pool is a big priority for your honeymoon, you’re going to love the Grand Hyatt. The resort grounds are immaculate and sprawling and there are enough pools and grottoes to keep you busy for a week. The beach isn’t great (too rough for swimming), but it’s just down the way from Poipu beach and you’ll find plenty of shopping and dining (don’t miss Tidepools!) nearby as well as a great spa at the resort itself. Pricing starts at $450/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Best Family Friendly Resorts on Kauai

Kauai is probably the most laid back Hawaiian Islands. While there may not be as much “to do” on Kauai there’s no shortage of beaches, hiking, and other outdoor activities that appeal to kids. There also aren’t a ton of beach resorts on Kauai (compared to the other islands) but there are a few truly fabulous beach resorts for families on Kauai.

RELATED: Not very familiar with Kauai? Read up on the lay of the (is)land here.

I feel like this post needs a disclaimer up front: pretty much anywhere you go in Hawaii is going to be kid friendly. Hawaii is not a stuffy destination. The most posh and expensive hotels on the island (hello, St Regis Princeville) caters to children quite amazingly and unless you’re at the adults only pool (many resorts have them, you’ll always find kids boogie boarding in the waves, bobbing around in the pool, and having dinner with their families. That being said, this list includes resorts that may appeal to children especially due to their pools or kids clubs, and parents due to their locations and convenience factors.

Kauai Marriott Resort: The Kauai Marriott Resort is probably my #1 pick for families visiting Kauai. It’s PACKED with amenities that are perfect for kids. This pace has one of the largest pools in Hawaii and also has a separate kids pool with a waterslide. There is plenty of dining on property and nearby and the resort’s location in Lihue makes it super convenient to the airport but also exploring the north and south sides of the island. Babysitting services are also available. Pricing starts at $300/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Grand Hyatt Kauai: This is my other favorite resort for families on Kauai. It’s pretty swanky, but very family friendly (comparable with the Grand Wailea on Maui). Located in sunny Poipu (south side), the only downside to staying at the Grand Hyatt is that the beach it’s situated on (Shipwreck Beach) isn’t very swimmable. However, the resort grounds and pool complex are so amazing that you likely won’t miss the beach. Besides the amazing pools, the resort has a lovely spa, plenty of dining and shopping, cultural activities (lei making, hula lessons, etc.) and a great kids club. Pricing starts at $450/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

Sheraton Kauai Resort: Located on what I think is the best beach on Kauai (Poipu beach) where finding turtles or Hawaiian monk seals sunning themselves in the sand is a common sight, you can’t go wrong with staying at the Sheraton. The pool is just steps form the sand and there are cabanas available for rent if you want a break from the sun. The resort also has a daily activity schedule with things like lei making, hula and ukulele lessons, island crafts, and watersport demos. Pricing starts at $230/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your stay.

20 Cool Kauai Airbnb Rentals

The most difficult part of planning a Hawaiian vacation for me is deciding where to stay. While I love luxurious beach resorts as much as the next girl, most of my trips to Hawaii tend to be pretty active (especially Kauai!), and it just doesn’t make sense to pay an arm and a leg to stay at a fancy place when I’ll be spending most of my days hiking in Waimea Canyon or boating down the Napali Coast. But…sometimes I like a little more comfort than a budget hotel provides.

Luckily, I’ve figured out the perfect way to save some cash and still get amazing amenities by staying in an Airbnb on Kauai! And yippee for you…I’ve got a $35 credit for you to use towards your stay! You can grab that right here.

But before I let you in on some of my favorite Kauai Airbnbs, you probably have a few questions…

What is Airbnb? Airbnb is an online booking platform that connects people who are looking to rent out their home (or condo, guest cottage, garage apartment, etc.) with people who are looking for that type of accommodation. Operating in over 200 countries and 35,000 cities, Airbnb has over 10,000 listings in Hawaii alone!

How does it work? By doing a simple search by island, you’ll be able to find a wide (price and type) range of accommodation. Some Airbnb listings are for a shared or private room in the “host’s” house and some are for an entire apartment, condo, or house. You can refine your search to fit certain criteria (part of the island, price, style, etc.) before you start weeding through specific properties. Once you settle on a property, you’ll work out the details with the host and submit your payment through Airbnb’s online booking system, which mediates the transaction.

Why Airbnb in Hawaii? Airbnb is a popular accommodation source all over the world, but Hawaii is an Airbnber’s dream. Hawaii has a great variety of accommodation options, which makes it the perfect place to try out Airbnb. Since Hawaii is a major vacation destination, there are of course MANY condos to choose form but besides condos, Hawaii has a ton of “ohanas.” Ohana means family (any Lilo and Stitch fans out there???) and in Hawaii the term is applied to separate living units located on the same property as the main house. Many homes in Hawaii are divided up into multiple spaces (each with its own private entrance, bathroom, kitchenette, etc.) while some have a guest cottage on the property. Because so many homes are configured this way, it’s easy to find a private apartment or cottage on the same property with a local host.

How does it save me money? There are several ways you’ll save money on a trip to Hawaii by staying in an Airbnb. The biggest way you’ll save money is that it’s soooo much cheaper than staying at a resort or hotel. On many islands you can find condos or ohanas either right on or just a block or two from the beach. Plus, resorts can get expensive really fast if you have more than two adults staying in a room. Airbnbs are perfect for larger parties who can rent an entire house or multi bedroom condo and split the cost. Another big benefit that Airbnbs offer is the full kitchen (or kitchenette depending on what you book). Having a place to cook some meals and a fridge to store snacks and drinks can really save you a lot. Another big plus to staying in a hosted Airbnb is that they often provide gear for you to use. If you’re staying at a beach resort, they’ll only provide chairs and umbrellas for you at their beach, but an Airbnb or condo will often have chairs, umbrellas, beach towels, coolers, and snorkeling gear for you to use during your stay. This is a pretty big bonus if you’re the adventuresome type who likes to check out different beaches and do day trips to explore the island.

Before I let you in on some of my favorite Airbnb’s, if you’re not very familiar with Kauai, you should read this post to get the lay of the is(land) and decide which area you’d most like to stay.

20 Cool Kauai Airbnbs

West Side

Pali Cottage at Waimea Heights: This 3 bedroom plantation style cottage has sweeping views of the Waimea Valley and the ocean and starts at $179/night.

South Shore

Kauai’s Aloha Studio: This comfy studio in Kalaheo on the south side starts at just $108/night!

Prince Kuhio Condo: Just 20 yards from the beach, you’ll find some of the island’s best snorkeling and surfing right outside this one bedroom condo, which starts at $139/night.

Poipu Beach Guest House: Located in a quiet neighborhood, just still just a stone’s throw from Poipu, this upper story guesthouse starts at $145/night.

Sunny Poipu Condo: This one bedroom condo located within walking distance to sunny Poipu Beach starts at $149/night.

100 Steps to Poipu Beach: Located just 100 steps to Poipu Beach, this two-bedroom condo is the perfect place for a vacation on the south side and starts at $180/night.

Perfect Poipu Home: This quiet two bedroom condo just five minutes from Poipu Beach has pool access and starts at just $113/night.