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.

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.

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.

101 Things to Do on Kauai

You’re going to Kauai??! You’re going to have soooo much fun! I’ve put together my ultimate bucket list of things to do on Kauai, all 101 of them! Now of course you won’t get to all of these one one trip, but use this list to pick and choose what sounds best to you so you’ll be on your way to planning the perfect Kauai vacation!

1.Helicopter Tour: This is easily the #1 MUST DO on Kauai. Not only will you see the amazing Waimea Canyon and stunning Napali Coast, but you’ll see parts of Kauai you won’t be able to see any other way.

2.Waimea Canyon: Mark Twain called Waimea Canyon the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” and it doesn’t disappoint.

3.Queen’s Bath: Only venture out to this swimming hole on the north shore when the water’s calm!

4.Napali Coast Boat Tour: The best bang for your buck way to see the Napali Coast.

5.Search for Hawaiian Monk Seals: The sunny south shore of Kauai is a favorite resting area for the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals.

6.Wailua Falls: The 80-foot waterfall just outside of Lihue is practically a drive up waterfall, making it a popular spot.

7.Kayak the Wailua River: It’s the only navigable river in the state.

8.Fern Grotto: Kayak or take a boat tour up the Wailua River to this iconic spot.

9.Go tubing down old sugar can irrigation ditches: “Float da ditch” with Kauai Backcountry Adventures.

10.Smith Family Luau: Kauai’s most charming luau.

11.Kilauea Lighthouse: Kauai’s only lighthouse can be found on the north shore.

12.Spouting Horn: Kauai’s famous blowhole is easily accessible (there’s a big parking lot and souvenir booths set up) and quite a sight.

13.Opaekaa Falls: Another drive by waterfall, this one has a great overlook and is easy to find.

14.Kalalau Overlook: This gorgeous overlook at Waimea Canyon will give you a bird’s eye view of part of the Napali Coast.

15.Hanalei Pier: Walk out onto Hanalei pier for spectacular views of the bay and mountains.

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, and Airbnbs.

16.Paddleboard or surf in Hanalei Bay: Rent boards at a place in town and paddle around the bay, or take surf lessons with Hawaiian Surfing Adventures.

17.Kapaa Beach Path: Bike or walk for miles on this paved oceanfront pathway.

18.Horseback riding at Silver Falls Ranch: Do a trail ride through this tropical oasis, which stops for lunch near a waterfall.

19.Koloa Zipline: This lush course is the place to go if ziplining is on your Hawaii bucket list.

20.Ride ATVs: Kipu Ranch offers some great ATV tours of “undiscovered” Kauai.

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.

7 Kauai Budget Hotels

While most people think Hawaii is super expensive, it’s actually pretty easy to find a budget hotel in Kauai.

Not very familiar with Kauai? Read up on the lay of the is(land) here to get an idea of what part of the island you’d like to stay on.

Kauai Budget Hotels

Kauai Shores: I stayed at Kauai Shores on my last trip to Kauai and I LOVED it! It’s easy on the budget but the rooms and common spaces are bright and airy, the onsite restaurant is amazing, and it’s right on the beach! It’s location on the east side of the island makes it perfectly situated for exploring both the north and the south shores. Pricing starts at $109/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your dates.

Hotel Coral Reef: Located right in the heart of historic Kapa’a, the Coral Reef Inn is the perfect place to stay if you like a convenient location and being able to walk to restaurants and shops. It’s right on the beach and a bike path runs right by it giving you easy access to Lydgate beach. Pricing starts at $145/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your dates.

Kauai Palms Hotel: Located just 5 minutes from the airport in Lihue, Kauai Palms Hotel is the perfect efficiency hotel to set up camp for a week exploring the island. Studio rooms have air conditioning and either a full kitchen or a kitchenette. Pricing starts at $85/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your dates.

Courtyard Kauai: With a great location on Coconut Beach, the Courtyard Kauai is a great beachfront budget hotel that feels more like a resort. Pricing starts at $149/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your dates.

Not sure where to begin with deciding where to stay in Hawaii? I mean, even once you’ve settled on an island (or two), deciding which part of the island to stay on can be tricky, especially if you don’t really know the lay of the is(land). I’ve created a guide that breaks down the different resort areas (and more off the beaten path parts) of each island to make your planning process easier. Sign up below to get your FREE where to stay guide (it’s 6 pages y’all!) and get started planning your vacation.

Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay: Located right next to Lydgate beach park, rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn come with a mini fridge, microwave, and Keurig coffeemaker. Suites with an extra pull out bed are also available. Pricing starts at $149/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your dates.

Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy: This well maintained, low key resort sits right on the water along the Lydgate pathway (for walking or biking). The resort has studio units as well as one and two bedroom units. It also features two outdoor pools, a hot tub, a poolside bar, and a casual restaurant. Pricing starts at $145/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your dates.

RELATED: 15 Things to Do on Kauai

How to See the Napali Coast

Where to Eat on Kauai

25 Things to Know Before You Go to Kauai

The Kauai Inn: This plantation style inn is family owned and operated and the perfect basecamp for exploring the island. It’s not beachfront, but situated in a lush tropical garden. Pricing starts at $118/night. Click here to check pricing and availability during your dates.

P.S. This post contains some affiliate links, but don’t worry; I’ll only send you to the very best spots.

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I’ve included information on everything from when to go to which island to visit to where to stay to how to plan your days. And it’s all broken down by a trip planning timeline so you’ll know when to book what.

So what exactly do you get? With Hawaii Dreamin’, you’ll get 9 PDF guides: Trip Planning Timeline, When to Go, Which Island to Visit, Where to Stay, Booking Airfare, Renting a Car, How to Plan Your Days, How to Make Your Own Google Maps, and What to Pack.

You’ll also get access to my popular Maui, Kauai, and Oahu itineraries. Each itinerary comes with 10-15 pages of commentary explaining why I recommend doing certain things (plus various options to suit your interests).

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12 Kauai Beach Resorts

If you’re the type who loves staying at a nice beach resort on vacation (hey, I’m with you!), you’re going to love Kauai! Spread out between the north, east, and south shores, Kauai has some pretty fabulous beach resorts ranging from down right luxurious to more economical.

Here are my favorite Kauai beach resorts broken down by location. Click through the links to check pricing and availability for your travel dates.

Not super familiar with Kauai? Read this post to help you get the lay of the land and decide which area of Kauai is right for you.

North Shore

St. Regis Princeville: The crown jewel of the north shore is the St. Regis Princeville. If you’re looking for a once in a lifetime experience on Kauai, you’ll find it here. Even if you can’t swing it for your whole trip, I would highly recommend at least spending a night or two here. The pool and beach area offer some of the best views on the north shore. Click here to check rates and availability during your stay.

Westin Princeville Ocean Resort: The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas are lovely and although not beachfront (most of Princeville is Cliffside), guests to have access to the beach at the nearby St. Regis. Click here to check rates and availability during your stay.

Hanalei Colony Resort: If you really want to get away from it all, this beachfront hideaway on Kauai’s lush north shore is the place to do it. You won’t find televisions or phones here but you will find plenty of natural beauty. Click here to check rates and availability during your stay.

Hanalei Bay Resort: This fabulous resort tucked away on Kauai’s secluded north shore, has a fabulous pool area, gorgeous beach, and even tennis facilities. It’s also a popular spot for destination weddings. Click here to check rates and availability during your stay.

East Shore

Kauai Marriott Resort: I think the Kauai Marriott Resort is the best “bang for your buck” beach resort on the island. It has one of the largest pools in Hawaii, a golf course nearby, and a full service spa. Starting at $215/night, the Kauai Marriott Resort is definitely a bargain. Click here to check rates and availability during your stay.

6 Days on Kauai: The Best Things to Do in Kauai

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.

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, and Airbnbs.

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.

Wish you had a map to all of the best spots in Kauai? Click the graphic below to get instant access to ALL of my Hawaii Google maps including Kauai Favorites, Best Kauai Beaches, Best Shaved Ice in Hawaii, 18 Hawaii Waterfalls, plus favorites from the other islands as well. You don’t want to miss out on these! So get instant access to the FREE Google maps by signing up below!

South Shore

Po’ipu Beach: This favorite south shore beach has excellent snorkeling and is the best place on the island to spot Hawaiian Monk Seals sunning themselves in the sand. It has great amenities and you can easily spend a day here.

Spouting Horn: Kauai’s famous blowhole is easily accessible (there’s a big parking lot and souvenir booths set up) and quite a sight.

Maha’ulepu Trail & Beach: This heritage trail takes you past an open ceiling cave and down to a usually deserted beach.

Koloa Town: Historic Koloa town is perfect for poking around. You’ll find plenty of boutiques and cafes as well as a historical center.

RELATED: 15 Things to Do on Kauai

How to See the Napali Coast

Kauai’s 10 Best Beaches

Hiking the Kalalau Trail

Helicopter Tour of Kauai

Napali Coast Boat Tour

East Side

Wailua Falls: You can drive right up to Kauai’s most famous waterfall. It’s just a short ways out of Lihue.

Opaekaa Falls: Another drive by waterfall, this one has a great overlook and is easy to find.

Kayak Wailua River to Secret Falls: Kill two birds with one stone here. Try out kayaking up with calm Wailua River, and land your kayaks and hike up to Secret Falls.

Fern Grotto: Kauai’s famous Fern Grotto isn’t as spectacular as is used to be (thanks Hurricane Iniki!) but it’s still pretty neat.

Smith Family Luau: Kauai’s best luau is hosted by the Smith Family, and you’ll feel like part of the family after spending an evening at their tropical garden. If you do a luau on Kauai, make it this one!

Helicopter Tour: This is my #1 don’t miss thing on Kauai. It’s expensive, but there are parts of Kauai that you won’t be able to see any other way. Skip helicopter tours on Maui and Oahu but don’t miss it here!

Kapa’a Town: Kapa’a is a great bustling historic town full of shops and restaurants.

West Side

Waimea Canyon: Second only to the Napali Coast, the Waimea Canyon is Kauai’s biggest attraction. Called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” it’s pretty stunning. There are a handful of overlooks each offering a different perspective of the canyon. Don’t miss the Kalalau overlook. This is a great glimpse of the Napali Coast.

Canyon & Cliff Hike: If you’re into hiking, these are the most popular hikes on the west side of Kauai (they both end up on the same trail).

Hanapepe Town: This charming old Hawaiian town is rumored to be the inspiration behind Disney’s Lilo and Stitch and it also has a wooden swimming bridge. Check it out!

Tips for Creating an Itinerary

1. Try not to over plan. Only plan 1-2 “must dos” a day.

2. Don’t underestimate how long it can take to get around the island.

3. Focus on one part of the island each day.

4. Absolutely do not miss the Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon.

5. Book your activities before you arrive and schedule helicopter tours and boat excursions early in your trip in case they need to be rescheduled due to weather.
6. Read reviews on restaurants ahead of time so you don’t end up at overpriced tourist traps.

7. Be flexible on switching days around. It rains a lot on the north shore so if you get a sunny day, spend it on that part of the island.

8. Check availability on activities before you schedule your days out. Certain activities (like luaus) will only be a few nights a week.

Struggling to put together the perfect itinerary that lets you see all of Kauai’s highlights while still having time to chill at the beach?

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Check it out here.

I’ve included everything from the best snorkeling spots, beaches, and excursions and it’s all broken down by each part of the island so you won’t waste any time backtracking.

So what exactly do you get? With Kauai Bound, you’ll get a 3, 4, 5, and 6-day itinerary and I’m not just talking about a bullet point list of to dos. Each itinerary comes with 10-15 pages of commentary explaining why I recommend doing certain things (plus various options to suit your interests). Each itinerary also comes with its own Google Map (broken down by day). You’ll also get an itinerary template that you can use to make your own, along with extensive tips on creating your own itinerary, a huge list of things to do on Kauai, and directions for making your own Google Maps.

This is basically vacation in a box, friend! Just add a bit of salt water and you’re in for the trip of a lifetime!

Click here to grab the Kauai Bound itinerary bundle.

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10 Best Kauai Beaches

Most people come to Kauai for sunshine and beaches…and these beaches sure don’t disappoint! Kauai’s beaches have some of the most gorgeous backdrops you’ll find anywhere in the world.

A word about Kauai’s beaches though…surprisingly, many of Kauai’s beaches aren’t considered swimmable or they have rough currents and rip tides that you need to watch out for. Always check conditions before you get in the water!

With that being said, here are 10 Kauai beaches that I think you really need to check out:

North Shore

The north shore is my favorite part of the island and it’s where many of my favorite beaches are located. This is the lushest part of the island but that’s because it’s the wettest. That means beautiful beaches but not always the best beach weather.

Ke’e Beach: This is as far as you can go on the north shore. It’s a beautiful little spot but it has minimal parking (unless you arrive early you’ll have to park on the side of the road). This is an excellent snorkeling and swimming beach as it’s completely protected by a reef. It also has great amenities (restrooms, showers, picnic tables, etc.) and it’s the trailhead for the Kalalau Trail (the famed Napali Coast hike). If part of your group wants to opt out of the four-mile hike, this is an excellent place to hang out.

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, and Airbnbs.

Ha’ena State Park: Just around the corner from Ke’e (and actually this whole stretch is one long connected beach), this may be the most picturesque spot in Kauai. The beach is wide and gorgeous and the green mountains form the perfect backdrop down at the west end. There’s a lifeguard here and a decent sized parking lot. This isn’t my favorite spot to swim, as it’s open and unprotected so pay attention to warnings before getting in.

Tunnels: A little ways down from Ha’ena State Park is what’s probably the best snorkeling on Kauai. It’s hard to find the entrances (two dirt roads with minimal parking), but what you’ll notice are all the “no parking” signs. That’s how you know you’re near. If there’s no parking (or you can’t find the entrance), park at Ha’ena State Park and walk to the right.

Kauai

20 Cool Kauai Airbnbs

West Side

South Shore

Kauai Budget Hotels

North Shore

East Shore

Island Breakdown

Don’t Miss List

North Shore

South Shore

East Side

West Side

Tips for Creating an Itinerary

Struggling to put together the perfect itinerary that lets you see all of Kauai’s highlights while still having time to chill at the beach?

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