Kauai
Travel Guide
Travel Tips
About:
The lushest of the Hawaiian islands, Kauai is filled with incredible natural beauty — from the towering cliffs and waterfalls of the dramatic Na Pali Coast (where Jurassic Park was filmed!), to the vast rust-hued valleys of Waimea Canyon (dubbed the “Grand Canyon of Hawaii”), to the powdery white-sand beaches of Poipu.
The island is quite small; you can easily drive around the whole island in a day. The South Shore (Poipu) is Kauai’s main resort area and is very family friendly, with plenty of restaurants and sunny beaches. The East Shore (Lihue and Kapa’a) is quieter and has a more relaxed feel. The North Shore (Hanalei and Princeville) is the most scenic area, and is home to the epic Kalalau Trail and Hanakapi’ai Falls waterfall hike.
When to visit:
The best times to visit are April-May and Sept-Oct, when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are smaller. Fun fact: Kauai is one of the wettest places on the planet. But don’t worry — the island enjoys mild to warm temperature year round, and rain is light and intermittent.
Ideal stay:
3-5 days
Getting around:
We definitely recommend renting a car, and you can rent one at Lihue airport upon arrival. Consider Turo as a more affordable and convenient rental option. Save all of our Kauai recs to your Google Maps for easily navigation once you’re there.
Where to stay
Our picks for the best hotels and B&Bs in Kauai
Notes:
Kauai excels at boutique and mid-range hotels, but unlike islands like Maui, only has a few super high-end hotels. In general, it’s less about luxury on Kauai are more about laid-back vibes and local exploration.
The South Shore (Poipu) is Kauai’s main resort town and has the highest concentration of hotels/resorts; it’s very family friendly with lots of restaurants and sunny beaches. The East Shore (Lihue and Kapa’a) is quieter and has a more relaxed feel. The North Shore (Hanalei and Princeville) is the most scenic area and Hanalei is our favorite town, but just note that there aren’t a ton of hotel options here.
Any hotel marked with an asterisk (*) is a preferred partner hotel; by booking through us, you’ll receive VIP perks including a free room upgrade, complimentary daily breakfasts, premium amenities, early check-in / late check-out, and resort credits to spend during your stay. Contact us for details!
Luxury hotels:
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay*, North Shore
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa*, South Shore
Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences*, East Shore
Mid-range hotels:
Ko’a Kea Resort on Poipu Beach*, South Shore
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, North Shore
Koloa Landing Resort, South Shore
Boutique hotels / B&Bs:
Waimea Plantation Cottages, South/West Shore
The Palmwood, East Shore
Hanalei Colony Resort, North Shore
Villas:
The Lodge at Kukui'ula, South Shore
Things to do
Our picks for the best experiences and areas to explore in Kauai
The musts:
Hike, cruise, or helicopter along the Na Pali Coast
Visit the cute town of Hanalei
Take in views of Waimea Canyon
Kayak the Wailua River
Relax on the beaches of Poipu
All:
Rent kayaks and paddle up the lush Wailua River. You can rent kayaks or book a guided tour. Kayak pickup is between 8-10am, and drop-off before 4pm. Note: closed on weekends, so plan accordingly.
Hike along the Na Pali Coast to Hanakapi'ai Falls via the Kalalau Trail, starting at Ke’e Beach near Hanalei. Note: advance permit required. Moderate to difficult hike, trail is about 8 miles round-trip. After your hike, relax on Ke’e Beach or Tunnels Beach and enjoy lunch in Hanalei.
Spend a day in Hanalei town, full of beautiful bay and mountain views, lush greenery, white-sand beaches, and great food trucks, cafes, and restaurants.
Soar over Kauai’s verdant rainforests, waterfalls, and coastline on a helicopter tour departing from Lihue
Do a sunrise hike up Sleeping Giant in Kapa’a and watch the sun rise over the ocean. Hike is moderate and mostly uphill; bring headlamps.
Embark on a waterfall ATV adventure or go ziplining in Lihue
Hike the Okolehao Trail in Princeville
Enjoy a romantic private horseback ride along the beach in Poipu
Go mountain tubing in Lihue, a unique and fun experience
Admire Kauai’s coastline from the water on a cruise along the Na Pali Coast; depart from the South Shore on this one or this one, or from the North Shore on this one or this one. Note: not recommended for those prone to seasickness, as the waters can get rough, especially in the winter.
Drive to Waimea Canyon, dubbed the “Grand Canyon of Hawaii” and embark on one of the many hikes or simply enjoy the views from a lookout point
Make the trek to Polihale Beach, a super remote and rugged beach on the less-visited West Shore. You’ll feel like you’re at the edge of the world. Note: 4WD required, and the road to the beach is long and bumpy, so be prepared.
Beaches:
North Shore: Hanalei Beach, Ke’e Beach (reservation now required to enter Ha’ena State Park, where Ke’e Beach is located), Tunnels Beach, Kalihiwai Beach, Kauapea Beach (“Secret Beach”), Kahili Beach (“Rock Quarry Beach”)
East Shore: Anahola Beach, Kealia Beach
South Shore: Poipu Beach, Shipwreck Beach (note: Poipu has the warmest/sunniest beaches on the island)
West Shore: Polihale Beach (very remote; 4WD required)
Where to eat/drink
Our picks for the best restaurants in Kauai
North Shore:
1 Hotel Hanalei - luxury hotel with a restaurant overlooking Hanalei Bay
The Dolphin Restaurant - poke bowls and sushi
AMA - fantastic ramen with scenic patio views
Sushi Girl - sushi and poke bowls to go
Bar Acuda - popular tapas spot
Postcards - farm-fresh veggie and seafood dishes in a plantation beach house
Hanalei Bread Company - organic cafe, casual breakfast/lunch spot
Aloha Juice Bar - bowls & juices
Fresh Bite - healthy veg food truck
Trucking Delicious - yummy hearty plates, get the coconut shrimp
Nourish Hanalei - food stand serving healthy bowls with scenic views
Tahiti Nui - casual tiki bar with live music nightly
Kilauea Fish Market - great local fish market
Palate Wine Bar & Restaurant – cute wine bar with small plates and pizzas
East Shore:
Hukilau Lani - waterfront seafood spot with live music most nights
Duke's - classic Hawaiian surf-themed restaurant right on the water
JO2 - great Hawaiian-French fusion in a no-frills setting
Konohiki Seafood - casual spot for fresh seafood and delicious poke
Mermaid’s Cafe - casual walk-up window for healthy wraps
Street Burger - great burgers in nice space
Scorpacciata Neapolitan Pizza Kauai - pizza truck
Paco’s Tacos - casual Mexican, multiple locations
Eat Healthy Kauai / RUSSELL'S - healthy spot with vegan bites
Gaylord's at Kilohana - authentic island dining experience at a former plantation, East Shore
Hukilau Lanai - upscale spot for Hawaiian fare with nightly music, East Shore
Hualani's - nice dinner spot, restaurant at Timbers Resort, East Shore
South Shore:
Puka Dog – Hawaiian-style hotdogs
Koloa Fish Market - no frills, casual dining with some of the best poke in town
Da Crack - simple Mexican walk-up window with awesome tacos
Little Fish Coffee - good coffee spot with tasty bites
Japanese Grandma’s Café - great sushi and poke bowls in the cute local town of Hanapepe
Midnight Bear Breads - pastries & sandwiches (closed Sun, Mon, Tues)
Kalaheo Café - casual Hawaiian spot
Ishihara’s Market - great poke bowl options in their deli, grab on the way to/from Waimea Canyon hike
Kauai Island Brewing Company - casual beers and bites, great for before or after your Na Pali Coast cruise
Paco’s Tacos - casual Mexican, multiple locations
Warehouse 3540 - food trucks and shops in trendy warehouse
The Dolphin Poipu - well-known sushi spot
Food trucks in Poipiu: Taco Libre, Kickshaws, Chip Wrecked, Big Monster Sushi, many more
Red Salt - nice restaurant at Ko’a Kea Resort
Tidepools - nice dinner spot, restaurant at the Grand Hyatt Poipu, South Shore
Eating House 1849 - nice dinner sport, upscale Hawaiian-fusion fare, South Shore
The Beach House - nice dinner spot, good ambience and ocean views, South Shore