Our recommendations for the island.  Please reach out to us for more information!  All pictures below were taken during our last trip to Kauai!

NORTHWEST SIDE OF ISLAND

Napali Coast (#1 of 147 atractions in Kauai by TripAdvisor)– See it by land, sea and/or air

• By Air
  • Amazing views of waterfalls, the Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon
  • Airplane tour is about half the price of helicopter tours, we recommend Wings over Kauai (#1 of 151 activities in Kauai by TripAdvisor) if you are going to do the airplane tour
  • Helicopters get you closer to the waterfalls and into the valleys but are more pricey
  • Most trips leave from outside Lihue Airport on the east side of the island
  • Try to sit on the right side of the aircraft/helicopter as all flights go clockwise around the island

• By land: Kalalau Trail (#7 of 147 attractions in Kauai by TripAdvisor)
  • Hike in about 2 miles from Ke’e Beach – Bring a lot of water – hang out at the beach after the hike
  • To access the trail, park down in the parking lot by Ke’e Beach – you will see a sign that say Kalalau Trail
  • The first 2 miles do not require a permit… there is a secluded beach at the end (Hanakapiai Beach)

Kalalau Trailhead – The start of the Napali Coast hike

Hanakapiai Beach

• If you want to go further without a permit, there is a waterfall Hanakapiai Falls (#9 of 147 attractions in Kauai by TripAdvisor) 2 more miles inland from the beach here but it is a very strenuous hike with several stream crossings and slippery rock along the way

• Other views along the first 2 miles

• Also at Ke’e Beach (the beach where you park at for the trail), if you are there around sunset or anytime really for that matter there is a really good view looking down the Napali Coast if you walk out past the main beach for about 5 minutes… you will see rocks on the left side facing the ocean… There is a small informal trail to the left of the rocks… walk along that to access a more isolated sandy area with GREAT VIEWS. See the photos that follow.  Probably needs to be during low tide

• By Boat
  • Snorkel/sail tour – Best to leave from the north shore instead of south – you see more of the coast
  • We recommend Captain Sundown Cruise and Snorkel – book in advance if you do
  • It may be wise to take some Dramamine in advance to avoid getting sick.  Once you do, it is too late so this is a good precautionary

 

SOUTHWEST SIDE OF ISLAND

Waimea Canyon Drive (#2 of 147 attractions in Kauai by TripAdvisor)

• Great views of the canyon as well as views back down to the Napali Coast/Pacific Ocean from above
• Drive to the end of the canyon road… There a several lookouts to stop at along the way
• The pictures don’t do the view justice. you need to see it in person
• Check out Kalalau Lookout (#5 of 147 attractions in Kauai by TripAdvisor), Puu Hinahina Lookout, Waimea Canyon Lookout among the others

 

EAST SIDE OF ISLAND

Lihue

• Kauai Marriott Resort – Have a drink out by the giant pool
• Walk through the hotel and down to the beach… There is cool restaurant / bar to have drinks at to the left called Dukes (have a drink/appetizers on the patio for happy hour, sometimes live music)

 

SOUTHEAST SIDE OF ISLAND

Poipu

• There are shops here and some good restaurants
• Check out the blow hole (Spouting Horn)

 

NORTHEAST SIDE OF ISLAND

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (#36 of 147 attractions in Kauai by TripAdvisor)

• Lighthouse and Wildlife Area here.  On northeast side of island

 

NORTH SIDE OF ISLAND

Hanalei Bay (#8 of 147 attractions in Kauai by TripAdvisor) / Hanalei / Hanalei Beach (#10 of 147 attractions in Kauai by TripAdvisor)

• If you take a boat tour of the Napali coast, I believe most of the northern departures leave from here.
• Check out Hanalei.  Small restaurants and shops… there is also a beautiful church sitting under the backdrop of the mountains
• Recommended Java Kai for breakfast
• We ate at pizza place here called Tahiti Nui (good if you are looking for a cheaper meal

 

Princeville

• Check out the St Regis Bar!  Drinks are expensive but the view cannot be beat
• Have a drink down by the pool as well (you need to go down the elevator, cross buildings, go down another elevator and then you are down by the beach
• Good views of Hanalei Bay and Bali Hai from here!

 

Hanalei Valley Lookout (#25 of 147 attractions in Kauai by TripAdvisor)

• There is a viewing area right the the Princeville Shopping Place

 

Hideaways Beach

 

• Short (steep) hike down some steep steps to a very secluded beach
• You will see the access trail for this directly next to the St Regis parking lot (between the parking lot and the Puu poa condos

 

EAST SIDE OF ISLAND

Waterfalls

• You will see a lot from any air tour you go on
• Wailua Falls (East side of the island, easy to drive to, parking was a little tricky)
  • To reach them, take Hwy 56 to Hanama’ulu to Hwy 583 (Ma’alo Road). Follow this road about 6 miles to the end

• Opaeka’a Falls (East side of island, easy to drive to)
  • Viewing area just off Kuamo’o Road. On the other side of the road you can view the Wailua River. Take Hwy 56 to Hwy 580 (Kuamo’o) and turn toward the mountains. Drive uphill a mile or two to the parking area where you can see the water fall.

 

Sea Kayaking or River Kayaking

• We didn’t do this either of these but would of if we had more time as we heard great things about it… I think kayaking the Napali coast would be amazing. Make sure you go with a guided tour. Probably not recommended if you have a bad back. Might be a little strenuous but if you like kayaking I believe this is ranked as the #1 place to kayak in the world by many. A little easier may be the river kayaking since you don’t have ocean currents and waves to deal with.  Recommended river is the Wailua and then hike to Secret Falls

River Tubing

• We didn’t do it, but we heard good things about tubing on the rivers… I can’t remember which one but one of them you go through some irrigation tunnels and they give you headlamps

Hiking

• Pihea Trail to Alaki Swamp – Be prepared for rain / some mud when not on boardwalk
• Kalalau Trail
• There are shorter hikes on both the east and south sides.  Refer to guidebook

Snorkeling

• Lydgate Beach Park
• Ke’e Beach
• Tunnels
• Po’ipu Beach

Sunset Views

• St Regis Princesville
• Ke’e Beach
• Couple miles up on Waimea Canyon Drive
• Spouting Horn

Sunrise Views

• Lyngate Beach

Bars

• Hyatt Bar
• Sheraton
• Dukes
• Keoki’s Paradise
• Tahiti Nui

Resorts to walk

• Sheraton Kauai
• Marriott Kauai
• St Regis
• Hyatt – Beautiful Grounds

Beaches

• Ke’e Beach
• Tunnels
• Hanalei
• Hideaways
• Queens Bath
• Lyngate

Misc

• Wear a lot of sunscreen and REAPPLY. The sun is intense.  Don’t get burnt early in the trip
• Bring rain gear
• Bring warmer clothes for night and/or higher elevations (Waimea Canyon can be 15 degrees cooler)
• Bring more water than you think you will need for hikes
• Be cautious of slippery rocks on hikes (felt based shoes are good for this)
• Short sleeve button dress shirts work everywhere at night and jeans
• Be careful leaving valuables in your car at trail heads or other parking lots such as at Ke’e beach as these are prime spots for break-in
• Driving
  • Cell phones require headsets
  • One lane bridge etiquette – 6-8 vehicles proceed at a time on each side (follow the car in front of you unless 6-8 vehicles have already proceeded in which case stop and allow the other 6-8 vehicles from the other side)