First time traveling to Kauai? This Kauai travel guide will cover all the best things to do on Kauai from the best places to stay, beaches, outdoor adventures, and more! Kauai is the oldest island in Hawaii and it’s rich in culture, dramatic landscapes, and delicious eats. I personally loved that Kauai didn’t feel too commercialized and still has its old charm.
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What to pack for Kauai?
Packing the right gear can really make or break your trip. The weather and terrain in Kauai is NOT like what we have on the mainland. From flash floods to the ever changing weather, these are some of the things i’d recommend you bring to make the most out of your trip.
- Teva Sandals : So great for beach days and water crossings
- Rain Jacket: Light & waterproof
- Hiking backpack with hydration: I’ve had this Osprey for YEARS. Super durable and has tons of compartments
- Waterproof hiking boots: These are seriously the best. No break in time needed.
- Light down Jacket: I used this for the helicopter tour & boat tour since it gets COLD out there.
- Kinfield Sunglow SPF 35: Glowy skin and reef safe.
When is the best time to travel to Kauai?
To get the best combo of lower prices and best weather, I would recommend visiting between August and October and from April to June. These months have less rainfall and are just at the shoulder of Kauai’s busy season.
Winter months of December to March are very popular for Kauai since it provides an escape for the cold but these are some of Kauai’s worst weather months with high swells and rain. This is the best time to go whale watching though so if that’s on your bucket-list then a winter trip might be right for you.
How many days do you need in Kauai?
If you have a limited amount of time, lucky for you Kauai is very small! I’d recommend at least 3-4 nights to enjoy some hiking, outdoor activities, and relaxation.
The Best Hotels in Kauai
For our 5 day trip, we decided to base ourselves in Kapa’a which was a decision we were very happy with! People either split their trip between the North or South shore but since we had such a short time, we didn’t want to deal with moving hotels between our trip. Kapa’a is on the east side of the island and it’s right in the middle of all the attractions. The town itself was VERY cute with lots of delicious food trucks.
Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort
We stayed at the Sheraton which has the best facilities without an outrageous price. They had a nice pool, hot tub, free bikes, and we really loved the area it was in. Overall I would stay here again if I were to revisit Kauai. Check Rates
Kauai Shores Hotel
Another hotel I considered in Kapa’a was Kauai Shores Hotel. It’s smaller and a little bit more affordable than the Sheraton. Their rooms are also newly renovated and they have a beach front pool. Check Rates
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
If I was willing to splurge on this trip, this would be the hotel I’d choose. This upscale eco conscious hotel boasts some of the best views of Kauai from their pool & rooms. Check Rates
The Best Things to do in Kauai
Doors Off Helicopter Tour
If there is ONE thing you have to do on this trip, let it be a Door’s off helicopter tour over the Na Pali Coast. As someone with anxiety flying, I did NOT find a doors off tour to be scary at all. If you feel more comfortable having the doors on, you can still book those as I’m sure it’s an epic experience as well. Tip: Book a private tour since most tours cancel when they don’t meet the minimum passengers and you don’t want to be stuck with a group in case they get motion sickness. Book Now
For a full guide on choosing a helicopter in Kauai, check out THIS BLOG.
Na Pali Coast Zodiac Boat Tour
For an adrenaline pumping adventure, I highly recommend a Zodiac tour of the Na Pali coastline. The best way I can describe it is like riding a mellow mechanical bull on water. It’s bumpy, fast, but fun. Our tour included snorkeling and exploring sea caves. Tip: Book a morning tour for calmer water & wildlife spotting. Book Your Tour HERE
Snorkel or swim in Tunnels Beach
Tunnels beach was the most beautiful beach we visited. The backdrop of this beach is a gorgeous mountain with a WATERFALL and the water is perfectly clear and calm. It’s the ideal place to swim, snorkel, and take some photos. Tip: Get here before 8am since the parking fills up really fast. If you can’t find a place to park, you can park in Haena Beach Park which has a bigger lot and walk over. It’s only about a 15 minute walk from this park.
Go Mountain Tubing
Go on a scenic & historic tubing adventure through old plantations in Kauai. The tour also includes a 4×4 ride with photo stops and a picnic at the end of your trip. Book this experience HERE.
Attend a Beach Front Luau
The Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort boasts the only beachfront Luau on the island. We loved that we kicked off our trip to Kauai with this experience. The Luau includes a Hawaiian buffet style feast and open bar.
Spot Sea Turtles on Poipu Beach
This beach is a great place to spot the Hawaiian Green Turtles basking in the sun. You can also find Monk Seals co existing here with the turtles but please keep your distance and respect the signs. This is for the safety of you and the animals. While you’re here, you can also grab the famous Puka Dog. It’s a Hawaiian style hot dog with tropical relishes and passionfruit mustard.
The Best Hikes in Kauai
Kauai draws lots of visitors every year for its rugged beauty. As a reminder, please be respectful of these trails so we can continue to preserve them for generations to come and follow these principles.
- Stay on the designated trail to protect vegetation
- Do not litter (this includes fruit peels)
- Keep your distance and do not feed wildlife
- If you don’t see trash bins, pack your trash out.
Tips for hiking in Kauai:
- Always pack a raincoat or waterproof clothing for unpredictable weather
- Do not attempt hikes with large water crossings/rivers when it’s raining, flash floods are very common especially when hiking the Kalalau trail.
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes with grip
- Bring hiking poles
Kalalau Trail
No hiking list in Kauai is complete without the Kalalau Trail. The entire trail is 11 miles long one way but many visitors do part of it as a day hike. Camping and day hikes now require a permit as of 2024. Please check the Haena State Park website for the most up to date information. My recommendation would be to get an early shuttle reservation so you can have enough time to hike to Hanakāpīʻai beach and waterfalls (8 miles rt). At the end of your hike, you can also swim/relax in Ke’e Beach as a rewarding way to end the day.
Iliau Nature Loop Trail
This short .3 mile loop offers some amazing views of Waimea Canyon. Even though this is a popular trail, there are many viewpoints so it never felt crowded since everyone was spread out.
Kalalau Lookout
Okay, I know this isn’t a hike but I do feel like it needs to be mentioned because the view from here is the best I’ve seen on the island. This is also where the trail for Kalepa Ridge starts but unfortunately this hike is now considered illegal and violators are being cited. The view from the overlook is still worth visiting though!
Awa’awapuhi Trail
This 5.8 mile trail seems to be one of the few ridge hikes you can actually hike legally now. This is a moderate to difficult hike with beautiful views of the Na Pali coastline. While we didn’t have time for this hike, it does some some amazing reviews on AllTrails and would definitely give it a try on our next trip.
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