A visit to Kauai is a feast for the eyes with its stunning lush landscapes and beautiful beaches. Well, Nature is the main attraction on this "Garden Isle," and most of the things to do in Kauai involve outdoor exploration.
Hikers can enjoy places like Waimea Canyon, which is often compared to the Grand Canyon or take on the challenge of backpacking along the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast. For those looking for a more relaxed experience, there are options like visiting natural reserves or exploring stunning botanical gardens.
The Na Pali Coast is a beautiful place with tall green cliffs, green valleys, and waterfalls. If you're looking for things to do on Kauai Island Hawaii, you must visit this place.
You can explore the Na Pali Coast in three ways: by flying over it, sailing on the ocean near it, or walking on land. If you want to see it up close, you can join a guided kayaking trip along the cliffs or take a boat tour where you can snorkel, and sail.
Kauai's Waimea Canyon is a colorful mix of reds and browns, kind of like a kaleidoscope. It spans an impressive 14 miles in length, 1 mile in width, and reaches a depth of 3,600 feet. Think of it as Hawaii's own Grand Canyon.
To see it up close, you can hop on a 4WD tour along Kauai's backroads. Along the way, you'll pass by some neat places like charming Koloa Town, the Spouting Horn blowhole, and an old Russian Fort before getting to the canyon.
Hanalei Bay sits on the north shore of Kauai and is a perfect Hawaii honeymoon destination. It's shaped like a crescent and has more than 2 miles of white sandy beach. Behind it, there are mountains, waterfalls, and chill towns.
You can do lots of water activities there like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and surfing. Hanalei Bay is great for learning to surf and has almost every water sport you can think of.
Anini Beach has a big reef just off its shore, stretching for two miles and getting as wide as 1,600 feet. The water there is super clear, and you can see all kinds of colorful fish like parrotfish, trumpetfish, and pufferfish against the dull coral rock.
Beyond the houses on the shore, there's a sandy area where fishermen and people are seen looking for seashells. From there, you can see the lighthouse and an island at Kilauea Point in the east.
In the shade of monkeypod trees, you'll find the old downtown area of Koloa Town. It's made up of red clapboard buildings that take you back to the past when it was part of the Koloa Plantation. You can get there through a tree tunnel made of tall eucalyptus trees.
Once you arrive, you'll see a small community with gift shops, ice cream stores, art galleries, and restaurants. Strolling through the streets is a wonderful activities to do in Kauai's old town.
Kilauea Point, with its striking scenery of rocky cliffs and an iconic red-topped lighthouse, is among Kauai's most picturesque locations. Keep an eye out for Hawaiian spinner dolphins, rare monk seals, and migrating humpback whales swimming offshore.
For a fantastic view of the ocean, visitors can climb the spiral staircase to the top of the lighthouse, which was built in 1913. Tours are available two days a week, offering incredible views of the ocean. Do add this place to your things to do at Kauai Hawaii list.
Have a wonderful evening filled with live Hawaiian music, dance performances, and delicious traditional food at Luau Kalamaku, hosted on the beautiful grounds of Kauai's historic Kilohana Plantation.
This fun-filled activities in Kauai Hawaii are held only on Tuesdays and Fridays. If you're interested, you can upgrade to the "Plantation Owners Evening" package for an extra fee. This special option offers a champagne reception and a luxurious four-course meal at the plantation's restaurant instead of the standard luau buffet.
Spending a peaceful day at Allerton Garden is a wonderful activities in Kauai Hi. Located on the South Shore, Allerton Garden is a fantastic place to explore the diverse plant life of Garden Island.
As you wander through the garden, you'll encounter swirling banyan trees, tropical fruit trees, and various vibrant flowers, including fiery orange heliconia and blooming ginger. It's a great way to immerse yourself in Kauai's lush flora.
Things to do in Kauai Hi won't be fun without a visit to Limahuli Garden and Preserve. Home to endangered plants and birds, it's a remarkable natural haven, covering 17 acres of botanical gardens and tropical forests.
Visitors can explore the lush Limahuli Valley, which is one of the most biodiverse areas in the Hawaiian islands. Here, you can admire the native flora and fauna while learning about their importance and conservation efforts.
To begin your adventure in Kauai, head over to the Kauai Museum, conveniently located near the airport. Here, you can gain essential insights into the island's environmental and cultural past.
As you stroll through the museum's exhibits, you'll learn about Kauai's volcanic beginnings, and its rich human history, and view treasured cultural artifacts. For those planning an unforgettable trip to Hawaii, there are plenty of exciting activities awaiting you.
If you're seeking an affordable vacation, there are plenty of exciting activities awaiting you at Kauai's Poipu Beach Park. It's also the ideal destination for families, thanks to its natural wading pool, soft sandy beaches, and lifeguards ensuring safety.
It's a popular spot where visitors can also try to catch a glimpse of Hawaii's endangered monk seals, often seen sunbathing on the shore. During winter, keep an eye out for Humpback whales off the coast, adding to the beach's allure.
At Princeville Botanical Gardens in Kauai, satisfy your love for nature and chocolate. Wander through terraces, creek beds, and the valley floor, admiring plants at various elevations.
As you explore, you'll also sample delicious fresh Hawaiian fruit and honey. Take a moment to unwind in a serene outdoor tasting area, where you can relish the flavors of single-origin gourmet chocolates. Additionally, gain insights into the fascinating transformation of cocoa beans into delightful chocolate treats.
The Napali Coast is a must-see on any Kauai bucket list, with its stunning green cliffs meeting the blue waters below. The Kalalau Trail offers a challenging 11-mile journey through Napali's valleys, taking at least two days to complete.
For those not up for the hike, the Kalalau Lookout offers easy access to breathtaking views of Kalalau Valley. Situated at 4,000 feet, it provides a panoramic vista of the expansive valley and the ocean.
Protected by Wailua River State Park, the Wailua River is the biggest river you can sail on Kauai Island. It's about 20 miles long and winds through a beautiful valley with lots of jungle.
Along the way, you'll see two famous waterfalls: Opaekaa Falls and Wailua Falls. The best way to enjoy the natural beauty of the Wailua River is by being on the water, either by kayaking or taking a short walk to a waterfall where you can swim.
Get lost in the scenic lush jungle of Menehune Fish Pond. This place is surrounded by thick jungle and rugged mountains close by, offering an ideal setting for capturing mesmerizing sunset views.
If you want to experience the work of the Menehune up close, you can join a kayak tour of the Hule’ia River. This is the only way to enter the Hule’ia National Wildlife Refuge, which is usually restricted, and get access to the pond.
Behind Hanalei's famous green Waioli Huiia church, you'll find the historic Waioli Mission House once home to three families who spread the gospel in the early 1800s. This two-story, four-bedroom house, among the oldest Western-style homes on the island, was constructed in 1837.
Guided tours of the mission house are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Things to do on Kauai Hi's Waioli Mission House offers a unique collection of early Hawaiian-made home goods and items used in missionary life.
Nestled under lush mountains and shaded by palm and ironwood trees, Tunnels Beach boasts golden sand and tranquil blue waters. It is known as one of the top snorkeling spots in Kauai.
This beach spot has two layers of reef. The inner reef has calm waters where you can spot sea turtles, while the outer reef is a popular scuba diving site with diverse terrain, including sections that drop to depths of 70 feet.
The Makauwahi Cave Reserve is home to a network of sinkholes and limestone caves, including Hawaii's largest cave. These caves are filled with captivating fossils and support a diverse underground ecosystem of plants and animals.
Covering acres of forest, wetlands, and dunes, the reserve provides a habitat for numerous native plants, waterbirds, and tortoises. With many things to do Kauai HI's reserve visitors can also enjoy breathtaking views of the Maha’ulepu Valley and Kauai’s southern coast from the reserve.
When you're in Lihue, don't miss to visit Kilohana Plantation, just a short distance from downtown. It's a great place to dive into the culture and history of the island. During the day, you can take a train ride through the plantation's vast farm and tropical orchards.
Treat yourself to traditional Hawaiian cuisine, pick up some souvenirs, and taste the rum at the plantation’s distillery. In the evenings, make sure to catch one of the plantation’s exciting luaus for a memorable theatrical experience.
Located between Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Lookout on the Napali Coast, the aging Kōkeʻe Museum acts as a regional visitor center and natural history museum.
Inside, you'll discover maps, cultural and geological information, 19th-century botanical prints, bird dioramas, and invasive species specimens. The gift shop offers books and Kauai-made souvenirs. Adjacent, Kokee Lodge Restaurant serves all-day breakfast, soup, and sandwiches, the sole dining option for miles.
