The garden Island is the best island for hiking and wilderness. It’s the least developed of the main islands (and we like it that way).
See the critical information in our Kauai at a glance
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Moloa’a beach (north shore)
Great on calm days. Not a lot of parking but not a lot of people either.
Ke’e beach (north shore)
Best beach on the island. At the end of the road to the Na Pali trail (State park here with a parking lot if…
Waimea Canyon
The Grand Canyon of the Pacific is ten miles long and 3,600 feet deep. The canyon offers incredible views and the best hiking in…
Poipu area beaches
Some of Kauai's most beautiful beaches, and the island's best spots for relaxing, swimming, and body surfing are in the area around Poipu.
Tunnels (Makua) Beach
This north shore beach offers some of Kauai's best snorkeling.
Spouting horn beach park
Waves spout up through a small lava shelf squirting through a blow hole. Makes a loud moan…
Secret (Kauapea) beach (north shore)
10-15 minute hike only swimmable on calm summer days. It even has a waterfall .
Wailua Falls
This 173-foot double waterfall is easy to get to. In ancient times men would jump from the top to prove their manhood, which we…
Hanalei Bay beaches (north shore)
Hanalei is the Hawaii of your dreams - a gorgeous spot but not necessarily the best for…
‘Opae-ka’a Falls
A lovely 151 foot waterfall that's easily accessible from a paved overlook.
Sealodge beach (north shore)
Lovely often secluded beach. Steep rocky sometimes slippery trails may be why. Tranquil be…
Pali Ke Kua (Hideaways) beach (north shore)
Nice snorkeling in calm seas. Near the St Regis
National Tropical Botanical Gardens (south)
Two beautiful gardens in the Poipu region.There are guided tours lasting about two hours. …
Lumaha’i Beach (north shore)
Lumaha'i Beach. Wide long beach beautiful beach that you access after a sort walk through …
Lydgate Beach Park
This beach has a picnic area, large grassy space, playgrounds, and two large, rock enclose…
Anini beach park (north shore)
Large shallow bay. This has the most protected swimming on the north shore when seas are h…
Grove Farm Plantation Museum
100 acre well-preserved homestead of Kauai's most notable sugarcane family. It's preserved…
Kalapaki Beach
In Lihue. The beach at the Marriott. Popular for swimming and beginning bodysurfing
Hanalei town (north shore)
Hanalei remains old Hawaii at its best. The resorts are up on the bluff in Princeville, …
Do
Queen’s Bath
In the summer, with calm seas there is a pool to swim in on a lava shelf with an inlet to the sea. In…
Ko’kee park / Waimea hiking
Many many trails here: here are some of our favorites.
Ho‘opi‘i Falls Hike
1 mile to some lovely falls (about 20 minutes)
Kalalau Trail
This is an awesome hike. Just do the hike to the first beach and you encounter magic. You leave the end of the road…
Sleeping Giant hike
Nice hike through forest to great views. Generally uphill but not awful to the picnic table )on the giant's chest. If you choose to…
Wailua River Canoe
You can rent canoes here and paddle up to secret falls (about 10 minutes). Alternatively …
Kayak Wailua
Kayak up the Wailua river to secret falls. It's about 5 miles round trip (allow three hour…
Na Pali Cats
Stay
Grand Hyatt Kauai
This is a nice place (and costs accordingly).Everything is first class and it's located right on the beach, with a lovely pool, spa, restaurants…
Princeville Resort
This is THE fanciest place on this end of the Island. It has everything you'd expect from …
Hanalei Colony Resort
Nice condos right on a beach. If you want remote you have come to the right place - it is …
Waimea Plantation Cottages Resort
Kauai is the most laid-back of the main islands, and this place really drops you into that vibe. There are 61 restored plantation cottages…
Hanalei Kobayashi Family Beach Houses
We have not stayed here - YET, but every time we have been to Hanalei we have drooled over…