Lost in the Right Direction

Hawaii / Kauaʻi 

Kauaʻi is one of our favorite Hawaiian islands. It’s got a relaxed vibe, incredible beaches, the rugged Nā Pali Coast, and Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”

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

Itineraries

Eat & Drink

Kauai Ono

Unique outdoor venue with rustic communal tables for set five-course, farm-to-fork meals. It’s BYOB, though Princeville Wine Market will deliver to your table.

See

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.

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 not full – I’d go early) lies a gorgeous beach with great snorkeling when the water is not rough.

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 the state of Hawaii

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 guess worked if they survived

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Sealodge beach (north shore)

Lovely often secluded beach. Steep rocky sometimes slippery trails may be why. Tranquil beach accessible by a half-mile trail, with native vegetation, clear water & snorkeling. The public access trail is in front of building A at Sealodge and takes 15 minutes to walk. The trail goes down a ravine with some wood steps at […]

Spouting horn beach park

Waves spout up through a small lava shelf squirting through a blow hole. Makes a loud moaning / gasping sound. The scientific reason has to do with air being forced through but the real reason is a giant lizard tried to attack a man and got stuck in the lava tube…

Hanalei Bay beaches (north shore)

Hanalei is the Hawaii of your dreams –  a gorgeous spot but not necessarily the best for swimming much of the time. Pounding shore break and backwash a lot of the time in the winter. Popular with surfers. There are several areas around the bay with access The “town” consists of beach houses Black pot beach […]

National Tropical Botanical Gardens (south)

Two beautiful gardens in the Poipu region.There are guided tours lasting about two hours. Allerton is the more desirable of the two Be aware that these tours are not cheap

Lydgate beach park

Picnic area, large grassy area, playgrounds, two large boulder enclosed ponds – perfect for kids. The adult pond has snorkeling

Lumaha’i Beach (north shore)

Lumaha’i Beach. Wide long beach beautiful beach that you access after a sort walk through a pandanas grove made famous in the movie South Pacific. Unfortunately not safe for swimming. Look but don’t touch

Grove Farm Plantation Museum

100 acre homestead preserved much as it was when sugar was king. Located right in Lihue. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, starting at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (2 hour escorted tours) $20 adults $10 children

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, the best food is probably the food trucks and the few shops are funky mom and pop stores. Farner’s market Saturdays

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 the winter do not go (many people have drowned here). Even in the summer only go in calm seas and watch for rogue waves.

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 near Ke’e beach and walk along the steep coastline and arrive at a totally wilderness tropical beach (Hanakapi’ai) in just two miles.

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 proceed onto the giant’s face you’ll have great views but be very cautious as the ridge is narrow and can be slippery.

Kayak Wailua

Kayak up the Wailua river to secret falls. About 5 miles round trip (allow three hours) If you dot want to go as far you can canoe from closer

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Wailua River Canoe

You can rent canoes here and paddle up to secret falls (about 10 minutes) Alternatively for a longer tour rent from Kayak Wailua for a longer (5 mile round trip) 3 hour tour

Na Pali Cats

In the morning, in good weather, take this boat tour along the gorgeous Na Pali coast. 4  hour trip with 45 minutes of snorkeling. check in at 6:45 AM for 7:30 departure from Hanalei bay Afternoon tour check in at noon but seas not as calm for snorkeling. Includes drinks, snacks, sandwich, snorkel gear

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 and basically everything you might expect from a full resort property.

Princeville Resort

This is THE fanciest place on this end of the Island. It has everything you’d expect from a fancy resort (and prices to match). Used to be the St Regis

Hanalei Colony Resort

Nice condos right on a beach. If you want remote you have come to the right place – it is the only lodging PAST Hanalei Bay. Right on the beach (but the beach cis usually  too rough to swim)

Hanalei Kobayashi Family Beach Houses

We have not stayed here – YET, but every time we have been to Hanalei we have drooled over the possibility of staying in those gorgeous houses on the beach – well here they are. There are a whole variety of options.

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 (where the sugar workers lived). Each cottage has a kitchen and private Lanai. It’s right on its own black sand beach, has a oceanfront pool.