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Things to Do on Kauaʻi

Things to Do on Kauaʻi

Nā Pali cliffs, Waimea Canyon and the slow travel of the Garden Isle.

Sarah Burchard
By Sarah BurchardLast verified: June 2026Expert verified

Kauaʻi rewards effort — the Nā Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon and the Kalalau Trail requires planning and fitness, but you will be rewarded with Hawaiʻi's most dramatic scenery. Here's how to plan the right Kauaʻi trip, by region.

SB
Sarah Burchard
Editor
Must-Do on KauaʻiPlaces to VisitNature & ParksBeaches & OceanFood & DiningKnow Before You Go

Must-Do on Kauaʻi

Kauaʻi's icons reward effort — Waimea Canyon, the Wailua River and the views that define the Garden Isle. These are the experiences worth building a trip around.

Guide to Waimea Canyon State Park: The Grand Canyon of the PacificHigh Demand

Guide to Waimea Canyon State Park: The Grand Canyon of the Pacific

Waimea Canyon State Park on the West Side of Kauaʻi overlooks one of the most dramatic landscapes in the Pacific — a 14-mile-long, 1-mile-wide gorge that plunges more than 3,600 feet deep, with walls layered with yellow, orange and rust-colored rock, bright green vegetation and crystal blue waterfalls.

Explore Kauaʻi’s Wailua RiverHigh Demand

Explore Kauaʻi’s Wailua River

Explore the Wailua River on Kauaʻi's East Side. Kayak to Secret Falls, tour the Fern Grotto and discover the sacred history of one of Hawaiʻi's most storied waterways.

Ke Ala Hele Makalae: Kauaʻi's Scenic Coastal Bike RideHidden Gem

Ke Ala Hele Makalae: Kauaʻi's Scenic Coastal Bike Ride

Hidden Gem

Mount Waialeale: One of the Wettest Spots on Earth

Mount Waialeale on the island of Kauai is one of the wettest spots on earth, receiving around 500 inches of rain each year.

20 Best Things to Do on KauaʻiHigh Demand

20 Best Things to Do on Kauaʻi

With only one main highway and no building built higher than a coconut tree, Kauaʻi invites you to slow down and enjoy the nature around you. Take a scenic hike, go river kayaking or just chill at the beach. If you are visiting for the first time and are eager to experience the island's highlights, here are 20 of the best things to do on Kauaʻi.

Places to Visit

Each of Kauaʻi's towns has its own character — from artsy Hanapēpē to sunny Poʻipū to laid-back Kapaʻa.

Go ‘Slow Shopping' in HanaleiHidden Gem

Go ‘Slow Shopping' in Hanalei

Shopping on Hanalei is a trip better experienced than defined. Shops reflect the character of their owners—off the mall and irresistibly creative.

Exploring Po‘ipū, KauaʻiHigh Demand

Exploring Po‘ipū, Kauaʻi

Poʻipū is popular for travelers seeking sun and relaxation. This guide covers beaches, outdoor activities, accommodations, shopping, restaurants and more.

A Local’s Guide to Kapaʻa, KauaʻiHidden Gem

A Local’s Guide to Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi

Royal Coconut Coast, Kapaʻa Bike Path, Fish Bar Deli, Coffee & Shopping — why Kapaʻa is my favorite Kauaʻi town.

Things to do in Hanapēpē, KauaʻiHidden Gem

Things to do in Hanapēpē, Kauaʻi

Hanapēpē is a town that has held tenaciously to its roots. It looks much as it did when Asian immigrant entrepreneurs developed it over a century ago. Filmmakers love this town — Disney's "Lilo & Stitch," for example, featured its historic buildings.

Nature & Parks

The island's interior is the real headline — Kōkeʻe's canyon overlooks and the trails that drop into them.

A Guide to Kōkeʻe State Park on KauaʻiHigh Demand

A Guide to Kōkeʻe State Park on Kauaʻi

Kōkeʻe State Park is just beyond Waimea Canyon State Park. The park offers ample hiking opportunities with native forests and views of the Nā Pali Coast.

Waimea Canyon Trail HikeHidden Gem

Waimea Canyon Trail Hike

The Waimea Canyon Trail is one of about 24 hikes traversing Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Park on the West Side of Kauaʻi. The trailhead is located at Puʻu Hinahina Lookout, where it follows the canyon's ridgetop to the top of Waipoʻo Falls.

Beaches & Ocean

From sunny south-shore sand to dramatic Māhāʻulepu and winter whale watching off the coast.

5 Kauai Beaches for 5 Types of TravelersHigh Demand

5 Kauai Beaches for 5 Types of Travelers

From the truly picturesque Hanalei Bay on Kauaʻi’s northern shoreline to the postcard-perfect sands of Poīpʻu Beach down south, there are literally hundreds of beaches, coves and coasts strewn around The Garden Island. There are so many in fact, it can almost seem overwhelming for first-time visitors looking to find the perfect plot of sand...

Visit Kauaʻi's Rainbow-Catching Blowhole, Spouting HornHidden Gem

Visit Kauaʻi's Rainbow-Catching Blowhole, Spouting Horn

Spouting Horn is a natural blowhole that has formed in a lava shelf near the shoreline on Kauai's south side.

Whale Watching on KauaʻiHigh Demand

Whale Watching on Kauaʻi

Whale watching on Kauaʻi runs December through April, with tours departing from Port Allen on the South Shore. Find the top tours and best places to spot whales from shore.

A Day at Māhāʻulepū Beach: Off the Beaten PathHidden Gem

A Day at Māhāʻulepū Beach: Off the Beaten Path

Experience the wonders of Mahaulepu Beach, a scenic destination in Kauai ideal for nature exploration and outdoor activities.

Food & Dining

Kauaʻi eats well for its size — destination restaurants, farmers markets and local grinds.

Best Kauaʻi Restaurants - Editor's PicksHigh Demand

Best Kauaʻi Restaurants - Editor's Picks

Seeking out locally owned spots is usually the best way to go when looking for quality food and community connection. Here are my current favorite restaurants on the Garden Isle.

Kauaʻi Farmers MarketsHidden Gem

Kauaʻi Farmers Markets

Farmers gather every day of the week except Sunday all over the island. They sell everything from produce to flowers, eggs, prepared foods, artisan crafts and more.

Best Affordable Eats on KauaʻiHidden Gem

Best Affordable Eats on Kauaʻi

Just a few of our favorite spots for no frills local-style food that will go easy on your budget. These are the ones where you can show up in slippers and board shorts and grab something delicious for the beach.

Featured Tours

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Nui Kauai Zipline with Hawaii's LONGEST Line

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Book Things to Do

Kauai Island Private Guided Tour-Waimea Canyon from Lihue/KapaaKauaʻiFree cancellation

Kauai Island Private Guided Tour-Waimea Canyon from Lihue/Kapaa

Explore Kauai with a luxury private tour tailored just for you and your loved ones. Enjoy complete privacy and a personalized experience. As a female-owned and operated business, I provide a warm, personal touch and deep knowledge of Kauai’s history and culture to create an unforgettable journey. Every stop is customized to your preferences, whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or cultural insights. Travel comfortably and style in a luxury SUV, with one flat fee for up to 7 people—no per-person charges. Discover Kauai’s hidden gems, breathtaking views, and rich stories. Book your exclusive luxury tour today

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Private Kauai Eastside Waterfalls & Local GrindsKauaʻiFree cancellation

Private Kauai Eastside Waterfalls & Local Grinds

The 5 hour Private Kauai Eastside Waterfalls and Local Grinds tour is a perfect mix of beautiful natural sites, history & local food tasting. This not a food tour but rather a wonderful melange of visiting scenic sites on the east side of Kauai and tasting various foods along the way. Kick back and enjoy the ride on our clean air condition vehicles while we share with you the stories of our islands, mixed with a dash of humor. You will visit waterfalls, a beautiful beach park, archeological sites, and taste locally made pastries and chocolate. We will enjoy lunch at the historic Kapaa town, where you will have many choices from food trucks and smoothie bars to restaurants. Take the day off from driving, a day of discovery awaits you! This is a mother and daughter owned business with over 17 years of guiding experience on island. All of your purchases on this tour support locally owned mom and pop shops. We look forward to creating memorable experiences with you.

5.0(13)5 hours
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Sarah Burchard

Editor's Pick

Kauaʻi rewards effort. The island's most iconic experiences — the Nā Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, the Kalalau Trail — requires planning, physical fitness, or both. Arrive expecting a Maui-style resort experience and you'll be disappointed ; come for Hawaiʻi's most dramatic natural scenery instead. Kauaʻi is the least urbanized of the main islands — there isn't a single traffic light on the west side — and it's best understood by region: the dramatic, rainy North Shore (Hanalei, Princeville, Hāʻena); the affordable, central East Side (Kapaʻa, Wailua); the sunny South Shore around Poʻipū; and the dry, remote West Side and Waimea Canyon. Where you base yourself shapes the entire trip.

— Sarah Burchard

Know Before You Go

Kauaʻi is not a loop. The single main road circumnavigates the island but does not connect through the Nā Pali Coast, so you cannot drive all the way around. Princeville to Waimea Canyon is more than two hours each way. Plan by region and don't bounce between sides daily — pick a base and explore out from it.

The weather varies wildly by side. It can be pouring in Hanalei and sunny in Poʻipū at the same moment. The north and east shores are wetter than visitors expect; the west side is genuinely arid. Always check the side-specific forecast, not just "Kauaʻi."

One honest thing: the Nā Pali Coast helicopter tour is the one helicopter ride in Hawaiʻi actually worth the $300 — there's no ground-level equivalent for those cliffs and hidden valleys. And in winter, Hanalei flooding is a real disruption, not a rare one.

Kauaʻi · Plan your visit

Plan Your Visit

Four essentials for making the most of the Garden Isle.

Start here

When to Visit

April–May and September–October hit the sweet spot — fewer crowds, better rates. Summer is driest and best for the north shore; winter brings big surf and possible Hanalei flooding.

Getting There

Fly into Līhuʻe Airport (LIH) on the east side. Most flights connect through Honolulu first.

Līhuʻe Airport

Getting Around

You need a rental car. The one main road doesn't loop through the Nā Pali Coast, so plan by region rather than bouncing between sides.

Where to Stay

Poʻipū (south) for sun and calm beaches, Princeville/Hanalei (north) for dramatic scenery but winter rain, Kapaʻa (east) for affordable and central. Don't split between north and south.

Kauaʻi hotels

Related Guides

Kauaʻi Travel Guide

Trip-planning essentials for the Garden Isle.

Read guide →

Where to Stay on Kauaʻi

The best hotels across the north, south and east shores.

Read guide →

Līhuʻe Airport Guide

What to know about flying into LIH.

Read guide →
Sarah Burchard

Sarah Burchard

Editor · Oʻahu

Sarah Burchard has called Oʻahu home since 2017. A Honolulu-based freelance writer and editor, she covers food, culture and travel for publications including Hawaii.com, Hana Hou, FLUX Hawaiʻi, Forbes, Hawaiʻi Magazine and Honolulu Magazine. What keeps her rooted here goes beyond the balance of city life and sunny beaches — it is the people, the values and the culture of aloha that make her stay. Sarah is also a devout yogi and regularly volunteers with ʻāina-based organizations across the island. Read more of her work at sarahburchard.com.

More from Sarah →