The Hardest Part About Visiting the Intoxicating Garden Isle Is Leaving
The Garden Isle is extraordinarily intoxicating. A destination that can be enjoyed year-round, it’s surely one of the most stunning places on the entire planet, filled with incredible natural wonders — from dramatically colorful cliffs and waterfalls with hidden pools to exotic gardens and lush valleys.
Not to mention the idyllic beaches that sit at the edge of crystal-clear, azure waters filled with colorful fish, sea turtles and other marine life. It’s no wonder it’s often considered one of the top luxury vacation spots for couples. With so much beauty, trying to decide what things to do on Kauai can be almost overwhelming. This guide will give you a head start!
Experience the Na Pali Coast
The Na Pali Coast is one of the world’s most legendary, not to mention one of the top Kauai, points of interest. One of the reasons it remains so pristine and unspoiled is that it can only be accessed via boat, helicopter, flight-seeing tour or on foot. It’s well-worth the visit no matter how you decide to get there.
Lying on the north shore of the island, it boasts vibrant emerald green pinnacles that rise up along the coast for 17 miles, while waterfalls cascade into the narrow valleys. Little has changed here over the centuries, though at one time Hawaiian settlements flourished here, existing on the fish they could catch and food they could grow.
Walk Alone on a Secluded Beach
The great thing about Hawaii is that many of its attractions are focused on its natural splendor — which means budget travel in Hawaii is simple! After all, going to the beach is free. Polihale Beach is a very remote stretch of golden sands located adjacent to the Na Pali Coast, but it can be reached via a long, bumpy dirt road, which is why few tend to make it here.
Taking in ocean views by yourself, with nothing but endless horizon in front of you and the sound of crashing waves around you, makes a visit to Polihale Beach one of the best activities in Kauai.
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Visit Wailua Falls
If you’ve ever seen the opening of the 1970s TV series “Fantasy Island,” you’ve seen Wailua Falls — this double-tied waterfall was made famous after being spotlighted in the show. The view from the top of this 80-foot waterfall is absolutely jaw-dropping. But the most impressive, and often private, view can be had by walking to its base.
There are two trails that will lead you there, but the easiest can be found about 500 yards from the end of the turnaround at the car park.
Visit the Grand Canyon of the Pacific
The “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” as Waimea Canyon is often called, is a 14-mile-long, one-mile-wide and 3,600-foot-deep colorful ravine. The nearly constant flow of rainwater coursing down the Waimea River from Mount Waialeale’s peak transforms freshly exposed lava rock from black to rich red hues.
The best vantage point is from the Waimea Canyon Lookout. Arrive about an hour before dawn to watch the cliff’s ever-changing colors of fiery red, oranges and vibrant greens when they’re at their most dramatic.
See the “Secret” Falls Flow Down Red Rock
Not many lists of what to do in Kauai will include this. On the way to Waimea Canyon keep an eye out for an intense, smooth red rock just off the side of the road. It’s here you’ll see one of the coolest falls you’ve ever laid eyes on. The water is the color of burnt sienna as a result of the surrounding red dirt, making it a sight to behold.
You’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to a different place, like the painted desert of the American Southwest.
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Watch the Sun go Down From Poipu Beach
Poipu is renowned for its luxurious sands on a series of three strikingly white crescent beaches. The beaches are spread across a one-mile stretch of the island’s sunny south shore and are framed by vivid azure waters. It’s the perfect place to toss down a blanket and marvel at a glorious sunset, especially during winter and spring.
Watch for Whales at Kilauea Lighthouse
Kilauea Lighthouse is one of Kauai’s most popular attractions, situated at the tip of Kilauea Point on the north shore, as part of the Kilauea Point National Refuge. It affords expansive views of the rugged coastline, a seabird sanctuary and a national marine life sanctuary.
Humpbacks are frequently seen during the winter, and you can also watch for the thousands of migratory seabirds that rest, forage and nest here, along with green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals.
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Take an Unforgettable Air Tour
Air tours have been ranked as the number one activity on Kauai for over 30 years, as only about 10% of the island can be seen by car. A fly-over will allow you to truly experience all that this slice of paradise has to offer.
Most tours include nearly all of the island’s highlights, including the amazing Na Pali Coast and its many waterfalls, Waimea Canyon, Kilauea Lighthouse and Hanalei Valley. If you’re here between December and March you may even get a bird’s eye view of the humpback whales breaching too.