Looking for the best things to do on Kauai? These eight adventures will make your trip to Kauai one for the books!
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When planning our kid-free trip to Kauai, Matt and I knew we wanted to do some more adventurous things that we might not be able to do with our young kids. While we enjoy traveling with our kids, sometimes you just need some time as a couple. We used the Kauai Revealed guidebook (highly recommend!) to plan out our activities. Today I’m sharing the best things to do on Kauai to have an incredible experience in one of the world’s most beautiful locations.
1. Doors-off helicopter tour
If there’s only one thing you do on Kauai, a doors-off helicopter tour is my #1 recommendation. Yes, it’s expensive, but it was totally worth the splurge. Like I’d be willing to eat Ramen for the whole trip if I needed to in order to afford this experience. This was by far one of the coolest things I have ever done in my life! Even Matt, who is afraid of heights (and hates to spend money), said it was worth it. It left us absolutely speechless. Just when you think you can’t see anything more amazing, you turn another corner and are blown away by the beauty surrounding you. And since 80 percent of Kauai is not accessible by road, you’ll miss SO MUCH if you’re only seeing Kauai by land.
You’ll see the majestic Waimea Canyon, the famous NaPali coast, several breathtaking waterfalls, and jungle that’ll make you think you’re immersed in Jurassic Park. You’ll even hover near the Waialeale Crater, which is known as the wettest spot on earth. It will be an experience you won’t forget. We used Ali’i Helicopter Tours and loved every second. It was just us and the pilot! I’ve also heard great things about Blue Hawaiian and Jack Harter. Trust me, put this on your itinerary. You won’t regret it!
2. Hike to Hanakapiai Falls
This is one of the most stunning hikes I’ve ever done! In the 8 mile round-trip trek, you’ll experience incredible ocean and NaPali coast views, a bamboo forest, jungle-like terrain, gorgeous beaches, river crossings, scrambling up and down boulders, and of course, the amazing 300-foot Hanakapiai Falls.
You’ll need a permit to hike to the falls, which you can reserve 30 days in advance here. They go on sale at midnight Hawaii time, and they’re typically gone in 2 minutes, so set your alarm and be ready to get your permits right at midnight. It’s sooo worth it!
You’ll want to bring good hiking shoes (I LOVE my Salomon Pathfinders!), a few pairs of good hiking socks (these are my favorite), and some water shoes for the river crossings (both Matt and I like these). And don’t forget your swimsuit and small towel to swim under the falls! (I wore my suit under my clothes, and also brought a rash guard, but others brought theirs and changed behind a big rock.) The water is cold, but you won’t want to miss out on this swim! Swimming under that waterfall was one of the highlights of our trip!
It took us from about 7:30 am to 3:30 pm to do this hike, so bring PLENTY of water, snacks, and a lunch. We aren’t the fastest hikers, so you could definitely finish earlier if you wanted. After finishing the hike, we relaxed at Ke’e Beach for a good soak, and then had mandatory shave ice and a good shower and dinner and then crashed! Don’t plan anything too strenuous for the next day, because you will be sore!
3. Queen’s Bath
This natural swimming hole cut into a lava shelf on the Princeville coast is spectacular! It’s a short, very muddy trek to get down to the baths, but the view and the baths are so magnificent that you won’t mind the mud. Queen’s Bath can be VERY dangerous, and it’s really only accessible in the summer when the seas are calm, so PLEASE use caution if you go. Several people have died here from being swept off the rocks by unsuspecting waves. So again, be careful and don’t be dumb! Make sure the water is calm and that it’s safe before taking a dip in the pools. There were some gorgeous fish in the pools, so bring a snorkel to get a better view.
4. Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay is probably the equivalent of heaven on earth. The views are just stunning and we felt so much peace there. We watched the sunset from the beach, walked out on the pier, and just relaxed and soaked in the beauty. We even witnessed a wedding at sunset on the beach. This is definitely a place you do not want to miss.
5. Smith Family Garden Luau
What’s Hawaii without a luau? And Smith’s is one of the best! The Smith family has been running this tropical paradise for over 50 years. Today, four generations of the Smith family are involved in putting on this celebration of food and culture. We loved the family feel and personal touches from the Smith family that come with this luau. Not only is the food delicious and the show entertaining, but the location is absolutely gorgeous!
You’ll have time to wander the gardens and take it all in before watching the imu ceremony, where you’ll learn how the pig is roasted and even see it pulled out of the ground. After you’ve eaten all you can eat, you’ll learn all about the different peoples and cultures that make up Hawaii in the spectacular luau show, complete with an erupting volcano!
6. Na Pali coast catamaran and snorkel tour
There’s nothing quite like the Na Pali coast of Kauai. Those majestic cliffs that jet up out of the sea are one of a kind, and there’s no better way to experience it than from a boat. You’ll zip up the Na Pali coastline in a catamaran, chase all the waterfalls, and even explore some sea caves on your way up the coast. Then you’ll snorkel (we swam with turtles!) and have lunch before heading back. We used North Shore Charters, and loved it. I’ve also heard great things about Na Pali Catamaran and Na Pali Coast Hanalei.
7. Beach hop
You can’t come to Hawaii without enjoying their beautiful beaches. What many people don’t know is that most Hawaiian beaches can be somewhat rocky, so a good pair of water shoes is essential! You’ll also want to be aware of the surf, and make sure it’s safe before you head in. If the sand on the beach has a pretty steep slope down into the water, the undertow is going to be strong and you’ll want to stay out. Whereas, if the sand on the beach is pretty flat, you’re usually good to go. Some of our favorite Kauai beaches included Hanalei Bay, Ke’e Beach, Anini Beach, Poipu Beach, and Kealia Beach (for boogie boarding). Many condos and Airbnbs will have beach gear available for you to use. Ours provided a beach umbrella, boogie board, beach towels, and beach chairs.
8. Eat!
We love experiencing the local cuisine when we travel. To be honest, we weren’t super impressed with many of the restaurants we tried on Kauai, BUT the few places that we did love were delicious!
Our favorite place to eat on Kauai was the Lava Lava Beach Club in Kapa’a. We loved it so much we went twice! Everything was amazing (especially the teriyaki steak and the lava flow!), and it’s right on the beach. We also loved Porky’s on the way back from our drive to Waimea Canyon. A kalua pork grilled cheese sandwich? Yes, please!
The farmer’s markets were also great for fresh fruit, salsas, snacks, etc (they had a market nearly every day on some part of the island), and of course you can’t come to Hawaii without having shave ice! Our favorites were Hee Fat General Store in Kapa’a and Wishing Well Shave Ice in Hanalei. It’s also fun to go to the fish markets and get fresh fish and grill it yourself if the place you’re staying has a grill. And we loved the malasadas from Passion Bakery Café and the hula pie from Duke’s. Yum!
Honorable mentions
- Waimea Canyon: If you do the helicopter tour, you’ll see Waimea Canyon from the air, but it’s still fun to drive up and see it from the ground. And there’s lots of cool hiking trails in Waimea Canyon as well.
- Kayaking the Wailua River: There are tons of kayak rental places at the mouth of the Wailua River. You can kayak up the river to some cliff jumping spots, a swimming hole, a fern grotto, and even Secret Falls (you’ll have to get out and hike to the falls). For a shorter kayak trip, rent your kayaks up the river at Kamokila Hawaiian Village.
And now you’re ready for your unforgettable adventure to Kauai! But before you go, remember that part of the fun and wonder of traveling to Hawaii is learning about and respecting the Hawaiian culture, land, and native people. Be respectful to the land and its people and you’ll experience the aloha that is Hawaii. Mahalo!
What questions do you have about Kauai? Any must-dos you’d add to this list of best things to do on Kauai? Don’t forget to book through Get Away Today for the best prices and service!
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So beautiful! Never been to this island but I’d love to one day!
Hi Natalie! It really is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been! I hope you make it there someday!
The Queen’s bath sounds amazing! Beach hopping doesn’t sound too bad either! I would love to go soon.
Hi Alicia! I hope you get to go, it’s a one of a kind place!
Kauai is one of my all-time favorite vacations!! But we haven’t been able to take our kids there yet. I’m so hoping we can go back to do that one day.
Hopefully you’ll be able to take them soon! We are waiting til our kids are a bit older to take them to Kauai. Someday!