Island Guide
Kauai
The Garden Isle
The oldest and most dramatic of the main islands. Na Pali's emerald cliffs, Waimea Canyon's ancient gorge, and a wildness that no other island can match.
Island Nickname
The Garden Isle
Main Town
Lihue / Hanalei
Best For
Nature, Hiking, Scenery
Airport
LIH — Lihue Airport
Kauai
Top 10 Things
To Do on Kauai
Hike the Na Pali Coast
The Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast is one of the most spectacular hikes in the world — 11 miles of narrow clifftop trail above emerald valleys and a coastline of cathedral spires dropping into the Pacific. The first two miles to Hanakapiai Beach are accessible to most hikers. The full trail requires a permit and serious preparation.
Kayak the Wailua River
The Wailua River is the only navigable river in Hawaii. Kayak upstream through lush jungle to a hidden trail that leads to Secret Falls — a 100-foot cascade in a private amphitheater of ferns and rock. Guided tours and rentals are available from several outfitters near the river mouth.
Waimea Canyon — The Grand Canyon of the Pacific
Mark Twain called it the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and the comparison is apt. Waimea Canyon stretches ten miles long and 3,600 feet deep, its walls striped in rust, green, and purple. The Pu'u Hinahina Lookout offers the most dramatic views. Combine with a visit to Kokee State Park above.
Helicopter Tour of the Island
No road reaches the Na Pali Coast's interior valleys, the summit of Waialeale (one of the wettest places on earth), or the hidden waterfalls of the island's remote north. A helicopter tour is the only way to see Kauai in its full, impossible beauty. Blue Hawaiian and Sunshine Helicopters are well-regarded operators.
Poipu Beach
Poipu Beach on the sunny south shore is consistently ranked among the best beaches in the United States. The protected cove is ideal for snorkeling and swimming, Hawaiian monk seals haul out on the sand regularly, and the surrounding area has excellent restaurants and accommodations.
Wailua Falls
The twin cascades of Wailua Falls drop 80 feet into a pool surrounded by tropical vegetation. The falls are visible from the road — a short walk leads to a viewpoint above the plunge pool. They are most dramatic after rain, when the flow doubles and a rainbow forms in the mist.
Tunnels Beach (Makua)
Tunnels Beach on the north shore is one of the finest snorkeling and diving sites in Hawaii. The extensive reef system — named for its underwater lava tubes — shelters an extraordinary variety of marine life. Conditions are calm in summer; winter swells make it a world-class surf break.
Hanalei Valley Lookout
Pull over at the Hanalei Valley Lookout on the way to the north shore and take in one of the most photographed views in Hawaii — a patchwork of taro fields in the valley below, framed by the fluted green ridges of the mountains and the silver thread of the Hanalei River.
Spouting Horn
At Spouting Horn Park near Poipu, ocean swells force water through a lava tube, shooting a geyser of seawater 50 feet into the air with a thunderous roar. The effect is most dramatic at high tide and during larger swells. The adjacent blowhole produces a haunting moan that local legend attributes to a trapped lizard.
Hike to Hanakapiai Falls
The four-mile round-trip hike from the Kalalau trailhead to Hanakapiai Falls passes through dense jungle, crosses streams, and arrives at a 300-foot waterfall in a remote valley. The trail is challenging and requires stream crossings — check conditions before you go and never enter the water at the base of the falls.
Where to Stay
Kauai Hotels
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
LuxuryPoipu
Set on 50 acres of lush gardens above Poipu Beach, the Grand Hyatt is Kauai's grandest resort — with a saltwater lagoon, a world-class spa, and a sense of scale that feels appropriate to the island's dramatic landscape.
Check RatesKoloa Landing Resort
LuxuryPoipu
An Autograph Collection property with spacious villa-style accommodations, multiple pools, and direct access to the Poipu Beach coastline. Ideal for families and longer stays.
Check RatesHanalei Colony Resort
BoutiqueHanalei
The only resort on the north shore, set directly on the beach with no televisions, no phones, and no distractions — just the sound of the ocean and the view of the Na Pali mountains.
Check RatesWhere to Eat
Kauai Restaurants
Bar Acuda
TapasHanalei
A beloved north shore institution serving European-inspired small plates with local ingredients. The wine list is exceptional and the atmosphere — warm, candlelit, unhurried — is exactly right for Kauai.
Reserve a TableMerriman's Fish House
Hawaii RegionalPoipu
Peter Merriman's Kauai outpost brings his farm-to-table philosophy to the south shore, with a menu built around local fish, Kauai-grown produce, and a stunning ocean view.
Reserve a TableThe Dolphin Restaurant
SeafoodHanalei
A Hanalei landmark for decades, The Dolphin serves fresh fish in a casual, open-air setting on the Hanalei River. The sashimi is exceptional and the setting is quintessential north shore Kauai.
Reserve a Table