One Stop Guide to the Best Things to do in Kauai Hawaii

Kauai is something special. Known as the garden state for its rich greenery, it also boasts world-class beaches, jaw-dropping hikes, hidden gems and so much more!

This is a complete guide to all of the top things to do in Kauai, including the best beaches, best hikes, best places to eat, best places to stay, and the best hidden gems!

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One-stop guide to the best things to do in Kauai

Best Beaches in Kauai

One of the best things to do in Kauai is to spend the day playing in the water and relaxing on the shores of one of the many beautiful beaches.

Our favorite beaches are Salt Pond Beach, Kalapaki Beach, Hanalei Bay, and Poipu Beach.

Salt Pond Beach

Salt Pond Beach is on the southwest coast of the island near Waimea Canyon.

This region of Kauai is the dry and sunny side, so when it is raining up north then head south to enjoy the sun here!

It has a sheltered cove perfect for snorkeling and swimming in the calm waves.

Kalapaki Beach

Kalapaki Beach is in Lihue and is easily accessible from town.

The cove is protected by a large breakwater making it perfect for boogie boarding and beginner surfing.

Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Bay is located on the north shore and is one of the most scenic beaches.

This is also a great beach for swimming and boogie boarding in the summer.

In the winter, the waves are much bigger and it’s a great place to watch the pro surfers.

Hanalei Bay is located near the center of town where you can walk to get some ice cream or jump off the pier with the locals.

Poipu Beach

Poipu Beach on the south shore is the best spot to catch an iconic Hawaiian sunset.

It was voted “America’s Best Beach” by Travel Magazine and it’s easy to see why.

The lagoons are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There’s also a good chance that you’ll see the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals sunbathing on the shore.

The amenities are great at this beach with restrooms and even a playground. The wide sandy beach also makes it easy to find a patch of sand to spread out your towels.

For more information and recommendations, check out our guide to 7 of the Best Beaches in Kauai. 

Best Hikes in Kauai

There are some pretty incredible hikes in Kauai for any adventure level!

Kalalau Trail

One of the most popular hikes is the Kalalau Trail.

Due to the devastating flooding and landslides that closed this trail in 2018, many changes have been put into place.

The trail has now reopened, but check the Ha’ena State Park website for updates on access and required permits. 

Kuilau Ridge Trail

Kuilau Ridge Trail is a bit of a hidden gem. It is not as well known as some of the other popular hikes so you won’t find as many crowds.

It also has a secret lookout over the jungle that will take your breath away.

See our guide to hiking the Kuilau Ridge Trail for directions to the secret lookout.

Queen’s Bath

The trail to Queen’s Bath is a short 0.6-mile trail through the rainforest that leads to an ocean pool.

Use extreme caution if swimming at Queen’s Bath and only do so at low tide.

A few other popular hikes in Kauai include the Pihea Trail, Maha’ulepa Coastal Trail, Ho’opii Falls, Sleeping Giant, and Kilauea Point Lighthouse.

For more details about these hikes and others, see our guide for 8 of the Best Hikes in Kauai with Kids.

Best Places to Eat in Kauai

• Bubba’s Burgers: An iconic burger joint specializing in old-fashioned hamburgers. Reasonably priced, quick service and the special sauce gives it that little extra somethin’ somethin’.
• North Shore General Store: An unassuming location for one of the best burgers on the island!  Choose from the Holoholo Cheeseburger, Sombrero Burger, Tita’s Teri Burger, Braddah’s BBQ Burger, or the Ono Kine Burger. All are made with locally sourced free-range beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. All are served on an organic taro bun. Try their pizza too!
• The Dolphin Fish Market: Located in Hanalei, this is the spot to go for fresh sushi and poke. There is a small kitchen in the back of the Dolphin Restaurant where you can pick up food to go and enjoy a nice afternoon picnic at the beach. In the evenings you can enjoy a quiet dinner with views of the river.
• Pono Market: For traditional Hawaiian food, a favorite among the locals. Their Pork Lau Lau is phenomenal, but go early since it often sells out!
• Kountry Kitchen: Located in Kapa’a, this is the best place to go for some good old-fashioned home cooking! They have an extensive breakfast menu, and the portions are huge. The pancakes are as large as the plate! You have to try their specialty, macadamia nut pancakes drizzled with homemade coconut syrup!
• Mermaids Cafe: Located in Kapa’a, this cafe has a whimsical atmosphere and is a great place to enjoy an outside lunch. Everything is fresh and locally sourced. Try the Ahi Cilantro Wrap!
• Puka Dog: Voted one of the top 10 best hot dog stands in America. Try a delicious twist on the traditional hot dog. The hot dog is served inside their own freshly baked Hawaiian sweet bread with your choice of garlic lemon secret sauce, Hawaiian fruit relish, and mustard sauce-yum!
• Koloa Fish Market: Serves up some of the best fresh seafood and poke on the island. They also have delicious plate lunches to go!

Best Place to get Shave Ice in Kauai (and other sweet treats)

• Hee Fat General Store: In our opinion, Hee Fat has the best shave ice in all of Kauai! It is located on the main street in Kapa’a and you can do some souvenir shopping while you wait. Be sure to get the real fruit syrup, a scoop of macadamia nut ice cream on the bottom, and a snow cap on the top!
• Tege Tege: They only use organic fruit in their syrups. They specialize in unique flavors like Hibiscus, Blackberry, Green Tea, and Passion Fruit. Try their latest special, Acai Shave Ice topped with Banana and Strawberry Granola
• Banana Joe’s Fruit Stand: You’ll spot this little yellow hut on the left side of the Kuhio Highway heading north just past Kilauea (between mile marker 23 and 24). Be adventurous and try some of their exotic fruits like atemoya, rambutan, and starfruit! Be sure to get one of their frosty’s made of only fresh fruit. It’s better than any soft-serve ice cream!
• Pinks Creamery: Stop at Pinks in Hanalei for high-quality, deliciously rich ice cream. Try the coconut flavor. And if you’re hungry their grilled cheese sandwiches are the best around!
• Fresh Shave’s: You can’t miss the vintage aristocrat trailer, it is just as cute as the shave ice is delicious! Made with real fruit juice and served with a cute little mustache straw. This delicious treat is totally Instagram-worthy!
• Lappert’s Ice Cream: Located in Princeville, be sure to get the macadamia caramel coconut ice cream in a hot waffle cone. It is incredible!
• Kauai Juice Co: The best place to go for fresh juice, nut milks, and kombucha on tap. Try the “babymaker” chocolate milk!

Best Places to Stay in Kauai

There are three main locations that are recommended to stay in Kauai. The north shore by Princeville and Hanalei, or East near Kapa’a and Lihue, or on the south shore in Poipu.

If you stay in the east you are centrally located to explore both the north and south shores.

However, if you plan to stay for a week or so it might be a good idea to spend half of your trip up north and the other half of your trip down south. Here are a few recommendations:

Best Places to Stay on the North Shore of Kauai:

• Hanalei Colony Resort: Just steps away from the ocean and located on a quieter part of Kauai’s North Shore near Hanalei Town.
• Wyndham Bali Hai: Located in the heart of Princeville with all the amenities like a pool, hot tub, and tennis courts. It is centrally located and within walking distance of shops and restaurants and also just a short walk away from Queen’s Bath.
• 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay: Previously known as St. Regis Princeville. A luxury resort and a bit of a splurge if you’re looking to get spoiled on your tropical vacation!

Best places to stay on the East Shore of Kauai:

Plantation Hale

You’ll find several listings on Airbnb for condos in the Plantation Hale complex.

This is a great option for families if you need a little more space and like having a kitchen so that you can save money on meals.

Many of the rentals come conveniently stocked with snorkel gear, boogie boards, beach chairs, a sun umbrella, a cooler, and beach towels.

The amenities include several hot tubs and swimming pools. It is also within walking distance of the beach (although it is not swimmable).

The condos are located near the East Shore Bike Path and downtown Kapa’a with its cute shops and food trucks.

There is also a beautiful view of a grove of palm trees off the balcony.

Marriott Kauai Beach Club

We loved staying at the Marriott Kauai Beach Club in Lihue.

They have awesome amenities with multiple swimming pools and hot tubs. It’s the perfect way to relax after a long day of adventuring.

It is located right on the shore of Kalapaki beach and the kids spent the day hopping back and forth from the beach to the pool.

There are plenty of restaurants and beachside cafes to choose from. We walked to Skinny Mike’s for shave ice every night!

Best Places to Stay on the South Shore of Kauai:

Located right on the shores of the popular Poipu Beach you’ll find several resorts including Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club, Grand Hyatt, and the Sheraton Kauai.

They all offer great amenities and fun pools, and you can’t beat the location when you are only steps away from America’s #1 beach!

Best Tours in Kauai

Kauai is an adventurer’s paradise with so many ways to explore the island. Here are just a few of the best tours and top things to do in Kauai:

• Captain Andy’s Na Pali Coast Rafting and Snorkel Adventure: This is considered one of the best tours in Kauai. Explore the remarkable Na Pali coastline by boat and snorkel in the pristine waters. Dolphin pods love to swim along the side of the boat. In the spring you will most likely see whales as well.
• Helicopter tour: A once-in-a-lifetime experience to get a bird’s eye view of the Garden Island and the spectacular Na Pali Coastline. There are several tours to choose from, including the Jurassic Falls tour for movie buffs, or eating lunch on a forbidden island. Try the doors-off helicopter tour for an added thrill and unobstructed views!
• Secret Falls Kayak Tour: Kayak the beautiful Wailua river through the lush tropical rain forest with a knowledgeable guide, then hike to the secret falls where you can swim and enjoy a lunch
• Paddle Boarding: rent paddle boards and paddle down the Hanalei River.
• ATV Tours: go off-roading and explore the beautiful Kipu Ranch or take a ride to a hidden waterfall.
• Mountain tubing: Rich in history and adventure, it is such a fun and unique experience to float down the river on tubes through hand-dug tunnels, ditches, and flumes that are part of an old sugar cane plantation!
• Chocolate Farm Tour: I don’t think there really needs to be an explanation as to why a chocolate farm tour should be on your itinerary! Tour a working chocolate farm, learn the process of making chocolate from “branch to bar” and sample some of their delicious chocolate.
• Kunana Dairy Farm Tour: This family-owned organic farm is located in Kilauea. The farm tour is great for kids, it is both fun and educational as you learn about life on the farm. You’ll have the chance to sample fruit, honey, and goat cheese as well as play with the baby goats and stroll through the tropical orchards.
• Kauai Plantation Railway: Board the train at the historic Kauai train depot, then travel through the beautiful plantation as you’ll learn all about the history during the narrated train ride. You’ll get a chance to disembark and spend time feeding the animals. Different tour packages are available that include a picnic, hike, or luau.

Best Hidden Gems and secret spots in Kauai

Adopt a Dog for the Day

The best insider tip that made this trip one of our kid’s all-time favorite family vacations is to adopt a dog for a day!

The Kauai Humane Society has a field trip program where you can go at 10:00 am on the days that they are open and choose a dog to take out for the day.

They let you spend time with the dog in their fenced-in lawn so that you can see if the dog is a good fit for you and your family.

Once you choose a dog, they give you the supplies needed (food, water dish, poop baggies, towel, map, and information). You are then free to explore with your new four-legged friend.

The Mahaulepu coastal trail and Mahaulepu Beach are very dog-friendly and are the perfect spot to spend the afternoon!

The only hard part is that you will likely get attached and it’s sad to say goodbye at the end of the day. If you’re interested, it is possible to adopt the dog and take it home with you!

Kamokila Hawaiian Village

I have a friend who goes to Kauai quite often and visiting the lesser-known Kamokila Hawaiian Village is her #1 insider tip.

There are several great kayaking tours available to the Secret Falls. However, if you’re looking for a cheaper and shorter option then look no further!

From the Kamokila Village, it is only a 15-minute paddle ride, versus 45 minutes. You can go on a guided outrigger canoe, or rent your own. Both options are around $30 (vs $85).

They also have tours available to the fern grotto and to a swimming hole where you can go cliff jumping. 

The village itself is recreated as a traditional Hawaiian village. It is a fun and educational way to learn more about the local history and culture.

Makauwahi Cave

Makauwahi Cave is one of Kauai’s best-kept secrets. This hidden gem is Hawaii’s largest limestone cave. It is also considered to be one of the richest fossil sights in the Pacific.

It is located along the Maha’ulepu Coastal Trail. Just look for a sign and a short path through the trees that leads to a tiny slit in the rocks.

Crawl on all fours through the crevice where you’ll find yourself inside a chamber that opens into a magnificent garden-like natural amphitheater.

This massive cave and sinkhole are known as Makauwahi Cave. Free tours are also available Wednesday-Sunday 10 am-2 pm.

Maluhia Road Tree Tunnel

Maluhia Road is located right before the town of Koloa on your way to Poipu. It is a beautiful stretch of road lined with a canopy of trees.

There is no place to stop along the road to take pictures, and it is a busy road so do not attempt it.

However, there is a small area to pull over and snap a shot on the south end once you get out of the trees.

Waimea Canyon Insider Tips

Visiting Waimea Canyon is one of the top things to do in Kauai, but there are a few hidden gems that many people don’t know about.

One of Waimea Canyon’s hidden gems is the Kalepa Ridge Trail. This is an unmarked and unofficial trail that offers spectacular views of Ka’a’Alahina Ridge.

While at Waimea Canyon, go to the Kalalau Lookout, the last lookout on Koke’e Road. As you walk up to the lookout, keep your eye out for a gate along the fence to your left and you’ll see a small dirt path.

It’s pretty steep and very muddy so it is not recommended for young children, but after about a 20-minute hike you’ll come to a spectacular lookout.

Waimea Canyon is incredible, but also very touristy, but here is another insider tip to avoid the crowds.

When you get to the first lookout point, there will be a viewing platform that provides a beautiful view over the canyon.

It will most likely be packed with people. However, if you go to the left of the viewing platform you can hike up a small hill to see unobstructed views without all the crowds.

Polihale Beach

Polihale Beach consists of 12 miles of deserted pristine beach. However, it is a little challenging to get there. Polihale is as far west as you can go on the island.

The 5-mile rough road is accessible only by four-wheel drive, so rent a jeep and enjoy the off-roading adventure!

Don’t attempt to make the trip if there has been heavy rainfall. The road becomes impassable and many have been known to get stuck.

Although rumor has it, if you get stuck just stick a can of beer on the roof of your car and local teens will come help bail you out in exchange for the beer!

Once you’re there you’ll discover an isolated unworldly beauty. Swimming at the beach is not recommended. Check the reports before you go.

You can also get a camping permit and spend the night. I hear the stars are incredible!

Hideaways Beach

This beautiful little beach is becoming more popular. However, since it is not as easily accessible it is still less crowded than the other beaches.

The path is a little difficult to find. It lies directly beside the tennis court of the Puu Poa condo complex in Princeville.

There is a small public parking lot with 9 spots. If it is full there are no other alternatives, so come early or just hang out and wait until a spot opens up.

There is a steep staircase and path to get to the beach, so use caution. Once you are there, enjoy your own virtually private beach with great snorkeling in the summer months!

Filming locations

It’s no secret that Jurassic Park was filmed in Kauai and since many of the locations were filmed in remote or privately owned locations, a helicopter or plane tour is the best way to see these.

However, you can drive up into the Kipu area to see panoramas where the dinosaurs charged at the characters in the movie.

You can also visit the Allerton Gardens at the National Tropical Botanic Gardens to see the stream and the huge rooted fig trees that were featured in the movie.

There are plenty of other movies filmed on this beautiful island, such as The Descendants with George Clooney.

The cast and crew of the Descendants stayed at the St. Regis Princeville. Several scenes were filmed at this hotel, along with locations in Kipu Ranch.

If you have seen the inspiring movie, Soul Surfer, you may remember that Bethany Hamilton is from Kauai.

The shark attack actually happened at Tunnel’s Beach on the north shore near Hanalei.

While you’re there, take a minute to put yourself in her shoes and think of her incredible resilience!

The charming town of Hanapepe was also the inspiration for the movie Lilo and Stitch. Take some time to stroll through the laid-back town and check out the cute shops and cafes.

East Shore Bike Path

Go for a jog or rent a bike for $15 and enjoy a leisurely day along the East Shore Bike Path.

Take in the views on this 8-mile coastal track from Lydgate beach to Kuna Bay. Stop along the way for a picnic and scenic photo ops.

I hope you get a chance to visit the beautiful island of Kauai, and I hope this guide helps you discover the best things to do in Kauai!