Top 10 Things To Do In Kauai 

If you’ve read my post Which Is The Best Island To Visit In Hawaii?, then you know Kauai is my favorite Hawaiian island. Don’t get me wrong, all of the Hawaiian Islands are amazing! You really can’t go wrong with beaches, waterfalls, jungles, coffee, exotic foods…..  but for some reason Kauai just sings to my soul. If you are planning a trip to Kauai then check out my top 10 things to do in Kauai. 

1. Sail The Na Pali Coast

The Na Pali coast of Kauai is well known to sailors around the globe. This unique stretch of coastline has incredible views of ocean cliffs and valleys, sea caves, and lots of marine life. There are many different sailing options to choose from. You can do a day trip, or a sunset cruise. Other options include, snorkeling, sea cave exploring, lunch or dinner. Trips are usually 4-5 hours depending on the options you choose. 

This was my absolute favorite thing to do in Kauai, and is probably in my top 3 favorite things I have done anywhere. I went with Captain Andy’s sunset cruise. I chose this cruise mostly because it had the best reviews for dinner. And I am a foodie after all! I was not disappointed. The crew was fantastic, the food was delicious, and the drinks and good vibes were flowing. 

The water was pretty choppy the day we sailed the Na Pali coast. I didn’t mind at all! It was really fun on a catamaran. If the water is too bad, they will cancel. I felt completely safe the whole time. I highly recommend this as one of the top 10 things to do when you are in Kauai.

2. Visit Local Markets

I have to visit local markets everywhere I go! Not only do I love food, but I love to learn about local cuisine and culture. Markets are the best way to do this and this is definitely one of the top 10 things to do in Kauai. Even if you aren’t a foodie you will still enjoy the markets in Kauai.

Most of the markets have locally grown produce, flowers, fish, locally made arts and crafts, and prepared food. It’s a great place to grab a plate lunch, find some treasures to take home, and stock up on fresh food for the rest of your trip. 

There are so many farmers markets in Kauai. You can find one pretty much any day and any time. There is even a night market in Princeville! For more information on Kauai’s markets check out this in depth article by Hawaii Travel With Kids,  Best Farmers Markets in Kauai. 

3. Beaches

There really are so many incredible beaches in Kauai. Getting in some beach time is one of the top things to do in Kauai. I try to hit a beach everyday while I’m there. Here are five of my favorite beaches:

• Hanalei Beach- This large bay has a large stretch of sandy beach, kayak rentals, a pier, and even food trucks in the parking lot. The water is calmer than the open ocean and the views are indescribable. Because it’s on the North Shore it does tend to rain occasionally which keeps the crowds away. Hanalei Bay is generally a quiet beach and is great to relax with a book, or play in the water.
• Anini Beach- This little gem of a beach is off the beaten path and has no crowds. It’s one of the best areas of coral reef and great for snorkeling.
  
• Puu Pao Beach- This beach requires a small hike to access it, meaning you will encounter few people here! Thesnorkeling is great, and the privacy is even better. 
• Poipu Beach- This is one of the most popular beaches in Kauai, and with good reason. This sandy beach has good snorkeling, swimming, and a naturally protected pool. And even though it has a lot of crowds, it’s worth visiting at least once. 
• Tunnels Beach- This North Shore beach has some of the best snorkeling on the island. It has underwater lava tubes that make for great reef exploration. The reef also creates some protected swimming pools for those looking for a mellower beach experience.  

            4. Botanical Gardens

Walking through gardens is one of my favorite things to do and I think one of the top 10 things to do in Kauai. There are several gardens on the island to visit. Most of them offer self guided or guided tours, or private or specialty tours. 

My favorite garden is Limahuli Garden and Preserve on the North Shore. This botanical garden focuses on preserving Hawaiin culture and heritage. You get a more authentic Hawaiin experience here. Not to mention it’s incredibly beautiful!

You can pick up a booklet of information at the visitor center that details all of the plants and tells stories of Hawaiian history. You can really immerse yourself into this purely Hawaiian experience! 

5. Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Bay is so much more than a beach! The town itself is a tourist hub that is worth a visit. You can find restaurants, shops, ice cream, coffee, snorkel and kayak rentals, and so much more. 

It’s idyllic setting has attracted attention from Hollywood for decades. The backdrop of mountains, waterfalls, and sometimes mist that settles in the lush valleys is unreal, you don’t want to miss it! 

You can also find the best Mai Tai on the island here! If you’re like me, you like to try the Mai Tai’s all around the island. Stop into Tahiti Nui and try theirs while you sit outside and enjoy the views. You won’t be disappointed.

6. Go Kayaking

Rent some kayaks and head up the Hanalei River for an unforgettable experience! This lazy river winds through some beautiful scenery which also happens to be a wildlife refuge. If you paddle far enough up the river you will see all sorts of turtles and exotic birds. 

The paddle back is fairly easy and the river spits you out into Hanalei Bay. Here you can continue to kayak in the bay or park the kayaks on the beach and take a swim. 

You can find Kayak Hanalei rentals right in the town of Hanalei Bay that has direct access to the river. It’s really easy to grab some kayaks and go! 

                                       7. Waterfalls

All of Hawaii is saturated with beautiful waterfalls, and Kauai is no exception. There are some easy to drive to waterfalls to view, some with short hikes, and some that are a bit harder to access. Here are two easy to access waterfalls that you’ll want to see:

• Wailua Falls- a short drive from Lihue. The road ends at a small parking lot, where you can then take a short walk to view the falls. It gets crowded up here so early morning viewing is best if you don’t want to have to wait for a parking spot. 
• Opaekaa Falls- not far from Wailua Falls. Not only can you view the incredible falls here, but you can also walk across the street to find breathtaking views of the Wailua River Valley. 

8. Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and with good reason. It’s a 14 mile long, 1 mile wide, 3600 feet deep canyon located on the west side of the island. It has a multitude of scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, and hiking trails. You can easily spend a whole day here! I think everyone who has seen it will agree that this is one of the top 10 things to do in Kauai.

                       9. Kapaa Bike Path

This bike path starts in Kapaa and heads north along the shore for 4.5 miles. Biking is the most popular use of this trail, but you can walk, run, or skate it. Rent some bikes in Kapaa and pedal up the coast for a few hours!

Along the way you will find a lot of beaches, resorts, restaurants, food trucks, and parks, some with bathrooms. It’s a great way to see the east shore and get some exercise at the same time. 

                                         10. Luau

No Hawaiian vacation is not complete without a luau. Kauai has some unique luaus on the island. Anyone of them deserves a spot on the top things to do in Kauai list! 

Kauai has the typical resort luaus, which are a lot of fun. If you haven’t experienced one then do it. But if you have and you want to try something different then check out the Ahi Lele Luau Fire Show . It’s a small luau that is put on at a beautiful community center. It has a much more authentic feel and you are supporting a small family owned operation. You get the added bonus of a lower ticket price too.

There is so much more to explore than just these top 10 things to do in Kauai! This list is really only a starting point and all vacations are different because, well, we are all different. If you’re not so sure about visiting Kauai you can read my post on Which Is The Best Island To Visit In Hawaii?. Wherever you go I wish you the best Hawaiian vacation! It will be an experience you won’t forget. Mahalo!