Full disclosure: I went on this trip for my day job. The tourism board of Kauai sponsored the trip, but all opinions are my own because seriously Kauai is amazing!
There are so many amazing and diverse things to do in Kauai. From surfing to spa days and snorkeling to soaking up some rays on the beach, Kauai offers an array of outdoor activities. From my most recent trip to the Garden Isle, I’m sharing what to do in Kauai! Why not take to the sky and see the island from 15,000 feet in the air on a helicopter ride. Or take a drive through Waimea Canyon and stop at one of the many outlooks to take in the stunning Pacific Ocean. Be sure to check out my guide on where to stay in Kauai here!
What to Do in Kauai: Waimea
Waimea Canyon
We grabbed a poke bowl from Ishihara Market and took a morning trip up to Waimea State Park to see the Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. As someone who used to live in the Grand Canyon State aka Arizona, this stunning natural phenomenon is a can’t miss. Continue on the winding road to the Pu‘u o Kila Lookout. It is worth the extra drive for dramatic views of Kaua‘i’s tropical mountains and the vast Pacific Ocean. Setup your picnic here and take in the sheer beauty of the island and expansive ocean.
For an early morning adventure, we set off with Holo Holo Charters for a snorkel and sail expedition. Motoring up the Nāpali Coast, we caught a glimpse of the island of Ni‘ihau. At the southern edge, jump into the refreshing water and snorkel among fish and even spot a green sea turtle. We saw one turtle just swimming along, and it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. As the crew hoisted the sails, my husband and I ventured onto one of the boat’s nets and laid down and relaxed as the boat swayed with the rhythm of the ocean.
Hanapepe Art Night
Every Friday from 6-9pm, stroll over to the tiny town of Hanapepe and enjoy street food, local artists and handmade fare. I loved seeing all the unique paintings and prints and grabbing a little food. My husband ordered a cup of kava, which was a root-tasting drink that is supposed to have relaxing or even euphoric properties. While I am not sure I experienced any out-of-body moments, I maybe felt more relaxed, but it was fun to try something new! We left we a jar of passion fruit jelly, which we enjoyed once we were back in Colorado.
Woah. This stop was so cool. If you are a coffee fan, checking out Kauai Coffee Company is must! Between Waimea and Koloa sits Kauai Coffee Company, which was formerly a sugar cane plantation and holds more than 4 million coffee trees! We arrived at 10am for the complimentary walking tour, where I learned that blueberry picking machines are also used to pick coffee fruit! I learned so much about the coffee growing, picking and roasting process. My favorite part had to be trying all the different coffee varieties. I definitely left feeling a little buzzed. My favorites were the Aunty Aloha and X…
What to Do in Kauai: Koloa
National Tropical Botanical Gardens
There are five botanical gardens across the island. We visited the Allerton Garden for the sunset tour. Once a haven for Hawaii’s Queen Emma and her passion for horticulture, the grounds transferred through many owners with each adding to the rich history and lush vegetation of the gardens. Discover the vast variety of flora and trees, including the exact Moreton Bay fig trees that were featured in the movie Jurassic Park. Absolutely bring your camera and bug spray if you are doing an evening tour!
Even though I lived in Los Angeles for more than 3 years, I never learned to surf since the water is frigid most of the year. That is definitely not the case in Kauai. The water is the perfect combination of warm yet refreshing. We took lessons from Poipu Beach Surf School at Poipu State Beach, which offers easy waves for beginners. It took me some getting used to, but I rode a few waves. I also got an intense arm workout in the process!
What to Do in Kauai: Lihue
For one final hooray, we took flight with Sunshine Helicopter Tours and explored the island from thousands of feet up in the air. The pilot ensures everyone had a great seat and view of the breathtaking scenery. Fly by the Nāpali Coast, Waimea Canyon, countless waterfalls and even inside the dormant volcano. The vast beauty of the island is extenuated from your vantage point in the sky. If you have motion sickness, I would recommend taking a ginger candy before your ride. This helped settle my stomach and ensured I could be 100% in the moment to take in everything!
What to Do in Kauai: Everything Else
Beaches
Kauai is covered with gorgeous beaches! From the need a 4×4 to get there to the long stretches of sandy beaches to rocky shoreside cliffs. Our favorite beach was Polihale State Beach, but I do not recommend going to this beach unless you have an SUV. Also many rental companies will void your deposit if you go to this beach. Other amazing beaches are Poipu Beach, which is great for surfing, Baby Beach, which is small and features a tiny cover for snorkeling, small with snorkeling, and Hideaway Beach near Princeville in the northern part of the island that is awesome for snorkeling!
Waterfalls
If you love waterfalls, then Kauai is definitely for you! I lost count of how many waterfalls that we saw, and each was more breathtaking then the next. Some of my favorite waterfalls included the Waipo’o Falls in Waimea Canyon, Wailua Falls near Lihue, and Opaeka’a Falls that we saw from the helicopter ride.
[…] The food in Kauai absolutely blew me away. I was expecting a lot of fish, which I definitely ate, but there were so many other options as well, which was a relief to my husband who isn’t a big fish eater. Picking where to eat in Kauai is hard because there are so many delicious restaurants! We stayed in Waimea, Koloa and Lihue, and I’m sharing my favorite spots in all three towns. If you are planning a trip to Kauai, be sure to check out my posts on where to stay in Kauai and what to do in Kauai! […]