Relax in the Garden Isle: Kaua'i, Hawai'i

North Shore: Hanalei and Princeville

• Anini Beach:
  The peacefulness of Anini Beach really stood out to me. Anini is a tranquil spot for a calm beach day, unlike the bustling alternatives. Even though it was windy, the water stayed surprisingly calm, making it ideal for windsurfing, kite surfing and snorkeling. If you’re looking for a low-key escape, this is the beach for you. There are no rental shops nearby, so rent any equipment in Hanalei. However, there is plenty of free parking, onsite showers and bathrooms, picnic areas and (of course) roosters and chickens. I would recommend going during the weekday or earlier in the day on weekends to avoid crowds.

• Kayaking Hanalei River:
  Want a good workout? Then look no further than kayaking 2–8 miles along the Hanalei River. If you rent a kayak from Kayak Hanalei, then you have two options for your route: either go toward Hanalei Beach to see the sea turtles and enjoy the beach or go toward the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge where you’ll spot native birds and turtles. I chose the latter route, and boy were my arms tired by the end of the experience. What I loved was the serenity. The captivating bird life and vibrant nature made my workout a perfect blend of challenge and relaxation. I would recommend going earlier in the day (before 10am) to avoid peak heat.

South Shore: Poipu, Koloa, Hanapepe, Waimea

• Poipu Beach:
  This beach can get quite popular because of the amazing snorkel conditions and the opportunity to see sea turtles. Arriving early on a Saturday around 9:30am, I saw that the beach was already 50% full. I found one of the few shady spots remaining, as well as two sea turtles nesting on the shore. Throughout my three hours at the beach, I spotted six turtles and even got to snorkel as one went back into the ocean. There is a rental shop (Nukumoi Surf) that has water sport and beach equipment rentals plus hosts surf lessons right next to the beach. There is also free parking, showers and picnic tables. I recommend getting to the beach before noon on the weekend, as it fills up quickly. Please kindly accommodate the turtles by making room for them as they swim through the crowds to reach the shore. Do not crowd them and disturb their journey.

• Old Koloa Town:
  This quaint village hosts several eateries (some of my favorites were here), bars, shops and exhibits. There’s also a grocery store (Big Save Market) if you need to grab any food for day trips. The shops and exhibits quiet down by the evening, but there are plenty of restaurants with cuisines like pizza, fusion burgers and ramen. In the mornings, there are several brunch restaurants, coffee and juice shops and cafes to choose from.

• Self-Driving Waimea Canyon Tour:
  The Waimea Canyon is known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” and it lives up to its namesake. There are several lookout points throughout the State Park that allow you to see different views of the canyon. The drive from Kapa’a took about one hour and 40 minutes, and I got through the canyon in about 3.5 hours. It is $5 to enter the State Park and $10 to park. When you enter your first lookout, you’ll pay at one of the parking meters. Put the ticket on your front windshield, and that will cover you for the rest of your day. Seeing the canyon, my brain still can’t fathom that I wasn’t looking at a picture but at an actual mountain range. It is a stunning view with so many colors and shapes, it doesn’t feel real. This is a must for anyone visiting Kaua'i.
  
  The route I took is:
  Kalalau Lookout, Canyon Trail to Waipo’o Falls (three-mile out-and-back hike)
  Waimea Canyon Lookout
  Iliau Nature Loop Trail (0.4 mile “hike”, more of a walk through a garden)
  Hononu
  Awawa Lookout
  Kekaha Lookout

East Shore: Kapa’a, Lihue, Wailua

• Biking Ke Ala Hele Makalae Path:
  This is a paved, multi-use path for walkers and bikers along the Coconut Coast. The seven-mile path is an out-and-back. I rode the path for about 1.5-2 hours. There are some sloping points, but they make the ride back easier. You don’t need to ride the full length and there are multiple picnic benches along the way to take breaks as needed. I took breaks to enjoy the view and the sound of the ocean waves.

• Aloha Moon Spa:
  The entire purpose of my trip was to relax and unwind. As someone with chronic injuries, I get regular massages so I would not skip out on my routine, even on vacation. I found this amazing spa near where I stayed that offered a slew of treatments. I got the 90-minute Salty Mermaid massage. It included a 70-minute body massage, a salt foot scrub and a hot scalp treatment massage using a mixture of Gigartina seaweed, lavender and gardenia mineral-rich salts for the rest of the session. My therapist, Rei, applied just the right amount of pressure to wash away the soreness from my kayaking journey the day prior and put me to sleep multiple times. When I return to Kaua'i, I will definitely stop by here again.

Breakfast

• Kountry Kitchen:
  This place is popular for a reason. Known for its huge portions and friendly vibes, it’s no surprise there’s a wait — even on weekday mornings. Thankfully, they use Yelp’s waitlist system, so you can skip some of the wait time. As a solo traveler, I scored a quick seat at their outdoor counter. I ordered the plain pancakes (18+ inches in diameter), which came with coconut syrup and butter. I paired that with a side of juicy, smokey kalua pork and a refreshing guava juice, and I was in foodie heaven. Fair warning, this meal may leave you in a blissful food coma, so plan for beach time and not a long drive (learn more from my 2-hour post-pancake trek to Waimea Canyon).

• Break + Feast:
  This was one of my favorite meals on the island. The menu contains elevated, Hawaiian-inspired dishes. Despite the long wait, solo diners can often get seated quickly, but I recommend reservations on weekends. I ordered Kalua Pork Hash Fried Rice with chipotle aioli. The perfect balance of smoky pork and a slight kick from the aioli made every bite a flavor adventure. Although I had debated between the lilikoi pancakes (which every time a pancake stack passed my table and I could smell them, I almost regretted my choice) and Da Dip (their take on a French dip), I was happy with my choice. A must-visit if you’re a brunch lover!

Sweets

• Aloha Sweet Delights:
  Aloha Sweet Delights is an absolute gem. This unassuming roadside bakery is the perfect stop after a day exploring Waimea Canyon. They have all the homemade treats you could want after a long day of hiking and driving: malasadas, pies, cakes, donuts, rolls, breads and more. They serve up everything from malasadas and donuts to savory sandwiches, but the real highlight for me was the cream-filled malasada. Enjoying it back on my lanai felt like the perfect end to a long day of hiking. You’ll want to grab a few extras for the road — I regretted not filling my bag with more of their baked goods!

• Pink’s Ice Cream Shop:
  If you’re needing a break from the heat or just love sweets, this is the place for you. Pink’s has ice cream, milkshakes, floats, smoothies and Hawaiian grilled cheese sandwiches. They don’t do samples, but they do have unique flavors that I’m sure you’ll love. As I don’t like chocolate, I was limited on choices, but I picked a 50–50 blend of Hawaiian Vanilla Bean and Strawberry in a milkshake, which was delicious.

Quick bites

• Sandwich Isle:
  An excellent spot for lunch on the way to Anini Beach. This place has both cold and warm sandwiches, along with a selection of chips. The sandwiches are foot-longs, pretty hefty for a meal, so I didn’t get chips and felt glad for it. I got the warmed BBQ chicken sandwich, which had an interesting BBQ sauce and garlic aioli blend that took the sandwich home.

• Puka Dog Hawaiian Style Hot Dogs:
  Puka Dog is a local legend — and for good reason. Made famous by Anthony Bourdain, this spot delivers a one-of-a-kind Hawaiian hot dog experience. Whether you go for the Polish sausage or veggie option, the real treat comes from the toppings. I had the Polish sausage with mild garlic lemon sauce, mango relish and lilikoi mustard, and as someone who doesn’t like relish or mustard, it was delicious. The line can be long, so I’d recommend getting there early (as I did around 10:30am). Even if you have to wait, it’s worth it for a true taste of Kauai street food

Nicer meals

• Japanese Grandma’s Cafe:
  Japanese Grandma’s Café ranks in my top three meals from the trip. The cozy, welcoming atmosphere immediately drew me in. Be sure to make a reservation — by 6pm on a Friday, the wait was long and walk-ins were being turned away. They’re recommended for their fresh fish, and my nigiri (hamachi and amberjack) was melt-in-your-mouth perfection. I also ordered the mushroom tacos, which were a surprisingly delightful addition to the meal. Paired with their special mai tai of the night, this meal was an absolute highlight.

Happy hour

• Lava Lava Beach Club:
  Lava Lava Beach Club was my go-to spot for a relaxed drink at sunset. Set right on the beach, it’s the perfect place to unwind with a cocktail in hand and the sound of waves in the background. The happy hour deals on both drinks and food are great—$2 off cocktails, with tempting bites like nachos and sliders. I particularly loved the Skinny Dipper, a refreshing blend of soju, strawberry, basil and lilikoi that made me feel like I was sipping healthy (while at a beach bar, no less!). For a change of pace, the Shark Bite, with bourbon, rum and amaretto, offered a satisfying kick to end the day.