The Adventurer's Guide to Kaua'i

Bike the Poipu/Koloa area of Kaua'i

Looking for a relaxing way to explore a bit of the island? Renting E-bikes is the best way to start. Ride along the south shore of the garden isle at sunset for extra romance.

Sunset Cruise

Set sail at sunset on a catamaran sunset cruise. Many cruises include a full-service bar with snacks, as well as educational descriptions of the area by the captain. Be aware, the weather in Kaua'i can be volatile and may affect whether your sunset cruise is able to launch.

Helicopter Tours

View the stunning Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) and the rest of Kaua'i from above! My boyfriend and I booked our helicopter tour with Air Kaua'i. We were awestruck at Kaua'is ethereal beauty. From lush waterfalls to the rugged canyon to Jurassic Falls (the famous waterfall from the film Jurassic Park), seeing Kaua'i from above was the cherry on top of a perfect trip.

Hike the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai Beach and/or Hanakapi’ai Falls

For a different Na Pali coast experience, this 4-mile round-trip hike is perfect if you want to experience hiking just a portion of the coast. (Note: you can hike the entire Na Pali coast, but it can take days and camping is required). To get to the Kalalau Trail, we drove to the Waipa bus stop, where the Ha’ena State Park shuttle was waiting for us (Note: you must pre-book a time with the shuttle to board for $40 round trip per person). The shuttle takes you to the Kalalau trailhead — from there, it’s a two-mile hike to Hanakapi’ai Beach. Before you get to the beach, you’ll cross a stream of water. Note that swimming is not recommended at the beach during winter months due to extreme waves, but it’s a gorgeous spot to take a load off and relax before heading back. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, Hanakapi’ai Falls is a two-mile hike away from the beach, but beware of flash floods and falling rocks. This hike is not easy, but the views are worth it.

Waimea Canyon

Known as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon stretches 14 miles long, 3,600 feet deep and one mile long. The canyon dates back 4 million years to when the Hawaiian Islands were being formed by volcanic activity. To get to Waimea Canyon State Park, drive Waimea Canyon Road from Waimea Town or Kokee Road from Kekeha. We took Waimea Canyon Road. Though scenic, it was a cloudy day and visibility was low at the canyon, so watch the weather forecast.

Kalalau Lookout

Kalalau Lookout is just a 12-minute drive from Waimea Canyon State Park, as you drive up Waimea Canyon Road (Hwy 550). This lookout showcases the most iconic photo opportunity found on Kaua'i, overlooking the Kalalau Trail portion of the Na Pali coast. Again, on low visibility days, it’s difficult to see the vistas, so watch the weather!

View the Stunning Na Pali Coast by Sea

The highlight of our trip was the Na Pali Coast Adventure tour by Blue Ocean Adventure Tours. The 4.5 hour round-trip journey gave us the opportunity to see Kaua'is beautiful marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, whales and more. Not only that, but we were able to take an epic picture in front of the breathtaking jutting coastline of Na Pali. Our guide took us through waterfalls and caves throughout the journey, and we stopped at a beach to rest and have a snack. Word to the wise, we booked this tour for the afternoon, but learned later the water is much calmer in the morning. If you get seasick, make sure to take your Dramamine! (Note: Capt. Andy’s is another option to consider when planning your trip).

Favorite Beaches

Poipu Beach (perfect for sunset viewing and some snorkeling), Lydgate Beach Park, Hanalei Bay, Ke’e Beach, Tunnels Beach (the setting for the classic film South Pacific), Anini Beach.

For food, I recommend the following:

• Island Taco

• Wailua Shave Ice

• Da Crack

• Puka Dog

• Java Kai

• Paco’s Tacos

• Keoki’s Paradise

• Duke’s Kauai

• Ha Coffee (get the Wired Monkey)

• Table at Poipu

• The Plantation by Gaylord’s