Kauai Visitors Guide

The Nāpali Coast is the gem of the island of Kauai, and there are 3 ways to visit the coast: by land, by sea, or by air. You’ll find that Nāpali Coast State Park is filled with pristine beaches, dramatic cliff faces, hiking trails, and extensive archaeological sites. This is a place where natural forces are continually shaping  and reshaping the land. With so many ways to explore this pristine coastline, some of the most popular are by air and sea.

  If you are looking for an aerial tour, check out this Kauai Island Air Tour or this Doors Off Air Kauai Helicopter Tour.

  If taking in this stunning coastline by water sounds better to you consider this top rated Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail or this excellent LUCKY LADY – Deluxe Na Pali Sunset Tour.

Head to Kauai’s west side if you love to hike. Although it’s only an hour from popular Lihue, it feels like a completely different island. There are so many great hiking trails on Kauai, but one of the most popular is the Kalalau Trail. Although this hike is not for the faint of heart, the 22 mile trail is a favorite among experienced hikers. It’s a hike that qualifies you for bragging rights! This trail takes you through the lush jungles of the NaPali coastline. Advanced reservations are not required to hike this trail.

Other fantastic trails include Kuilau Ridge Trail, Nu’alolo Trail, Ke Ala Hele Makalae, Sleeping Giant Trail and Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls.

Kauai has countless waterfalls and you should visit as many as possible. One of the most popular on the island is Wailua Falls. These falls split into two separate waterfalls and cascade 173 ft into a crystal clear pool below.

Another great waterfall is Hanakoa Falls on the famous NaPali Coast. These impressive falls stand at a staggering 1,000 feet. The hike to the falls is around 6 miles, and a permit is not required.

Or you can take in the majestic Waipoo Falls that gloriously fall 800 feet into Waimea Canyon. You can see the falls from various overlooks along Highway 550. You can also snap a few photos of the canyon from the Waipoo Falls Trail. This 3.2-mile roundtrip hike is just off the highway between mile markers 14 and 15.

The Kauai Coffee Estate is the largest coffee farm in the United States. While here, you can check out the Visitors Center, take a tour of the farm, watch the roasting process, and take part in a tasting. The guided tour is $25 per person, on the tour you will learn how coffee is made, you’re even served a fresh cup of Kauai coffee before the tour. You can also do the self guided tour for free, where you simply walk the path below the coffee trees at your own pace.

What sets Kauai coffee apart? It’s grown in rich volcanic soil, watered by abundant mountain rain, and cooled by the gentle Hawaiian trade winds.

Kauai has over 30 accessible beaches, giving you many options no matter where you are on the island. There are about 50 miles of sugary white sand coastline with easy ocean access. Kauai is famous for surfing, but there are also tons of family friendly beaches perfect for building sand castles and boogie boarding.

Some of the top beaches on Kauai include Makau Beach (Tunnels Beach), Poipu Beach, Shipwreck Beach, and Ke’e Beach.

Kauai is a fantastic snorkeling and kayaking destination. At Ke’e Beach you’ll find vibrant sea life including cornet fish, sea cucumbers, and butterflyfish. There is also a chance to swim with a sea turtle at this beach.

Tunnel Beach is another popular beach for snorkeling, make sure to go at low tide and in the morning for best visibility for tropical fish and sea turtles. In August of 2022, the State of Hawaii announced that snorkeling in the large inner reef, Makua Lagoon, is now prohibited to protect the fish nursery there.

  There are a variety of options when it comes to snorkeling tours. Check out this top rated Ultimate Guided Shore Snorkeling Adventure (No Boat) or this Na Pali Half Day Snorkel and Raft Adventure.

  One of the best places on the island to kayak is Hanalei Bay. Family-friendly tours paddle the Hanalei River before entering the bay to look for Hawaiian green sea turtles. Like this Hanalei Bay AM Kayak & Snorkel Tour.

You can see the Garden Island through a filmmaker’s eyes on a tour of Kauai’s most famous movie locations. The island and its beauty have been featured in films for years! You may recognize the beautiful scenery around the island from blockbuster hits like ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ ‘Blue Hawaii,’ ‘Tropic Thunder,’ ‘Castaway,’ and ‘Jurassic Park.’

  There are full day tour options like this Kauai: Hawaii Movie Tours or this half day option Kauai Movie Adventure Tour.

Experience the spirit of “aloha” at a traditional Kauai luau, where the Polynesian culture is best shared through dance, food, music, fire, and captivating storytelling. This uniquely Hawaiian experience is great for the whole family. Kauai is known for having authentic and less commercialized luaus than some of the other islands.

  Some of the most popular luaus on Kauai are the Luau Ka Hikina Luau and the Luau Kalamaku with Plantation Owner’s Dinner & Show.

Kauai is an outdoor adventure lovers paradise, and there are so many fun ways to explore the island! Try the ultimate island experience for yourself in Kauai during a relaxed group lesson from a local professional surf instructor. No need for special equipment. Most lessons include a surfboard, rash guard, and water shoes to save your feet from coral while you learn.

Or set out on an adventure against the jungle backdrop with a zip-lining tour, where you can experience the beauty of Kauai from a bird’s eye view. 

  If you want to learn to surf, consider one of these amazing surf lessons, Kauai Learn to Surf Group Lessons or Surf Lesson in Sunny Poipu.

  Ziplining is another great adventure you will find on the island of Kauai. It’s also a great way to get a birds eye view of this beautiful island. Check out this award-winning Koala Zip Lining Tour.