Experiences
Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii's oldest and greenest island
Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaiian islands and it shows. The mountains have worn into green folds, rivers run straight into the sea, and one entire coastline has no road. This is what to make time for.
This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.
The boat has been heading north from Port Allen for half an hour when the cliffs begin. Green ridges drop straight into the Pacific, with waterfalls that vanish into mist before reaching the bottom. No road, no houses, just a few goats on a ledge far above.
Kauai is the northernmost and oldest of the main Hawaiian islands, known as the Garden Isle for its rainforest. It is less developed than Oahu or Maui, and no building rises higher than the palms. Links to hotels and tours go to Hotels.com and Expedia.
In short: things to do in Kauai
See the Na Pali Coast by boat or helicopter, drive up to the Waimea Canyon lookouts and stop at Wailua Falls. Swim at Poipu in the south and Hanalei Bay in the north. Allow at least five days, and book Haena State Park entry ahead if you want to hike on Na Pali.
Our first choice: Grand Hyatt Kauai in Poipu, with a saltwater lagoon and sun on most days. Check availability and prices
The Na Pali Coast by sea, air or trail
Na Pali is why many people choose Kauai. The coast is steep, green and roadless, and there are three ways to see it.
Boat trips leave from Port Allen on the south-west side, and the sea is calmest in summer. Helicopter tours fly from Lihue, often covering the coast and the island's interior, where waterfalls familiar from Jurassic Park pour down the valley walls.
To walk it, the Kalalau Trail starts at Kee Beach on the north shore. The first few kilometres to Hanakapiai Beach are steep and muddy but manageable in a day. Entry and parking at Haena State Park must be booked in advance, and slots go quickly.
Waimea Canyon
The canyon on Kauai’s west side is clearest in the morning, before the cloud rolls in.
Waimea Canyon and Kokee
On the west side, a river has carved a gorge of red earth and green slopes. The road climbs steadily from Waimea town into the rainforest of Kokee.
Pull in at the lookouts on the way up and drive to the top to look down into the valleys of Na Pali from above. Cloud tends to roll in as the day goes on, so go early.
It is cooler up here than on the coast. Bring a layer and decent shoes, and fill the tank before you set off.
Waterfalls and rivers on the east side
Around Lihue and Wailua you will find plenty to see without walking far.
Wailua Falls is a double waterfall visible from a roadside lookout, and many recognise it from the opening credits of Fantasy Island. Go in the morning, when the light is right and a rainbow often hangs in the spray.
The Wailua River can be paddled by kayak, and a popular trip heads upstream before continuing on foot to a waterfall in the forest. Use a licensed rental or tour company, as independent paddling is restricted.
Hanalei Bay
In summer the bay is calm. In winter the swell rolls in from the north.
Beaches: sun in the south, surf in the north
Kauai has two moods, and the weather often decides which one you get.
Poipu in the south is the sunniest part of the island, with calm beaches and good snorkelling. Hawaiian monk seals sometimes haul out on the sand to rest. Keep well back, as the law requires.
Hanalei in the north has a wide crescent bay backed by mountains and a small town of cafés and surf shops. In winter, big swells hit the north shore, and that is the time for surfers, not families, to be in the water.
Poipu
The Grand Hyatt is on Kauai's sunniest stretch of coast.
Where to stay
Base yourself in Poipu for sunshine and drive to the rest of the island, or in Princeville and Hanalei if Na Pali and the north shore are the priority. Lihue is handy for short stays.
Grand Hyatt Kauai: lagoon and gardens in Poipu
The Grand Hyatt sits on the Poipu coast with extensive gardens, a saltwater lagoon and several pools. It suits families who want plenty in one place and sun on most days.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
Koa Kea
The pool looks straight out to sea in Poipu.
Koa Kea: a small hotel at the water's edge
Koa Kea is a smaller hotel right on the shore in Poipu, with a pool facing the ocean. It is made for couples who want calm and attentive service without resort scale.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Koa Kea Resort
Kalapaki Beach
The resort is on the beach just outside Lihue.
The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i: convenient for Lihue
The Royal Sonesta, formerly the Kauai Marriott, sits on Kalapaki Beach, minutes from Lihue airport. It works well for short stays or if you want to drive both north and south without moving hotel.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Royal Sonesta Kaua'i Resort
Hanalei Bay
From Princeville the view runs across the bay to the north shore mountains.
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay: views over the north shore
Set on the bluff at Princeville, the hotel looks across Hanalei Bay to the mountains beyond. Choose it as a base for Na Pali and the north shore, and accept that it rains more here than in the south.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
Experiences: See experiences and tickets
When to go
Summer brings the calmest seas on the north shore and Na Pali, and most boat trips run as planned.
Winter brings big north-shore surf, more rain and humpback whales offshore. The south side stays pleasant.
Spring and autumn are quieter than Christmas and the summer holidays, and Haena State Park permits are easier to get.
Our first choice in Kauai
Grand Hyatt Kauai
We recommend the Grand Hyatt Kauai because Poipu is the sunniest part of the island, and the resort has plenty to fill the days between trips. There is a saltwater lagoon, several pools and large gardens running down to the sea. From here you can drive to Waimea Canyon and the east coast.
Kauai: your questions answered
What is the best thing to do in Kauai?
The Na Pali Coast tops the list, seen by boat, helicopter or from the Kalalau Trail. Add Waimea Canyon, Wailua Falls and the beaches at Poipu and Hanalei. With only a few days, prioritise a Na Pali boat trip and an early morning at Waimea Canyon.
How many days do you need in Kauai?
Five to seven days gives time for the north, south and west without rushing. Weather and swell can cancel boat and helicopter trips, so a couple of spare days help. With less time, pick one base and accept you will not see everything.
Where is the best place to stay in Kauai?
Poipu on the south shore gets the most sun, with the Grand Hyatt for families and Koa Kea for couples. If Na Pali and the north shore matter most, stay in Princeville above Hanalei Bay and expect more showers. The Royal Sonesta near Lihue suits short stays close to the airport.
Do you need a permit to hike Na Pali?
Yes. Entry or parking at Haena State Park, where the Kalalau Trail begins, must be reserved in advance. Going beyond Hanakapiai valley needs a separate camping permit. Both sell out quickly in high season, so book as soon as your dates are fixed.
How do you get to Kauai?
Fly into Lihue, either via Honolulu on a short inter-island hop or direct from the US mainland. From the UK and Europe the usual route is via a US hub on the West Coast. Hire a car at the airport, as buses are limited.