.png)
Kauai Travel Guide: Top 6 Things to Do and Where to Stay
- Heather Vergara
- Oct 27, 2024
- 12 min read
Kauai Travel Guide: Kauai's Kalalau Valley
Kaua'i, the Garden Isle of Hawaii, retains a wild beauty beyond compare - with waterfalls that carve their way down canyons, green mountains that soar out of the sea, and a call for natural adventures that complements the island's easy aloha spirit. As a Hawaii expert and a lover of this spectacularly beautiful island, I'm sharing a Kauai Travel Guide with my top 6 things to do on the island, plus advice on where to stay, including resort reviews.
L to R: Kualalau hike, Hawaiian shaved ice, my son on Shipwreck beach before a storm
Kaua'i is the northernmost island of Hawaii and the least populated of the main four. O'ahu, home to Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, is the same size as Kaua'i but is much more densely populated, with more than 1 million residents. Kaua'i, on the other hand, has just 70,000, so it retains that small-town charm and wild natural beauty.
Given nature is more common than buildings or roads (80% of the island is inaccessible by car as you can see by the map below), Kaua'i is not the easiest island to visit. It takes some work to see all that beauty, but it's worth it! Plan on multiple days of driving and a helicopter tour, because it's the only way to see it all!
Photo credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority
I've been lucky to visit Kaua'i four times now - and I'm not done yet! When I visited Kauai in ’99 and ’07, I stayed on the north shore in Hanalei and Princeville, while my 3rd visit in '23 was on the south shore in Poipu. The weather in Poipu is sunnier and drier than the north shore, so most of the resorts are concentrated there. For our fourth stay in '25, I wanted to return to the north shore because that area is what makes Kaua'i so unique. While the drive from the south shore to the north shore is only 1.5 hours, you can't do the north shore justice in a daytrip. The ideal way to experience the whole island is a split stay between the south shore and the north shore. You can read more about "where to stay" below.
Spectacular Kauai from above
Kauai Top 6 Things to Do
2. Hike the Kalalau Trail and explore the North Shore
4. Plan to be adventurous – mountain tubing, waterfall rappel, ziplining, ATV, and more!
6. Soak it all in – stop for waterfalls, shaved ice, and coconuts on the side of the road, botanical gardens, lookouts, and beaches. If you see a bunch of cars, stop and explore!
*Seas can be rough in Kauai, especially in the winter, so if seasickness is an issue, leave #5 off your list.
#1. Helicopter Tour
A bird's eye view is the best way to see all the beauty of Kauai's Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon, so I hope a helicopter ride is on your bucket list! Book your tour in advance and plan it early in your trip in case it has to be rescheduled due to weather. For my second Kaua'i helicopter tour, we were only in the air for a few minutes before we had to turn back due to storms, and we were never able to reschedule. For our last helicopter tour, we did doors-off —an exhilarating experience —but not one I feel the need to repeat.
My first ride in Kauai was a go in '99. In '23, the tour was cut short due to storms. Our last tour had NO DOORS!
#2. Hike the Kalalau Trail and explore the North Shore
If you’re staying in Poipu or on the east side, plan on multiple days of driving. You’ll spend the day in the car seeing some of the sights on the North Shore - Kilauea Lighthouse, Hanalei Bay and Hanalei Town, and the drive to the end of the road with all the amazing stops along the way. Make sure you get a permit ahead of time if you want to hike part of the Kalalau Trail.
All the beauty of Kauai's North Shore
#3. Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and the adjacent Koke'e State Park offer stunning vistas and challenging hikes as well as another full day of driving if you want to see it all including the Kalalau Valley, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Here's where staying in Poipu comes in handy - Waimea Canyon is only an hour's drive from Poipu whereas it's a 2-hour drive from the North Shore.
Kauai's Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Valley
#4. Plan to be Adventurous
Kauai's wild terrain makes for amazing natural adventures! My most vivid memory of Kaua'i is kayaking 17 miles around the Na Pali coast with my childhood friend, Kim. Riding the waves in the open ocean, taking breaks in caves with windows open to the sky, not being able to move my arms once we landed on shore - an experience we'll never forget! On our last visit, I knew my family wouldn't be game for a 17-mile kayak, but I did get them kayaking on Hanalei Bay and river.
Top: Kayaking Kauai's Napali Coast, Bottom: Kayaking Hanalei Bay and Hanalei River
Mountain tubing is an excursion unique to the island of Kaua'i. This half-day excursion leaves from Lihue by the airport and takes you up to Mt. Wai'ale'ale - the wettest place on Earth - for breathtaking views. Then it's on to the old sugar plantation water chutes where you don helmets and heavy-duty tubes for the ride down the rapids and through the tunnels. The water is cold, but you get used to it. Although from the look on my daughter's face, I'm guessing this would be an easier adventure in the summer when it's warmer and less rainy. I swear she was having fun!
Kauai Backcountry Adventures Mountain Tubing
While I toured resorts on the south shore, my husband and kids tackled the Triple Trail Waterfall ATV Expedition at Kipu Ranch. Other adventures on Kaua'i include waterfal rappel, ziplining, horseback riding, watersports, and more!
Kipu Ranch Triple Trail ATV Expedition
#5. Get Out on the Water
If you're visiting in the summer, I highly recommend getting out on the water around the Na Pali coast. In winter the water can be rough, so beware if anyone in your travel party gets motion sickness. You can take a catamaran or venture out on an expedition raft to access the sea caves! All the snorkel cruises leave from the Port Allen Harbor on the south shore and then head up the west side to the Na Pali Coast on the north shore.
The Na Pali Coast by boat
#6. Soak It All In
One of my favorite things about Kaua'i is its laid-back charm and lack of commercialization. So on days when you're exploring with no set plans, take the time to be spontaneous! If you see a bunch of cars parked on the side of the road, stop and see what's up. It could be a beautiful lookout or amazing beach or maybe it's just ice-cold coconuts for sale. Make sure you get Hawaiian shaved ice and add all the extras they recommend, like a snow cap. Stop for a coffee or bite to eat in that charming town on the side of the road. Kapa'a is on the way to the North Shore and is where I had the best avocado toast of my life!
Laid back Kaua'i
Kaua'i: Where to Stay
Kaua'i offers three main locations to stay: Princeville/Hanalei to the north, Poipu to the south, and Lihue/Coconut Coast to the east. All three locations are vastly different and have their advantages and disadvantages. Unfortunately, no location has it all. My favorite by far is the North Shore.
Princeville and Hanalei (North Shore)
North Shore Pros:
The North Shore is true Kaua'i with dramatic lush landscapes, picture-perfect beaches, charming towns, and limited commercialization.
The setting at the spectacular 5 star 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is incomparable. Build your vacation around a stay here. You'll be wow-ed by the views, the service, and the beach. I send all my Kaua'i clients here and can offer VIP perks like complimentary breakfast and room upgrades. We were treated to a one-of-kind penthouse oceanview terrace room! Mahalo to my ohana at 1 Hotel!
North Shore Cons:
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is the only traditional beachfront resort, and it's pricey. Your only other options are timeshare properties or condos with limited amenities and service.
Weather is unpredictable – plan for rainy and cloudy days.
Kauai's North Shore
Poipu (South Shore)
Poipu Pros:
Sunniest and driest, although there are no guarantees on Kaua'i, especially in winter!
Best beaches (easy to get to, walkable, most are typically swimmable)
Variety of traditional beachfront resorts
Close to snorkel cruise departures, Waimea Canyon, and Allerton/McBryde botanical gardens
Poipu Cons:
True Kaua'i is on the North Shore, so plan on doing multiple days of driving if you want to experience it.
Poipu, Kaua'i
Lihue/Coconut Coast (East Side)
Lihue Pros:
Budget-friendly resorts
Centrally-located - close to the airport and close to popular excursions (mountain tubing, helicopter tours, ATV)
Walkable to restaurants and food trucks
Lihue Cons:
Area is commercial and industrial. Cruise ships dock here. Lacks charm.
Resorts are not as luxurious or unique.
Beaches can get pollution and storm run-off
Lihue on Kauai's east side
Note: If you have a late return flight, you may consider a daypass at one of the resorts in Lihue. For our recent visit, our flight didn't depart until 11pm, so I booked a day room at the Royal Sonesta for less than $300, and we were so glad we had a place to chill, nap and shower before our late flight! The Royal Sonesta was a quick 10 minute drive to the airport.
North Shore Resort: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
Back in '07, I brought my husband to Kaua'i for a babymoon, and we had the pleasure of staying at The Princeville Resort. A couple of years ago, that beautiful property was transformed into 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, a spectacular eco-conscious wellness resort built into the cliffside overlooking Hanalei Bay and Kauai's lush coastline. This oceanfront sanctuary is designed to immerse guests in Kauai's natural beauty, seamlessly blurring the lines between indoors and out.
Prepare to be wow-ed from the moment you pull up to the botanical garden entrance and lounge in a swing while your suitcases are whisked away to your room. Your jaw will drop the first time you witness the views of Hanalei Bay and its green mountain backdrop - and every time a rainbow appears against that backdrop.
The service here is almost as spectacular as the views. Prepare to be surprised and delighted time and again. Here's a few examples:
Guest services asked our arrival time and had our room ready late morning to accommodate. When I expressed our priority for a terrace room over a room that was available early, they upgraded us to a one-of-kind penthouse terrace room and escorted us to the hospitality suite so we could change and freshen up while our new room was being prepared.
Our first afternoon, we walked up to the pool, and one of the attendants began to set up two cabanas, including shade on the sunny side.
A beachside server overheard me tell my husband I wanted a Diet Coke with ice, but I was worried it would get watered down in the sun. Without me asking, she brought me a can of Diet Coke and two cups of ice.
Housekeeping texted us daily to ask when we would like the room cleaned and worked around my daughter resting in the room due to a cold.
If you're headed to Kaua'i, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay needs to be on your list. I can help you secure the best room category to meet your needs along with exclusive VIP amenities to make your stay extraordinary.
South Shore Resorts
As always, I stole away from my family to tour resorts, so I can provide my clients with personal recommendations and build relationships on the island. When my clients have a special request, it's always better to call someone you know! Read below for an overview of the Poipu resorts I toured.
Grand Hyatt Kauai
Sprawling across 50 acres of a sugar plantation, the Grand Hyatt Kaua'i is one of the most beautiful resorts I've had the pleasure of experiencing. On Kaua'i, where no building can be higher than a coconut palm, the Grand Hyatt is built into the hillside in tiers, so no view is obstructed. From our balcony, we gazed out upon gardens that stretched to the ocean. It was only after exploring the grounds a bit that we realized our breakfast restaurant was beneath the gardens, with its own gorgeous view. That intelligent architecture means no looking down on rooftops – just lush gardens, beach, and the surf.
Grand Hyatt Kauai: lush landscaping, beautiful beach, pools for days
With multi-level pools, a 1.5-acre saltwater lagoon with its own sandy beach, and a lava-rock lazy river with waterfalls as well as a waterslide, my kids were in heaven. Would have been even better if the water had been heated, but that's Kaua'i in the winter for you!
So many beautiful swimming and lounging spaces at the Grand Hyatt Kauai!
Shipwreck Beach in front of the resort is gorgeous and great for long walks. On the east end of the beach are sea cliffs and beautiful hiking paths for your daily workout. You'll see chickens everywhere in Kaua'i - even on the beach. In the photos here from our recent stay, you can see the differences in the weather - cloudy, dark and stormy, sunny and beautiful. You never know what you're gonna get on Kaua'i, so be flexible and bring a rain jacket!
Shipwreck Beach at Grand Hyatt Kaua'i: Long and lovely with cliffs for hiking at the end
The only downside to the Hyatt is its size. With more than 600 rooms and lots of beautiful acreage, expect to do a lot of walking. We had a lovely Oceanview room, but it was a hike to get to the lobby, pools and restaurants. After we left Kaua'i and moved to Maui's Wailea Beach Resort, we were so happy to be in a more intimate setting, with our room just steps from the pool and beach.
If Grand Hyatt Kaua'i seems like a good fit for you, I get special perks and discounts here, so let's chat!
Sheraton Kaua'i
The Sheraton Kaua'i in Poipu is small (188 rooms across 4 floors and 2 buildings), but it's right on the beach. Almost all the rooms are beachfront, so you don't have to pay exorbitant prices for the best room. The oceanfront pool is small and nothing fancy, but it's also just steps from the beach. I saw a monk seal right on the beach during my tour. Prices are better here versus the Hyatt, as they should be given the resort is less luxurious and has fewer amenities. If you want to be on the beach, this is your spot!
Sheraton Kaua'i in Poipu, where almost all rooms are oceanfront
Koloa Landing
Koloa Landing is a beautiful, unique property that offers 1-3BR suites all with full kitchens, living rooms, and washer/dryers. With 2 adults and 2 teens in our 500-square-foot room at the Hyatt, the 2BR at Koloa Landing looked quite nice! This resort has been named the best pool in America, featuring a family lagoon pool, a tranquility pool, and a huge main pool. The 25-acre lushly-landscaped property features volleyball, a putting green, soccer area, fire pits, poolside BBQs, plus full food & beverage service.
While Koloa Landing is by the ocean, the resort is not beachfront. My clients have all loved their stays here and said the walk to the Sheraton beach was only 5-10 minutes.
Koloa Landing in Poipu: 1-3BRs with full kitchens and laundry plus fabulous pools!
Koa Kea Resort
If you love intimate boutique properties, Koa Kea is the resort for you! I have yet to book this resort because it's more of a romantic adult property and most of my clients are families, but I loved how authentic and charming it is. All 121 rooms were recently renovated, and I was surprised to find the interiors were really the nicest of all the properties I toured. Koa Kea offers one restaurant, plus the pool bar and in-room dining. The beachfront is all rocks, but guests can find a sandy beach on either side of the resort. Families with more than one child would need to book two rooms.
Koa Kea Kauai: a boutique resort for couples or small families
All four times I've visited Kauai, I've paired the visit with another island. My first time was O'ahu/Kaua'i, then Big Island/Kaua'i, then Kaua'i/Maui (my two favorite islands), and this last time was the Big Island/Kaua'i again. When you're ready for Hawaii, I can help you decide which islands to visit, secure the best accommodations with special perks, and design an itinerary with unique experiences you'll remember forever!
Heather Vergara is a former PepsiCo marketing executive who left the corporate world to be a Mom and never found her way back. Instead, she focused on her passion for travel and adventure and created Show Them the World, a travel concierge service for busy families longing to reconnect and see the world together. She's now a Million Dollar Advisor with Gifted Travel Network, a Virtuoso agency. Heather has helped hundreds of families experience Hawaii, Alaska, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Italy, France, Greece, England, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Africa, Iceland, National Parks, and more to come!
Heather has an MBA in marketing from Indiana University, a Digital Marketing Executive Education certificate from Columbia University, and a BA in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives with her husband, two kids, and two furry dogs in Zionsville, Indiana.