17 of Our Favorite Things to Do on Kauaʻi

Kauaʻi has always been one of my favorite Hawaiian Islands to visit. Whether I’m hiking and exploring or just spending a few days lounging on a secluded shoreline, the Garden Isle offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

Kauaʻi, the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands, is known for its emerald valleys and the grand Nāpali Coast—but that’s not all. The island also boasts beautiful beaches and is home to world-class resorts, incredible restaurants and unforgettable activities.

Here are 17 of my favorite things to do on Kauaʻi.

1. Lounge at Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Bay is one of my favorite beaches on Kauaʻi. I can’t help but marvel at the dramatic mountain ridges and verdant valleys that serve as the backdrop to this sandy shoreline. The crescent-shaped beach is an ideal spot for surfing, bodyboarding and kayaking. And I always look forward to jumping off the famous pier.

READ MORE: The Best Beaches on Kauaʻi

2. Snorkel at Mākua

This beach on the island’s North Shore is nicknamed Tunnels because of its labyrinth of underwater lava tubes. Mākua is considered one of the best snorkeling spots on Kauaʻi to see intricate coral formations and a vibrant array of marine life, like unicorn fish, goatfish and moray eels. Like many beaches on this side of the island, snorkeling at Mākua is best in the summer—strong currents and large waves make it dangerous in the winter.

READ MORE: The Best Snorkeling Spots on Kauaʻi

3. Hike and Swim at Hāʻena State Park

On Kaua‘i’s North Shore, Hāʻena State Park is literally the end of the road. It’s home to Kēʻē Beach and its pristine waters, and it’s also the starting point for the famous Kalalau Trail, an arduous 11-mile hike through the wilderness (it’s on my bucket list!). For a challenging day hike—without the commitment of doing the full Kalalau Trail—you can trek to Hanakāpīʻai Falls, about 8 miles, round trip.

READ MORE: What Visitors Need to Know About the Reopened Hāʻena State Park

4. Marvel at the the Nāpali Coast

Stretching 17 miles, the Nāpali Coast’s emerald cliffs are a site to behold as they plunge into the blue Pacific. Whether seen from a boat or helicopter, or on foot while hiking the Kalalau Trail, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.

READ MORE: The Best Nāpali Tour Companies on Kauaʻi

5. Learn About the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse

The Kīlauea lighthouse at the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge was built in the 1900s, its flash going dark in 1976. Today, you can learn more about the history of the lighthouse, which is open to the public. Birdwatchers also gather here, drawn by the hundreds of seabirds nesting along the cliffs. I found the views of Kauaʻi’s coast stunning, and in the winter, you can spot humpback whales and their calves playing in the water.

READ MORE: How the Kīlauea Lighthouse Saved an Airship in 1927

6. Hike in Kōkeʻe State Park

Spanning 4,345 acres on the northwestern side of the island, Kōkeʻe State Park boasts unique terrain and 45 miles of hiking trails. You can hike through a native wet forest or follow trails that lead to views of Waimea Canyon and the Nāpali Coast. No matter which trail you choose, you can’t go wrong: The park has some of the best hikes in Hawaiʻi. It’s also a great place to see native plants and endemic forest birds like the ʻapapane and ʻiʻiwi.

READ MORE: 6 Tips for Visiting Kōkeʻe State Park on Kauaʻi

7. Witness Waimea Canyon

You can witness one of the Islands’ most striking geological features from the overlook at Waimea Canyon, dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Stretching 14 miles and more than 3,600 feet deep, Waimea Canyon is a spectacular site and a surprising contrast on the lush Garden Isle. Its sharp cliffs and rugged crags are painted desert red, brown and green. And sometimes you can even spot a waterfall in the distance.

8. Kayak the Wailua River

Kauaʻi has the only navigable rivers in Hawaiʻi. The 20-mile-long Wailua River, the largest on the island, flows by verdant jungles and once weaved past several heiau (temples), too. Today, you can explore the river and paddle to two popular waterfalls—Wailua Falls and ‘Ōpaekaʻa Falls—by kayak or stand-up paddleboard.

READ MORE: Kayak and Hike to One of Kauaʻi’s Secret Falls

9. Tube Down an Irrigation Ditch

Tubing down an old irrigation ditch might be one of the most unique things you can do on Kauaʻi. At the historic Līhuʻe Plantation, you can float down open canals that were dug by hand back in the 1870s.

READ MORE: We Went Tubing Down an Old Irrigation Ditch on Kauaʻi

10. Hike the Wai Koa Loop Trail

My favorite hiking trails aren’t necessarily the ones that lead to breathtaking vistas. Sometimes, I like to spend an hour or two (or three) trekking on a path surrounded by trees. For that, Wai Koa Loop Trail is easily one of my favorite hikes on Kauaʻi. This relatively flat 4-mile trail—which is no longer a loop—leads hikers through a tranquil forest. At the halfway point, you’ll reach the Kīlauea Stone Dam, which is in a garden oasis, complete with cascading waterfall, tropical greenery and even a Buddha statue.

READ MORE: This Hike on Kauaʻi is a Walk Through an Enchanted Forest

11. Eat Kauaʻi’s Iconic Foods

Beyond its beaches and hikes, the Garden Isle is home to a pleasant array of noteworthy restaurants and eateries. From farm stands to hole-in-the-wall snack shops, I have a running list of spots I try to visit when I’m on the island. If I’m on the North Shore, I like to stop at Nourish Hanalei to fuel up with an açaí bowl or a hearty salad; both are served with breathtaking views of Hanalei. And I always try to swing by Taro Ko Chips in Hanapēpē to pick up bags of some of the best taro and sweet potato chips in the Islands.

READ MORE: 12 Dishes Every Traveler to Kauaʻi Should Try

12. Stay at Unique Accommodations

I’d never stayed at a resort like 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay—and I’m still dreaming about the day I can return to the sustainable sanctuary on the cliffs of Hanalei Bay. Whether I was swimming in the adults-only infinity pool, dining at the resort restaurant or just relaxing in my room, I never got over the view of the bay. Guests at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay also have access to the resort’s 10,000-square-foot fitness studio; holistic spa; and Vitality Kauaʻi, where you can receive personalized wellness treatments and IV therapy.

And there aren’t many places like the Longhouse, either. This luxe eco-villa is nestled in the hills of Kalāheo on Kauaʻi’s south side and was designed to fit seamlessly into the island’s natural landscape. Floor-to-ceiling windows cover the south-facing side of the home, granting views of green pastures rolling down to the Pacific. But my favorite place to marvel at the views is from the villa’s infinity pool.

13. Drive Through the Tree Tunnel

A canopy of 500 eucalyptus trees lines Maluhia Road leading to the towns of Kōloa and Poʻipū on the island’s south shore. Although short, it’s a serene experience driving through what’s commonly referred to as the Tree Tunnel.

14. Explore Old Kōloa Town

Whether it’s a hidden gem or a shop that recently opened, I always seem to stumble upon something new in Old Kōloa Town. While I’m in the area, I make sure to stop at The Fresh Shave for a sweet treat. The shave ice shop is known for creative concoctions and all-natural syrups. Playing on the barbershop moniker, the combos are named after mustache styles, like the Professor, the Fu Manchu and the Caterpillar. And I don’t think I’ve visited Kōloa without picking up a snack (or two) at Sueoka Market. Tucked on the side of the store, you can also find some of the best plate lunches at Sueoka Snack Shop.

READ MORE: The 5 Best Plate Lunches on Kauaʻi

15. Watch the Sunset at Poʻipū Beach

You can easily spend the afternoon swimming, snorkeling and just relaxing at Poʻipū Beach, located on the island’s south shore. The beach is one of the best places to watch the sunset on Kauaʻi, so be sure to stick around for it. And from December through April, you can sometimes spot humpback whales playing offshore.

16. Shop at Warehouse 3540

This repurposed warehouse in Lāwaʻi was once a pineapple-canning factory. Today, it houses more than a dozen eclectic local businesses. From Island-inspired jewelry and apparel to fine art, you can find a unique array of locally made goods at Warehouse 3540.

17. Tour the Largest Coffee Farm in the U.S.

Spanning more than 3,000 acres, and with more than 4 million coffee trees, Kauaʻi Coffee Co. is the largest coffee farm in the U.S. Visitors are welcome to take free walking tours of the place to learn how coffee is grown, harvested and roasted. In the visitor center you can enjoy complimentary samples of Kauaʻi Coffee Co. products.

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Grace Maeda is the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.