Travel Guide of Kauai in United States by Influencers and Travelers

Kauaʻi, anglicized as Kauai, is geologically the second-oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of 562.3 square miles, it is the fourth-largest of these islands and the 21st largest island in the United States.

Pictures and Stories of Kauai from Influencers

16 pictures of Kauai from Derek Owens, guille pozzi, Taylor Leopold and other travelers

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How to visit Kauai ?

Kauai, the oldest and fourth largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an unparalleled tropical paradise. With its stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and dramatic cliffs, Kauai offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.

To get to Kauai, you'll need to fly into Lihue Airport (LIH), the island's main airport. Several airlines, including Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and American Airlines, offer direct flights from major cities on the West Coast of the United States. If you're coming from other destinations, you may need to connect through Honolulu or another Hawaiian island.

It is recommended to book your accommodations, rental car, and any guided tours or activities in advance, particularly during the high season (December through April). Popular attractions, such as the Na Pali Coast boat tours and helicopter tours, can fill up quickly. If you plan to hike the Kalalau Trail, you'll need a permit, which should also be booked well in advance.

The cost of a trip to Kauai can vary greatly depending on your travel style and preferences. Accommodations range from budget-friendly hostels and vacation rentals to luxurious resorts. The average daily cost for a mid-range traveler is around $200 per person, including accommodations, meals, transportation, and activities.

Some of the best things to do in Kauai include exploring Waimea Canyon, often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," taking a boat tour along the breathtaking Na Pali Coast, snorkeling at Poipu Beach, and hiking the Kalalau Trail or other trails in Koke'e State Park.

For dining options, consider visiting The Dolphin in Hanalei for fresh seafood and sushi, or head to Bar Acuda in Hanalei for tapas-style dishes made with local ingredients. For a more casual experience, don't miss the chance to try a traditional Hawaiian plate lunch at Pono Market in Kapaa.

When it comes to accommodations, Kauai offers a variety of options for every budget. For a luxurious stay, consider booking a room at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in Poipu or the St. Regis Princeville Resort on the North Shore. For more budget-friendly options, consider the Kauai Shores Hotel in Kapaa or the Kauai Beach Resort in Lihue.

Off the Beaten Path:

For an unusual travel experience on Kauai, consider exploring the hidden gem of Kipu Ranch, a 3,000-acre working cattle ranch that offers guided ATV tours. On this adventure, you'll traverse lush green valleys, drive past stunning waterfalls, and catch glimpses of the locations used in famous films such as Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones. You can also try a traditional Hawaiian activity by taking a ukulele lesson at the Hanalei Strings shop in Hanalei, where you'll learn to play this iconic instrument and bring home a unique souvenir.

The Best Things to Do and Visit around Kauai

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1 - Manawaiopuna Falls

   10 km away

Manawaiopuna Falls is a privately owned waterfall in the Hawaiian Islands, located in Hanapepe Valley on Kauai Island. It is 122 metres tall. It featured in the background of several scenes in the 1993 Steven Spielberg film Jurassic Park. The waterfall is only accessible by helicopter.

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2 - Wailua Falls

   12 km away

Wailua Falls is a waterfall on the island of Kauai, part of the US state of Hawaii. The 173 foot falls are located on the South Fork Wailua River near Lihue.

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3 - Sightseeing | Princeville

   15 km away

Experience Kauai's top luau with premium seating, hula, fire knife dancing, lei greeting, an imu ceremony, an open bar, and a buffet of local dishes.

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4 - 'Opaeka'a Falls

   14 km away

ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls is a waterfall located on the ʻŌpaekaʻa Stream in Wailua River State Park on the eastern side of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It is a 151-foot waterfall that flows over basalt from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.

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5 - Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park

   14 km away
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6 - Trekking | Wailua

   20 km away

Kayak through Kauai's sacred waterways and hike to Secret Falls. Enjoy a swim at the 100-foot waterfall. You’ll be in a group of 12 people maximums, led by a knowledgeable and fun tour guide.

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7 - Kauai County

   15 km away

Hanalei is a census-designated place in Kauaʻi County, Hawaii, United States. The population was estimated at 254 in 2017. Hanalei means "lei making" in Hawaiian.

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8 - Ke'e Beach

   15 km away

Long Beach is a city in the U.S. state of California located within the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It is the 43rd most populous city in the United States, with a population of 462,257 in 2010.

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9 - Morning | Luau Kalamaku

   20 km away

In Hawaiian, the name Kalamaku means "flaming torch", and refers to the passing of the torch from one generation to the next as they traveled from Tahiti to the island of Kauai. This Polynesian rite-de-passage will be acted out by the talented cast. And Luau? Well, it means feast, and you'll certainly dine well as you take in the spectacle.

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10 - Wailua River State Park

   15 km away
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11 - Hanalei Bay

   16 km away

Hanalei Bay is the largest bay on the north shore of Kauaʻi island in Hawaii. The town of Hanalei is at the midpoint of the bay. Hanalei Bay consists of nearly two miles of beach, surrounded by mountains. In the summer, the bay offers excellent mooring for sailboats, stand up paddle boarding and swimming. The Princeville community overlooks from the northeast entrance to the bay of Hanalei River, 22°12′52″N 159°29′52″W. During the winter the surf becomes large and the bay is a favorite surfing location. The wetlands of Hanalei Bay were used to grow taro by ancient Hawaiians. By the 1860s, the new crop was rice, which was shipped to Honolulu to become the second largest export crop of the islands. The Hanalei Pier was built to help Hanalei farmers move their crops to market.

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12 - Waimea Canyon State Park

   17 km away

Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, is a large canyon, approximately ten miles long and up to 3,000 feet deep, located on the western side of Kauaʻi in the Hawaiian Islands of the United States.

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13 - Anini Beach

   18 km away

Anini Beach is a beach located on the north shore of Kauai, Hawaii. It is well known for its excellent windsurfing and views of the large coral reef that rings the island.

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14 - Menehune Fishpond

   18 km away

The Menehune Fishpond, near Līhuʻe, Hawai`i, on the island of Kaua`i, is a historic Hawaiian fishpond. Also known as Alakoko Fishpond, it has been listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The pond is bounded by a 900-foot-long wall at a large bend in Hulēʻia River.

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15 - Kalalau Trail

   19 km away

The Kalalau Trail is a trail along Nā Pali Coast of the island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii. The trail runs approximately 11 miles along the island's north shore from Keʻe Beach to the Kalalau Valley.

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16 - Allerton Garden

   20 km away

Allerton Garden, also known as Lāwaʻi-kai, is a botanical garden, originally created by Robert Allerton and John Gregg Allerton, located on the south shore of Kauai, Hawaii.

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17 - Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

   20 km away

Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge on the northwest coast of the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaiʻi.

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18 - Kalalau Valley

   20 km away

The Kalalau Valley is located on the northwest side of the island of Kauaʻi in the state of Hawaiʻi. The valley is located in the Nā Pali Coast State Park and houses the Kalalau Beach. The Nā Pali Coast is rugged and is inaccessible to automobiles.

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19 - Glass Beach

   21 km away

Glass Beach is a beach in Eleele, an industrial area in Kauai, Hawaii, that is made of sea glass. It is in Hanapepe Bay, near Port Allen Harbor. The beach's regular rock is basalt, but the sea glass formed after years of discarded glass.

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20 - Spouting Horn

   21 km away

Spouting Horn is a blowhole located on the southern coast of Kauai in the Koloa district. This area of Kauai is known for its crashing waves.

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21 - Poipu Beach Park

   22 km away

Poʻipū Beach Park is located in the community of Poʻipū on the southern coast of Kauaʻi island in Hawaii. The beach is a park has lifeguards provided by county of Kauaʻi.

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22 - Koloa

   22 km away

Kōloa is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Kauaʻi County, Hawaiʻi, United States. The population was 2,231 at the 2020 census, up from 1,942 at the 2000 census.

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23 - Waimea

   24 km away

Waimea is a census-designated place in Hawaiʻi County, Hawaiʻi, United States. The population was 7,028 at the 2000 census and 9,212 at the 2010 census.

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Learn More about Kauai

Lush landscapes and beautiful beaches await you on Kauai.

Kauai is famous for its natural beauty. Even the nickname "Garden Island" does not reflect its beauty. Tree foliage covers the island's few roads, while long sandy beaches, coral reefs, and seaside cliffs outline the towering mountains. The pace of life here is slower. You can't miss the wonders of Kauai!

Explore Hawaiian heritage:

The Holo Holo Koloa Scenic Byway, which stretches more than 20 miles, follows some of Kauai's most important attractions, while the Koloa Heritage Trail offers 14 historic stops along the south coast. Visit the Kilohana Plantation Estate, a historic Hawaiian attraction that also offers a guided train tour, restaurant, and exhibits about Hawaii's only rum distillery.
Visit a recreation of a traditional Hawaiian farm at the Hawaiian village of Kamokila, which is also a great place to take a guided tour and paddle to Uluwehi Falls, also known as Secret Falls. Historic Waimea is where Captain James Cook landed in 1778; visit the downtown area to see his statue.

Kauai, natural adventures:

Take a boat or kayak tour, helicopter flight or hike the arduous Kalalau Trail to the Na Pali Coast. There is no vehicle access to this pristine waterfront retreat.
Paddle the Wailua River for a unique experience. Explore Waimea Canyon, a geological wonder known as the 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
See wildlife and a lighthouse at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Be sure to take a photo at Spouting Horn, then swim, snorkel, and sunbathe at Poipu Beach.

In the cities:

Hanapepe is the art capital of Kauai. Browse the galleries on Friday night art walks, explore unique retail shops - such as Aloha Spice and Talk Story Bookstore - or take a photo in Hanapepe's quirky truck and cross the Swinging Bridge. In Old Koloa, stop at the historic center to learn about the island's sugar industry, walk through the eucalyptus tunnel, grab a bite to eat at Koloa Shave Ice, and buy a souvenir. In Hanalei, take a ukulele lesson at Hanalei Strings, eat a grass-fed Kauai beef burger at Bubba's, and visit the 1834 Wai'oli Hui'ia Church and the 1837 Waioli Mission House.

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Kauai

When to go to Kauai cheap?

Cheap travel to Hawaii, Kauai

The best months to go to Hawaii are December, January, February, but also May, September, and October.

A little extra: February is also a very interesting month for humpback whale watching.

Where is located Kauai in Hawai ?

Kauai is an island belonging to the Hawaiian archipelago by her size she ranks 4th  

The island is part of Kauai County, it includes the islands of Niihau, Lehua, and Kaula.
 The county's biggest city is Lihue. Kauai is home to the marvelous Waimea Canyon,

   Where to Stay near Kauai

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   More Travel spots to explore around Kauai

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