Plan your trip to Kauaʻi, Hawaii — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.
Top things to do in Kauaʻi
Fly Over Nā Pali by Helicopter. Kauaʻi's cathedral sea cliffs, hidden waterfalls, and the Waimea Canyon come alive from a helicopter — the single most awe-inspiring 45–60 minutes on the island.
Nā Pali Coast Catamaran or Raft Cruise. Cruise past towering emerald cliffs, sea caves, and dolphins along the remote northwest coast that's accessible only by boat or a multi-day trail hike.
Kayak the Wailua River to Secret Falls. Paddle Hawaii's only navigable river through sacred heiau (temple) sites, then hike a jungle trail to the secluded 100-foot Uluwehi (Secret) Falls.
Hike the Kalalau Trail. The legendary 11-mile trail along the Nā Pali Coast rewards hikers with jaw-dropping valley views and pristine beaches far beyond the end of the road.
Snorkel Poipu's South Shore Reefs. The sunny south shore offers warm, calm waters perfect for encountering Hawaiian green sea turtles, reef fish, and the occasional Hawaiian monk seal.
Stand at Waimea Canyon Lookout. Mark Twain's 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific' stretches 14 miles long and 3,600 feet deep — bring a camera and plan a full half-day to explore the lookouts.
Surf Hanalei Bay. Hanalei Bay's sweeping crescent beach offers mellow beginner-friendly waves in summer and powerful swells in winter, framed by waterfalls tumbling off green peaks.
Watch Humpback Whales (Dec–May). Every winter, hundreds of North Pacific humpback whales gather in Hawaiian waters; Kauaʻi's south and west shores offer prime viewing by boat or from shore.
Attend an Authentic Luau. A Kauaʻi luau combines a torch-lighting ceremony, hula performances, imu-roasted kalua pig, and mai tais for an immersive evening of Hawaiian culture.
Zipline Through the Jungle Canopy. Multiple operators offer zipline courses above the island's lush valleys, with Hawaii's longest ziplines soaring over historic Kōloa and the Kipu ranch.
Best time to visit Kauaʻi
April through September offers the sunniest weather with calmer ocean conditions on the North Shore — ideal for boat tours and beach time. The North Shore sees its heaviest rainfall (and closes some roads) November through March, but the south and west sides stay relatively dry year-round. February through April is peak humpback whale season, and winter swells bring world-class surf to Hanalei. Shoulder seasons (April–May, September–October) offer thinner crowds and lower hotel rates.
Kauaʻi weather by month
Month
High (°F)
Low (°F)
Notes
Jan
70
60
mild & changeable
Feb
70
60
mild & changeable
Mar
70
60
mild & wet
Apr
71
61
mild & wet
May
73
63
warm & wet
Jun
75
65
warm & wet
Jul
76
66
warm & wet
Aug
76
66
warm & wet
Sep
77
66
warm & wet
Oct
76
66
warm & wet
Nov
73
64
warm & wet
Dec
71
62
mild & wet
Getting to Kauaʻi
Every visitor flies into Līhuʻe (LIH) on the East Side. There are no direct international flights — most arrive via Honolulu (HNL) on a ~35-min inter-island hop, though a handful of nonstops run from the U.S. mainland West Coast. Kauaʻi has one main belt highway that rings ~80% of the island and dead-ends at the Nā Pali Coast on both the North (Kēʻē) and West (Polihale) ends — so a rental car is essential for all but resort-only stays.
LIH Līhuʻe Airport — 15 min drive
Where to stay in Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi has no single resort strip — where you stay shapes your whole trip because one belt road rings most of the island (it dead-ends at the Nā Pali Coast on both ends). Pick your base by the beaches and drives you care about most: the sunny, resort-rich South Shore (Poʻipū); the lush, dramatic North Shore (Hanalei/Princeville); the central, best-value East Side (Kapaʻa/Coconut Coast); or the quiet, sunny West Side (Waimea) for Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe.
Poʻipū & Kōloa (South Shore). Kauaʻi's sunniest corner (~20 in of rain/yr) and the top pick for first-time visitors — the safest bet for predictable beach weather in any season. A dense cluster of resorts, condos, restaurants and swimmable beaches (Poʻipū Beach Park) all within walking… Good for: first-timers, sunny beaches, resorts, families.
Hanalei & Princeville (North Shore). The most scenically spectacular base on the island: Princeville sits cliff-top over the ocean with resort hotels and sweeping Nā Pali/ Hanalei Bay views, while Hanalei is a charming surf town of boutiques and farm-to-table dining steps from the bay. The… Good for: scenery, honeymooners, surf towns, waterfalls.
Kapaʻa & Coconut Coast (East Side). The centrally located 'Coconut Coast' runs from Wailua to Kealia, just 15 min from Līhuʻe Airport — the island's best value and the shortest average drive to both shores. Old Kapaʻa Town has a walkable strip of local restaurants, surf shops and boutiques,… Good for: central access, best value, walkable town.
Waimea & West Side. Kauaʻi's least-touristed coast, anchored by the historic plantation town of Waimea — the first place Captain Cook landed in Hawaiʻi. The driest, sunniest region and the natural base for Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Park day trips. Lodging is limited but… Good for: Waimea Canyon, Kōkeʻe, quiet, off-the-beaten-path.
Where to eat in Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi's food scene runs from barefoot food trucks and plate-lunch counters to oceanfront fine dining built on the island's farms and fishing boats. Sunset dinners cluster in Poʻipū (South) and Hanalei (North); the best local plate lunch and saimin are in Līhuʻe and Kapaʻa; and the island's Sunshine Markets are the cheapest, freshest way to eat like a local.
Fine dining & oceanfront
The Beach House Restaurant. Kauaʻi's classic sunset dinner — tables at the water's edge; reserve weeks ahead for a sunset seating.
Tidepools (Grand Hyatt). Thatched-roof bungalows over koi lagoons; named one of OpenTable's top hotel restaurants. Romantic splurge.
Bar Acuda. Chef Jim Moffat's Mediterranean small plates from North Shore farms — the North Shore's foodie anchor.
Eating House 1849 (Roy Yamaguchi). Roy Yamaguchi's plantation-era-inspired menu at The Shops at Kukuiʻula.
Red Salt (Kōloa Landing). Polished contemporary dining and a strong sushi bar; great for a quieter special night.
Smith Family Garden Luau. 3-5971 Kuhio Hwy · 4.7★ (3,361 reviews)
Keoki's Paradise. 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Dr · 4.4★ (4,768 reviews)
Casual & local favorites
Hamura Saimin. A James Beard 'America's Classic' — legendary saimin at a zig-zag counter. Order the lilikoʻi chiffon pie.
Pono Market. Beloved local deli for fresh poke, laulau and plate lunch — grab-and-go for the beach.
Mark's Place. The local plate-lunch standard — chicken katsu and loco moco done right.
Kōloa Fish Market. Tiny counter with some of the island's best poke bowls and Hawaiian plates.
Kalaheo Cafe & Coffee Co.. Hearty breakfast and coffee on the way to Waimea Canyon.
Duke's Kauai. 3610 Rice St · 4.4★ (5,117 reviews)
Brennecke's Beach Broiler. 2100 Hoone Rd · 4.3★ (3,497 reviews)
Tahiti Nui. 5122 Kuhio Hwy · 4.4★ (2,679 reviews)
Coffee, bakeries & treats
Kauai Coffee Company. The largest coffee farm in the U.S. — free self-guided tour and tastings.
Little Fish Coffee. Cult-favorite açaí bowls and bagels — the surfer's breakfast stop.
JoJo's Shave Ice. Dozens of house syrups over snow-fine ice — the West Side essential.
Puka Dog. Only-in-Kauaʻi Polish/veggie dogs in a pocket bun with tropical relishes.
Java Kai Kapaa. 4-1384 Kuhio Hwy · 4.5★ (2,577 reviews)
Island Craves Kauai Inc. 4-1177 Kuhio Hwy · 4.5★ (1,027 reviews)
Little Fish Coffee Poipu. 2294 Poipu Rd · 4.2★ (1,661 reviews)
Kilauea Bakery & Pizzeria. 2484 Keneke St Suite 205 · 4.4★ (934 reviews)
A 7-Day Kauaʻi Plan
Day 1 — South Shore Welcome & Waves. Arrive and settle in at Poʻipū, then head straight to Poʻipū Beach Park to get your first feel for Kauaʻi's warm, calm waters — the protected east cove is ideal for snorkeling with sea turtles and tropical fish. Pick up a shave ice at JoJo's Shave Ice in Waimea to cool off before…
Day 2 — Gardens, Geology & the Grand Canyon. Start early at Allerton and McBryde Gardens in Lāwaʻi Valley — join the tram-and-walking tour through one of the world's most biodiverse botanical gardens, including the Jurassic Park Moreton Bay fig trees and the elegant Allerton estate grounds. Book tickets in advance as…
Day 3 — Helicopter Views of the Impossible. Check in early for a doors-off or full-cabin helicopter tour departing from Lihue Airport — operators like Blue Hawaiian Helicopters or Air Maui fly the full island circuit, including the Nā Pali Coast sea cliffs, Waimea Canyon from the air, and the otherwise-unreachable…
Day 4 — Sacred River & Hidden Waterfall. Launch your kayak from the boat ramp on the Wailua River — the only navigable river in Hawaii — paddling upstream through lush jungle to the trailhead. The paddle takes roughly 45 minutes each way and operators like Kayak Kauaʻi provide guided tours with all gear included.…
Day 5 — North Shore Seabirds & Scenic Vistas. Drive north to the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse & Wildlife Refuge, perched dramatically on the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands. Red-footed boobies, Laysan albatrosses, and great frigatebirds nest on the surrounding cliffs — the lighthouse…
Day 6 — Hanalei Bay & Nā Pali by Sea. Spend the morning swimming and bodysurfing at Hanalei Bay — the wide crescent of sand backed by mountain ridges is arguably the most beautiful beach in the United States. In summer the bay is glassy and calm; in winter the surf here draws professionals from around the world. Join…
Day 7 — Kalalau Trail & Final Farewells. Rise before dawn and drive to Haʻena State Park (a timed entry permit is required — book at gostateparks.hawaii.gov well in advance). Hike the first two miles of the Kalalau Trail to Hanakāpīʻai Beach, the most accessible and stunning stretch of this legendary 11-mile route,…
Events & festivals in Kauaʻi
Waimea Town Celebration (Mid-February (2 days)). The oldest and one of the largest festivals on Kauaʻi — a two-day celebration of West Side plantation and paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) heritage with rodeo events, canoe and paddle races, a lei contest, live music and a…
Prince Kūhiō Celebration (Late March (around Mar 26)). A week of ceremonies, a royal court, hula and a canoe regatta honoring Kauaʻi-born Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, 'the People's Prince.' Prince Kūhiō Day (Mar 26) is a Hawaiʻi state holiday.
Kōloa Plantation Days (Late July (10 days)). Kauaʻi's biggest community festival celebrates the island's multicultural plantation history with a huge parade down Kōloa Road, a rodeo, craft fair, guided history walks, sports tournaments and nightly entertainment.
Kauaʻi Marathon & Half Marathon (Early September). A scenic, challenging road race through south-shore Kauaʻi with ocean and mountain views, a rolling course and a big finish-line festival — one of the island's marquee athletic events.
Kauaʻi Mokihana Festival (Late September (week-long)). A week-long celebration of Hawaiian culture named for Kauaʻi's fragrant mokihana berry: a hula competition, composers' contest, lei-making, and Hawaiian-language and craft workshops.
Eō E ʻEmalani I Alakaʻi Festival (Early October). A hula and cultural festival in the mountain meadow of Kōkeʻe re-enacting Queen Emma's 1871 journey to the Alakaʻi swamp, with a royal court procession and hālau performances at 3,600 ft.
Kauaʻi Chocolate & Coffee Festival (Late October). A weekend celebrating Kauaʻi-grown cacao and coffee in artsy Hanapēpē town — farm tastings, chef demos, live music and the town's Friday Art Night.
Lights on Rice Parade (Early December (first Friday)). Kauaʻi's beloved holiday kickoff — an illuminated night parade of floats, marching bands and community groups down Rice Street in Līhuʻe, followed by the Festival of Lights display at the historic County Building.
Kauaʻi travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Kauaʻi?
April through September offers the sunniest weather with calmer ocean conditions on the North Shore — ideal for boat tours and beach time.
What are the top things to do in Kauaʻi?
Top experiences include Fly Over Nā Pali by Helicopter, Nā Pali Coast Catamaran or Raft Cruise, Kayak the Wailua River to Secret Falls, Hike the Kalalau Trail, Snorkel Poipu's South Shore Reefs.
Which airport is closest to Kauaʻi?
Līhuʻe Airport (LIH) is the nearest, about 15 minutes away.
Where should I stay in Kauaʻi?
Popular areas to base yourself include Poʻipū & Kōloa (South Shore), Hanalei & Princeville (North Shore), Kapaʻa & Coconut Coast (East Side), Waimea & West Side.
How do I get around Kauaʻi?
Every visitor flies into Līhuʻe (LIH) on the East Side.