Best Things to Do in Kauai: 25 Must-Do Activities

There are countless things to do in Kauai, but if it’s your first time visiting, knowing what’s doable can become overwhelming.

Long drives, unpredictable weather, and activities scattered across the island can make it easy to either overpack your itinerary or miss some of Kauai’s highlights.

I’ve visited Kauai before and stayed in both Princeville and Poipu. I visited Kauai in winter, which gave me first-hand experience of how the weather impacts your itinerary.

As a former travel advisor, I’ve also planned trips across Hawaii, so I understand how much your itinerary, timing and even where you stay can affect what you’re able to see.

This guide covers the best things to do in Kauai, including:

• Exploring the Nā Pali Coast
• Visiting Waimea Canyon
• Hiking to Secret Falls
• Spending time at the beach
• Experiencing a traditional Luau

During my time exploring the north and south shore, I realised how important it is to base yourself in the right location, so you can group activities efficiently and avoid long drives.

Conditions can be temperamental on the north shore, so it helps to have flexibility to shift plans south if needed, or adjust your day entirely if the weather is poor across the island.

See the Nā Pali Coast

Make the Nā Pali Coast your main priority if you want to choose one standout experience in Kauai.

This stretch of coastline is an iconic landscape in Hawaii, with steep green cliffs, hidden beaches and valleys that cannot be accessed by road.

It is also one of the most logistically challenging parts of the island to see properly because weather and sea conditions can prevent you from experiencing this famous coastline.

There are a few different ways to see the Nā Pali Coast, and each offers a very different perspective. Your choice will depend on your budget, how active you want to be, and how important things like photography, price and weather conditions are to you.

The most reliable time to experience the Nā Pali Coast is in summer when the seas are calmer, although boat tours still run in winter from the south shore, and you may get the chance to see a humpback whale.

Take a Nā Pali Coast Boat Tour

A boat tour is a popular way to see the coastline. You will travel along the cliffs, pass sea caves, and see parts of the island that are otherwise unreachable.

I chose a sunset catamaran tour with Capt Andy’s, and it was one of the highlights of my trip. But there are plenty of other great companies to book through for a different experience.

The scale of the cliffs is difficult to appreciate from land, but from the water, you get a much clearer sense of how dramatic and remote the coastline really is.

We also saw a humpback whale during our boat tour, which made the experience even more memorable.

When choosing a tour, there are a few important factors to consider:

• Time of day: morning tours usually have calmer seas and better chances of spotting dolphins, while afternoon and sunset tours offer better lighting for photos
• Boat type: larger catamarans are more stable and comfortable, while rafts are faster, more adventurous and closer to the water and can go in the caves
• Season: in winter, tours only depart from Port Allen on the south-west side of the island due to rougher conditions

The drive from the north shore to Port Allen (where many Na Pali boat tours begin) is long because you cannot drive directly across the island.

It makes the most sense to schedule your boat tour when you are staying on the south shore because the drive from Poipu to Port Allen is shorter than from Princeville.

If you are visiting Kauai in winter, plan your itinerary with some gaps for flexibility, and book your boat tour early in your trip. The tour getting cancelled due to weather conditions is common, and you may need to reschedule it.

If you haven’t decided when to go to Kauai, I have plenty of information on the best times of the year to visit.

Take a Helicopter Tour

A helicopter tour gives you a completely different perspective and allows you to see parts of Kauai that are otherwise inaccessible.

From the air, you will see the full length of the Nā Pali Coast, as well as Waimea Canyon and waterfalls hidden deep in the valleys. It is one of the best ways to understand the scale of the island.

For a more immersive experience, you can choose a doors-off helicopter tour, which will give you clearer views and better photo opportunities.

If you choose a helicopter tour with the doors on, make sure you wear dark clothing because otherwise your clothes will reflect on the glass and make it difficult to capture photographs.

As with boat tours, helicopter flights are highly weather-dependent. Try to schedule this earlier in your itinerary so you have time to rearrange if conditions are not suitable.

I chose not to do a helicopter tour as I am scared of heights, but it is an exhilarating experience for those braver than I am!

Visit Nā Pali Coast Lookouts

If you cannot see the coast by boat, helicopter or hike, there are still excellent viewpoints accessible by car. You will need to rent a car to experience part of Kauai, such as the lookouts and state parks.

Head to Kōke’e State Park, where you will find Kalalau Lookout and Pu’u O Kila Lookout. Both offer wide views across the Na Pali Coast.

Visibility can change quickly depending on cloud cover, so it is best to visit earlier in the day for the clearest views. However, you cannot guarantee the weather, so leave a slot open in your itinerary in case you need to return when the weather is clearer.

The Na Pali lookout points are accessed by driving through Waimea Canyon and Kōke’e State Park, with short walks from the car parks.

Non-residents pay $10 per vehicle and $5 per person, which can be paid by card at the parking areas and covers both parks for the day.

Kauai’s Landscapes and Viewpoints

If you want to see Kauai beyond the coastline, plan time to explore its inland landscapes.

This is where you will find canyons, waterfalls and elevated viewpoints, many of which are easy to access by car. It is one of the best ways to see a different side of the island without committing to long or difficult hikes.

The landscapes in some parts of Kauai feel completely different from the rest of the island and are often one of the biggest surprises if you are a first-time visitor.

Waimea Canyon

If you want a standout viewpoint in Kauai without a long hike, head to Waimea Canyon.

Often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, it offers wide views of red and green cliffs, deep valleys and waterfalls, all accessible by road.

You can drive up and stop at several viewpoints along the way, including:

• Waimea Canyon Lookout
• Pu’u Hinahina Lookout

If you have more time, you can add a short hike. The Waimea Canyon to Waipo’o Falls trail is one of the more manageable options and gives you a closer view of the canyon.

Plan to visit on a clear day, if possible, as the views are even better with blue skies. However, this may not be possible as cloud cover can roll in quickly and completely block the views, particularly later in the day.

If you are only stopping at viewpoints, allow around 1 to 2 hours. If you plan to hike, you will need longer.

Poipu Beach

Poipu Beach is another easily accessible and reliable beach, and it is located on the south shore.

There is a designated car park right next to the beach, along with facilities including toilets, showers and lifeguards.

The water here is typically calmer than the north shore in winter, making it suitable for swimming and snorkelling year-round.

Poipu Beach is also one of the best places to spot wildlife. Seals and turtles are often seen here, especially in the morning or late afternoon. You can read about this in my guide to visiting Poipu.

Ideally you will wear water shoes or waterproof sandals to swim at Poipu beach. The bottom of the water is rocky and can hurt when walking on it. I nearly scraped myself a few times, but I wasn’t properly prepared.

I have these sandals and they would have worked well.

There are several restaurants and casual food spots nearby, particularly around Poipu and Kukui’ula, so it is easy to combine with lunch or dinner. We got food from Bubba Burgers in Poipu, which is only a 4-minute drive from the beach.

When I visited, Bubba Burgers were short-staffed, and the queue got very long. So, you may want to consider their option for ordering online. The food was worth the wait, though.

Shipwreck Beach

Shipwreck Beach is located on the south shore directly in front of the Grand Hyatt Kauai.

There is a small car park nearby, and access is straightforward, with a short walk down to the beach.

Swimming is not recommended here. The waves are often strong, particularly in winter.

When I visited, the surf was extremely rough, which made it clear this is not one of the more swimmable beaches on the island. Although there were still some tourists attempting to swim there.

Despite this, it is still worth visiting Shipwreck Beach for the views and coastal walks. This is also where the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail begins, an easy coastal walk that runs alongside cliffs and a golf course.

I also visited Shipwreck Beach early one morning for sunrise and saw a monk seal resting on the beach, which was an unexpected surprise.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai hotel steps out onto Shipwreck Beach. It is an excellent base for exploring the south and is a renowned resort on the island.

Check out my review for the Grand Hyatt Kauai.

Polihale State Park

Polihale Beach is one of the most remote beaches in Kauai and requires more planning.

Access is via a long, rough dirt road, and many rental companies do not allow you to drive there. If you choose to go, you will need a suitable vehicle and should check your rental contract carefully.

There are no facilities, shops or food options nearby, so you must bring everything with you.
The main appeal is the scale and isolation. It is much quieter than other beaches and offers views towards the Nā Pali Coast from a distance.

We saw Polihale Beach from our Nā Pali Coast boat tour, and it looked vast from the water. You could see a handful of visitors on the beach with large trucks and 4x4s, which gives you a sense of how remote it is.

Snorkelling

Snorkelling is worth including in your time on Kauai. You can bring your own mask and goggles, or you can rent or buy them on the island.

Conditions for snorkelling vary significantly depending on the season, but some are good all year round. Some of the best snorkelling locations include:

• Poipu Beach – good year-round
• Tunnels Beach – winter can be choppy, but conditions are usually better in summer
• Anini Beach – typically calm all year because of its shallow water

Scuba diving is also available on the island, but I personally won’t recommend it.

My dad and brother went on a diving excursion during our trip, and the company they were booked with lacked professionalism, and some safety precautions were not followed. At the time of our trip, the company had many new staff members with minimal experience.

Kayaking

Kayaking is a practical way to explore parts of Kauai that are not accessible by road.

The most popular route is along the Wailua River, which can be combined with the hike to Secret Falls.

It is also possible to kayak along the Hanalei River if you are looking for an option in the north of the island.

The kayak along the Wailua River with the hike to Secret Falls was a highlight of my trip because the scenery was beautiful, and it felt like an adventure with the right amount of difficulty.

You should avoid any freshwater for a few days after a storm, as there is a risk of bacterial infection.

Even though the risk is generally low in Hanalei (according to Kayak Kauai), it is still recommended to avoid swallowing water, cover any open wounds, and shower after your excursion.

Here is everything you need to know about the kayak and hiking excursion to Secret Falls.

ATV Tours at Kipu Ranch

ATV tours at Kipu Ranch offer a different way to explore Kauai, taking you through private land that you would not otherwise be able to access.

The tours are guided and follow set routes through farmland, forest and filming locations used in films such as Jurassic Park. You will be driving your own ATV or sharing one, depending on the option you choose.

Expect to get muddy, particularly if it has rained recently. It was raining on the day we booked our tour, but the experience still ran as normal, and the vehicles handled the conditions well.

As you need to book in advance, you may not be able to choose a clear day, but the scenery is still impressive even in cloudy weather.

You must wear closed-toe shoes, and it is best to wear darker clothing that you do not mind getting dirty. Additionally, we bought ponchos on-site, which helped protect our clothes against the rain and mud.

We still came away from the excursion with our faces covered in mud.

If you need more guidance on what else to bring to Kauai, you can find my full packing list that explains what to bring and what to leave at home.

The ATVs can fit up to four people, but only two people can drive. If more than two people in your group want to drive, book early so you can split across multiple vehicles. We booked later and had to fit three of us into one ATV, which limited our driving time.

It is possible to have 1 person in the vehicle on their own, but it is more expensive.

There are two time slots per day, making this an easy half-day activity.

You can combine it with a relaxed afternoon afterwards. We were staying at the Grand Hyatt Kauai and spent the rest of the day at the pool.

You could also head to Lava Lava Beach Club for lunch, where some of our group went for a quick swim before eating there.

Surfing

Surfing is popular across Kauai, but conditions vary significantly depending on location and season.

If you are a beginner, it is best to book a lesson rather than attempting it independently. Hanalei Bay and Poipu Beach are two of the most common spots for lessons because they have more manageable waves in the right conditions.

Two companies that are consistently recommended are Hawaiian Surfing Adventures in Hanalei and Endless Summer Surf School in Koloa.

You will find stronger waves across the island, particularly on the north shore in winter. We watched surfers at Haena Beach, where the waves were extremely large.

My family did some boogie boarding at Hanalei Bay instead, where the water was shallower and more suitable for beginners.

I chose not to try surfing myself because I am always wary of sharks. Incidents in Kauai are rare, but they do occur.

There are sometimes signs on beaches if a shark has been sighted, and the county may issue press releases with updates.

It is important to follow local advice and avoid murky water, particularly after periods of rain.

Even if you are not planning to surf, it is still worth spending some time at the beach watching the surfers. It gives you a better understanding of the conditions and helps you decide what is realistic for your ability level.

Attend a Luau

If you are visiting Kauai for the first time, attending a luau is a key cultural experience on the island.

I had wanted to do this for a while, and it lived up to expectations. The evening typically includes a buffet meal followed by a show with traditional Hawaiian and Polynesian performances.

We went to the Grand Hyatt Kauai luau, which was very convenient as we were staying there. It meant we could enjoy the cocktails without needing to organise transport afterwards.

The buffet and the show were great, and on arrival, you are given a small gift to wear. We received a necklace, although some luaus offer leis.

One thing to be aware of is that seating is often at communal tables with other guests. This is part of the experience, although I was not as keen on this as I am British and shy!

There are several other well-known luaus on the island, each with slightly different experiences. Smith’s Family Garden Luau is one of the longest-running options on the island and is set in the Wailua River Valley.

The evening usually begins with time to explore the gardens or take a tram around the property, followed by a traditional imu ceremony where the pig is cooked underground.

The show includes a mix of Hawaiian hula, Tahitian dance and fire performances. If you do not want the full dinner, there is also a show-only option, which still includes entry to the grounds and the evening performance.

Luau Kalamaku takes place at Kilohana Plantation in Lihue and has a slightly more theatrical feel.

The performance tells a story of early Polynesian voyages, with a combination of dance, music and fire elements. Some tickets include a train ride around the plantation before the show, which gives you a better sense of the setting.

The buffet focuses on local-style dishes, and there is also an option to include transport, which can be useful if you are not staying nearby.

There are also luaus at other resorts, including the Sheraton, so it is worth choosing one that fits your itinerary and where you are staying.

Hiking

If you enjoy hiking, Kauai is one of the best islands in Hawaii for it.

There are trails for all levels, from short viewpoint walks to full-day hikes. However, conditions play a major role here. Rain, mud and river levels can quickly change what is safe and enjoyable.

Hiking in Kauai is best after a few dry days, as rain can make trails muddy and unsafe.

A few hikes that I didn’t do on my first trip, but I intend to do next time include: Sleeping Giant, Kuilau Ridge Trail, Ho’opi’i Falls Trail, Awa’awapuhi Trail, and Pihea Trailhead.

Kalalau Trail

The Kalalau Trail is one of Kauai’s best-known hikes and one of the most scenic.

The full trail is 11 miles (17 km) each way and requires camping permits, but most visitors hike a shorter section.

A common shorter route is 2 miles (3.2 km) each way to Hanakāpīʻai Beach, which takes around 1 to 1.5 hours each way.

You can continue a further 2 miles inland to Hanakāpīʻai Falls, making it around 8 miles (13 km) return and a more demanding half-day hike.

Permits are required even for the shorter hike and are released 30 days in advance. They sell out quickly, so you need to be ready to book as soon as they are released. I had to wake up early, due to my time zone, to secure my timeslot.

If you cannot get a parking permit, shuttle tickets from Waipa Park and Ride are often easier to obtain. This is a pre-booked shuttle service that transports visitors to Hā‘ena State Park, where the trail begins and includes the permit for the hike.

I had planned to hike the Kalalau Trail during my trip, but after several days of heavy rain, my reservation was cancelled due to rising stream levels and safety concerns. This is why it is important to build flexibility into your itinerary.

The Kalalau Trail is often described as a must-do, but it is not a casual walk. The trail includes steep sections, uneven terrain and stream crossings, which can become dangerous after rain.

You should wear proper footwear, bring plenty of water, and be prepared for muddy conditions.

Secret Falls

One of the more unique hikes in Kauai is the route to Secret Falls.

To reach the trail, you first kayak along the Wailua River and then continue on foot through a muddy path with several stream crossings.

This is a good half-day activity and feels more varied than a standard hike.

I did this towards the end of my trip, after a few drier days, and the conditions were manageable. Earlier in the week, after heavy rain, this would not have been possible.

One key thing to plan for is footwear. You will be walking through water multiple times, so you either need water shoes or hiking boots that you have time to dry out before using them again.

I wore my Merrell hiking boots for the grip, but they were completely submerged, and I could not wear them for several days afterwards.

I have written a whole guide outlining my experience hiking the Secret Falls.