Top Things to Do in Kauai

Looking for the best things to do in Kauai, Hawaii? Kauai may be the smallest of the main four Hawaiian islands, but there is no shortage of fun packed into this stunning, compact paradise.  Whether you are visiting with kids or not, this island is filled with spectacular adventures.  Here's a breakdown of the best ones to plan your trip.

Planning a trip to Kauai?  Also read my Grand Hyatt Kauai Review, Best Restaurants in Kauai, Hawaii, and my Top 20 Favorite Moments from Kauai Part 1 & Part 2, plus my  Hawaii Travel Page.

Top Things to Do in Kauai

Wondering what the best things are to do in Kauai, Hawaii?  This small, underrated island is filled with gorgeous golden sand beaches, cliffs, waterfalls, hikes, dolphins, surfing, and more.  While Kauai is small, there is no shortage of things to do, many of which are kid-friendly, too.

I've been to Kauai three times and each time exceeded my wildest expectations.  The Hubs and I honeymooned on the island after getting married on Maui, but our return trips have somehow been even more magical.  We traveled once before we had kids and most recently when our twins were six.  They had the time of their lives and are still talking about everything we got to do.  You can see our family photos from Kauai here and here.

From jaw-dropping emerald cliffs plunging into dazzling turquoise waters, steep red canyons, and waterfalls that seem to start in the clouds and go on forever... Kauai is filled with natural wonders that are so beautiful you have to pinch yourself to confirm that what you are seeing is real.  From the second you fly into the Lihue Airport, you are going to see so many beautiful spots.

We are inside a sea cave here! Breathtaking takes on a whole new meaning on the Garden Island.

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Kauai Planning Tips

This guide gives you all of the top things to do in Kauai.  I also shared my Top Restaurants in Kauai and my review of the Grand Hyatt Kauai.

For our trips, put together an itinerary that gives us a chance to revisit the island's best natural wonders, like the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon... plus plenty of time to embrace cultural activities, indulge in local cuisine, and relax in paradise.  Kauai is a smaller, more rural island than some of the others, so it has a special charm that I love.  It's lacking a huge city center, and much of this island's attractions are not man-made, which is something I value.  It's also a compact island, so our week-long trip gave us a chance to see a lot without too much driving.  Despite its smaller size, though, it has so many things to do that we didn't repeat anything exactly like we did on the first trip, and I feel like I could spend much more time there and still never get bored.  Get a rental car so you can explore and see all of the fun things.

I planned the trip using The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed, and I highly recommend it to you if you are going on this trip too.  I recommend making your Kauai itinerary ahead of time, but not packing it too full, so you have time to enjoy the beauty of the island, too.

To share my Kauai trip with y'all, I decided to break my photos up into a series... first up is the Top Things to Do in Kauai, followed by my favorite experiences at the best resort on the island (Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa,) Best Kauai Resaurants, and a separate post for the hike I did along the Na Pali Coast.  The hike was so spectacular, I decided it had to have its own post.

I hope the posts will give you an idea for a future trip, fill your wanderlust for the day, or pass along a taste of what it's like to really be over the rainbow.  We just loved this part of the island.

I hope you enjoy this little taste of Kauai!  In no particular order... these are the Top Things to Do in Kauai with or without kids.  We love the Garden Isle, and I know you will too.

 

Top Things To Do in Kauai

Napali Coast Boat Tour

No trip to Kauai is complete without somehow seeing parts of the Na Pali Coast.  The Na Pali coast is those iconic emerald cliffs that crash into the water.  It's so rugged that you can't drive to it, so the only ways to see it are to hike in, fly over it, or boat to it. Going on a Napali Coast Boat Tour has to be one of the top things to do in Kauai.  It is, hands down, one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.  I would not take a baby or toddler because it can be a rough boat ride, but we felt great taking our 6-year-olds, who know how to swim, out on a catamaran boat, not a raft.  Choose a larger boat with shade for the kids, not a raft like this.  The waves can be rough.

If you get seasick, take Dramamine or your ear patch beforehand.  Several people on our boat ride got seasick.  I didn't feel great, but it was still worth seeing this in person.  Pictures do not even begin to do it justice.

We toured the coast,  including getting very close to the cliffs and going inside a sea cave, which was incredible.

We made it all the way to the most famous coastal scenery and took photos.  My Hunter was also a bit seasick, but said it was worth it.

After going down the coast, they find a spot to park, and you get to snorkel and swim along the cliffs, which is incredible.  There is also a slide going off the boat for the kids, which they loved.  This is a must-see top thing to do in Kauai.

 

 

Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Park

Another top thing to do in Kauai is to visit the Waimea Canyon, which is also beautiful.  It's another spot that is even more stunning in person.

I've got to be honest with you... Both times I've driven to the Waimea Canyon, I've gotten car sick.  The road is winding, it's a bit of a haul to get to, and it takes a beach day out of your trip, but when I step out of the car to this view, it is worth it.  This is the Waimea Canyon Lookout.

The Waimea Canyon is often dubbed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and you can see why.  The geological wonder on the west side of the island is 14 miles long, 1 mile wide, and 3,600 feet deep.

The vistas go on for all of those miles.

Beyond the Waimea Canyon roads is the Kokee State Park, which has hiking trails for just about any level of hiker. They even have hikes kids can do.  This time, we started part of the Pihea Trail at the Puu o Kila lookout, which gave us much better views of the canyon than the road lookouts.  The first time we visited Waimea Canyon, it was too slippery and wet to hike in this area, but this time was perfect.

The canyon is a MUST-SEE for any trip to Kauai, and getting to do any hikes in the region is a bonus!

 

Smith's Garden Luau

Going to a Luau is one of the top things to do in Kauai.  Smith's Garden Luau is my favorite luau on Kauai.  It feels so much more special than a hotel luau because it's on a gorgeous, locally owned property that's been turned into a botanical garden.  A local family has run the luau for nearly 50 years.  Make a reservation because it books in advance.

The luau starts with a trip through the family's immaculate gardens, which look like a Hawaiian paradise.  They give you time to stroll through the grounds before dinner. 

Here's a full circle moment of me on the same bridge many years later with my kids.

The luau kicks off with the traditional Kalua pig ceremony.  My boys wanted a front row seat to this.

During dinner, the family entertains you with beautiful Hawaiian music.  Many members of the staff were members of the Smith family, and you got such a feeling of hospitality while you were there.  In many ways, it felt like they invited you to their family party.

Most folks enjoy the pork, but as a pescatarian/vegetarian, I still found plenty of yumminess to fill my plate.

The highlight of the evening and my favorite part of the luau was the show!

The dancers were so good and really shared more about Hawaiian culture through dance.  I adored the show, and our visit to the Smith's Garden Luau was such a nice night.  I loved bringing my kids back here and visiting this luau is one of the top things to do in Kauai.

 

Surf Lessons

Another top thing to do in Kauai is to take surf lessons.  I had done surf lessons on two other trips to Hawaii and was so excited to share this with my kids.   We decided to do the lessons in the calm, sandy bottom of Hanalei Bay.  Our local teacher quickly taught the boys.

They took their own boards out.

And somehow my kids were complete naturals!  Taking kids surfing is at the very top of my list of things to do in Kauai.  They keep talking about this and it was a core memory of the trip for them.

 

Turtle Watching on Poipu Beach

Turtle watching is another top thing to do in Kauai!  The green sea turtles roam Poipu Beach and often come ashore, giving kids and adults an easy view of them.  You can also snorkel this beach and see them in the water. It is a gorgeous sight!

Just be careful to stay a respectful distance from the turtles as there are laws protecting them.

 

 

Na Pali Coast Hike - Kalalau Trail

Another top thing to do in Kauai is to hike the Na Pali Coast.   On our first and last trips to Kauai, we took a boat tour, which was terrific.  We saw dolphins, snorkeled with turtles, and got great views of the coastline.  Since the boat ride takes a long time and we had done it before, we decided to try to tackle the hike and air methods of seeing it this time.  The viewpoints were gorgeous.

There is a long and infamous 22-mile round-trip hike that takes you along much of the coastline.  It's supposed to be one of the best hikes in the country, but it's really for more experienced hikers.  It's also supposed to be one of the most challenging and dangerous, and you need a permit to do it.  I love nature, but I'm not that tough, so we settled on doing the first two miles of the hike to Hanakapi'ai Beach, which still gave us views like this.  You could take older kids on the hike to the beach.

The path to the beach is well-traveled and quite busy considering how tricky it is, but every step was worth it!  I loved this hike so that I shared all the details in a separate post about our Na Pali Coast Hike.

 

Helicopter Ride

Another top thing to do in Kauai is a helicopter tour.  If you don't hike, your best bet for seeing the Na Pali coast is by air or by boat.  I've done them both, and I'm not sure I can pick a favorite.

The boat ride takes longer and can be rough in the winter, but it gets you much closer to the cliffs.  It makes for a lovely day if you have the time to spend on the water and the weather is right.

The helicopter tour is also pretty darn magical.  It looks like Jurassic Park.

This is what the cliffs look like from the air.

If you are short on time and have the extra cash, I'd suggest doing the helicopter tour.  However, if you have a full day, don't get seasick, and love getting out on the water... try the boat.  Honestly, you can't go wrong with either choice.

 

 

Maha'ulepu Heratige Trail

One of my top things to do on Kauai is the Mahaulepu Beach Trail.  This spot is even good for older kids.  On my first morning in Kauai, I woke up super early (I was still on East Coast time!), beyond excited about being in Hawaii.  I also didn't feel like sitting on the beach because I'd spent the entire day before sitting cramped up on a plane.  Luckily, I found out about a stunning beach trail right in front of our resort, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa.

The trail is the last accessible coastline on the south shore of Kauai that hasn't been developed yet.  It starts at Shipwreck Beach and meanders along sand-dune cliffs, limestone formations, and rocky inlets.

We walked the path for several miles, spotting sea turtles and whales before turning around.

The path is pretty easy to follow and one of the easier hikes I've done on the islands, although it does require some elevation changes and walking in sand.

At one point, it even takes you along a golf course.  Each vista was even prettier than the next, making this adventure totally worth it.  You get a lot of WOW for not a ton of work.

 

Wailua Falls

Visiting a waterfall is another top thing to do in Kauai.  One of the easiest ones to drive to with kids is the Wailua Falls, which are twin falls visible from the road.  Opaeka Falls, Secret Falls,  and Waipoo Falls are also easy to see from the road.

 

Queens Bath

Queens Bath is another top thing to do in Kauai.  In Princeville, there is a short, super muddy hike to a natural pool called Queen's Bath.  It used to be a spot known only to locals, but this book told tourists about it.

The hike down to the area with rocky cliffs was very slippery when we went.  It's short, but it definitely requires real hiking shoes.

The actual bath area is to the far left.  There are several other pools in the area, but in the summer, this one can be perfectly calm and safe to swim in.  It can look like a clear and quiet pool.

Despite that, the mini-hike and walk along the shoreline were so beautiful and worth the effort to get down there.

Just bring authentic shoes and check the weather/surf conditions before you go, because it can be a dangerous area.  People have died here because they ignored the surf conditions and took risks, which is why we stayed on the rocks.  The summer is a safer time to go.

We had a lovely day enjoying some adventure to Queen's Bath in the morning and taking it easy with pina Coladas along Hanalei Bay in the afternoon.  Talk about a perfect day Kauai and this is one of the top things to do in Kauai.

 

Sunrise & Sunset Watching

Another top thing to do in Kauai is to watch the sunrise and sunset.  No trip to any Hawaiian island is complete without watching at least one sunrise and sunset.  Kauai is filled with some pretty spectacular ones.  This is the sunrise view from our room at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa.  It literally looks like a postcard.

Sunset along Hanalei Bay on the north side of the island is equally as stunning.  Luckily, there are hundreds of places around the island that give you perfect viewing.  Just make sure to get up early or check the sunset time and settle in for the free show.

And here's one from Princeville.

 

Expore Hanalei

Hanalei is a special place and one of my top things to do in Kauai. Even if you are staying on the south side, it's worth taking a day trip to explore this tiny community that feels like it is at the end of the earth.  We love the vibe here, and it is such a magical spot.

 

 

Eating Your Way Around the Island

No vacation is complete for me without lots of good EATS!  Eating good food on Kauai is one of the top things to do on the island.  Since Kauai is a bit smaller, it doesn't have as many food options as the other islands, but each meal we had was really delicious.  One of the biggest food trends on the island is food trucks, so there are literally hundreds to choose from.  There is so much fresh fish and fruit on the island, which is something I loved.

You can read about the Top Kauai Restaurant here.

A few of our favorites were shave ice, which is Hawaii's version of a snow cone on steroids with ice cream on the bottom.

This one from Wailua Shave Ice was one of the best on the island.

Acai bowls are also very popular on Kauai.  You can try them all over the place, but my personal favorite was this one from Wishing Well Shave Ice in Hanalei.  That's papaya on top.

Another must-eat in Hawaii is poke!  We literally had it every day, but my favorite was from The Dolphin in Hanalei.  Poke is basically fresh cubed fish with Asian seasonings.  It's become quite popular in the US, but I swear it is nothing like what you get in Hawaii.  The freshness is unreal here.

Kauai Culinary Market

Another foodie highlight and sort of off-the-beaten-path thing to do in Kauai is the Culinary Market at the Shops at Kukui ula, near Poipu, on Wednesdays.

The market has all sorts of yummy fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and authentic Kauai-made packaged goods to eat while you are on the island or take home as souvenirs.  It's really fun to walk around and talk to locals to get a better feel of the community.

We picked up breakfast pastries and fresh fruit to eat for breakfast, including the cult-favorite Sugarloaf pineapple, which just so happens to be THE BEST pineapple I've ever had.  I have a fun story about this find I'll share in my Kauai Eats post.

 

 

Beach Hopping

Beach hopping is another top thing to do in Kauai, for kids and adults alike.  There are so many beautiful beaches, and you can't visit Kauai without spending time enjoying its stunning beaches.  Two of my favorites are Shipwreck Beach, Anini Beach, Tunnels Beach...

... and the beaches along Hanalei Bay.  Rent snorkel gear, and you can snorkel along many of the beaches.  Kauai has lots of golden sand beaches flanked by palm trees and views of the mountains and cliffs.  It is so beautiful and magical.

Bonus points for securing one of these epic cabanas at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa.

 

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa Pool

I'm usually more of a beach girl, but the pools at the Grand Hyatt Kauai are epic.  They are totally worth staying at this resort and setting aside a day of fun.  Even young kids, babies, and toddlers can enjoy this.

The resort also has tons of kid-friendly activities, including fish feeding, parrot talks, crafts, and our favorite, lei making.

 

Shelter Dog Field Trips

The Kauai Humane Society has a really fantastic program where you can take their shelter dogs out on field trips.

While we were in town, we stopped by to meet Winston and take him on a field trip.  He was a shy guy who loved taking in the pretty ocean views.

It was a great way to spend some time with him, help him with his socialization, AND spread the word about the Kauai Humane Society.  It was a straightforward process and is a fun way to give back on vacation.  You can do this on your own or through the Grand Hyatt Kauai's Volunteering program.  All you have to do is stop by the shelter during field trip hours.  They give you food, a leash, suggestions on what to do, and a field trip vest.

 

Hang Out with Roosters

Spotting local roosters is another fun thing to do in Kauai.  The birds are roaming the entire island, and my kids had a blast spotting them and watching them.

Other Top Things to Do in Kauai:

• Kayak: There are several places to kayak on the Wailua River in Kauai, which is stunning.
• Tubing: Tubing is available at a sugar cane plantation, where you can float down the plantation's historic waterways.
• Sprouting Horn: A fun spot and natural attraction near Poipu, where water is pushed through the rocks, creating a geyser.
• Zip Line: Kauai also offers zip-lining through the jungle.
• Kilauea Lighthouse: If you are a lighthouse fan, there is a beautiful one on the way to Hanalei.

 

 

Travel Guides for Hawaii:

• Grand Hyatt Kauai Review
• Hilton Waikoloa Resort Review
• 20 Best Things to Do in Big Island, Hawaii
• Best Big Island Hawaii Restaurants
• Top 20 Favorite Moments - The Big Island
• Hiton Waikoloa Village Resort Guide
• Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park
• Top 20 Favorite Moments Kauai
• Top 20 Favorite Moments - North Shore Kauai
• Kauai Na Pali Coast Hike
• Best Kauai Food
• Top Things You Can't Miss in Kauai
• 10 Ways to Stay and Explore Wailea on a Budget
• Haleakalā Volcano Sunrise

 

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