Must-Sees in Kauai

Advisor - Edgar Roy
Curated By

Edgar Roy

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  • Hawai'i

  • Active Travel

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  • Food & Wine

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Mountains and the shore in Kauai.
Curator’s statement

Kauai, known as the Garden Island, is a beautiful place known for its natural beauty including lush rainforests, stunning beachside cliffs and Waimea Canyon aka the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." I recently explored the island on my honeymoon, and the island gave us a great balance of outdoor activities, beachside relaxation and delicious food. While a rental car is a definite must to get around the island, I highly recommend renting a 4x4 in order to get off the beaten path and explore.

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Where to stay In Kauai

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Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort

Relaxed hotel with modern rooms set on ten beachfront acres on Kauai's Coconut Beach.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

A quintessential island resort on 50 lush acres of white-sand beachfront on Kauai’s beautiful southern shore.

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    $100 hotel / resort credit.

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    Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

Overlooking the pacific, this cliffside resort features studios and villas, a relaxed restaurant and four outdoor pools on its palm-studded property.

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Things to do In Kauai

body of water next to beach with mountains in the background

Waimea Canyon - The "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." You can see the canyon from a helicopter or from the many lookout points in Koke'e and Waimea Canyon State Parks. I recommend getting a Jeep, driving into Koke'e State Park and hiking to get a better viewpoint. There are also amazing views of the Na Pali Coast.

Kauai Coffee - Visit a working coffee plantation and take a free walking tour. Don't forget to sample locally-grown coffee.

Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge - Wetlands along the Hanalei River that also includes Taro fields cultivated by local farmers. There's an overlook off Kuhio Highway that provides a great view. But the better way to see the refuge is by kayaking the Hanalei River.

Kipu Ranch - A 3,000-acre private cattle ranch just south of Lihue with beautiful mountains, forest, and ocean views. Movies including Jurassic Park have been filmed there. You can see the ranch through a guided ATV tour with Kipu Ranch Adventures.

Wailua Falls - Kayak and hike to this beautiful waterfall on the east side of the island. You can join a guided tour or get a waterproof map from any of the kayak rental shops to keep you on course.

Old Sugar Plantation Irrigation Tunnels - Go mountain tubing through spectacular irrigation canals.

Places to eat & drink In Kauai

A pour over coffee station.

Fish Express (Poke) - Some of the best poke on Kauai from a generic storefront in Lihue. Great option if you're hungry after getting off your flight.

Hanalei Poke - Another great poke spot on the north shore, near Hanalei Beach.

Kenji Burger - Casual spot serving upscale burgers and sushi burritos from multiple locations on Kauai. Do not miss the furikake fries.

Koloa Rum - Visit Kilohana Plantation and try a tasting, scheduled on the hour.

Jojo's Shave Ice - No trip to Hawaii is complete without having some shave ice. Jojo's is one of the best and a great stop after hiking in Waimea Canyon.

Kalaheo Café - A favorite spot for a hot coffee and hearty breakfast. Definitely try the loco moco.

Koke'e Lodge - Located right in the middle of Koke'e State Park, the lodge is a good spot to fuel up with a plate lunch for the day's adventures.

Keokis Paradise - Great place in Poipu for Aloha Hour drinks in a cool indoor-outdoor setting. Seafood is freshly caught depending on the season.

Advisor - Edgar Roy

Travel Advisor

Edgar Roy

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This guide is part of our ongoing series on Tropical Vacations.