Curator’s statement
Kauaʻi is my favorite Hawaiian island. It's low-key, slow, and real. No traffic, no rush, nothing to perform. You just kind of slow down, whether you mean to or not. Plus, they have some key food spots that I can't wait to get back to.
The Fora Difference
Book with Shing-hwa Cheung to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.
Killer perks
Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you
Personalized recs
Customized travel planning for your style
Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay in Kaua'i
Unlock perks by contacting Shing-hwa Cheung to book your trip.
Things to do in Kaua'i
Wailua Falls
Tunnels Beach
Bring your snorkel gear! Experience calm, clear water and a huge variety of tropical fish and turtles. Parking can be tricky, so try to go early in the day.
Hike to Hanakapiʻai Beach, Haʻena State Park
A flat, four-mile super scenic round trip along the Na Pali Coast. An advance reservation is an absolute must to get into the park.
Hanalei Farmers Market
Head there on a Saturday for local produce, local honey, food trucks, and live music to get your day started.
McBryde & Allerton Botanical Garden
Equal parts garden and time capsule. You have a choice of self-guided or a guided tour, but if you do the guided tour, make a reservation early.
Wailua Falls
No hike required for this one, just a short pull-off and a waterfall that looks like it was designed for a postcard. Worth the five minutes, even if you weren't planning to stop.
Places to eat & drink in Kaua'i
Appetizer at Bar Acuda
Familee Shave Ice
Familee makes their super fluffy shave ice with small-batch, homemade syrups, which sounds like NBD until you taste the difference. Here, you'll get traditional Korean flavors mixed with local Hawaiian flavors, like ube, matcha, and pineapple.
Holey Grail Donuts
The donuts are taro-based and fried in a sustainable palm oil, which gives them a lightness and a faint natural sweetness you'll dream about long after you've left Kauai. They're about as close to "good for you" as donuts get.
Kauai Juice Co.
This is the stop for people who think about food as something that should make you feel good. Whether you’re grabbing a smoothie or their kelp noodle salad, this is a great spot for a light meal, snack, or breakfast.
Bar Acuda
A farm-to-table place serving in a tapas format, so it's built for sharing and lingering rather than a heavy, single-plate meal.
Welina Terrace
If you're picking one sunset dinner on the island, make it this one. The sweeping views of Hanalei Bay are why I send people here for an anniversary, a milestone, or just one night where you want the evening itself to be the whole point.
Need to know
Reservations are a must for Bar Acuda, Welina Terrace, and Haena State Park!
Travel Advisor
Shing-hwa Cheung
Shing-hwa Cheung
Get in touch with Shing-hwa Cheung
Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Kaua'i page.