Trying to decide which Hawaiian island to venture to for your next vacation? If you love nature and playing outdoors, then Kauai should be on the top of your list.
Kauai is geographically the oldest of the main Hawaiian islands and is known as the "Garden Isle" due to the lush rainforests that dominate its landscape. But remember, lots of rainforests means lots of rain, so don't forget to pack appropriately and be prepared to get wet and muddy!
For adventure-seekers and nature-lovers, Kauai offers a variety of outdoor activities. The island's volcanic origins and mountainous terrain lends itself to several great hiking trails, and as the only Hawaiian island with navigable rivers, river kayaking is also possible here. If you're looking for rest and relaxation, or you prefer to avoid the tourist hordes that can plague some of the other Hawaiian islands, then you'll love Kauai's super relaxed vibe, quaint towns and uncrowded beaches.
Kauai has a lot to offer, but if you're like most people, you don't have time to check everything out, so I've narrowed it down to the top 5 things you must do or see while in Kauai:
1. Hanalei Bay
This was my second trip to Kauai ... I stayed for only 3 days my first visit, which definitely wasn't enough time so I had to come back! On this trip, we stayed for a week at The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas in Princeville, a resort and golf community located on the north shore of Kauai. The resort sits on a cliff that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is relatively quiet (as is most of Kauai ... most places close around 8 or 9 pm here so keep that in mind come dinner time or you'll be left with Burger King as your only dining option). We spent most of our time at the resort relaxing and drinking Mai Tais at the pool.
Since there is no beach access from the Westin, we headed to the beach at Hanalei Bay, an easy 5-10 minute drive from Princeville, to enjoy some sun and surf.
The town of Hanalei, with its cute boutique stores and delicious local food options, is also a great place to stroll around.
2. Na Pali Coast
If you continue along the north shore past Hanalei, you'll end up at the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, on the northwest side of the island. The Na Pali coast is famous for its dramatic cliffs and wild landscape. The most popular way to experience the Na Pali coast is by boat. The views of the coastline from the ocean are spectacular and there are several boat tour operators so booking a boat tour is super easy. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, the Na Pali coast also has several hiking trails with jaw-dropping views of the Pacific Ocean along the way and which also provide access to some beautiful remote beaches. Unfortunately, at the time of my trip, the stretch of road from Hanalei to the Na Pali coast, the only route to access it by land, was closed after being destroyed by intense flooding caused by the recent hurricane. Locals told me that it would be another year or so before the roads would be open again. Guess that means I'll have to come back ;)
3. Sleeping Giant Trail
I originally planned to hike the Na Pali coast on this trip to Kauai, but because of the road closure mentioned above, I decided to hike the Sleeping Giant (or Nounou) trail instead.
The hike through the forest was relatively easy and it wasn't long before I reached the mountain's peak, where there is a picnic shelter for those who packed a snack or simply want to rest their hiking legs. At this point, I decided to go further and brave the precarious climb/scramble to the Sleeping Giant's nose/chin because, well, I've already come this far! And I'm so glad I did because the 360 views of the island from up there were absolutely breathtaking. However, I strongly advise against hiking this last stretch of the trail if you aren't sure-footed or if it's been raining and the ground is muddy and slippery because this part of the trail is super narrow and there is absolutely nothing to stop you from falling to your death!
4. Wailua River & Fern Grotto
The Wailua River is a water playground. On this trip, we took a kayak tour with Rainbow Kayak Tours, and as we kayaked up the river, we were passed by other kayakers, paddle boarders, and boats pulling water skiers and boarders. After kayaking a few miles up the river, we shored our kayaks and hiked the rest of the way to the Secret Falls, where we enjoyed a picnic lunch and swam in the pool below the waterfalls.
If you aren't into kayaking, then you can also explore the Wailua River by booking a boat tour that will take you up the river to the Fern Grotto, which is what we did on our first trip to Kauai.
5. Waimea Canyon
On the west side of the island is Waimea Canyon, also known as "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Waimea is Hawaiian for "reddish water" and refers to the canyon's red soil (which is also the staple ingredient for making Kauai's famous "red dirt shirts"). It can get pretty windy at the canyon so I'd advise bringing a light windbreaker or jacket with you when you visit.
Looking for food recommendations in Kauai? Check out my blog post about my favorite places to eat in Kauai!
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