Out of all the Islands I have visited so far, I think Kaua’i has to be my favorite! The lush, chill environment of this island is what drew me to visit and I long for the day when I can experience this beautiful place again.
About the Island
Out of all the Hawaiian Islands, Kaua’i is the oldest and is nicknamed “The Garden Isle.” The island is very tropical, and that is due to the heavy rainfall that it receives every year (over 400 inches!) From Kauai’s amazing panoramic views to its lush scenery, the island became an integral part of many iconic movie sets such as Avatar, Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, and more!
There are also five areas to understand in Kaua’i; West Side, East Side, Lihue, South Shore, and North Shore.
- The West side of the island is a bit rural due to its mountainous landscape and will make you feel like you’re in the wild west! The perfect place for those that want a more outdoor view of the island or something with adventure.
- East Side is for those that love Hawaii for its palm trees and coconuts! Also known as the Royal Coconut Coast, the east side is filled with resorts and some of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
- Lihue is the epicenter of the island and where you’ll discover most of the island’s culture and history. This area tends to be the busiest since this is where the main airport is located.
- South Shore is the part of the island that most tourists believe has the best activities and weather! This area has the least amount of rain compared to the rest of the island, making it the perfect place to book your vacation rental. If you’re looking for fun and to have nightlife, this is the place to be!
- North Shore is argued to be one of the most beautiful parts of the island because of its beaches, mountains, and sea cliffs. This area is great for those that are looking for more upscale resorts overlooking the beauty of Kaua’i.
Getting to Kaua’i
To get to Kaua’i, you’ll need to fly into the Lihue Airport. Most airlines offer direct flights to Kaua’i from the mainland, however, there are also options to fly to Oahu first, then take about an hour flight to Lihue Airport from Honolulu.
Where to Stay
There are plenty of options for accommodations in Kaua’i, however, I found that this island is not the most affordable. Most options during peak season (summertime) will be at least $300/night. However, if you decide to come during the off-season like in October, the prices might start at about $150/night for a 1- bed condo on Airbnb. Unfortunately for backpackers and those on a tight budget, Kaua’i might not be the place for you as there are no hostels on the island.
If you are looking for a resort to stay on the island, here are a few options;
- Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort (Luxury)
- Sheraton Kaua’i Coconut Beach Resort
- Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort & Spa (Perfect for families!)
How to Get Around the Island
If you plan to do a lot of adventuring, then the only option is to rent a car. There is definitely taxi, Uber, and Lyft, but prices can really rack up if you plan to travel a lot around the island. The public transportation system on the island is affordable, but I heard it is not really the best for tourists as it does not go to popular travel destinations such as the Nā Pali Coast. Bus is great however if you need a ride to areas that are filled with resorts or a ride to the airport.
If you’re looking for a convenient place to rent a car, then I recommend renting off of Turo. Turo is an app similar to Airbnb where you can rent vehicles from locals in the area that you are visiting. I found the process to be super easy and the hosts I had were really nice and accommodating. Some might even be willing to pick you up and drop you off from the airport!
When to Visit Kaua’i
In regards to weather, the best months to visit this island are between April to November. These months will probably be the driest, but that doesn’t mean there will be a couple of rain showers here and there.
However, if you are concerned with the price, then I would try to avoid visiting the summer months, especially July & August. Ultimately the best times to visit is between April to June and September to November. You’ll find the least number of crowds during these months, the weather is still beautiful, and prices for airfare and hotels would not be as outrageous.
Things to do in Kaua’i
‘Aliomanu Beach
If you’re looking for a secluded beach with not many visitors, then this is the beach for you! It is located about 30 minutes north of Lihue. This little beach is near residential property so I believe mainly locals visit here. The sand here is a little coarse but what I loved about this beach is the soft, blue, calming waves.
Waimea Canyon State Park
There’s more to Hawaii than just the tropical beaches. Did you know there’s a canyon that will make you think you’re in the wild west? This red soil place is such a contrast to the blue & green island landscape.
Kālepa Ridge Trail
_DSC8659
_DSC8787
This activity is for the rebellious and adventurous types. This trail is considered illegal and not official because of the steep, unmaintained path it brings. However, if you’re brave, you’ll definitely be rewarded with amazing views of Kauai’s Nā Pali Coast. To get here, map to Kalalau Lookout and park in the lot. When you walk towards the lookout, head left and look for a wired fence and start walking behind it. Beware that this trail starts off downhill and can be steep going back up. It’s also not recommended to go after a big rainfall because you’ll also risk hiking in slippery mud!
Get Malasadas at Passion Bakery Café
For me, it isn’t a trip to Hawaii without getting malasadas! I found the best place to get them in Kaua’i is at Passion Bakery Café. They’re made to order and come out piping hot! They are also not too sweet and more on the tart side, which is what I prefer. Make sure to check ahead with the bakery because the last time I checked, they only make them at certain hours of the day.
📍Passion Bakery & Café, 4-356 Kuhio Hwy #121, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
Tunnel’s Beach
The most popular beach on the island is Tunnel’s Beach and for good reason! The beach is picturesque with a mountain in its landscape. I found that a lot of families come here to play and hang out with their kids and even saw some families snorkel in the water! If you do plan on coming here, be sure to come early. We came around sunrise at 6:30 am and when we left around 9am, a lot of cars were waiting for our spot!
Tour the Na Pali Coast by Boat
One of the things you have to do in Kaua’i is admire the beautiful landscape of the Nā Pali Coast. The most common way for people to tour this is by booking a boat tour. My friend and I went with Makana Charters and thought they were great! Most of their boats offer an intimate experience and I loved the tour guides we had. They gave us a lot of information and history about Kaua’i and the tour even offers a snorkel session! If you decide to do this tour, make sure to ask for Captain Cam!
Hanalei Valley Lookout
_DSC8539
_DSC8533
If you’re driving back from Tunnel’s Beach or in the Princeville area, make sure to stop by this insta-worthy lookout spot! You’ll get a view of Taro fields and Hawaiian mountains in the back. This photo spot is worthy of a Hawaiian vacation postcard!