16 Incredible Activities and Things to do in Kauai
After spending nine days on Kauai, exploring almost every slice of the main roads you can drive, and seeing some truly stunning sights, I can honestly say Kauai is a magical place. It’s full of wonder, lush landscapes, rainbows, dramatic coastlines, and sea life that stunned me. There are so many things to do in Kauai, and the activities I felt were endless.
During my time here, we hiked along sea cliffs, toured the island by helicopter, took a boat cruise along the Na Pali Coast, enjoyed delicious food, participated in family-friendly activities, and spent almost every day on the beach.
I can’t speak more highly of my time in Kauai, and I hope these tips help make your vacation unforgettable as well!
Easy Booking: Expedia.com | Hotels.com | VRBO
Need Gear: Find it on REI.com
Find Awesome Tours: Viator.com or GetYourGuide.com
Follow on Instagram: @Alecoutside
Top Activities and Things To Do in Kauai, Hawaii
Let’s dive into all of the fun things to do in Kauai. I promise you, you’ll want to do as many of these as you can!
1. Go Snorkeling
Unfortunately, we had some windy and rainy days, so our time in Kauai didn’t include the top-tier snorkeling others get to see. Still, I had a blast and saw beautiful fish.
The beaches we snorkeled at were: Poipu Beach, Lydgate Beach Park, and Anini Beach.
Lydgate had some pretty fish in an enclosed swimming section, while Anini is a long, calm shelf with pretty coral. You have to swim a decent distance offshore, but there are no waves. Then Poipu had a lot of fish action, plus sea turtles and a couple of Monk Seals.
You can rent snorkel gear throughout the island. Or book a short tour.
Na Pali Coast Snorkeling Adventure: Morning Snorkel |Half Day | 8-Hour Tour
2. Boat Cruise on the Na Pali Coast
This. Was. Amazing! (Well, not for the people puking on the way out.)
Of all the tours we did, I think this was the most incredible simply because it allotted you more time along the Na Pali Coast. Now, the ride out there was bumpier than any boat I’ve ever been on and multiple people on the boat threw up. The waves weren’t necessarily large, but we were going into them, which caused the ride to be even bumpier.
Once we slowed down and eventually reversed course, it was fine.
Now, the tour. You start in Port Allen (southside) and head clockwise towards the Na Pali Coast. The first hour of the ride is uneventful, but once you start seeing the pretty views, you’ll be amazed. It’s honestly the prettiest sight I’ve ever seen.
Trip breakdown:
- Cost: $210 per person (other companies range from $210-$250
- Time: Ours was a 4-hour sunset cruise (others can be 5.5 hours)
- Dinner and drinks included
3. Doors off Helicopter Ride Around Kauai
Much of Kauai is unreachable, so the best and most efficient way to reach it is to fly over it. So that’s what we did. I convinced my fiancée to take her first doors-off helicopter flight around Kauai.
It’s not cheap by any measure. It runs about $400 per person for an hour long flight, but damn was it stunning.
We again didn’t have a blue sky day, but it was good enough to see the sights. (Our Na Pali Coast portion was partially in the clouds, which is why we did the boat cruise.)
But this gave us the ability to see Jurrasic Falls, Waimea Canyon, the coast, and tons of stunning waterfalls up by Princeville.
A couple of notes:
- The aim is for all four seats to be full on the flight
- Tours run clockwise around the island, so the person on the left side of the chopper will not get a great view of the Na Pali Coast.
- Photographers: 16-35 is too wide. I’d suggest a 24-70 or 24-105. I wish I had left my wide angle and done the 24-105.
Explore Kauai with a Doors Off Tour
4. Kayak and Hike to Secret Falls
This was a wildly fun day! First, we experienced all of what Kauai offers. We were rained on, kayaked, hiked in mud, walked under a waterfall, and learned all about Hawaii culture. And then on the way back, we had dry skies!
All in all it was perfect. So, what is this trip out to Secret Falls? It is only accessible by water – mainly kayak but you could canoe or paddleboard if you wanted to.
It’s a two-mile kayak trip upstream and then a 1.25-mile walk to the waterfall. A handful of companies run tours, or you can rent kayaks and do it self-guided. I’d recommend the guide.
Recommendations:
- Bring a hiking pole or find a stick for balance
- It’s very muddy and slippery (I even slipped once)
- Bring sturdy hiking sandals or go barefoot
Guided Kayak Tour w/ Lunch | Tour with no lunch option
5. Go to a Botanical Garden
Kauai is known as the Garden Island, and it sure lives up to its name. The plant life on Kauai is impressive and abundant. There are multiple Botanical Gardens throughout the island, giving you a chance to experience the unique and rare plants that call this place home.
Allerton Garden (Lāwa‘i Valley)
Location: South Shore, near Poʻipū
Description: A lush, curated garden filled with towering rainforest trees, dramatic fig roots, colorful flowers, and even film-famous spots (like the Jurassic Park tree roots). Guided tours only.
McBryde Garden
Location: Adjacent to Allerton Garden in Lāwa‘i Valley
Description: One of the largest collections of native Hawaiian plants in the world. Includes a biodiversity trail and a beautiful waterfall. Great for plant lovers and conservation enthusiasts. Self-guided and guided tours are available.
Limahuli Garden & Preserve
Location: North Shore, near Hā‘ena
Description: Nestled in a stunning valley with views of the Nā Pali Coast, this garden showcases native plants and ancient Hawaiian agricultural terraces. A peaceful, culturally rich experience.
Princeville Botanical Gardens
Location: North Shore, inland from Princeville
Description: A privately owned, family-run garden offering guided tours. Features a variety of tropical plants, fruit trees, and a unique chocolate tasting session. Must book in advance.
Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens
Location: Kīlauea (North-East Kauai)
Description: A mix of formal gardens, wild forest, and sculpture gardens spread over 240 acres. Great for families, with a children’s garden and optional tours. Reservations required.
6. Hike to Hanakapiai Beach (and Hanakapiai Falls) on the Kalalau Trail
We saved this for the last day and couldn’t have picked a better way to wrap up our trip to Kauai. Of all the things to do in Kauai, I think this is one that everyone should key in on and do.
It’s the first two miles of the world-famous Kalalau Trail. From here, you’ll reach Hanakapiai Beach, which is not swimmable and extremely dangerous. For those looking to hike further, head upstream to Hanakapiai Falls, which becomes an eight-mile round-trip hike.
Things to note about the Kalalau Trail in Hāʻena State Park:
- Permits are required. We booked the Waipa shuttle ($40 each). Reserve yours here as early as you can. You can park at this location. You can’t park at the other shuttle pick-ups.
- The trail can close at any point/day due to rain. Check daily for updated conditions.
- Extremely muddy and slick. Bring waterproof shoes, hiking sandals, and make sure you have hiking poles.
- You can go “stand by” for another time slot. We did this and it worked out great.
7. Watch the Sunset from Hanalei Bay
If you’re staying in Princeville, make sure to grab dinner and head out to Hanalei Bay for sunset. It was a stunning sight and surprisingly not too crowded. It’s only a short walk from the parking lot. On a relatively cloudless day, you’ll see the towering mountains and waterfalls above the bay.
8. Explore Waimea Canyon and Kokeʻe State Parks
This is hands down one of the best things to do in Kauai. Unfortunately, that cruddy weather I mentioned struck the day we went up top. We got to see a little bit from the Waimea Canyon Overlook, but it was overcast and muddy outside of that.
The one trail we tried to do wasn’t in great condition, and we turned back. That said, here are the things I’d do on a good weather day!
- Red Dirt Waterfall
- Waimea Canyon Overlook
- Hike out to Waipo’o Falls (you’ll want to park at Puu Hinahina Lookout and jump on the Canyon Trail (about 3 miles round trip)
- Pu’u Ka Pele Lookout
- Nu’alolo Trail: 7.5 miles, 2,500 feet of gain, hard
- Awa’awapuhi Trail: 6 miles, 1,600 feet of gain, hard
- NOTE: Do not do the Honopu Trail. It’s terrible, overgrown, and off-limits.
- Kalalau Lookout (we only had cloud views, unfortunately)
- Pihea Trail: 8 miles (plus a mile on the road), moderate (this one looks pretty rad too and less hard than others, make sure to stop at Pu’u O Kila Lookout.
For those curious, these parks are connected. You’ll hit Waimea Canyon first and then Koke’e. Parking is $10 +$5 per person.
9. Enjoy Poke
You can’t go to Hawaii and not eat Poke. I think we had this at least three times while in Kauai. It was so fresh and delicious. Mmm.
I don’t necessarily have any specific locations. Anywhere you go should be yummy.
10. See Sea Turtles
You’ll likely see turtles all over, but if you want to see them on the beach, Poipu Beach is your place. We went here for two days and saw a combined 12 sea turtles. They don’t do much—just lie around—but it was my first time seeing them up close.
11. Go Deep Sea Fishing
Some of my family did this on our second morning in Kauai. They loved the experience and ended up catching five tuna fish. They brought home some meat, and we had the best poke I’ve ever experienced.
I’m not sure what company they went with, but it was about $200 per person for a morning out.
12. Drive up to Wailua Falls
Make sure to drive up to Wailua Falls. It’s a short drive off the main road and makes for a nice 20-minute detour. The falls are nice, but you can’t access them from below anymore, so the only viewpoint is from the top. We spent eight minutes before heading back.
You’ll recognize the falls from the opening credits if you watched Fantasy Island.
13. Play Golf
We didn’t have golf on the itinerary, but we did stay at this gorgeous place on the Kukui’ula Golf Course. If you have a big group, I can’t recommend it enough.
Plus, the golf course looked incredible, as did all the courses.
14. Go on a Hike
There are plenty of hikes throughout Kauai, and you don’t have to go to Waimea Canyon or the Na Pali Coast. We did the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail (starts at Shipwreck Beach) and Wai Koa Loop Trail to the Stone Dam.
While there are tons of things to do in Kauai, I’m much more of a hiker than a beach person, so I’m glad we had the chance to stretch our legs and rattle off some miles.
Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail
We loved this one! But be ready for a warm hike with little shade. The trail takes you along the jagged cliffs, giving you stunning views of the ocean and Kauai coastline.
Keep an eye out for turtles. We saw half a dozen throughout the hike, swimming in the surf.
- Distance: 3.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 475 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
Wai Koa Loop Trail
This nearly flat trail winds its way through a lush forest and into a scenic garden with a small man-made waterfall at the end. It’s a lovely walk for the family and a nice way to break up the drive to Princeville.
- Distance: 3.75 miles
- Elevation Gain: 220
- Difficulty: Easy
15. See the Spouting Horn
Near the town of Poipu, the Spouting Horn is a fun place to stop and take in the scenery. Here, you’ll see water pushed through holes in the rock, creating a geyser of sorts. It’s neat to see and happens every 10 seconds or so.
Unless you plan to picnic here, all you’ll need is 15 minutes. It’s definitely one of the fun things to do in Kauai.
Tip: Afterwards, stop at Kukuiula Small Boat Harbor. You’ll be able to see the Spouting Horn from a different vantage point, and it could offer you a chance to jump into Kukuiula Bay.
16. Visit Polihale State Park
This is the literal end of the road on the southwest side of the island. If you rent a 4WD vehicle, this is one of the top things to do in Kauai. It’s a gorgeous beach at the beginning of the Na Pali Coast. The road out there is rocky, bumpy, and sandy.
Most people don’t recommend (or even prohibit) bringing a sedan (though some people say it’s fine). We didn’t get a chance to get out there, but it looks stunning for sunsets.
Where to stay in Kauai
The three main hubs are Poipu on the south, the drier coast, Lihue by the airport, and Princeville on the north, which is the wetter side.
We stayed in Koloa (basically Poipu) and loved it. We were 10 minutes from the beach and loved every second of it. Poipu and Princeville have loads of hotel and lodging options, while Lihue has some, but they’re not as numerous.
To put yourself in the best position to check off the best things to do in Kauai, I think being on the south shore gives you the best shot. And the north side is only an hour’s drive away, making it super easy to reach.
Explore Hotels in Poipu
See hotel availability in Princeville
Check out Lihue Hotels
Need a VRBO for a large group? Find huge houses here.
When to visit Kauai
This is a difficult question. Kauai is quite rainy from October through April. The center of the island sees 400 inches a year, a startling amount.
We were rained on every day – some intense downpours and others a light mist. But it always moved on quickly. That said, the trails are far wetter and muddier during the winter and spring months.
When I looked at the weather forecast before arriving, I was discouraged because it said it would rain every day. But you’ll quickly find out it’ll rain for a bit and then be fine.
If you want the best hiking and snorkeling conditions and ensure you check off the best things to do in Kauai, go during the dry summer months. But if you’re okay with some rain, throw a dart on the calendar and see what sticks. Early April was enjoyable, though maybe a smidge too much rain for me. But the rainbows were excellent and gave us lots to look at!
Random other tips about completing the best things to do in Kauai
Each part of the island is its own microclimate
When we visited in early April, even in Poipu, it rained heavily almost every day, but it would pass after 10 minutes. This is more of a fall-through-spring issue, as that’s the rainy season, but I would also expect rain almost everywhere except Waimea. The southwest side is the driest part of the island.
Don’t trust the weather apps
The weather apps are not accurate. You’ll notice that the day will say “rainy,” but when you click in and look at the hourly forecast, it might be sunny for 90% of the day. I’d also recommend adding each corner of the island to your feed so you get a better idea of the weather in each microclimate.
Drive time around the island
We’re all Hawaii time.
Driving in Kauai is not quick. Most roads have a 35 mph speed limit, with the fastest getting up to 50 mph. From Poipu, it takes about 30 minutes to get to the airport, an hour to Waimea Canyon, and 75 minutes to Princeville. And that’s if traffic is flowing nicely and not during rush hour.
Check out all the tours Kauai has to offer
Chickens are everywhere
You won’t go five minutes without seeing or hearing a chicken or rooster. It’s pretty insane how many there are.
Final thoughts on the best activities and things to do in Kauai
Spending time on Kauai is truly a place that fills your soul and shows you the best of the world. It’s beautiful, welcoming, and allows you to leave all your worries behind. We felt a spiritual presence as we ventured around the island, seeing its magical landscapes, the lush forests, plants, and flowers, and swimming in the crystal clear waters.
This island is magical, and I hope those who visit continue to treat it with respect and follow Leave No Trace principles to make Kauai better than you found it. With all the amazing things to do in Kauai, I hope you have a fantastic trip and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
Follow on social media: TikTok || Instagram || Facebook || Newsletter | YouTube
