Welcome to Kaua’i! E komo mai!
Kaua’i is magical. The oldest island in the chain, the Garden Isle is aptly named. You will revel in its beauty at every turn. Kaua’i has an area that is the wettest place on earth! From lush tropical foliage to deeply carved canyons to lo’i (taro) patches and sparkling beaches we hope you drink in every moment to take a little aloha home with you.
We have gathered some great recommendations to enhance your Kaua’i experience. We hope you have a chance to enjoy them all! Kaua’i is rated as many travelers’ favorite island. We understand why! Its low-key vibe and peaceful surroundings will keep you returning for many years to come.
Kaua’i nō ka ‘oi (Kaua’i is the best!)
We’re working on a video that will be up on our Youtube channel soon, stay tuned!
Discount Car Rentals
Kaua’i Vision Rental guests are now able to easily check availability and reserve your rental car at terrific rates. Find your perfect island ride easily and securely. Even better, you do not need a credit card to reserve your car rental online! Reserve your car now: https://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/?referral_code=agdurxzwyr
Kaua’i Attire
Kaua’i is a very casual place—shorts, sandals and T-shirts are the standard attire everywhere except for the fancier restaurants. We do recommend you bring a pair of binoculars if you have them, along with your favorite music to listen to or support our local entertainers and get their music to take home with you!
Use of Sunblock and Kaua’i’s fragile eco-system
Please help protect our reefs and sea life. Before you buy or apply sunscreen, please read the ingredients. Be careful what type of sunscreen you apply to your skin. Please consider using ZINC or TITANIUM OXIDE sunscreens only as they are better for you and the ocean. These are considered reef-safe sunscreens and are better for the health of our coral reefs. Mahalo! To read more please visit: http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2016/09/03/nr16-182/
Kaua’i Helicopter Tours
Check out Kaua’i from the air, it’s spectacular. Kaua’i topography is so diverse, there’s really nothing like seeing it from the sky. The following companies have been recommended to us, all offering something a little different:
https://helicopters-kauai.com/
https://www.bluehawaiian.com/en/kauai/tours
https://safarihelicopters.com/
https://islandhelicopters.com/
https://maunaloahelicoptertours.com/kauai-helicopter-tours/
Beaches
There are almost too many to name but we’ll post a few favorites here:
(Directions and information forthcoming.)
Kalapaki Beach
In front of Kaua’i Marriott. Public access.
Lydgate Beach Park
Leho Drive near the Holiday Inn.
Kapa’a Beach Park
Fronting the Pono Kai Resort.
Anahola Beach Park
Turn off Hwy 56 onto Kukuihale Road at the 13 mile marker, drive a mile down the road then turn onto the dirt beach road.
Secret Beach
Turn down Kalihiwai Road, a half mile west of Kilauea and then turn right on to the first dirt road a tenth of a mile from Hwy 56. The road ends at a parking area (don’t leave valuables in your car).
Anini Beach Park
Near Kaua’i Polo Club.
Hanalei Beach Park
Hanalei.
Waikoko Beach
Western part of Hanalei Bay.
Lumahai Beach
Haena Beach Park
Kee Beach (this may be hard to gain entry to need permit)
Baby Beach
Lawai Beach
Poipu Beach/Poipu Beach Park
Brennecke’s Beach
Shipwreck Beach
Mahaulepu Beach (a favorite of the staff at Kaua’i Vision)
Glass Beach
Salt Pond Beach Park
Kekaha
Snorkel Recommendations
Nāpali Coast tours come highly recommended. This area of Kaua’i is primarily inaccessible by car, therefore it is best viewed from the water.
Here are a few guided snorkel tours of the Nāpali Coast that we found during our search:
https://napalitours.com
Phone: 808-826-6114
Email: [email protected]
https://makanacharters.com
Phone: 808-338-9980
Email: [email protected]
https://www.holoholokauaiboattours.com
Phone:808-335-0815
Email: [email protected]
https://kauaiseariders.com/
Phone: 808-742-7422
Email: [email protected]
Please note Hāʻena State Park and Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park both require reservations now. The Kalalau Trail is only accessed via Hāʻena State Park, please visit the following link for more information: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/kauai/napali-coast-state-wilderness-park/
If you are ready to venture out on your own, some top picks below:
North Shore:
Kee Beach is a popular snorkel spot. Nearby Tunnels Beach has excellent snorkeling in summer months but beware the currents.
Poipu/South Shore:
The section of Poipu Beach that’s just west of Nukumoi Point is one of the most popular on Kaua’i, as it’s good for beginners. Koloa Landing is another great spot in Poipu.
West Side:
Salt Pond Beach Park near Hanapepe.
Snorkel Gear Rental
There are plenty snorkel gear businesses to cover your ocean needs.
These folks are right in Kapa’a, handy to where you’re staying:
Kapa’a Beach Shop
https://www.kapaabeachshop.com/
- Open 9 am-5 pm Sunday – Friday. Closed Saturdays.
- Phone: 808-212-8615
- 4-1592 Kuhio Hwy
- Kapa’a, HI 96746
Boss Frogs
- Open 8 am-5 pm daily
- Phone: 808-822-4334
- 4-746 Kuhio Hwy
- Kapa’a, HI 96746
Dining and Entertainment Recommendations
We will be updating this soon!
But we can say, Waipouli is the mile-long strip between Coconut Plantation and Kapa’a. In Kaua’i Village you’ll find lots of places to eat and check-out.
Hawaiian Lu’au
No Kaua’i vacation is complete without experiencing a traditional lu’au! These two properties are magnificent and offer amazing entertainment as well as other activities.
Smith’s Family Lu’au
- https://www.smithskauai.com/garden-luau/
- Phone: 808-821-6895
- 3-5971 Kuhio Hwy
- Kapaʻa, HI 96746
Luau Kalamaku at the Kilohana Plantation
- https://www.kilohanakauai.com/luau-kalamaku
- Phone: 808-245-5608
- 3-2087 Kaumualii Hwy
- Lihue, HI 96766
Kaua’i Shopping and Entertainment
Lihue has a Walmart, Costco and Safeway (Kapa’a Safeway location as well). Stop in and grab some supplies for your trip. There are lots of great places to check out, here are just a few:
Coconut Marketplace is a popular area in Kapa’a that has dining, entertainment, farmers markets and more! Check out https://www.coconutmarketplace.com/ for more information and the latest on performances.
Kukui Grove is an open-air shopping center located in Lihue. It is Kauai’s only regional mall. It features over 55 shops and restaurants, with Macy’s, Ross Stores, Times Supermarkets, Longs Drugs, and Target as its anchors. https://www.kukuigrovecenter.com/?y_source=1_MzA1OTAxNTYtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D
Poipu Shopping Village offers weekly entertainment, dining and amazing shopping, be sure to visit the warmest part of the island and enjoy a hula show every Monday and Thursday at 5 pm.
https://poipushoppingvillage.com/
This popular boardwalk shopping destination in north Kapa’a is a popular stop for visitors as well! https://nokafairkauai.com/
You will find many other quaint places to check out around Kaua’i like the historic https://konglungkauai.com/
Other Great Places and State Parks to Visit on Kaua’i
Help protect our native birds by visiting the Kīlauea Point Lighthouse.
https://www.kauairefuges.org/kilauea-point-nwr
Be sure to go see Wailua Falls.
To get there, head north from Lihue and follow Maalo Road in Hanamaulu. Travel uphill for about 3 miles. If you visit in the mornings, you may be treated to a rainbow as the sunlight meets the mist of the falls, which makes for an amazing photo opportunity.
Waimea Canyon State Park
Waimea Canyon State Park overlooks of one of the State’s scenic treasures – the deep, colorful gorge of Waimea Canyon. The park consists of a scenic drive, lookouts of the canyon, a viewpoint of Ni‘ihau Island, wildland picnicking and trails. Adjacent forest reserves with long, strenuous hikes into and out of the canyon. Seasonal trout fishing. Pig and seasonal goat hunting nearby.
Note: Starting 2021, all non-Hawaii resident visitors to Waimea Canyon State Park and Kōkeʻe State Park will be required to purchase both Entrance and Parking. Please find more information here:
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/kauai/waimea-canyon-state-park/
Hikinaakalä Heiau
Small historic archaeological site at the very end of Lydgate State Park north end. Several placards give descriptions of the history of the area at and mouth of the Wailea river. If you are into history and such check it out online and then stop to see it in person.
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/files/2014/09/Hikinaakala_brochure.pdf
Kōkeʻe State Park and the Kalalau Lookout Trail
The park offers commanding views of the lush, amphitheater-headed Kalalau Valley from 4000 feet elevation. Wildland picnicking, tent camping and lodging. Hiking in native rain forest and along rim of Waimea Canyon; additional trails in neighboring forest reserves. Excellent area for observation of native plants, forest birds and insects. Seasonal plum picking and trout fishing. Pig hunting in public hunting area.
Note: Starting 2021, all non-Hawaii resident visitors to Waimea Canyon State Park and Kōkeʻe State Park will be required to purchase both Entrance and Parking. Please find more information here:
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/kauai/kokee-state-park/
Hā’ena State Park
The park offers viewing of restored lo’i kalo (taro field, as well as, the spectacular Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park. The park also offers beach-related activities including shore fishing and swimming at Ke’e Beach. Hā’ena is also home to the trailhead of the world famous Kalalau Trail [11 miles], as well as, Hanakāpīʻai Falls trail [4 miles]. Please be respectful of sacred sites, mahalo!
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/kauai/haena-state-park/
Polihale State Park (camping)
Overnight camping will reopen August 14th,2022. Reservations will be available online starting August 1st, and may be made up to 90 days in advance.
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/kauai/polihale-state-park/
Other mentionable hiking areas:
Nounou Trail or Sleeping Giant Hike starts out in a neighborhood known as the Wailua House-lots at the top of Haleilo Road near the water pump station. This east side trail has a rapid elevation gain of 1,000 feet and an ocean-view behind you the entire way up. This trail is drier and will have better footing during a rainy period, than that of the other Sleeping Giant trails is lined with flowering low lined shrubs compared to the shady forested side of the West Kuamoo Trail off Hwy 580. The east side trail will meet up with the west trail at about .25 miles before the top. (from Kauai.com)
Other Services and Memorable Things to Do on Kaua’i
Here are a few Ziplines we found:
Koloa Zipline https://koloazipline.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxveXBhDDARIsAI0Q0x1FPdnAWNSXEAUjA3QyMNgUVBrSqzMM0p-i84sGBpr7UgfRS_-ClUcaAvHcEALw_wcB
Skyline Hawaii
https://www.skylinehawaii.com/kauai?utm_source=GMBlisting&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb-kauai
Kaua’i Backcountry Adventures (Zipline and more)
Princeville Ranch
ATV Tours
Kipu Ranch Adventures
This one is awesome, we’ve done it! Stunning views and great staff!
Kaua’a ATV
And if you prefer the ease of a concierge service to book your activities, here’s a great one:
https://activitiesofkauai.com/
Massage Therapy
We’ve found a few close by in Kapa’a:
Ola Massage
Two Waters Massage https://www.twowatersmassage.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwxveXBhDDARIsAI0Q0x3eoe2UBSnOLp-FbzsBzJSAJkYbrQYbkv90qQpl46_BkuWTmtvT8p8aAhDDEALw_wcB
Aloha Moon Massage
Dolphin Touch
OGG Kaua’i Airport- Restaurants
Closing Thoughts
There are so many GREAT places to dine and visit on Kaua’i that they couldn’t possibly all be listed in this letter. We hope you will discover the other gems on your own. Please call the places noted in this letter to confirm hours of operation, happy hour specials, and entertainment. Things do change on the island and we may not have the most recent information as of this writing.
We ask that you always remember that Hawai‘i is just a very small, fragile dot on the map of the world. Wherever you go, go lightly, with love and care for the precious things that give the people of Hawai‘i their heritage and frame of reference. There are many sacred sites that demand respect and we always ask that you are cautious about where you enter, please do not enter privately owned land.
Kaua’i Vision Rentals wishes you a little paradise and much aloha in your everyday lives.
‘E mālama i ka ‘āina (take good care of the land)
Kathy McCartney RB#23100
Kaua’i Vision Properties LLC RB#23099
PO Box 994
Kihei, HI 96753
-updated August 2022 (this document is in process and will be updated soon!)