Explore More Things To Do on Kauai

The Hawaiian Island of Kauai is the most lush and verdant of all Hawaii islands being mountainous and boasting over 40 miles of beautiful beaches to relax on during your Holiday to Hawaii, along with an abundance of waterfalls and stunning landscapes.

Poipu Beach

Poipu Beach is one of the most popular and one of the safest on the island. Catch a glimpse of the endangered Hawaiian monk seals that can sometimes be found sunbathing on the beach. Poipu is very a great favourite with locals and tourists for its fantastic snorkelling, diversity of colourful fish, and wading pools for younger swimmers.

Napali Coast

This, 17 mile long, natural spectacle is located on Kauai’s north shore, offering amazing views across the vast Pacific Ocean and awe-inspiring waterfalls rushing through deep, narrow valleys. The only way of reaching it on foot is via the 11 mile Kalalau Trail, a popular but challenging route. If you do not fancy taking on the trail, boat tours depart from Port Allen, and during the summer guided kayak tours give you stunning views of the sea cliffs.

Anini Beach Park

Anini Beach Park is home to Hawaii’s longest reef creating a quiet lagoon perfect for snorkelling with miles of white sandy beaches for when you just want to kick back and relax under the Hawaiian sun. Give windsurfing a try with lessons and rentals available on the beach.

Kee Beach

Kee Beach is located at the start of the famous Kalalau trail along the Napali Coast, and its inviting lagoon is full of tropical fish. It is also a great spot where locals and tourists fish for the large Ulua fish. Take a short walk towards Haena the most northern point of the Kuhio Highway for yet more views of the Napali Coastline.

Spouting horn - Kauai’s famous blow hole

Situated in the Poipu area of Kauai, is the amazing blowhole called Spouting Horn. This is formed at the end of a lava tube where water from the waves enters the tube to build pressure that blows the water back out. Take your camera to try to capture the water spout at its highest of 50 feet.

Alekoko Menehune Fishpond

Located near the Huleia National Wildlife Refuge near the Nawiliwili Harbour the Fishpond was built 1,000 years ago. The wall dividing the pond from Huleia Stream is 900 feet long and five feet high and assembled from lava rock. Take a trip and immerse yourself in its mystical legend.

Waimea Canyon State Park

Located on the west side of the island no holiday in Kauai would be complete without a visit to Waimea Canyon. This 14 mile long, 3600 foot deep canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Whether you hike or drive to the numerous view points, expect to find breath-taking views of this marvel of nature.

Sea Turtles of Kauai

The iconic Green Sea Turtles of Kauai are best seen on a guided boat tour, which will take you to some of the hidden spots where it’s known they can be found. These friendly creatures will greet your boat inviting you to snorkel in the warm waters of the sheltered Pacific, in the spots sought out by your expert guides.

Helicopter and Plane tours

As with most spectacular scenery, it is worth seeing from the air and Kauai is no exception with plenty of tours available for visitors by either plane or helicopter. Most depart from Lihue and take in the stunning scenery of the coasts, waterfalls, canyons and beaches that make up the natural wonder of Kauai.

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge & Lighthouse

Kilauea Lighthouse is also home to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for seabirds while from December through the May you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the resident humpback whales.

Kilohana Plantation’s Visitor attraction

Kilohana Plantation home covers 16,000 sq. ft. It was built in the 1930s and is now a visitor centre displaying local wares to purchase, activities, and dining. It provides rides on the Kauai Plantation Railway for visitors to enjoy the beautiful views, the plantation’s farms and orchards. You can also sample a tasting at Koloa Rum Co. Within the courtyard is Gaylord’s restaurant providing lunches and dinners including Sunday brunch. Opening soon is the new theatre where you will be able to enjoy an interactive experience, Polynesian knife dance and traditional music and hula.

Get up close and personal with dolphins and whales

Throughout the winter months of December to May, hundreds of humpback whales travel down from Alaska in giant pods, to their winter home, where they breed and give birth to new calves. Take one of a number of boat tours, or charter your own to spot these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Expert guides will lead you to the best spots to watch the whales playfully surfacing and tail slapping. You will often be joined by the beautiful dolphins that also call Kauai home, particularly the spinner and bottlenose dolphins who perform amazing spins and acrobatics alongside your boat.

Wailua Falls

One of Kauai's most famous waterfalls, this imposing 80 foot tiered waterfall is easily accessible, near the roadside, and just north of Lihue. Visit early in the morning as the rising sun shines down on the falls making for a great photo. Follow in the footsteps of the Hawaiian warriors and make your way to the pool at the bottom of the falls, whilst imagining the bravery of the warriors who would leap from the top of the falls proving their bravery!

Opaekaa Falls

Flowing down to a hidden pool, Opaekaa is another easily accessible waterfall. We suggest you head to the Opaekaa lookout for spectacular views of the Wailua River valley.

View Kauai on Horse Back

Go where cars cannot, beautiful trails on the back of one of Hawaii's majestic horses. Explore the spectacular Napali Coast, the breath-taking Waimea Canyon, and the rushing waterfalls and miles of Kauai's unique coastline.

 

Championship Golf Courses

There are plenty of opportunities for golfing on Kauai with some of the world’s best golf courses where you may be lucky and spot a PGA professional player. Play a round with a backdrop of mountains and seascape.

Lihue

This is the commercial centre and capital city of Kauai and home to its airport. It is also a cultural and historical area, and houses a cruise ship port. Relax at one of the many good eateries and of course, these include fish restaurants. There are festivals here and plenty of other attractions for visitors to enjoy.

Waimea Town

Close to where Captain James Cook first landed in Hawaii in 1778, this historic seaport is home to a range of small shops and businesses as well as supporting a growing number of high-tech companies. The West Kauai Technology and Visitor Centre is a great place to learn about Kauai's past. Relax with a Lomilomi Massage.

The perfect way to fully unwind during your holiday in Kauai is with an ancient Hawaiian Lomilomi massage. Enjoy a steam, salt scrub and four handed massage, the treatment is offered outside to benefit from the natural gifts of the warm breeze and the sun warming the skin as your masseur works away all your stresses and strains.

Hanapepe Town

This was once one of Hawaii's largest communities, and during the two world wars home to American GIs and sailors training for the war in the pacific, and it has changed very little in the last century. Its authentic historic buildings were the inspiration for the Disney film Lilo and Stitch and today these plantation era buildings are home to quaint shops and delicious food. You can visit the weekly art display that takes place every Friday, with the town’s painters, sculptors and craftsmen opening the doors of their galleries to celebrate the arts they create.

Kapaa Town

On Kauaiâ’s east side, and home to its largest population, Kapaa is a great area for shopping and local restaurants. The Kiniopopo Shopping Village offers visitors a good range of traditional Hawaiian gifts and souvenirs to take home.

Sunset Cruises

Watch the sunset across the Pacific Ocean on board an evening cruise with a gourmet meal and the backdrop of the changing colours of the setting sun. Discover yet another side to beautiful Kauai as you relax with the warm sea breezes with a cold drink and dolphins dancing off the boats bow.

Kauai’s Nightlife

You’ll find live music and entertainment across Kauai, in the markets, restaurants of the island’s hotels and resorts. All play host to a range of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music, adding to the memories of your stay. At the Hanalei Family Community Centre, enjoy the regular slack key guitar and ukulele events to get you in the mood during your stay on this island paradise.

Kauai, a film maker’s paradise

The natural beauty of Kauai has attracted film and television directors for decades, to shoot some of the best known films of the 20th and 21st centuries and the island has featured in more than seventy films and television shows. The Waimea Canyon was used in the 1993 classic Jurassic Park while the opening scenes of Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark were filmed on the island. Much of Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii and Paradise, Hawaiian Style were filmed at the Coco Palms Resort. It was also home to a number of scenes of the 2005 remake of King Kong and scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean on Stranger Tides. The 2008 hit, Tropic Thunder was filmed almost entirely on Kauai, where Ben Stiller the lead actor has a home, and was chosen for its dense foliage, and terrain that made it similar to the mountains of Vietnam. The 2011 film adaptation of the novel, The Descendants was filmed in Hanalei Bay.

However you choose to spend your time on the beautiful island of Kauai, let Tailormade Hawaii’s expert team take care of every last detail, ensuring you experience the Hawaii holiday of a lifetime. Call us today or drop us email and start planning your perfect island escape.