What to Do in Kauai
No one goes to Kauai and mopes around in a lonely hotel room. Nope, you go to Kauai and work on your tan, feast on sumptuous tropical food, and stretch your legs roaming the Garden Isle of the Hawaiian Archipelago from sun up till sun down. To have the best vacation experience, here's a picture of the things you can do in this island of Hawaii.
Overview of Kauai
Kauai is one of the main islands of the Hawaiian archipelago that is famous for its untouched beaches and mountain ranges. The island is less developed than Maui or O’ahu, which makes it perfect for those who are looking for a vacation close to pristine nature and away from throngs of tourists. Kauai is known for its larger number of timeshares, condominiums, and bed and breakfasts compared to other islands in the archipelago. This is because Kauai was developed later than its counterparts. A feature that makes this island unique is that it has no roads that circle the island completely because of the geographical location of the Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali coast. The best way to get around the island is to rent a car, although the harder, more secluded destinations can only be reached by foot. This seems to be no problem at all since various hiking trails snake through the island.
Tourists can also hop on the Kauai bus, which has a route in, around, and between the major island attractions. A more accessible and cheaper option is to go around the island by bike. This is a perfect choice for those who want to savor the island as close as they can. Biking trails are as common as hiking trails, and plans are underway to make bikes a popular mode of transportation to promote non-automobile transportation in the island.
Things to do
There are endless opportunities to keep yourself occupied in Kauai, from plain old sightseeing and nature trekking to spending lazy afternoons working on your tan. Nature treks are a popular way of spending hours under the Hawaiian sun, along with surfing and learning how to surf.
Working on your tan
The island has great spots for you to work on your tan. Kauai is known for its sunny beaches and pristine waters; holiday-goers have the option of lounging for a line-less tan in one of the island’s nude beaches. Popular spots include Donkey Beach, Secret Beach, and Larsen’s Beach, all of which are patrolled in some degree or another. The most private is Larsen’s Beach, just about 20 miles from North Kapa'a.
You can also work on your tan in seaside pools of Kauai resorts that dot the beach front. A popular holiday spot for those who like to get the best in service is the Lanikai Resort, which has an upscale apartment feel to it, with limited number of units and a prime spot next to the beach.
Other hotels and establishments where you can lie down and lounge under the sun include poolsides at the Grand Hyatt Kauai and the Coastline Cottages at Poipu Beach.
Nature hikes and biking trails
The island is a paradise of scenic views and natural wonders. The island is full of tour guide agencies that offer nature treks, up and around the island. Popular biking trails wind through the Poipu area and between Kealia Beach and Anahola. Avid mountain bikers will enjoy the different terrains on the island, which will suit anyone from beginner to expert mountain bikers.
Hiking is a popular activity because not all parts of the island is accessible to vehicles. You can hike to the Waimea Canyon and follow this up with a visit to the Kokee State Park, which offers vistas of different kinds, from grand majestic canyons to vast forests. Tourists like you can also obtain maps from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and from the Division of State Parks.
Another popular alternative is horseback riding tours. These tours can range from 90 minutes to five hours; each tour makes ample time for sightseeing, snacks, and even swimming along the way. Horse trips can be arranged with Princevillle Ranch Stables, Silver Falls Ranch, Inc. and CJM Country Stables, Inc.
One important reminder is to wear sturdy shoes when hiking and to avoid hiking in the rain as much as possible. The island’s hiking and biking trails tend to become very slippery when wet, which can be dangerous in steep and sharp-turn areas.
Water activities
Kayaking is one of the most popular water activities in the island, mainly because its rivers are easier to navigate than other islands'. Kayak rentals dot the mouths of most Kauai rivers. Another good activity option is Na Pali snorkeling expeditions, which allow you to swim and snorkel near protected reefs and observe the beauty of untouched marine life firsthand. Packages like these usually come with a continental breakfast and a complimentary lunch for each participant, along with free use of snorkel gear. Diving boats leave daily containing visitors who are looking to explore the island’s unique coral reefs and other interesting marine life.
Snorkeling and kayaking are also popular activities in the South Shore, especially in Maha'ulepu Beach, which is known for its collection of ancient petroglyphs. Another popular strip of sand is Poipu Beach, which landed on the list of the world’s best beaches.
Surfing is a water activity that is closely linked to the life in the island. Because Kauai is blessed with consistent trade winds and is open to the ocean from all sides, most parts of the island are good surfing grounds. The island also has a good number of surfing schools such as the Aloha Surf Lesson, Hawaiian Surfing Adventures, and the Kauai Surf School that offer lessons for first-time wave catchers.
Finally, the island is the perfect place for deep-sea and freshwater fishing. Avid fishermen would surely love to catch different types of fish in any of the islands waters, among them are trout, catfish, marlin, ahi, and more.
Helicopter tours
If you want to veer away from the conventional tourist destinations and conventional tourist activities, you can opt for a helicopter ride to enjoy the scenic view of the entire island. You will also get to take a glimpse of popular tourist attractions such as the Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali Coast, its scenic waterfalls and craters, all from above.
Shopping
The island is also a good place for those looking for a dose of tropical retail therapy. Kauai is a place where you can find small shops and large malls, which are good sources of homecoming gifts such as Hawaiian shirts, art, and jewelry, to name a few. The North Shore is one popular shopping destination for vintage pieces as well as artifacts from all over the world.
If you want to unwind after a day of shopping, you can head over to Kapaa Town and the Wailua Shopping Plaza on the east side of the island, a destination known for its strip of restaurants and shops. Lined with shops and tour boat companies, Eleele Shopping Center is located on the west side. If you prefer to feel the artistic vibe of the island, you can head over to Hanapepe, which has shops that offer handmade furniture, soaps, plates and cups. The downtown area is also the place where you can find art galleries and boutiques as well as the Lotus Gallery, considered the island’s "style center."
A typical final stop is Port Allen, which is famous for dirt shirts and other local souvenir items. This is also another good place to hunt for bargain boat tours.
Dining and entertainment
Being on a tropical island means you get to savor fun and delightful tropical cuisine. There are a lot of wining and dining establishments on the island, among them are the Kalapaki Grill and Dondero’s Restaurant. BarAcuda boasts of the island’s world-famous chef, Jim Moffat, who is known for his tapas style cuisine infused with a hint of island flavor. Another popular alternative for those looking for a bit of city cuisine is Bubba Burger, which according to some, dishes out the tastiest burgers in town. The Pizetta is a pizza place that is known as one of the most popular island restaurants.
The island is a veritable treasure trove of cuisines, from Italian, American, and European to Korean and Japanese, all fused together for a Pacific Rim flavor that is unique to the island. The island is also stocked full with fruits, seafood, and chocolate, among others, that are all locally grown. All of them are delicious and mouth-watering.
Sightseeing
The island has its own share of art galleries for those who want a dose of culture even when visiting a tropical paradise such as Kauai. They can also head to some other historical locations such as the Old Koloa Town, which used to be an old settlement for the Japanese who worked on the island’s sugar plantation.
Birdwatchers will not regret an afternoon at the Huleia National Wildlife Refuge, a place where natural birds are bred, and the National Tropical Botanical Garden, home to various species of flora and fauna not found anywhere else in the world.
All these activities make a trip to Kauai worthwhile, with fun memories to cherish and share with hopeful travelers.