Wanting to visit Kauai, Hawaii? Here are all my top recommendations for things you HAVE to do on the island.
Places to Eat
Dukes
Duke's is a dine-in restaurant that offers great tacos, Hula pie, and an assortment of cool cocktails. I was not able to visit this restaurant, but it does have high ratings and my parents had a great time eating there. There's an indoor garden section and gorgeous views all around bound to make this dining experience amazing.
Taco Food Truck
Omg guys these steak tacos are where it is at!! There are many food trucks stationed around Kauai that are even more recommended that the restaurants themselves, but the Al Pastor Tacos food truck is by far the one you must visit. From fish to shrimp to steak, all the tacos were so yummy; they come as a meal of 2 tacos served (4 mini tortillas in total) with a side of rice and beans. Makes for the perfect lunch/snack when you are on the road or just finished an excursion.
Kauai Shaved Ice
We got our shaved ice from the Aloha Shaved Ice food truck in the same square as Al Pastor Tacos was in and guys you won't regret it! You get a total of 3 flavors or syrup to add per bowl of shaved ice; I got pineapple, mango, and strawberry (the pineapple and mango were the best). It was such a fun little snack and with the heat and exhaustion of hiking, this shaved ice is perfect to cool down with.
Merriman's Kauai
This restaurant was recommended to me by Google after I came back to Miami (are you kidding me), but I would love to hear y'alls reviews, leave them in the comment below! Merriman's Kauai serves fresh, local foods in a casual but elegant dining area. Has scenic views and is said to be great for a special occasion or date!
FoodLand
Yes this is a supermarket, but Foodland has all the essentials. From snacks to food to sunscreen to beauty, if you stay at a house like I did and don't have resort service, you shop your essentials here. Foodland had some safer options that you can find anywhere and some local Hawaiian foods, like poi.
This ice cream was so good!! We found this little ice cream shop while looking for souvenirs in the Princeville Shopping Center and it was so amazing. I got the coffee dark chocolate and mango favors and was in heaven. The actual ice cream so smooth and rich with natural flavor.
Hiking
Sleeping Giant
About a 2 mile hike up the mountains to get the most gorgeous views of the entire island (you get thousands of feet in the air). It was so high up at the peak that your hands and knees start trembling as you are taking pictures. There is a fork in the path with two different signs, go towards the East that says shelter, that is a rest stop where you can hydrate and take a rest. Then, facing the view, go towards the left to a path that goes all the way up to the peak. Also, don't forget to head up to the opening in the rock that acts like a tunnel, bring in the much need cold air after your hike. There views are absolutely stunning guys!!
Queens Bath
1 mile very muddy trail that leads out to these gorgeous pools! The main pool is usually way too crazy with the riptide to go in, but if you walk over the rocks to the left, there is a much calmer, smaller pool that you can dive into.
Waimea Falls
Such an epic trail but a bit on the difficult side. Hike 2 miles to a gorgeous waterfall that you can swim in!
Secret Falls
About a 1 mile hike through the forest (we went on a rainy day so it was muddy) to reach a huge waterfall. Water's cold but you can go in and swim in the pool and even go under the waterfall (the water falls so hard, it's an unbelievable experience).
Hopi Falls
1.7 moderate hike up to a huge waterfall
Tours
ATVs
Our tour guides were Mano and were crazy! We took the Waterfall Triple Trail Expedition in Kauai ATV tour with Kipu Rach Adventures, traveling through the enormous private land owned by the Rice Family. They would have one tour guide in the front, guiding the group on where to go, and a second guide in the back, just in case anyone needed help or got lost. They were wild lol but always very safe as they would gage our levels and speed up/slow down on the parts they know we were comfortable or uncomfortable with. Plus, being locals born and raised in Kauai, the guides had plenty of stories to share (about their personal lives in Kauai) and know extensively about the history of the land you are touring. Check out my Instagram where I shared some of the history I learned on my stories!
Helicopter
I've been to Hawaii twice (Big Island and now Kauai) and both times the Jurassic Falls Helicopter Tour with Island Helicopters has been one of the best tours ever! We got the Jurassic Falls Landing Tour this trip to the Jurassic Park Waterfall, also known as Manawaiopuna Falls . This tour was so beautiful, from the waterfall to seeing the island up-close, in the air. It was a bit scary with the rain and wind, but all the pilots in this company have been flying for over 30+ years, which made us all feel a lot safer. Our pilot, Harry, was so fun as he told us about his personal trips and even brought our a toy T-Rex to put as a prop in our pictures at the waterfall; he was knowledgeable, fun, and very experienced. Side note: If you take the same ATV tour I mentioned above, you will be able to see all the land you went on, on this helicopter tour!
Catamaran
Ok this tour is definitely not for the weak-stomach or motion sick people. We had a blast on the Napali Sunset Snorkel Tour with Kauai Sea Tours and while the 5 foot waves were so fun to ride for me, for others it was not the best (aka a few people got quite sick). This tour takes you around the Napali Coast, with a gorgeous spot for snorkeling (I saw a baby turtle!!) to watching the sun go down at the best spot! Our captain, Captain Kauai, and crew were so attentive, always asking if we needed any more drinks, snacks, help, or stories. They knew so much about the island and told us so much history; plus, our captain had been sailing around the Napali Coast for over 30+ years (18 years with the Sea Tours company), so he was the only catamaran who got super close to the rocks for us to see them better.
Luau
When in any Hawaiian island, a luau is a must! We booked our kauai luau with the Smith Family Garden Luau. They start you off with s mini trolley tour around their beautiful gardens; our driver told su about the various plants they grew in their garden. You get about half an hour to then explore the entire gardens and take gorgeous photos! After that, it's to the roasting area where the host begins to explain how they roast their pork underground. Next up is food time, we headed over to the dining area to eat! There called us by table to receive out food buffet style (with Covid they were serving behind Plexi-glass). I didn't enjoy the food as much as it was a bit bland in flavor, but I would recommend the pork. The host and his family taught us a few Hawaiian moves as they danced on stage as we ate. As the sun when down, we headed over to their outdoor theatre area to watch the luau. The fire man, omg you guys craziest man ever!! He stole the show!
Side note: we were told the poi at Luau's are not the best as they have too many guests to feed and poi isn't the cheapest. If the poi you receive is a grey color, that is watered-down poi, so we were recommended to Foodland or a fish market to find actual poi. I never tasted the good poi, but it should be a darker maroon-purple in color.
Kayaking
Talk about manual labor lol, this tour was probably the hardest one ever. We took the Wailua River Kayak and Sacred Falls Hike Tour and it starts of with s brief orientation about the route and kayaks by the hosts. You then wheel your kayaks to the port area and head straight into a 2 mile kayaking experience. This was pretty difficult as I have jelly worm arms, but alas we made it to the landing area and then its a mile hike to a gorgeous waterfall. The hike is pretty fun (the beginning was a corn field area with tall grass, definitely a place to scare people) and the waterfall is amazing. We did end up going on a rainy day so it was pretty muddy, as long as you go slow and step carefully, you won't get too dirty.
Kilauea Lighthouse
We visited Kauai in June and at the exact time we went, the Kilauea Lighthouse was closed for a holiday so we could only really see the lookout. However, this lighthouse has a stunning view being atop the grassy slopes of a dormant volcano facing towards the ocean. Is said to be a little touristy spot that you must visit when going to Kauai.
Top Hotels
Though I did not stay at a hotel, I am mentioning the best known hotels in Kauai that would be wonderful to stay at. I'll mention some of each hotel's key features and amenities listed on their website! Linking the exact resort's website.
Off of the Kalapaki Beach, this resort has oceanfront living in Kauai. Includes premium guest rooms, parlors, condo-style villas to rent out, and a restaurant center with prepared meals, ocean/garden views. Has a ginormous outdoor pool, whirlpool spas, family activities and recreation like scuba and surfing, a spa, a gym, and restaurants. There is also an airport shuttle included; book here or call their phone 808-818-3500.
Located on the Royal Coconut Coast, off of Waipouli Beach, this hotel has guest suites with 3 outdoor pools with hot tubes. Within a short walk from the hotel is the Coconut Plantation Market that offers cute shops and restaurants for evenings. There is also the Wailua Golf Course 6 minutes away. Various water sports and activities can be arranged at the hotel's front desk and a terrace or balcony is included in Plantation Hale Suites. (Rated highly by couples) Has free parking and an airport shuttle; book here or call 855-636-7384.
Located on Poipu Road, right on the beach and minutes away from the Poipu Bay Golf Course and Shipwreck Beach. (It's also fairly close to the Makawehi Lithified Cliffs and Brennecke Beach!) Has air-conditioned rooms with refrigerators and charging stations, complementary Internet, private porch area, and bathrooms with designer toiletries and hair dryers. You can visit the spa for body massages and facials, practice on the golf course, eat at the resort's 7 restaurants and 2 cafes, drink at the 10 different bars, and swim in the 3 outdoor spas and hot tubs (2 poolside bars). They offer concierge services, childcare, free parking, valet, room service, fitness center, laundry, a gift shop, dry cleaning, and ATM machine. Book here or call 808-743-1234.
Where I Stayed
Instead of staying at a resort, my ginormous family (11 of us) decided to stay at rental house of sorts. This was a large expense but totally worth it if you have a bigger family and want to stay together. We stayed this rental house right off of Anini Beach and it was so beautiful! Anywhere you stay on the island is bound to be gorgeous, but renting a house was definitely a highlight of the trip as I could wake up to my family cooking and we could stay out at the pool (and with quite a few young adults in the group, we all took part in some crazy adventures that this house allowed us to do).
Car Rentals
You need a car when vacationing on this island! Everything is spread out around the island and taxi's are so expensive (our trip from the airport to our house was over $100, and that was on the first day). My family got lucky enough to get matching Jeeps from Budget Rental and it was great as we could go off-the-road or into tougher ground (some of the tours required driving on rocks), which was definitely a bonus. If you can get a Jeep, get a Jeep! They are also very roomy, making it easier to travel with more people and all your heavy luggages.
Supply is not abundant so make sure you rent the cars ahead of time.
Beaches
Anini Beach - North Shore
One of the only beaches on this island with calm waves, Anini Beach will be amazing for anyone looking for a beach picnic spot or a relaxing experience. Most of the other beaches are made for the big wave surfers but this one has protected waters making the surf calm and steady.
Kalihiwai Beach - North Shore
With a freshwater river and ocean connected, this Kalihiwai beach was so fun to visit. We bought our boogey boards and suf boards to hit the extremely tall waves (they were over 5 feet). Definitely could not handle the waves for too long, so the river to the left of the ocean provided the perfect place to rest. There was even a rope swing to swing off of some rocks and even a mini cliff jump for all you adventurous dare-devils. This crescent-shaped beach was so beautiful (the sunset was gorgeous) and the people were so nice too, felt like we were locals here.
Tunnels Beach - North Shore
Said to be the ultimate snorkeling and scuba diving beach, Tunnels Beach has these lava tubes that made underwater caverns the beach is named after. You can explore these underwater caves or just watch the sunset with the lush mountain views this beach provides.
Shipwreck Beach - South Shore
Shipwreck beach is a favorite for all types of surfing with its massive surf. The waves are known to pound people into the shore making it not so great for swimming. The sunsets are said to be gorgeous, however!
Ke 'e Beach - North Shore
Ke 'e beach is all the way at the end of the road, as far as you can go north. The waters are known to be calmer with their amazing reefs protecting the area. This beach is known for snorkeling, swimming, and is at the beginning at the Napali Coast.
Holipali Beach
I saw in catamaran tour, but I did not officially visit it. However, we saw so many kayaks and smaller boats visiting and our tour guide said it was a beautiful beach to visit. The corals reefs in this area are said to be absolutely stunning!
What to Pack
Definitely something that I struggled with: overpacking; I'll be linking some pieces that you should pack. Invest in quite a few active sets that you won't mind getting muddy for the trails, loved my Old Navy sets as they were cute and more on the affordable side. Also, try to stick to darker or older swimsuits for the tours and trails. Most of the beaches have pretty rough waves, so I also recommend getting supportive bikinis if you are planning to head to the beach (my Target swimmies were my go-to). Maybe one or two sets of loungewear for in your resort/house and of course pajamas. Packing 2 staple jeans shorts with cute tops is perfect to explore around the island and of course, depending on how many formal restaurants and luaus you are planning, a floral maxi dress or white dress paired with some cute espadrilles will be perfect for a dinner look. Essential, a hair towel as you end up wetting your hair almost every single day; love my Aquis hair towel as is dries your hair so fast. Lastly, you NEED at least 2 pairs of sneakers (if one gets wet or muddy, you need another pair for the next day). Also, get yourself some flip flops and leather sandals for all your beach and pool trips (linking the same ones I used). And that's the overall jist of what you need; extras: I found having an airplane pillow was essential for the long flights and my new monogram tweed tote was the perfect carry-on bag as it was super spacious and easy access!
Have the best time exploring the island and making new memories!