Named for its traditional Hawaiian salt collecting ponds, this beach is protected by an outside reef with potential good winter snorkeling, fishing and swimming.
Discover the Garden Island
Kauai Beach Resort is centrally located to offer the best of Kauai in every direction. Drive north to the end of the road and find yourself at the base of the Na Pali Coast, home of the Kalalau Trail for intrepid hikes to waterfalls, and awe-inspiring views. Head west to Waimea Canyon and find yourself in another world. Or kayak the Wailua River a stone’s throw from the Resort, where you’ll traverse the jungle before finding secret waterfalls, lava caves, and more. Head south to Poipu Beach Park for some of Kauai’s best beaches. Live life wildly.
Ocean
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Salt Pond Beach
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Haena Beach Park
Haena Beach is a slice of heaven where lush tropical jungle meets white sand beaches and turquoise waters. The popular and very recognizable Mount Makana (Bali Hai) looms mysteriously above Haena Beach and offers a spectacular backdrop for sunsets and photo opportunities.
Hi-560, Kapaa, Kauai, HI 96746
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Hanalei Beach Park
Hanalei Bay is a gorgeous crescent bay ringed by a sandy beach. Four beaches make up this ring (outlined below), all with very diverse ocean conditions. The waves at Hanalei Bay draw surfers from neighboring islands to enjoy the surf. In the winter, rolling swells make Hanalei one of the most amazing surfing spots on the planet.
Hanalei, Kauai, HI 96714
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Ke’e Beach
Ke’e Beach (pronounced Keh-AY) is located at the farthest you can drive on the north shore. Ke’e is protected by a reef that makes it a safe place for snorkeling and swimming. Ke’e Beach is also the beginning of the Napali Coast and the Kalalau trail that leads to Hanakapiai and Kalalau Beach. This special spot is beautiful at sunset. During the summer months the water can be as calm and clear as a swimming pool.
Highway 560 kauai, North Shore, Kauai, HI 96716
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Hideaway Beach (Pali Ke Kua)
Hideaway Beach is located on Kauai’s north shore. It is a beautiful spot for snorkeling during calm weather. Hideaways Beach is true to the name and this secluded beach is worth the trek.
Ka Haku Road, Princeville, Kauai, HI 96722
Land
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Helicopter Tour of Na Pali Coast
On this awe-inspiring helicopter tour of Kauai, you’ll experience the legendary natural views that encompass the Garden Isle. Explore stunning Manawaiopuna Falls, often called “Jurassic Park” falls, surrounded by rich native flora in the gorgeous Hanapepe Valley. Fly over the spectacular views of the Olokele Canyon before hovering above the majestic Waimea Canyon, dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Lastly, explore the magical 3,000-foot sea cliffs of the Na Pali Coast and the pristine turquoise-blue waters of Hanalei Bay, a truly unforgettable sight.
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Sleeping Giant Trail Head
“Sleeping Giant Trail” is named so because the shape of the mountain is a giants profile lying down. The hike to the top takes you across the chest of the Sleeping Giant. If you’re looking for a great Kauai hiking trail with fantastic views and a breathtaking lookout point from the mountain peak, this is the trail you should do!
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Na ‘Āina Kai Botanical Gardens & Sculpture Park
Garden founders Joyce and Ed Doty retired to Kauai from their ranch in Northern California in 1982. What was begun as a landscape project in their front yard has grown to 240 acres that have been developed into a myriad of diverse gardens, complete with one of the largest collections of bronze sculpture in the United States. The Foundation’s mission supports and promotes tropical horticulture, agriculture and forestry, in addition to a constantly evolving garden and art experience for Kauai’s residents and visitors.
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Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge’s dramatic backdrop of steep cliffs plunging to the ocean is one of the best places on the main Hawaiian Islands to view wildlife, and is also home to some of the largest populations of nesting seabirds found in Hawai’i. Visitors also have a chance to view spinner dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, native Hawaiian coastal plants and Hawai‘i’s state bird – the nēnē or endangered Hawaiian goose.
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Wailua Falls
This strikingly scenic 170ft waterfall is just north of Lihue. Unlike many other Kauai waterfalls, Wailua Falls is easily accessible, as no hiking is needed to reach it and appreciate its beauty up close. But the main reason the falls is so special is its beauty; it has certainly earned its place as an international representation of Kauai’s enchantment.
Maalo Rd, off Hwy 580, Lihue, Kauai, HI
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Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, is a large canyon, approximately ten miles long and up to 3,000 feet deep, located on the western side of Kauaʻi in the Hawaiian Islands of the United States. Waimea is Hawaiian for “reddish water”, a reference to the erosion of the canyon’s red soil.
Waimea Canyon Dr, Waimea, HI 96796
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Koke’e State Park
With the largest concentration of trails on Kauai, Koke’e State Park has everything from easy day hikes delivering phenomenal canyon vistas to nail-biters ending in splendid Na Pali valley views.
Kokee Rd, Hwy 550, Kekaha, Kauai, HI 96796
Culture
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Historic Hanapepe Town
Located on the south shore west of Koloa, Hanapepe Town once flourished as one of Kauai’s largest communities. From World War I to the early 1950s, West Side Hanapepe was also one of Kauai’s busiest towns, alive with G.I.s and sailors who were stationed there for training. Today, “Kauai’s biggest little town” hasn’t changed much over the last century at first look. Its historic buildings are so authentic that the town was used as a location for films like “The Thornbirds” and “Flight of the Intruder,” and even served as the model for the Disney film “Lilo and Stitch.” But now those plantation-style buildings are home to charming shops, local eateries and more art galleries than any other spot on Kauai.
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Kauai Coffee Company – Farm Tour
With over 4 million coffee trees grown on 3,100 acres, Kauai Coffee Company is Hawaii’s largest coffee grower, and thus the largest coffee grower in the U.S. Kauai Coffee Company is a true Hawaiian coffee estate. From growing the coffee to roasting and packaging, Kauai Coffee Company employs sustainable, environmentally sound practices throughout every step of the process.
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Kauai Cultural Center
Kaua’i Cultural Center offers classes on Hawaiian arts, events, historical displays/museum and cultural demonstrations both individual and group.
4-484 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, HI 96746
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Kauai museum
The Albert Spencer Wilcox Building, was originally a library and then converted to the Kauaʻi Museum, which displays exhibits on the history of the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaii.
4428 Rice St, Lihue, HI 96766
Eat & Drink
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Best Kauai Food Truck
Kauai has over 50 unique Food Trucks to choose from across the Island. One of Kauai’s original food trucks, the Kauai Food Truck in Old Koloa Town serves up Island comfort foods. The menu includes burgers, a garlic shrimp plate, fish tacos and breakfast is served all day. There is a large shaded picnic area under the nearby Banyan Tree. As you come in to Old Koloa Town, they will be on your right across from Sueoka’s.
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Tahiti Nui
Seafood, salads & breakfast in a simple, laid-back locale with a bar & Hawaiian music nightly.
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Koloa Rum Company
Sugar cane came to Hawaii by ancient Polynesian voyagers in their migration from the South Pacific. Commercial sugar production operations in Hawaii was first established in the town of Koloa in 1835. The initial harvest in 1837 produced two tons of raw sugar, and talking story with old timers reveals that rum production began around this time as well. The legacy of the sugar and rum in Hawaii lives on today through Koloa Rum. It is distilled in a vintage copper-pot still, using only the finest local ingredients. Hawaiian cane sugar, pure mountain rainwater and much Aloha come together to produce single-batch rums with remarkably rich flavors and smoothness that capture the essence of the Garden Isle. Koloa Rum Company was founded to create world-class Hawaiian Rum.
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Unkos kitchen
Hawaiian Style Home cooking at this local small restaurant where Saimin, Hamburgers, and Loco Moco are served.
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Trilogy Coffee
Trilogy Coffee sits on a historic property near the Kīlauea lighthouse. The small shop is neat and modern, with plenty of seating out on the patio. They serve Intelligentsia Espresso, and pull shots with a classic La Marzocco machine. Trilogy Coffee is one of the favorite coffee place on the island, offering some of the best edibles to go with coffee, the best vegan pastries, chocolates, wraps and biscotti.
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Wailua Shave Ice
Shave Ice is a distinctly Hawaiian dessert that can be found at stands around the island.
4-1306 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, HI 96746
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Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant, Fish Market & Sushi Lounge
Since the early 1970’s The Dolphin Restaurant has welcomed visitor and local alike to its pristine Hanalei riverside location. Known for the freshest cuts in seafood, second-to-none service and ambiance, one can enjoy a peaceful riverside lunch on umbrella shaded tables, outstanding dinner fare in a tropical, romantic setting or just hang out in the stylish world class sushi lounge.
5-5016 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714
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Kilauea Bakery & Pau Hana Pizza
A local institution, Kilauea Bakery and Pau Hana Pizza serve specialty pizzas, tropical cakes and pastries, and beverages from its espresso bar. Signature pies include the Island Stylin’ (ham, pineapple, and chipotle peppers) and the Billie Holiday (smoked ono, spinach, and roasted onion).
2484 Keneke St, Kilauea, HI 96754