30 Top Things to Do in Kauai

What to do in Kauai

Kauai is a must-visit island with a relaxed, peaceful vibe and incredible natural beauty. Here are 30 things to do on Kauai. 30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

Be sure to check out my related articles, “3 Short Hikes on Kauai” and “Where to Stay on Kauai.” And see these best guidebooks for Kauai: (click on the image for details)

    

Where to stay on Kauai

For the best prices, try Booking.com. With 125 hotels and rentals to choose from and a best price guarantee, you’re sure to find a perfect place to stay. I use it all the time to find the best hotel deals! Use this map to search for Kauai accommodations:



Booking.com

If you prefer the space of a vacation rental, try the many homes and cabins on Airbnb. If this is your first time using Airbnb, use my link to get $40 off your first stay.

Hanalei Bay Resort:

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

We loved staying in a one-bedroom condo at Hanalei Bay Resort on the north shore of Kauai. In short, it was comfortable, roomy, quiet, and well located. You can read all about it in my Hanalei Bay Resort review here: Where to Stay on Kauai.

Tips for Visiting Kauai

First, know the difference between the north and south sides of the island. The north side is more lush and greener, which also means wetter. The vibe is more laid-back with boutique shops, farmers markets and cool cafes. The south side is hotter and sunnier with big beach resorts. Depending on what you want out of your vacation, you should choose which side of the island to stay on, knowing that you can easily drive to the other side of the island for day trips.

In general, the beaches of Kauai are not the best for swimming or snorkeling. The surf here tends to be rougher and less inviting. If you’re looking for a Hawaii vacation with lots of water time, this might not be the best island for you. However, the natural beauty and opportunities for hiking and bird watching make Kauai special.

Like most of Hawaii, Kauai weather changes depending on the season, and in this island’s case, depending on which side of the island you’re on. Expect rain since Kauai is generally very wet. If possible, visit in the shoulder seasons for better weather, fewer crowds, and better prices. This guide to Hawaii in September can help with shoulder season planning.

and try speaking the local language with these 100 phrases in Hawaiian.

Things to Do on Kauai

Click on the map below for a Google Map of these places.

30 things to do on Kauai

Waimea Canyon & the Cliff/Canyon Trail

The “Grand Canyon of Pacific” is an amazing sight to see. I just hope you have better weather than we did! Besides visiting the Waimea Canyon Lookout, be sure to save time for at least part of the Cliff Trail/Canyon Trail hike and to proceed on the road to Koke’e State Park (see below).

What to do in Kauai

Visiting the canyon is easy–you need to devote about half a day to drive there and spend time viewing the canyon, but bring lunch or good snacks because there aren’t many options for food once you’re there.

As you approach the canyon on Highway 550, the two lane road that leads to Waimea Canyon State Park, you’ll notice many places to pull over. Each one has beautiful views of the surrounding nature–don’t miss the strange landscapes just steps off the road:

30 Things to Do on Kauai | This Is My Happiness

Koke’e State Park

 

Just past Waimea Canyon State Park is Koke’e State Park. This area is known for its views of the Na Pali Coast from above. It was rainy and foggy when we were there (it’s one of the world’s wettest spots, after all), but it was a highlight of our stay on Kauai.

The landscape feels like another planet, and I recommend walking the hiking trail from Pu’u O Kila Lookout in any kind of weather.

Wailua Falls

Waterfall in Kauai. Photo credit: Robert Jolly on Flickr

Wailua Falls is the double-tiered waterfall that was used in the opening of the TV show “Fantasy Island.” It’s easily accessible–just turn off Highway 56 north of Lihue (you’ll see a sign indicating where to turn), and head about three miles until you run into the vista point.

We visited in the evening on the way to the airport, but I hear that it’s possible to hike from the parking lot to get a closer view and even swim in the water around the falls.

Na ‘Aina Kai

30 Things to Do on Kauai | This Is My Happiness

Na ‘Aina Kai is one of the botanical gardens on the island of Kauai. This one spreads over a huge property on the northeast side of the island. Visitors are treated to tours of various garden areas, including a children’s garden, a maze, and teak forests. Several different tours are available.

Waioli Huiia Church

church in Hanalei

This historic church, on the National Register of Historic Places, sits in the center of the town of Hanalei. It’s worth a quick stop not only because the architecture provides a glimpse of 19th century Hawaiian life, but also because the mountains behind it are full of waterfalls, especially after it’s just rained. 

Combine a stop here with the farmer’s market on Saturdays.

Hanalei Wildlife Refuge

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is located within the Hanalei River Valley between Princeville and Hanalei. For most visitors, it’s basically just a stop at the vista point along the highway toward Hanalei, but the view into the valley and its taro farms is stunning.

You can explore the area more in depth by kayaking the Hanalei River or exploring it on horseback.

Farmer’s Market in Hanalei

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

Come here on Saturdays for affordable local fruit and veggies. Don’t miss tasting the BEST coconut water (we’ve had a lot of coconut water in Brazil, but the coconut water in Hawaii was so sweet!). I also bought cute tie-dye t-shirts for my boys here.

Hike the Kalalau Trail

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

This most famous trail on the island and also on my list of best hikes on Kauai. (We walked just the first section because rain created dangerous, slippery paths.)

Walking at least the first part of this stunning trail along the Na Pali Coast is at the top of any list of things to do on Kauai. It’s worth saving a day for, but the hike is challenging. Be prepared for the conditions, and use extra caution when it rains.

Maha’ulepu Coastal Trail

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii
One of our favorite things to do on Kauai

Another of my easy hikes on Kauai, the Maha’ulepu Coastal Trail is a quiet 2-mile trail that runs along the south coast of Kauai. We saw very few people while walking this trail.

Around every turn is something interesting and different to see, from lava and pillars to coves of beautiful turquoise water. There isn’t much shade, so bring plenty of water and a sun hat.

Kapa’a Bike Path

What to do east Kauai

On the east side of the island near Kapa’a, this path follows the coast and makes a beautiful place to bike, run or walk.

Kīlauea Lighthouse

What to do on Kauai

We loved visiting Kilauea Lighthouse because of the birds! It’s part of the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, and birds can be seen flying overhead and lining the hills near the lighthouse. Look for the huge wings of the albatross and other local species like red-footed boobies.

If you love birds, this is one of the things to do on Kauai that you can’t miss!

Spouting Horn

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

A fun stop on Kauai’s south shore is Spouting Horn. Here waves channel into lava tubes, and a spray of water pops up every 30 seconds or so. I imagined that my kids would love anticipating it as the waves come in, waiting for the biggest spray.

Read more: Hawaii Travel Tips

Birds! (and roosters!)

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

There are birds of many types on Kauai, and because I love animals, I enjoyed listening to their songs during our time outdoors.

Keep an eye out for the nene (the Hawaiian goose), the seabirds at Kilauea Lighthouse, and albatrosses with their huge wingspan. You might even get lucky and see a baby albatross. There are nesting sites in various places around the island, but if you do, be sure to stay quiet and give the baby and its parents plenty of space.

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

Learn about the island’s vegetation

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

The vegetation on the island of Kauai is so different from that of dry places like California, where we live. Try to see how many different kinds of flowers and plants you can find here. One of the most common sights is the plumeria flower, used in leis.

But also keep your eyes open for hibiscus flowers, orchids, bromeliads, and the pandanus tree, which is also called the “tourist pineapple.” It haas this name because the fruit resembles pineapple, so tourists often mistake it for a pineapple plant.

The sunsets

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

No tropical getaway would be complete without taking in the island’s beautiful sunsets. Hanalei Bay and the nearby coves are good places to see the sun go down.

Which Kauai beaches to visit

Certainly one of the things to do on Kauai is visit the beaches. Kauai has many beautiful beaches, too many for us to explore in just 5 days.

Most of them were easy to access, with free parking and restrooms. I was surprised to find out that, unlike the calmer beaches of the other Hawaiian islands, many of the beaches are not suitable for swimming or snorkeling because the surf is too rough.

You’ll need to look for appropriate beaches based on the activities you prefer and time of the year you visit. These were our favorites:

Hanalei Bay

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

Hanalei Bay is a beautiful place, surrounded by the dramatic green hills of Kauai’s north shore and the Hanalei River. This seems to be a popular place for locals and tourists to hang out–jumping off the pier, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming, etc.

Anini Beach

What to do in Kauai

One of the safest beaches for snorkeling is Anini Beach on the north shore between Kilauea and Princeville. There’s a long reef that protects the beach from ocean currents, but we found the snorkeling here limited.

We saw lots of beautiful fish, but the coral looked dead, and I’ve heard that places like Ke’e Beach are much better for spotting sea turtles. Tip: the west side of the beach is calmer than the east side.

Secret Beach

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii
Top things to do on Kauai: beautiful Secret Beach

One of our favorite things to do on Kauai! Also known as Kauapea Beach, this is the one beach that I would recommend above all other Kauai beaches.

It’s tricky to find, but if you follow your GPS and keep in mind that you need to turn right onto a small dirt road, you’ll eventually find it. At the end of the road is a house–we parked outside the gates of the house and easily found the path down to the beach.

Keep following the path past the properties and then down a steep slope until you reach the beach–it’s big and beautiful, lined with lava rocks and patches of palm trees that provide shade.

The water here is not calm, so don’t expect to swim here. There’s even a sign warning visitors to stay off the rocks in memory of young men who lost their lives here. The biggest plus besides its beauty: it’s definitely less visited than the other beaches.

Kalihiwai Beach

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

If you miss the turn to Secret Beach like we did, you’ll come upon this small beach that’s not known to tourists. 

When we arrived, there was an older man walking his dog, so I sat on the water’s edge to take in the view. A few minutes later, a beautiful 8-year-old boy with white-blond hair and freckles suddenly appeared by my side and proceeded to teach me all about this beach. He then asked me to watch him as he took on the waves with his boogie board while his mother and little brother got ready to join him. 

I feel fortunate to have been able to witness how children enjoy the nature that abounds on the island.

Shipwreck Beach

30 Things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

Shipwreck Beach is located at the end of a small road between the Grand Hyatt and the golf course on the south shore of Kauai. While I suspect that there are nicer beaches on the south shore, this one is a good place to spend a little time before setting off on a gorgeous walk along the Maha’ulepu Coastal Trail (see above).

Where to eat on Kauai

I was pleasantly surprised by the food on the island of Kauai, partly because we’re pretty spoiled by the food here in Sacramento, and partly because we didn’t love the food the last time we were in Hawaii. Despite the fact that we enjoy nice meals now and then, we opted for casual, inexpensive places during our stay on Kauai.

The Dolphin:

This casual restaurant just as you enter Hanalei was not one of our favorites, but the fresh food and outdoor tables with a view of the Hanalei River made this a welcome stop just after we had arrived from the airport.

Shave Ice at Wishing Well:

Enjoying shaved ice is definitely on the list of things to do on Kauai. I’ve heard that this is the best shaved ice on the island, and I wouldn’t doubt it!

Choose from specialty organic flavors of tropical fruits like lilikoi (passionfruit) and lychee made with local ingredients and toppings like fresh coconut cream or sweet condensed milk. You can also add a scoop of macadamia nut ice cream, but just so you know…they’re huge!

On Hanalei’s main drag: Tropical Taco & Hanalei Coffee Roasters:

After a busy morning searching for Secret Beach and dodging rain storms, we wanted an easy, filling lunch, and Tropical Taco provided just that. Further down the highway was another favorite find: Hanalei Coffee Roasters.

Head here for their breakfast, baked goods, and smoothies, a good stop for breakfast and to pick up sandwiches to take on a lunch picnic.

Kilauea Fish Market:

Kauai where to eat

Our favorite place to eat on Kauai was the Kilauea Fish Market. This unassuming place was recommended to us by some locals, and we liked it so much that we ate there twice! We loved the ahi wraps, and they were so big that we were able to take half back to our condo for later.

And a few things to do on Kauai that we didn’t have time for:

  • kayaking down the Hanalei River
  • horseback riding in Hanalei River Valley
  • Poipu Beach on the south shore

If you’ve been, I’d love to hear your favorite things to do on Kauai. Check out this Kauai travel guide from the New York Times for more ideas.

 

Pin it for later to plan things to do on Kauai:

30 things to do on Kauai

Photo credit: Wailua Falls by Robert Jolly on Flickr

Disclosure: I stayed at Hanalei Bay Resort as a guest of ResorTime and visited Na ‘Aina Kai as a guest. 

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66 Comments

  1. Wow! Such a great list. I will definitely reference when I make it back to Kauai someday. Na ‘Aina Kai looks really cool! We went to the island when our first was about 1 years old and enjoyed walking through Smith’s gardens. There are peacocks and other birds all over the property and they sell bird seeds, so kids can walk right up to the peacocks and feed them.

    https://www.smithskauai.com/

    1. says: April

      Used to be my favorite place in the world but I will never ever go back to Kauai now! They have just ruined this place with that stupid shuttle system that is inefficient and just a money grab and it doesn’t allow you to go anywhere when you wanna go in anytime you want to go. Be in the car while and cares about money I am voting with my money I’m going to the Caribbean I will never go back again.

  2. says: joan bartosik

    Having visited Kauai nearly every year over the past 14 years, I believe you hit all the highlights. Nice job! And I’m so pleased to have discovered your blog, particularly all the NorCal info. I live in the foothills east of Sac and I’m always pleased to learn about new places to visit through the help of blogs like yours.

    1. says: Jenna

      Thank you, Joan! I love that area where you live–so many fun things to do but definitely a country feeling to it.

  3. says: Christine

    I was just there the end of October and i loved each and everyday i was there. I could live there so easily, eventhough its the wetest place on earth. One thing you forgot was zip lining. It was so beautiful and I will have to do it again if i ever got to go back. Well to all that haven’t been go and enjoy every moment you are there. It is worth the trip.

  4. says: Michael

    We been twice what a beautiful island stayed at the Marriott very nice, played golf at hokaula, and puiaka golf courses. Will definitely be back lot of stuff to do.

  5. says: Helen

    We visited Kauai when we did a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands back in July 2014. We only had two days there, so we saw what we could through organised tours. We visited Waimea Canyon, the Spouting Horn, and did a riverboat cruise up the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto. On the second day, we did a fabulous “Director’s Cut” movie tour where we watched a film clip from a major motion picture while on the minibus and then the driver would stop at the exact location and tell us more about the movie and the history of the area. This tour took us all the way to Hanalei Bay. Out of the 4 islands we visited, Kauai was our favourite … so much so that we’re visiting again this year … in June. Our two days there whet our appetite. This time we’re staying longer. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Two Aussies who can’t wait to do our own thing on Kauai!

  6. says: Robin Renken

    Ok, so we are planning a trip (non-wine related for a change) and Michael mentioned Kauai. We have spent lots of time on the Big Island and I grew up on Oahu, so we thought Kauai might be a good place to explore as we need an island getaway this year. So…I went searching for things to do in Kauai and this popped up first! Kismet! Great suggestions with wonderful tips and from a source that I trust! We are looking at the end of the year, so don’t be surprised if I pop back with questions!

    1. says: Jenna

      That is too funny! And I’m so glad you found this post 🙂

      I’d love to chat with you if you end up having questions. Do you know which side of the island you’ll be staying on? We LOVED Kauai and can’t wait to go back.

  7. says: Leslie

    I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog. I am planning on staying on this island just for a couple of days but would be excited to see at least one of these wonderful spots you shared. 🙂

    1. says: Jenna

      Ya! Have a wonderful time. A couple of days is enough time to get a nice taste of one side of the island. I’d love to hear if you have any other suggestions besides the ones I mentioned here.

  8. says: Kauaikai

    Don’t think those were real local beaches, if for real locals you would have not stayed. Only locals are allowed. Sound like transplants with white hair, blue eyes and freckles not locals.

    1. says: Jenna

      Thanks for the clarification on what a “real local beach” is. I noted that this beach mentioned above was for locals because there were no tourists there, it was mostly empty except for the family, who lived nearby, and a Hawaiian man walking.

  9. says: Anna

    Just got back from Kauai for the 6th time (blessed!) and also love staying on the North shore! For us, Anini is a sure place to see the turtles – usually straight out about 60 feet from the boat ramp since the sea grass they like to eat grows on the sandy bottom. Also, if you drive past that area further west down Anini Rd. (beyond the camping area) there is a lot of coral on the rocks as well as fish, eel, urchins, etc. If the coral is white is might be dead, but much of the coral in Kauai is naturally brown and looks dead but isn’t. Ke’e indeed has some beautiful pink coral and we’ve seen lots of turtles from the surface just beyond the reef but haven’t seen them closer in where we snorkel, although I’m sure they come in. Thanks for your post, I always enjoy reading about Kauai! 🙂

    1. says: Jenna

      Thanks for sharing those experiences! We unfortunately didn’t see turtles when we were in the water (we saw some from the shore), but we swam with them when we visited the Big Island a few years back. An amazing experience.

  10. says: Kate

    We are headed to Kauai in two weeks for our honeymoon and this blog is so helpful – thank you! A family member gifted us a stay at the Beach Club Marriott in Lihue. Do you think it’s reasonable time wise to plan some exursions to the North spots if only there for 6 nights?

    1. says: Jenna

      Hi Kate,

      How exciting! I think Kauai is the perfect destination for a honeymoon. And congratulations! The island is pretty small and getting from Lihue to the north shore doesn’t take all that long, but to avoid spending much time in the car, if I were you, I wouldn’t plan to go there more than twice. Maybe spilt the north coast into two halves and do one half one day and the other half another. If you decide to do just one day, you could visit Kilauea and Secret Beach and then go to Hanalei for the second part of the day. Have fun! 🙂

    2. says: Ej

      Aloha Kate, 5days are lots of time to check out the North,can’t go to far still working on roads an have restrictions. But you might enjoy your tour heading the other direction. South lot’s of sun an surf, shopping are great also. West are beautiful don’t forget to take a dive up Kokee lots of veiw to have your memorble adventures for your Honeymoon travel. Congratulations Be safe. Enjoy
      Mahalo 🌺

  11. says: Tracy Michael

    We will be heading back to Kauai for the 4th time in the next 3 weeks. This is a good list but I would like to share a few other places and things we have enjoyed. Activities we have enjoyed are: Allerton and Limahuli Gardens, Kipu Ranch waterfall tours, Mountain Tubing, Kauai air tour, and Napali Coast Snorkel tours. Beaches we love Anini for snorkeling and turtles, Anahola and Donkey beach for shelling, and Ke’e beach for over all beauty and sunsets! For eats we love a good Ole plate lunch. The local eats are fabulous. We love the chili pepper chicken at Village Snack shop in Hanalei,plate lunches at Koloa snack shop, Bubba burgers, Hanalima bakery, Chicken in a barrel, etc. Awesome farmers markets somewhere on the island every day!

    1. says: Jenna

      Thank you so much for the tips! How nice that you’ve been able to go there so many times. I look forward to returning. Such a special island.

  12. says: Blake

    Tiki Tacos in Kapaa is good for lunch. Healthy Hut in Kilauea has awesome iced coffee. Definitely check out the farmers markets.
    We bought the Kauai Revealed book, which was helpful and also their app, which can be used offline. Going back for trip two in a couple weeks, thanks for posting these tips!

    1. says: Jenna

      Thanks for the tips! The app that you can use offline sounds very useful. Have a wonderful return trip! I can’t wait to go back myself. 🙂

  13. says: ilana Kantey

    Am going to Kaui alone dec2 to dec9. I am a little apprehensive about what to do without spending a fortune. I will be staying at the Marriot time share hotel exchanging my Florida timeshare. Hope it’s easy to see highlights without a lot of driving

    1. says: Jenna

      Good point about not spending a fortune. I thought that food was one expense that we needed to be aware of. All the places I mentioned were very affordable to eat. And there was plenty to do without spending money…all the hikes and walks were free, and just doing those and being on the beaches would have been enough for us with the addition of visiting the canyon, which is also free. The island is also fairly small so I think if you plan your days wisely, you shouldn’t need to do a lot of driving every day. Enjoy!

  14. says: Anna

    Ha, it’s funny to see how different Kauai can seem based on which side you stay at. I’ve spent the majority of my times over there on the south side, so I’m addicted to Jojo’s shave ice, Brick Oven pizza, Kekaha beach and its awesome boogie boarding (rent at Snorkel Bob’s), and the seals near Poipu. I also love the Kapaa area, if you reach the end of the bike path on either side, you find a nice secluded beach! Bubba’s Burgers are excellent in Hanalei or Poipu. Also don’t skip the (FREE) Kauai coffee plantation, you can taste fresh coffee and the world’s best chocolate covered beans. It’s been 5 years since I’ve been there, I’m so excited to go back!!

  15. says: Jennie

    Thank you so much for providing such a thorough list of ideas! We live on Oahu but are planning to visit Kauai for the first time in a few weeks.

    1. says: Jenna

      I’m so glad you find this blog post useful! I hope you have a wonderful trip. We loved Kauai so much–I’d go there every year if I could!

  16. says: Olivia

    Poipu Beach is definitely amazing, there are often beached seals there! Another great place to eat is Puka Dog. It’s located in the Poipu Shopping Village, so amazing, that’s half the reason I’m going back! Another one is JoJo’s shaved ice! It’s directly across from Waimea High School

  17. says: fred

    love Kauai.
    my wife and i also had our first experience on the cruise tour.rented a car and loved it.very relaxed and quiet.have since been back 8 times or so.we stay in the poipu area. have been staying in a vacation nice rental reasonable rates ocean views 2 bed 2 bath for around $2oo a nite.2 blocks from beach.most of what my wife and i enjoy to do is FREE.pali hali beach is great.7miles of beach mostly to your self(car rental don`t allow driving on 5 miles of pothole gravel but worth the risk) queens bath?is also along the way beautiful no swimming at either beach no reef.glass beach is interesting near Hanapepe also art show on fri nites.heading back to Kauai 3/14/18. the only thing that sucks is the full day of travel from wisconsin

  18. says: fred

    correction glass beach is in port allen also koloa town is a nice place.we stay in the south because if its raining in the north you head west if it looks dry north head north

  19. says: Taylor M

    We go often and it is actually a much cheaper stay if you find a condo to rent. We stayed in Princeville and only pay $35 a night. And you definitely have to go to poipu the next time you go! Its beautiful and they usually have seals sleeping on the beach (of course that depends on when you go) and you will also have to try Dukes (they have amazing hula pie), BJ’s Broiler (they have live music), and the Olympic Cafe (oh my goodness the biggest kahlua pig breakfast burritos you’ll ever see!) That island definitely has alot to do. Everyone should try to go at least once.

  20. says: Paula Bright

    My husband is pretty fit, but me? Not so much. So he’ll be taking a lot of these trips, and I’ll relax, read, and daydream most of the trip!

    Do you have anything you can recommend for a slow walker, that doesn’t last hours and hours? If so, I hope to hear from you.

    We’re going in 2019, and we can’t wait! Even if I can’t do much, I’ll love sitting on the beach near our place. And restaurants! And the local color.

    We’re so excited!

    1. says: Jenna

      The gardens at Na Aina Kai might be a good choice. They offer at least a couple of tour options with a guided cart ride around the gardens–you could add as much walking as you’d like. Also try visiting the lighthouse, which includes a short walk and amazing views of the birds. Visiting the canyon can include as much walking as you’d like also–you can choose to do very little or more depending on how you feel, the weather, etc. The views there are beautiful, but it’s a bit of a drive. Have fun! We loved Kauai!

    2. says: Janet Ostermiller

      We are going in 2019 too! I have a very fit husband and I am a slower pace. When are you going we should try to meet 😉☺️

  21. Thanks for sharing this great post. This place is very interesting and my family will enjoy a vacation there. After reading your post I can’t wait to plan a trip to Kauai. Keep sharing such wonderful destinations.

  22. says: Debbie Newcombe

    Is there any “hot spots” for teens? We will be going in July for our anniversary and taking the whole family. Ages 5-20 on Grandkids and Mr 3 children are 35-40. We have been to know where there was beautiful snorkeling. Would love to do that again. Concerned about rain.

    1. says: Jenna

      Hi Debbie,

      I wouldn’t worry too much about rain. It does rain a lot on the north side but I think the summer is drier than other times of the year. It seemed to come and go during the day. Important to stay flexible and pop into a cafe or pack up from the beach and relax elsewhere when a storm comes in. I don’t have many tips for teens but I’d recommend the town of Hanalei, which has a youthful vibe with some funky cafes and shops and a busy waterfront at Hanalei Bay. Anini Beach has the best water for snorkeling as far as I know. Kauai beaches can be rough.

  23. says: jesselyn chang

    Amazing and super helpful post! I’m going to Kauai in July and I’ve taken note of all the things to do and eat. Waimea canyon and all its trails look great and the views amazing. All the beaches are gorgeous and your pictures capture all of Kauai’s beauty. I can’t wait to see Kauai in person 🙂

    Website: http://www.dolcegal.com (Travel and Lifestyle Blog)

  24. says: David

    Because of a Blizzard in Colorado our Vacation to Paris/Barcelona had to be cancelled. We have thought of Kauai many times and just pulled the trigger yesterday on short notice. We need to hit the ground running. Because it was short notice we were limited in where to stay. We found a room at the Princeville resort which looks pretty amazing. We plan to gold af at least once but really want to see the island.

    1. says: Jenna

      Sorry to hear that your vacation had to be canceled, but Kauai would be a great alternative! I hope you have a wonderful time!

  25. says: Jaume

    Hello!! We are doing a tour on 4 different islands in Hawai but we only have 4 days in Kauai. I’ve written down all your tips. I would love to see those seals! Is it common to see them or is it pretty difficult? And actually, we’ll be there in middle june, is it going to be raining a lot? Thanks a lot for your blog, it’s helping me quite a lot! We are staying in Kapaa! Can’t wait to be there! 😉
    Hugs from Barcelona, Catalonia! 🙂

    1. says: Jaume

      By the way, I guess the best place to spot sea turtles are Anini beach and Ke’e beach, am I right? Cheers!

      1. says: Jenna

        I saw that the best places are on the south shore, but I’m not sure. I would ask someone when you’re there to get the most accurate information! : )

          1. says: Jenna

            No, Anini is on the north side of the island, but I’ve heard that the south side of the island is the best for spotting turtles. We liked the calm water at Anini for snorkeling but didn’t see a lot of exciting sea life in the water there.

    2. says: Jenna

      Summer is considered the dry season so it will be more usual to have occasional showers than all-day rain. And typically the north side of the island is rainier than the south side. Not sure about the seals. Have fun!

  26. says: Tiffany

    All of your information is awesome! We will be there in August and look forward to utilizing all the information from your site. Thank-you. Do you happen to recommend any Luaus?

    1. says: Jenna

      Unfortunately, I don’t know about luaus, but I noticed this information on the gohawaii website: “Aulii luau at the Sheraton Kauai Resort and Spa and the Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort, both on the South Shore. You’ll also find the Smith Family Garden Luau in Kapaa and the Luau Kalamaku in the historic Kilohana Plantation.” Have fun!

  27. says: Hector

    This website truly has all of the information I needed about this subject and didn’t know who to ask. |

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