10 Unforgettable Things to Do in Kauai

Kauai is one of the most magical islands to travel to! If you are planning a trip to Kauai, or are in need of a vacation and want to stay in the US, then Kauai is one of the best Hawaiian islands to visit. There are so many beaches to visit, tours to go on, restaurants to eat at, and things to do. I highly recommend making a list of everything you want to do, so you can plan ahead and just relax once you get there! Here is a list of my favorite things to do in Kauai! I hope this helps you plan for your trip!

1. Cruise the Na Pali Coast

Cruise the beautiful Na Pali Coast to get a view of the island that is only accessible by boat, a hike (which you'll need a permit), or helicopter. I experienced this cruise with my family and we all loved it! We chose Kauai Sea Tours and highly recommend their boat tours. On this boat cruise you will set sail on a spacious catamaran, enjoy dolphin watching, get to go snorkeling and swim, slide down the boat's water slide, enjoy some tasty treats, and most importantly, check out beautiful waterfalls and lush island views!

2. Go Snorkeling

We enjoyed some snorkeling on our Na Pali Coast cruise, but here is a list of some of the best places in Kauai to go snorkeling!

Best Places to Go Snorkeling in Kauai:

1. Ke'e Beach
2. Hideaway Beach
3. Tunnels Beach
4. Anini Beach
5. Poipu Beach
6. Salt Pond Park
   
7. Prince Kuhio Beach
8. Koloa Landing
9. Queen's Bath
10. Lawai Beach Park
11. Larsen's Beach
12. Lydgate Beach Park
    

3. Enjoy Dolphin Watching

4. Go Kayaking Down the Hule‘ia River

Kayaking in Kauai is an absolute must! The views are breathtaking and the experience is definitely unforgettable! You can decide to rent your own kayaks and explore on your own, or you can book a tour just like we did! For this tour we chose Outfitters Kauai! The adventure we chose was the Hidden Valley Falls Kayak Adventure. We loved that that tour was easy for beginners and kids, and that you get to ride a motorized canoe on the way back! You just can't beat that.

We kayaked down the Hule'ia River for two miles and hiked the lush trails to secluded pools, waterfalls, and even a rope swing! What's super cool about Hule'ia is some pretty major movies were filmed there: Jurassic Park, Lost World, and Raiders of the Lost Ark!

5. Try Rope Swinging

6. Go to a Luau

One of the best ways to experience the Hawaiian culture and feast on some traditional foods is by going to a luau! I love watching the dancers and performers and learning about the island's history. The most recent luau we chose to go to was Luau Kalamaku.

The luau is at the historic Kilohana Plantation. We were greeted with leis and drinks. We then got to explore various unique shops, eat a buffet dinner, and enjoy the show! 

Best Kauai Luaus

1. Luau Kalamaku at the Kilohana Plantation
2. Smith Family Garden Luau
3. Aulii Luau at the Sheraton Kaua'i Resort
4. Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau
5. Smith's Tropical Paradise Luau
6. Hawaii Alive Luau Show & Dinner at the Marriott Resort & Beach Club

7. Go Chasing Waterfalls

Best Waterfalls in Kauai

1. Wailua Falls
2. Mount Waialeale Falls
3. Ho’opii Falls
4. Hoolea Falls
5. Hanakoa Falls
6. Opaekaa Falls
7. Waipo'o Falls
8. Kipu Falls
9. Hanakapiai Falls
10. Kalihiwai Falls
11. Uluwehi Falls

 8. Watch the Sunset with a View From the Top

 9. Visit All the Beaches

Hawaii is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world! While you're visiting try to visit as many different ones as you can! You won't be disappointed! We stay in Poipu, so these pictures were taken steps away from our hotel at Shipwreck Beach!

Best Beaches in Kauai

1. Hanalei Beach Park & Bay
2. Tunnels Beach - Makua
3. Anahola Beach
4. Ke'e Beach
5. Shipwreck Beach
6. Anini Beach
7. Poipu Beach
8. Polihale Beach
9. Haena Beach
10. Lydgate Beach
11. Lawai Beach
12. Donkey Beach

10. Sip Coffee and Watch the Sunrise

One of my favorite things to do in Hawaii is wake up early in the morning to watch the sunrise with my coffee! We stay at the Point at Poipu and our recent room had the best view of the ocean!! Needless to say, this is the absolute best way you can sip your coffee!!