17 Best Things to Do on Kaua’i, Hawaii for First-Time Visitors

If you’re planning a trip to Kaua’i, first off, let me say I’m jealous. Kaua’i is genuinely the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. And it’s not just the sights–being there does something to you. I mean, I drove around that island and started to believe I could write folk songs and learn to play the ukulele. Cheesy? Maybe. But I was in la-la-Hawaii -land…

Why Kauai over the other Hawaiian islands? Well, if you love hiking, Kaua’i is hard to beat. You’ll find trails to waterfalls, dramatic views of the Nā Pali Coast, and the lush landscapes of Waimea Canyon. But even if hiking isn’t your thing, don’t worry—you don’t have to hike to experience Kauai’s gorgeous views. Many of the island’s most iconic sights are accessible by car, boat, or helicopter tour.

Whether you’re an avid hiker or would rather admire Kaua’i’s beauty from a scenic overlook, a beach chair, or a helicopter, here are my favorite things to do on Kaua’i for first-time visitors.

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Captain Stuart and I

1. Take a Kaua’i Helicopter Tour

Okay, if you splurge on just ONE thing in Kaua’i, make it a helicopter tour. I mean, sure, the view from the ground is fantastic, but from the air, it’s truly something else. You’ll see sights you can’t otherwise see, including Jurassic Falls, which is on private property. Oh by the way, only 10% of the island is accessible by car, so you may as well see it from the air!

If you’re still on the fence about this, let me shove you over right now. At this time of writing, I’ve been home from Kaua’i for a few weeks, and I still think about this tour daily. The helicopter circles the entire island, from the Nā Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon to beaches, hidden valleys, and more waterfalls than I could count. At one point we flew past the Five Sisters—five waterfalls cascading down the same mountainside. How else are you going to see that?

You won’t get this view anywhere else.

There are a few popular options for flying tours on Kauai:

Doors off helicopter tour: For thrill seekers, a doors-off helicopter tour is the only way to go. Sure, the only thing restraining you from, well… the world is your seatbelt, and it’s a little nerve racking at first, not gonna lie. But the fear quickly dissipates once you get into the air and see those views.

Just so you know, your face might tingle. It happened to me, and it lasted for at least 30 minutes after the tour. Weird.

I mean…

I did this tour with Jack Harter, and I highly recommend it. For my solo travelers, this tour is solo friendly. I noticed several tour companies had a minimum of two travelers, but this one did not.

Doors on helicopter tour: Ahh, the luxury of doors. This would be a little less scary but also, your photos wouldn’t be as good. Soooo…tradeoff.

Wings Over Kauai: So this is not a helicopter, but rather a cute little plane! It’s generally less expensive than a helicopter, and you get most if not all the same views. My friend did this tour and she enjoyed it.

Enjoying Waimea Canyon. Maybe a little too much.

This view? No hiking required.

2. Drive Up Waimea Canyon (Plus Optional Hiking)

They call Waimea Canyon the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and it’s easy to see why. It looks a lot like the Grand Canyon but greener. Even if you don’t feel like hiking, simply driving the canyon road and stopping at the overlooks is one of the best things to do on Kauai.

Get an early start if you can. Clouds tend to roll in later in the day and can obscure some of the best views. Plan on spending a few hours here. You’ll want to pull over at the scenic overlooks more often than you might think. Ask me how I know.

If you do enjoy hiking, you’ll find several trails of varying lengths that let you experience the canyon from a different perspective.

3. Hike to Hanakāpīʻai Falls

Approximately 8 miles round trip

Hiking was the main draw of Kauaʻi for me, and Hanakāpīʻai Falls was the hike I looked forward to most. If you’ve ever looked at pictures of Hawaii and thought, I want to hike there, this is the trail.

This was one of the most breathtaking hikes I’ve ever done. It was also the hardest. By the end, I looked rough enough that multiple people asked if I was okay, and a really nice lady gave me some of her water so I didn’t have to ration mine.

My prior experience consisted of hikes in a drier climate, including a Colorado thirteener. Hiking is completely different in hot, humid, slippery, and let’s not forget muddy, conditions, so if you’ve not yet experienced that, be warned.

But it’s absolutely worth it for the views, and I will never forget my first glimpse. All of a sudden, you look up, and you just go wow…

You can swim beneath the falls if you’re brave enough. I got in, but it was so cold that I climbed right back out. If I had it to do over again, I would’ve sucked it up and swum all the way underneath. Missed opportunity.

You’ll need either a parking permit or a shuttle reservation to hike to the falls. I opted for the shuttle. Permits are listed 30 days in advance. Parking permits disappear quickly, while shuttle reservations usually give you a little more breathing room. I booked mine around 10 a.m. my time without any trouble.

4. Hike the Kalalau Trail (or Just Part of It)

Approximately 22 miles

This is the big one, and it’s for experienced hikers only. It’s notoriously difficult to get camping permits for this trail, but if you log on at midnight Hawaii time 30 days in advance, you might have a shot. You cannot log on any later than this, or they will be gone. I have heard that some people have had luck with cancellations, though. This trail is roughly 11 miles each way and is one of two ways you can get to Kalalau Beach–the other being by boat.

You do not need a permit to hike the first two miles of the trail from Ke’e Beach to Hanakāpīʻai Beach, but you may want to get a parking permit or a shuttle reservation anyway. You’ll use the same trailhead, parking system, and shuttle reservations that you do for Hanakāpīʻai Falls.

5. Watch the Sea Turtles and Monk Seals on Poipu Beach

This was one of the coolest free experiences I had on Kauai. Every evening, Hawaiian sea turtles and endangered Hawaiian monk seals come ashore to bask on Poipu Beach. It’s amazing how predictable they are. They show up almost like clockwork.

Plan to arrive before sunset to get a good viewing spot, and remember to give the animals plenty of space. Volunteers are often on hand to rope off the area and answer questions while everyone watches from a respectful distance.

6. Explore Hanalei

Hanalei was my favorite town on Kauai. It’s small, laid-back, and full of little shops, restaurants, and galleries that are fun to browse. Grab breakfast at Hanalei Bread Company, wander through town, then head down to Hanalei Bay.

If you’re picturing “Hawaii beach,” Hanalei Bay is probably it. It’s a long stretch of beach surrounded by dramatic green mountains. Even if you don’t plan on swimming, it’s worth spending some time here just soaking in the view. Don’t miss a walk out onto Hanalei Pier while you’re there. I saw a few people jumping off it, but personally, I’d skip that—the water looked pretty shallow.

Side note: don’t underestimate the Kaua’i sun. Hanalei Bay is where I got my toasty sunburn that stayed with me my whole vacation. When the sun came out from behind the clouds, it was all over. Even if you think you have enough SPF, add a little more.

If you’re hungry after all that beach time, return to Hanalei and check out some of the food trucks. I thoroughly enjoyed Hanalei Burger and Holey Grail Donuts.

Soooo many Mai Tais

7. Go to a Kaua’i Luau

If you’ve never been to a luau, you have to try one. If you’ve been to one before, though, you could probably skip this.

I did this one and had a fantastic time! Though if I had to cut just one touristy activity, it would be the luau. The food was all right, but it was so hot that it was hard to eat. The show was impressive, though, and I enjoyed the open bar, as you can see.

8. Kick Back at a Resort

Not staying in a resort on Kaua’i? Me either. But the Grand Hyatt and Royal Sonesta sell day passes on Resortpass. I spent my last day on Kaua’i at the Grand Hyatt before my 7:30 p.m. flight back to the mainland. There was plenty of shade, which I needed because I was burnt to a crisp. It was nice to spend my last day relaxing, eating nachos, and drinking seltzers before I had to return. It was almost the only time I relaxed the whole trip.

A rough go…but where else are ya gonna get views like this?

9. Take a Boat Tour of the Nā Pali Coast

Warning: If you’re prone to seasickness, I’d think twice before booking a boat tour on Kauaʻi. The ocean here is no joke. That said, if you can handle rough water, seeing the Nā Pali Coast from the ocean is unforgettable.

Catamaran: While hiking to Hanakāpīʻai Beach, I watched a tiny catamaran bounce over the whitecaps, looking like something out of an old hand-drawn cartoon. I remember thinking, Damn, that ocean is rough.

The views of the Coast, though, are spectacular, so if you can brave the rough sea, it would be worth it. Some of the catamaran tours include snorkeling as well.

Raft: This is for the adventure seekers, and I don’t say this lightly. I’ve been whitewater rafting, and this was more adventurous than that. The way it was described by the guides was “Whitewater rafting on steroids.” Yep.

At first it was all fun and games. We’d catch a big wave and the whole boat would go Woo! Good tunes were blaring. But it got rougher and rougher until the waves felt like we were hitting concrete. Over and over.

By the time I was done, everything hurt–especially knees and elbows from clinging on for dear life. The couple next to me weren’t doing well and I’m surprised neither of them threw up. The woman reached into her bag for more Dramamine partway through, and the man started bleeding from hanging onto the ropes too tightly. Side note: he refused the gloves offered to him a few times before finally putting them on… Stubborn man.

If I’m being honest, the best part of my raft experience was the storytelling by the guides. I learned a lot about the sea caves, Na Pali Coast, and Kalalau Valley – the latter of which sent me into a multi-hours rabbit hole reading about the hippies who live in the valley. The sea caves were really cool as well, but man. I could have done without the rest.

If I were doing it again, I’d probably choose the catamaran. You still get incredible views of the Nā Pali Coast, but without feeling like you’ve just survived a full-body workout.

They’re not playing…

10. Hike to Queen’s Bath (When It’s Safe)

This was my first adventure on Kaua’i and my first introduction to the Kaua’i mud. It’s a very short, yet slippery hike downhill to Queen’s Bath. You will get disgustingly muddy, so dress appropriately. Bring or wear a swimsuit if you want to get in. However, do not enter if it’s closed–it’s very dangerous. Arrive early for parking and calmer water conditions.

11. Stop By or Tour Kilauea Lighthouse

One of Kauai’s best roadside attractions is Kilauea Lighthouse. You can simply stop by and get great views of it on the cliff, or you could tour the lighthouse and grounds, but you will need reservations. It’s also home to a wildlife sanctuary, and if you love bird watching, you won’t want to miss the tour.

Ron Clausen, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

12. Stop by Spouting Horn

Another great roadside stop, this natural blowhole makes the noise of a horn as it shoots seawater into the air. It only takes about 15–20 minutes to visit, and nearby you’ll usually find local vendors selling souvenirs.

13. Snorkel (or Just Relax) at Anini Beach

If you’re looking for a fun beach day, look no further than Anini Beach. It’s excellent for snorkeling and is home to Kauai’s longest reef, 2 miles long! It’s also popular for camping and paddle boarding.

Wmpearl, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

14. See Wailua Falls (No Hiking Required)

One of the best things about Wailua Falls is how little effort it takes to see it. Just a short drive from Līhuʻe, the waterfall is visible from an overlook right next to the parking lot, making it a great stop if you don’t feel like hiking. And if you’ve already been doing some hiking on Kaua’i, you’ll appreciate skipping the mud for once.

15. Try Hula Pie

As key lime pie is to Key West, Hula Pie is to Kaua’i. It’s made of macadamia nut ice cream and a chocolate cookie crust, topped with fudge, whipped cream, and macadamia nuts. And it’s so scrumptious I forgot to take a picture before I dug in. The best place to get it is Keoki’s Paradise.

16. Take a Surfing Lesson

Hawaii is the birthplace of modern surfing, so there’s no better place to give it a try. You’ll find plenty of surf schools around Kauai offering beginner-friendly lessons.

If you’ve always wanted to learn, I’d recommend booking a lesson rather than trying to teach yourself. The instructors know the safest beaches for beginners and can get you standing up much faster than you probably would on your own. I did not surf on this trip, but if surfing has been on your bucket list, Kauai is one of the best places to cross it off.

17. Visit Shipwreck Beach (and Tour the Hyatt if You’d Like)

If you don’t want to spring for a ResortPass, this is a great alternative. Walk along Shipwreck Beach, then head over to the Grand Hyatt Kauai. The resort’s beautifully landscaped grounds are worth exploring, and it’s a great place to stop for a cocktail before continuing your day.

Sample 5-Day Kauai Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Trying to fit everything in? 5 days felt like the sweet spot for me, but more time is always better! If you only have 5 days, try this itinerary:

Day 1: Explore the North Shore

The North Shore is a relaxing intro to Kauai for you.

First, get some breakfast in the cute town of Hanalei. Then, if you’re up for an adventure, hike to Queen’s Bath (weather permitting). Or else skip the hike and just go enjoy some relaxing beach time at Hanalei Bay, and be sure to walk along the pier. When you’re hungry, go back to Hanalei and get something delicious from a food truck. You can browse the shops as well. If you have extra time, drive out to Kīlauea Lighthouse. You can book the tour or just stop by and look from the road.

At night, go to a luau if that interests you, or if you’d rather keep it low-key, a nice dinner.

Day 2: Helicopter Tour and Beach Time

Book your helicopter tour for the morning when weather conditions are generally at their best.

Afterward, slow things down with an afternoon at a beach. Anini Beach is perfect if you’re looking for calmer water, while Hanalei Bay is hard to beat if you don’t mind returning for another visit. But really, any beach will do.

Day 3: Do a Hike

Today is for adventure.

If you can get permits, I recommend Hanakapiai Falls (8 miles) or if you’d rather do a shorter hike, Hanakapiai Beach (permit not required, but you may want to reserve a shuttle anyway).

Another great hiking option is the Awa’awapuhi Trail.

Afterward, have a feast from food trucks back in Hanalei!

Day 4: Waimea Canyon and the South Shore

Drive up Waimea Canyon and stop at the gorgeous overlooks along the way. If you’re feeling up for more hiking, choose of the trails there.

In the evening, make your way to Poipu Beach to watch Hawaiian monk seals and sea turtles bask at sunset.

Day 5: Nā Pali Coast Boat Tour

Finish your trip by seeing Kauai from the water.

Book a catamaran cruise if you’d rather relax or an adventure raft tour if you’re up for an adrenaline rush and don’t mind getting tossed around. A lot.

If You Have Less Time: 3 Days in Kaua’i Itinerary

For the most bang for your buck, prioritize a helicopter tour, Waimea Canyon, Hanalei Bay, and one Nā Pali Coast experience (either hiking or a boat tour). You will want to come back!

Food to Try for First-Timers on Kauai

I told you about Hula Pie already, but there are so many other foods to try as well! If you’re in doubt about what to eat on Kauai, honestly, you can’t go wrong with a food truck. There are sushi trucks, poke bowl trucks, shaved ice trucks… you can get pretty much anything from a food truck. But beyond the food trucks, here are a few things I went out of my way to try:

Shaved Ice: Like a mountain of a sno-cone with condensed milk on top. Similar to a New Orleans sno-ball.

Poke, Poke, poke. With all the poke bowls I ate, I don’t know how I didn’t get a picture of one. The Foodland in Princeville has fantastic, cheap poke bowls. Can’t go wrong with poke from a food truck either.

Hanalei Burger: I am not a burger person at all. I can’t remember when I last had a burger before this one. But something about this place drew me in, and I’m so glad I tried it. Delicious.

Hanalei Bread Company: Get there early to beat the lines. With that being said, the line does move fast. I pigged out here–had a blueberry pop tart, coffee, and a brekkie sandwich. All delicious and hit the spot. Seating is plentiful.

Kauai Cookies: These are scrumptious little shortbread cookies, and they come in many flavors. Visit the bakery or just buy the boxes and take them home for all your friends. You can find them in many souvenir shops and at the airport.

Map of Things to Do on Kaua’i

As you can see, Kauai’s top attractions are scattered all over the island. Keep in mind that most of the island isn’t accessible by car, so drives can be long, especially if there’s traffic.

Where to Stay on Kauai

It depends on what you’re looking for and what you plan to do. Here are some options:

North Shore: This is the quieter side of the island. It’s super lush and green (and rainy). It’s where you’ll find Hanalei Bay and the Kalalau Trail.

South Shore: This is the busier, sunnier side of the island. You’ll find Lihue, Poipu Beach, resorts, and many of the attractions. If you’re looking to stay close to most things, stay on the south shore.

East Side: If you’re looking to explore both the north and south shores, the east is right between the two. Kapaa is a lovely town and would make for a great home base.

Map of where to stay on Kauai:

FAQ: Best Things to Do on Kauai for First-Time Visitors

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