Kauaʻi is Hawaii's Garden Isle, known for it's lush foliage, beautiful flowers and long white sand beaches. Kauaʻi is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. It's the perfect island for a honeymoon or romantic getaway, but also a great place for a family vacation. We've chosen our top ten things to do on the island of Kauaʻi, Hawaii.
1. Explore Waimea Canyon and Kokeʻe State Park
Waimea Canyon is ten miles long, two miles wide and 3,600 feet deep. Mark Twain nicknamed Waimea Canyon the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." With its deep reds, greens and browns, each created by a different volcanic flow over centuries, many feel that is much more colorful than the Grand Canyon. Bordering Waimea Canyon is Kokeʻe State Park. Kokeʻe is over 4,000 acres with about 45 hiking trails some of which head into Waimea Canyon and some of which are short hikes to non-canyon overlooks.2. Take a Helicopter Ride
If you ever take a helicopter ride in Hawaii, do so on Kauaʻi. The most beautiful places - waterfalls, sea cliffs, and Mountain Waiʻaleʻale itself can only be seen from the air. I recommend Jack Harter Helicopters, but there are many other good choices. Jack Harter offers several different tours, but the best buy for your money is their 90 minute tour designed for serious photographers. Reserve your flight for early in your visit so that if it gets canceled due to weather, you can reschedule.3. Tour the Nā Pali Coast by Boat or Zodiac Raft
The Na Pali Coast of Kauaʻi is one of the most awesome sites you will ever see. Nā Pali Coast State Park is a 22-mile stretch of volcanic cliffs. You can see the Nā Pali Coast from a distance, but to see it best you need to get up close either by helicopter or boat. I can promise you that you won't be disappointed.4. Visit Limahuli Garden and Preserve
Selected in 1997 as the best natural botanical garden in the U.S by the American Horticultural Society, Limahuli Garden and Preserve extends over 1,000 acres in a verdant tropical valley covering three distinct ecological zones on Kauaiʻs wet north shore in Hāʻena. Both guided and self-guided tours are offered over a 3/4-mile walk on a loop-trail.5. Take a Movie Tour of Kauaʻi
Kauaiʻs award winning and highly popular Movie Tours offers visitors the opportunity to visit the places where some of the most popular motion pictures and television series have been filmed. These hits include Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, Gilligan's Island, Fantasy Island and about 30 others. Offering bus tours, 4x4 tours and even helicopter tours, there is a tour for every movie or television fan in the family.6. Explore Kauaiʻs North Shore
Most tour books identify the North Shore as anything north of Kapaʻa on Kauaʻi's Coconut Coast. A wonderful day trip takes you past "King Kong's Profile," the Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse, the resort area of Princeville, the the famous Hanalei Lookout, Hanalei Town, and then past some of the world's most beautiful beaches ending at Keʻe Beach where, if you are daring and in good shape, you can hike along the northern part of the Kalalau Trail along the Nā Pali Coast.7. Ride the Kauaʻi Plantation Railway
Experience plantation life and learn about Kauaʻi agriculture as you explore almost 100 acres on this authentic narrow-gauge train. Once you board the "King Kalakaua style" wooden cars at the turn-of-the-century station in Kilohana camp you'll begin an informative 30 minute journey back through time touring fields of sugar, pineapple, banana, papaya, coffee, tropical flowers and hardwood trees that illustrate plantation history as well as the story of commercial farming on Kauaʻi today.8. Play a Round of Golf
There is no question Kauaʻi is a golfer's paradise. The Garden Island is home to many of Hawaii's top golf courses and boast some of the most scenic and challenging layouts in Hawaii.Poipu Bay Golf Course is an 18-hole championship course situated on 210 oceanfront acres adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort & Spa. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Poipu Bay is an ocean links style course featuring spectacular vistas and challenging play. Over the years, Poipu Bay has won numerous awards and has been consistently rated among the top golf courses in Hawaii and the U.S.A.
