Kaua’i is such a special place to visit full of incredible landscapes, forests, waterfalls, and gorgeous beaches. There aren’t enough words to describe how majestic and peaceful it is. And there are so many great ways to experience Kaua’i. But what are the best things to do on Kaua’i? What are the things that you absolutely can’t skip? I’ve put together this guide with the 10 Best Things to Do on Kaua’i for you!

As always, please remember the principles of Leave No Trace. Help protect the land, oceans, and wildlife so everyone can continue to enjoy them!

Best Things to Do on Kaua’i: The Ultimate Local’s Guide

Go on a Ni’ihau + Nāpali Coast Boat Tour

If there’s one thing you do on Kaua’i, it needs to be a Nāpali Coast boat tour. This is absolutely one of my favorite activities to do on Kaua’i (it’s why we go out so much)! Spending the day on the water is the best way to appreciate the immense beauty and dramatic cliffs that make up Kaua’i’s iconic Nāpali Coast.

This is a great way to create amazing family memories. You’ll get some snorkeling time in one of the best snorkel spots on Kaua’i, and kids love seeing all the dolphins that swim alongside the boat! These tours are a great way to learn about local history, culture, and legends of Hawai’i as the captains point out various landmarks. Pictures really don’t do these views justice. Mornings tend to see more active marine life but the lighting on the mountains in the afternoon makes for stunning pictures.

I highly recommend doing the Ni’ihau + Nāpali Coast Boat Tour to enjoy the best of both worlds. You spend over 7 hours on the water as you cross the channel to get an up close look at the forbidden island of Ni’ihau and snorkel in the untouched waters off the shore of Ni’ihau. Then you cross back over to Kaua’i and explore Nāpali Coast. Crossing the channel to Ni’ihau also offers a greater chance at seeing a wider variety of marine life!

Most of these tours cost around $170-$225 per person (depending on tour and the company you book with), but this includes 5+ hours on the boat with breakfast and lunch (or dinner on the afternoon tours), snacks, unlimited drinks, and all your snorkel equipment.

Snorkel

While there are amazing places to snorkel all over the world (some are probably better than Kaua’i), lava created unique underwater rock formations, caves, and tunnels in the waters around Kaua’i. They are abundant with marine life and are pretty cool to explore.

There are plenty of great spots to check out for all abilities. Poipu Beach has a lava rock wall that creates a protected swimming area and it’s shallow, so it’s perfect for beginners. Tunnels Beach is gorgeous and has some of the coolest rock formations to explore, but the water is deeper and conditions can be rough. Always make sure to check in with the lifeguard to ask about ocean conditions!

No matter where you choose to go though, you might get lucky and spot some Honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle) swimming around you. Please respect them and give them their space.

Enjoy Beautiful Views on Some Epic Hikes

Kaua’i is home to one of the most beautiful hikes in the world; it has been featured in many Top 10 Hikes/Bucketlist Hikes guides. The Kalalau Trail is a 22 mile round trip hike with stunning views of the coast. But it requires a permit that can be hard to get and sometimes conditions close the trail. Permits and parking passes go live at midnight HST and sell out within minutes. So it does require some planning and preparation to hike the Kalalau Trail. And I recommend staying at least two nights so you aren’t packing up the following morning to hike out.

But if you can’t get permits to hike Kalalau, or aren’t interested in that strenuous of a hike, there are so many other great hiking trails on Kaua’i. There are a variety of hikes of varying difficulties around the island. But for some epic views, head to Waimea Canyon + Kōke’e State Parks.

I recommend checking out the Awa’awapuhi Trail in Kōke’e. It’s a 7 mile round trip hike, but you hike out onto one of the ridges of Nāpali Coast with insane views and epic drop-offs. The hike itself does give you a false sense of being easy with the first 3.5 miles being entirely downhill. You feel it on the return 3.5 miles uphill, but the hike can be done in 2-3 hours.

Or there are some really fun hikes that lead you to waterfalls and some cliff jumping spots (keep reading below).

Please remember to practice the principles of Leave No Trace on your hikes and other outdoor adventures. And bring plenty of water, it gets hot!

Get a Different View From a Helicopter Tour

Taking a helicopter tour is another must do activity when visiting Kaua’i. It’s a great way to experience Nāpali Coast and get a different perspective of Kaua’i. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking and it’s one of the only ways to visit some of the more secluded areas of the island. You’ll be amazed at how many waterfalls there are! Many of Kaua’i’s waterfalls are inaccessible to the public, so a helicopter tour is one of the only ways to visit them. Island Helicopters is the only helicopter tour company with permission to land at Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Falls). These falls are featured in Jurassic Park in the iconic scene where the helicopter lands in front of the waterfalls when they first arrive at Isla Nublar. We just did this tour and it was so amazing! Read about our experience with Island Helicopters here!

As you fly around the island, the pilot plays local music or matches up certain songs to various sights. They point out different landmarks, film locations, and share knowledge and history of the island. It’s a great way to experience a lot of restricted or remote areas of the island in a short amount of time.

Drive Through Waimea Canyon/Kōke’e State Park

Make sure you put Waimea Canyon at the top of your list of things to do on Kaua’i. There’s a good reason it’s one of the top tourist attractions in the state of Hawai’i. Also known as The Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon has absolutely stunning views of dramatic cliffs covered in beautiful foliage with the ocean in the distance. The contrast of colors from the red cliffs, green foliage, and blue of the sky and ocean is breathtaking.

Waimea Canyon flows directly into Kōke’e State Park, so just continue driving to the top of the mountain for breathtaking views of Nāpali Coast.

It’s inexpensive to visit; there is a small car fee and per person fee to park in the lookout parking lots. The parking fee is good for all the lookouts in both Waimea Canyon and Kōke’e state parks. You don’t want to miss the lookouts, the views are stunning and several are trailheads to some great hikes.

If you’re interested in doing some hiking on Kaua’i, then Waimea Canyon and Kōke’e State Parks is a great place to go. As I mentioned earlier, there are some epic hikes up there! Check out my guide for more information on visiting Waimea Canyon and Kōke’e State Parks!

Kayak Wailua River & Hike to Secret Falls (Uluwehi Falls)

While not a secret, one of the best things to do on Kaua’i is to kayak Wailua River to Secret Falls (Uluwehi Falls). It’s one of the waterfalls you can swim in and it’s a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy some lunch.

The only way to get to Secret Falls is by kayaking the Wailua River and then hiking to the waterfalls. You can take a guided tour or rent a kayak and go at your own pace.

As you head out on your adventure, you enjoy a peaceful 2 mile kayak up Wailua River surrounded by green foliage. Make sure you listen for the birds singing in the trees. When you dock your kayak, you enjoy a 1 mile hike through the tropical forest admiring local plants and flowers until you arrive at Uluwehi Falls, a beautiful 120 foot waterfall hidden on Kaua’i.

Definitely bring some water shoes for the hike as it can be muddy, slippery, and rocky. Pack plenty of water as these adventures can last over 4 hours and you paddle against headwinds on your way back. But make sure you bring a camera for some beautiful shots of the waterfalls!

Explore More Waterfalls + Do Some Cliffjumping

Another thing you can’t miss while on Kaua’i is checking out some of the beautiful waterfalls. Do you know how many waterfalls there are on Kaua’i? Too many to count! Many of them are inaccessible due to being on private land or hard to reach. There are some that are easily accessible to view from the road but these ones tend to be really busy.

Then there are some you can swim in and do some cliff jumping. These ones require some hiking to reach, but it’s totally worth it to enjoy the falls to yourself!

For more information on which waterfalls to visit and how to visit them, check out my Kaua’i Waterfalls Guide here! It’s full of pictures, information, and tips to help you have the best adventures!

Please remember to practice the principles of Leave No Trace on any outdoor adventures! Please pack out what you bring in and respect any signs telling you not to enter.

Visit the Honu at Poipu Beach

When you’re on Kaua’i, make sure you go to Poipu Beach at sunset to watch the Honu come ashore for the night. If you go snorkeling here, you might get lucky and see one swim by you! Again, please remember to keep your distance in the water and on shore. There are cones set around the area where they sleep, and do not use flash photography or shine flashlights at night. For more information on the Honu, please visit the Malama i na Honu website here.

Poipu Beach is a beautiful place to watch the sunset and you can enjoy a nice dinner at Brennecke’s after admiring the Honu. Make reservations ahead of time as they get really busy!

Mountain Tubing with Kauai Backcountry Adventures

Learn about a different side of Kaua’i and go mountain tubing through the old irrigation canals for the sugar cane plantations. The only company that offers these tours is Kaua’i Back Country Adventures. It’s such a fun and relaxing way to spend a couple hours on Kaua’i; it feels like you’re going down a canal in Jurassic Park!

Make sure you wear water friendly shoes that are secure and won’t come off. If you didn’t pack any, they have crocs available to rent for $5. When you check in, they will give you a helmet and gloves to wear down the canals.

Watch a Sunrise or Sunset

I’ve seen some absolutely incredibly sunrises and sunsets since moving to Kaua’i. I always recommend going out and watching a sunrise or sunset anyway, but they just seem extra beautiful here. The east side of the island is perfect for watching the sun rise, so head towards Lihue, Kapa’a, or Anahola. There are some beautiful beaches, walking paths, hikes, or resorts where you can watch a beautiful Kaua’i sunrise.

And the west side of the island has the best sunsets! Go out towards Hanapepe, Waimea, or Kekaha for beautiful beaches to watch the sunset. You can even head up into Waimea Canyon and watch the sunset from the top of the mountain. Hanalei Bay is a popular place to watch the sunset, and it definitely is beautiful. But the west side of the island has the best view of the sunset!

Enjoy at a Lū’au

One of the best things to do when you visit any Hawaiian island is to go to a lū’au. It’s a great family friendly way to spend an evening. The Smith’s Family Luau on Kaua’i’s eastern shore is located in a beautiful 30 acre botanical garden.

When you arrive, you get a picture with your group taken that you can purchase later in the evening. Then you can hop on a golf cart and take a ride around the grounds or just walk in. With either option, you’ll still have plenty of time to roam the grounds and take in the views.

The evening starts with the blowing of the conch shells removing the pig from the imu, or the traditional underground pit used for cooking. Once they’ve removed the pig, you head over to the dining area where you find a seat and make new friends at your table. Large parties have assigned tables. The Smith family will entertain you with songs, stories about Hawaiian culture, and teach you some hula dance moves while you eat. After dinner, you head over and find a seat to watch authentic performances from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Philippines, New Zealand and Japan.

There are several other great lū’au’s on the island including the Auli’i Lū’au at the Sheraton Kaua’i Resort and the Lū’au Kalamaku at Kilohana Plantation.

ATV Tour

Get muddy and explore the rugged, remote areas of Kaua’i on an ATV tour. Kipu Ranch Adventures takes you across its 3,000 acre working ranch through lush valleys, movie locations, and incredible mountain views. Several tour options are available, including one that visits a private waterfall you can swim in. It’s a unique and thrilling way to experience parts of Kaua’i you can’t otherwise access.

Horseback Tour

Experience Kaua’i’s paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) culture on horseback. CJM Stables offers rides through scenic ranchland to secluded beaches on the island’s south shore. Whoa Dea Ranch on the west side offers romantic sunset rides along the beach.

Waimea Town Celebration

Experience one of Kaua’i’s favorite community events at Waimea Town Celebration. Held over eight days every February, the festival celebrates the history and culture of Waimea with a lūʻau, fun run, rodeo, carnival, basketball tournament, live music, and local food. A few years ago, I had the chance to experience Waimea Town Celebration on a different level helping photograph the event.

The rodeo holds fun events that you don’t typically see at other rodeos! There are vendors and food trucks in case you want to browse for some different souvenirs. The live music on the closing Friday and Saturday feels like a big community party with everyone coming out to celebrate and dance.

Koloa Plantation Days

Step back into Kaua’i’s plantation era during Koloa Plantation Days. Held every July in historic Koloa Town, the week long festival celebrates the island’s sugar cane plantation heritage with a parade, guided walks, a fun run through Koloa, storytelling sessions, and a chance to immerse yourself into Kaua’i’s culture. It’s a great way to learn about the history that shaped Kaua’i.

Run the Kaua’i Marathon + Half Marathon

If you are a runner, definitely add the Kaua’i Marathon or Half Marathon to your race bucketlist. The course is beautiful as you run through Kaua’i’s south shore. And the aloha spirit is on another level. The first time I ran the Kaua’i Half Marathon, I was so sick the week leading up to it that I wasn’t even sure I was going to run it. I ended up running, but in my sicky head fog, I left my headphones at home the morning of the race. And honestly, I’m so glad I forgot them! The community comes out to support all the runners and it was amazing to hear everyone cheering without my headphones. People made signs and set up their own aid stations with water, gatorade, and snacks. Someone even set up a pickles and beer station on course! People come out with their sprinklers for runners to go under later in the course. On the full marathon course last year, a couple was following people with a leaf blower to cool them off.

The full marathon and half marathon course run together for the first eleven miles. At this point the half marathon runners turn left towards the finish and the full marathon runners head to Kalaheo. The full marathon course is challenging, especially once the hills through Kalaheo begin. But the energy and community support makes it worth it and an unforgettable experience.

Run the Ha’ena to Hanalei Half Marathon

If you’re looking for one of the most scenic races, sign up for the Ha’ena to Hanalei Half Marathon. The course winds through Kaua’i’s lush north shore with incredible mountain and ocean views. Choose from a half marathon, 8 mile run/walk, or 5k while supporting the Hanalei Canoe Club. It’s a fundraiser event that supports youth paddling programs.

Enjoy an Açaí Bowl

Cool off with a fresh açaí bowl. Packed with tropical fruit, granola, and fresh island grown ingredients, they’re one of my favorite snacks and post hike treat. If you’re wondering where to find the best ones, check out my guide to the best places to get an açaí bowl on Kaua’i here!

Pine Trees Long Board Classic

Watch classic longboard surfing at the Pine Trees Longboard Classic. Held each March on Kaua’i’s north shore, this laid back competition showcases old school longboarding with nose rides, hanging ten, walking the board, and even headstands. It’s free to watch and a fun way to spend a morning at the beach. There is a parking lot and street parking by Pine Trees Beach but it fills up quickly. Plan to get there early or park for a short walk from Hanalei town.