VISITING THE GARDEN ISLE

Kauaʻi Travel Guide

Aloha! We’re so excited that you’ve decided to visit one of our favorite places in the world! We know you’re going to have an amazing time. Kauaʻi is filled to the brim with adventure, delicious food, and unforgettable views. We’ve divided the recommendations based on what side of the island they are on. Hope you have the best time!

*If you’d like to see our recommendations on a map, you can find the suggestions pinned on this Google Maps guide! Super handy for on-the-go!

HELPFUL TIPS: 

  • Check Instagram for Hours: Many local spots share their most up-to-date hours on their Instagram page.

    Waimea Canyon/Kōkeʻe State Park: Clouds often roll in during the day, so the best time to visit lookouts or trails is early morning or evening. If it’s cloudy, don’t stress, head to the lodge and wait it out. As a backup, Canyon Trail is almost always clear. There’s also little to no cell service in Kōkeʻe and Waimea Canyon, so download maps and plan before heading up.

    Chase the Sun: It’s almost always raining somewhere on the island. Don’t worry! It will most likely pass or you can drive to the other side where you may find sun! West side and south side are the sunniest. Pro-tip: If you want to check to see if a different side of the island is sunnier, go to the FAA Webcam website and scan over to Kauaʻi. There are a few cameras around island that will show the real time weather conditions.

    Sunscreen Up: The UV is intense, especially in the summer months, use reef-safe sunscreen to protect both your skin and the reefs.

    Watch Your Step: Wana (pronounced “va-na”), or sea urchins, hide on rocks near/in the water. Be careful not to step on them, they’ll hurt like crazy. 

    Respect Signs & Culture: Hawaiians are deeply proud of their home and culture. Please show respect when visiting, hiking, or taking photos. Practice kokua (caring for the islands as if they were your own home) and aloha will be returned to you.

    Leave No Trace: Pack out everything you bring in. If you see trash, please pick it up. A little help goes a long way!

    Skip Location Tagging: Out of respect for the local community, please avoid tagging exact locations of beaches, hikes, or sacred spots on social media. this helps keep them from being overrun. Do, however, tag and support local businesses, they’ll love it!

Lodging & Transportation

Airport: Kauaʻi has one public airport centrally located in Līhuʻe (LIH).

Car Rentals: We highly recommend renting a car (you wont be able to do much without it)! If you want to drive out to Polihale State Park, you’ll need to rent a car with four wheel drive. 

Lodging:

  • North Shore: Princeville – Lush beautiful north shore is absolutely iconic! Close to Hanalei Bay and the famous Kalalau Trail. 

  • East Side: Kapa’a – A great central place to stay. You won’t have to drive as much if you want to see all sides of the island. The town is fun with lots of shops and cafes. *Even though Līhuʻe is close to the airport, we wouldn’t recommend staying here. It’s the most industrial part of the island.

  • South Side: Pōʻipū – South side has a bunch of beautiful beaches and fun shops and cafes. It rains a lot less on this side of the island than other sides.

  • West Side: Kekaha/Waimea – Sunny and hot! West side is very local, but a fun place to stay if you’re looking for authentic Hawaiʻi charm. Super close to Waimea Canyon/Kōkeʻe State Park. 

  • Here are a few vacation rentals that we recommend. We know the owners and/or have stayed at all of these places: Beach Bungalow (North), Jungle Bungalow (North), Seaside Haven (North), Hale Hui Pu (North), The Tree House (East), The Lime House (East), The Little Rainbow (South), Poipu Beach House (South), The Nene Nest (West), Waimea Plantation Cottages (West). *Pictured to the right is The Nene Nest.