The island of Kaua’i, known as the Garden Isle is one of my favorite islands to vacation on. If it’s your first time to Kauai here are the top 10 tourist things that you might want to add to your agenda.
Take a Picture of a Rooster
Kauai is home to thousands of wild chickens, and you may even get a rude awakening from a rooster in the early morning. If you’re from a big city and get a photo of your Hawaiian alarm clock, aka rooster, it will be a prized souvenir.
Go to Waimea Canyon
Named the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is located on the west side of Kauai and a must see for tourist. This 14 mile long and 3,600 foot deep canyon has spectacular panoramic views of crested buttes, rugged crags, and deep valley gorges. For a closer look and hiking trails, visit Kokee State Park at the end of Waimea Canyon Drive.
Walk on the Beach in Hanalei
Newbies must take the drive out to the northern part of Kauai to the small sleepy town of Hanalei. This quaint beach town is centered around Hanalei Bay, a 2 mile half moon bay with white sand beaches and mountain views. A walk on Hanalei Bay will remind you that you are indeed in paradise.
Shop in Hanalei
If you’re tired of the commercial malls and shopping centers then shopping in Hanalei is for you. Hanalei shopping is locally owned Hawaiiana boutiques, antique and collectible stores, farmer’s markets, surf shops, and much more. All stores are in about walking distance of each other, and you can find yourself or a loved one a special one of a kind gift.
Hike the Na Pali Coast
The famous Na Pali Coast State Park is also located in Hanalei, Hawaii and encompasses 6,175 acres. Adventureous hikers can explore the Na Pali coast via the Kalalau Trail, the only land access in and about 11 miles long . This approximately 3 day roundtrip hike, takes you to Kalalau Valley, Kalalau Beach, and to the Na Pali cliffs. This hike is not for beginner hikers, so take caution with lots of research and preperation before taking on this hike.
Take a Zodiac Tour of Na Pali Coast
If you don’t want to hike for days to see the Na Pali Coast, you can always take a Zodiac boat tour, which are popular vessels for exploring the coast. Zodiac boats are small enough in size to snorkel, explore sea caves, waterfalls, and shallow inlets of rugged coastline.
Try to find the “Nude” Beach
Public nudity is illegal in the United States and Kauai is no exception, but for some reason that doesn’t stop some Kauai beach goers. There are rumors of nude beaches on the north side of the island, so when you’re sight seeing around keep your eyes peeled for sunbathers in their birthday suits.
Buy a Rain Coat
Kauai is said to be one of the wettest spots on earth. When visiting Kauai be prepared for rain and if you forgot to pack a jacket, buy a rain coat. Don’t let the rain get you down because there are plenty of things to do in and out of the rain, and without all the rain you wouldn’t get the beautiful, lush, green scenery.
Visit a Waterfall
With all the rain in Kauai and mountainous areas you bet your money that Kauai has a ton of gorgeous waterfalls. Visiting a waterfall is a must do for Kauai newbies. Kauai has some of the best waterfalls in the world, some visible by foot and others by helicopter tour.
Go to the Kilauea Lighthouse
If you’re on the north side of Kauai then a trip to Kilauea Lighthouse is a must for breath taking views. Built in 1913, Kilauea Lighthouse was used in navigation. In 1985, the US Fish and Wildlife Service took it over and currently manages the 31-acre site as part of a 203-acre wildlife refuge. This scenic peninsula is also the location for Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for seabirds.
Aloha Taryn,
Thank you for your list which include more great things to do here in Kauai. Of note the main reason we have so many chickens is that, as you know, Kauai does not have mongoose, the only major island in the chain with that distinction. Originally brought to Hawaii from India to control rats in sugarcane by the now defunct Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association.
After they were established, the planters realized that 1) rats are nocturnal and mongoose feed in the day, 2) Rats comprise only 10% of a mongoose diet even when they are both caged together.
The good news is that 90% of all endangered birds in the USA reside here on Kauai primarily in Koke’e. Mongoose climb trees and eat the defenseless eggs thus slowly killing the bird species. The bad news is… well after 30 years I am beginning to like the critters. I catch them at my vacation rentals in Poipu and relocate them to the mountains.
Mahalo nui loa and keep up the good work.
Joe Sylvester
Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
Joe, thanks for the awesome comment and little background fact lesson! I appreciate the feedback and encouragement! –taryn