Drew and Kara's Guide to the Garden Isle

One of eight main islands in the state of Hawaii, Kauai is known as “The Garden Island” due to its beautiful scenery, limited development, and laid-back culture. This island is known for its easy access to some of the best hikes, beaches, and vistas in the world. We’ve put together this little guide to help you identify some of the must-see attractions during your time here.

What to know before you go:

• You can see the whole island in one week - and we recommend taking two. The 2nd week is when you start to truly relax and operate on “island time”. There is only one highway on Kauai. And it doesn’t even circle the whole island. We recommend splitting your trip into 3-7 days on the North Shore (Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea) or East Side (Anahola, Kapa’a, Wailua), and 4-7 days on the South Shore (Poipu, Koloa).

• Bring sunscreen and reapply it often. Hawaii shares the same latitude as Mexico City and the Sahara Desert. The ocean breeze can fool you into thinking you’re fine, but the Hawaiian sun will turn overconfident vacationers into lobsters in as little as 30 minutes. You really do have to be diligent about applying sunscreen!
   

• There are chickens everywhere. The story goes that the chickens escaped their coops after Hurricane Iniki hit in 1992, and they’ve run wild since, crowing at all hours. Please do not feed the chickens! 
   

• All shoreline, and therefore all beaches, in Hawaii are public, so go and explore different beaches! We talk about our favorites in our guide below. 
   

• One of Kauai’s features is the striking red dirt. When going on hikes, please know that your shoes will probably get stained. 
   

• Because of the red dirt, it is expected that you remove your shoes (or “slippers”) and leave them on the stoop before entering a house. 
   

• Shops and restaurants tend to shut down earlier or have unpredictable hours on Kauai. Be sure to check times (or call!) before making plans.
   

• Try the local foods! We've provided lots of recommendations, but two that stand out are poke (salad of marinated raw tuna or other fish) and shave ice (not shaveD ice). Whenever you get shave ice, it’s worth paying extra for the “real fruit” juice!

Here are some island-wide events and resources:

• Kauai event calendar

• Sunshine Markets - Most Kauai towns host a local farmers market. Three that are pretty fun:

  • Kauai Community Market - Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Kauai Community College Campus, Lihue

  • Kukuiula “Tasting” Market - Wednesdays, 3:30 to 6 p.m. - The Shops at Kukuiula, Poipu

  • Hanalei Farmers Market - Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to noon - Just outside downtown Hanalei

• Bon Dance Festivals - Traditional Japanese celebration at Buddhist temples throughout the summer, featuring local foods, dancing, performances and more. Guests are welcome!

• Outdoor activities and equipment rentals: 

  • Outfitters Kauai - Equipment and tours for kayaking, biking, hiking, zip lines and more

  • Snorkel Bob's - Rentals and tours for snorkeling, surfing, helicopter trips and more

  • Port Allen - Departure point for many boating excursions

Scroll down to view more recommendations organized by region.

Mahalo and enjoy!

Home to sugar cane plantations, resident artists, and the magnificent Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park, the West Side has a certain old-town charm not found elsewhere on the island.

(Must-sees are marked with an *asterisk!)

Waimea Canyon* and Koke’e State Park* are absolutely must-sees for any visitor. Waimea Canyon is referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, and Koke’e boasts an elevation of over 4200 feet. You can drive up into the mountains along the canyon rim for spectacular views at multiple turn-offs and viewing platforms right off the road. The hikes have magnificent payoffs too!

Keep in mind:

• The curvy roads up the mountain are slow. Allocate most of your day to visiting the park.

• This is a very popular destination and parking can be very tight. The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon.

• Aside from a cafe and giftshop at the Koke’e visitor center, there are no places to find food and water. Make sure to pack a lunch!

• If you fancy a hike, there are many options. One of the best is the Cliff Canyon Trail, walking along a ridge of Waimea Canyon for stunning views of the canyon floor and ending with a view of Waipo’o Falls. 

• A notable feature of Kauai (the dry West Side in particular) is its visually striking “red dirt.” Be aware that this dirt will definitely stain your shoes — shops even dye shirts with it! 

Waimea Quick Hits: 

• Grab a bento lunch or some poke at Ishihara Market in the morning on the way to Kokee.

• Make sure to stop by Aunty Lilikoi's to buy passion fruit (lilikoi) mustards, butters, and jellies.

• Jo-Jo’s is the best shave ice on the West Side, and Porky’s has some pretty delicious Hawaiian hot dogs.

Hanapepe

A cute little downtown with excellent art galleries and cafes, Hanapepe is a great place to spend some time. It is widely believed that Hanapepe was the inspiration for the setting of the Disney movie, “Lilo and Stitch”! 

Make sure to visit some of our favorite shops: Banana Patch Studio, Aloha Spice Company, and Blue Umi. There are some amazing food options in Hanapepe, including breakfast at Midnight Bear Breads, a fancy dinner at Japanese Grandma’s, and Reggie Rings at Ku’uleis Gourmet.

Go behind the Aloha Spice Company to check out Hanapepe’s classic “swinging bridge.” Walk across it and snap a quick photo! 

Don’t miss Hanapepe Art Night, every Friday from 6-9 p.m. along main street. There are food trucks, performers, and all the art galleries are open!

Neither abnormally salty nor a pond, Salt Pond* is by far the best beach on the West Side, and our personal favorite on the entire island. Super laid-back with a wave-break area for the kids to explore, this beach is popular with locals. It’s never too crowded, and is great for picnicking, catching some rays, and floating on the waves. Not very good for snorkeling and occasionally windy.

Port Allen

Stop for some bar food and locally brewed beer at Kauai Island Brewery & Grill.

For beachcombers, take a look at Glass Beach, where water and time have smoothed discarded glass into beautiful pebbles.

For those of you partaking in boat adventures around the island, Port Allen is a common point of departure. 

Dominated by the vacation rentals, resorts, and shopping centers in Poipu, the South Shore is undoubtedly the part of the island most geared towards tourists.

The look and feel of the Poipu/Koloa area is similar to other upscale destinations found elsewhere in the United States, yet it still manages to hold on to that island charm that makes Kauai so unique. There are other towns on the South Shore that are much more residential with a local feel, including Kalaheo, the childhood home of Drew’s mother and aunties.

(Must-sees are marked with an asterisk!)

Kalaheo/Lawai

Kalaheo Cafe & Coffee Company is an excellent restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is casual and dinner is upscale. Their coffee is good and their desserts are divine.

Stop by the Kauai Kookie Bakery and Kitchen to see if they have Drew’s two favorite Hawaiian to-go foods: SPAM musubi and malasadas.

Kukui’olono is a beautiful park just up the road from Drew’s family home. Perched atop the highest point in the area, there are spectacular views of the South and West Shores. There is a little Japanese garden to explore, chickens to run away from, and a pavilion for relaxing and “talking story” with friends.

• Kukui’olono also hosts a 9-hole golf course with a clubhouse, club rentals, golf carts, driving range, and amazing views, at a ridiculously low price (green fees are $15). You can’t reserve tee times but Drew has never waited more than 10 minutes to tee off.

Warehouse 3540 is a collection artisan shops located unassumingly in a residential part of the South Shore. Great for locally made jewelry, clothing, and art, plus some great drinks and eats.

Koloa

Old Koloa Town is a cute place with fun stores and galleries that are great for browsing. 

• Be sure to visit Koloa Fish Market and try their excellent poke, arguably the best on the island.

• We love our coffee, and the new Dark Horse Coffee Roasters is outstanding. The SoCal coffee chain’s first beachhead on the islands, this shop is a really wonderful space that was formerly a Buddhist mission.

• One of the coolest new restaurants on the island is The Tasting Room, with a great wine and cocktail list, an outstanding menu, and beautiful indoor and outdoor dining areas.

Poipu

Enter Poipu in the grandest way — through the Tree Tunnel*! When you're driving from Lihue, turn left off of the highway onto Maluhia Road.

• Living Foods is an upscale general store with cafe items throughout the day and a really nice dinner menu. 

• Lappert’s Ice Cream*, best on the island!

• Keoki’s Paradise Grill* is on the expensive side, but serves outstanding fish, ribs, and a host of other great fare, all with live music. Absolutely must share a slice of Hula Pie.

• Check out Honolua Surf Co if you’re looking for island attire. And keep an eye out for By the Sea, which has a huge selection of our favorite sandals, Olukai.

Poipu Quick Hits:

• Grand Hyatt Resort for fancy drinks and great views

• Shipwreck Beach for fantastic waves, watching surfers, and cliff jumping. Not good for swimming.

• Poipu Beach for all-around family fun. Good snorkeling, a sheltered kiddie pool and playground, plenty of picnic tables and pavilions, and usually a honu or seal laying out on the beach! Very crowded.

• National Tropical Botanical Garden for self-guided and guided tours of Kauai’s most beautiful flora. They filmed a number of Jurassic Park scenes here.

• Spouting Horn for watching turtles (or “honu”), and a natural geyser.

• Little Fish Coffee is the well-known acai-bowl destination in Poipu. If the line is too long, try the excellent acai bowls at the juice bar inside the Kukui’ula Market grocery store.

• Puka Dog* at Poipu Beach serves the best hot dogs Drew has ever eaten in his entire life. Definitely opt for the lilikoi mustard.

Lihue is the center of commerce on the island. 

Home to the island’s airport, largest port, and pillars of government, Lihue is the place to buy all your everyday essentials on the South Shore, with a Costco, Target, Safeway, Walmart and the Kukui Grove shopping center to cover your basics. Amongst this more urban environment, there are still plenty of gems to find that are certainly worth a visit.

(Must-sees are marked with an asterisk!)

Lihue

Kalapaki Beach*, like all of Hawaii's beaches, is public, even though it's right behind the Kauai Marriott Resort. A beautiful harbor protects the beach from rough ocean turbulence, making the gentle waves great for body surfing, paddle boarding, and just floating around.

• There is a public parking lot behind the Marriott. Drive past the hotel entrance and look for signs that say “Public Beach Access”. 

• You can take advantage of the oceanside bars and restaurants along the hotel strip.

Kauai Bakery* (inside the Kukui Grove shopping center) has the best malasadas. So many malasadas. You guys gotta try the malasadas.

Mark’s Place* is definitely a local gem. Mark’s Place is nestled among an industrial complex that completely clashes with the delicious expertise found within. Join the locals in getting a “plate lunch” — typically a meat dish accompanied by rice and macaroni salad — to go. Check out the other local specialties and desserts, too. We definitely recommend a visit - Mark catered our wedding!

Konohiki Seafoods* has outstanding poke, sushi and Hawaiian lunch plate options. A great place to stop on your way up the Eastern shore out of Lihue.

Hualani’s (at the Timbers Resort) is a stunning destination for that fancy night out. Beautiful views of the ocean on manicured grounds, the bar is excellent and the food is local and delicious. Make reservations!

Ha Coffee is the best in the area, if you're looking for a caffeine fix or tea coolers. Pastries and food are also available, and the Kauai Beer Company is right next door for brews and food.

Kilohana Plantation is worth a visit. This plantation houses a number of cute shops and worthwhile destinations, including:

• The fabulous Gaylord’s Restaurant, among the beautiful plantation grounds. Great for all meals, including brunch.

• Koloa Rum Company tasting room and gift shop. This local distillery ships some of its product to the mainland, but most of their varieties are incredibly hard to find. We always stock up on their Coconut Rum and Dark Rum. Sign up for a free rum tasting!

• The Lu’au Kalamaku. Pretty expensive, but a beautiful show with great traditional luau food. If you’re going to spring for an admittedly touristy but visually stunning show on the island, we recommend this one. (Tuesdays and Fridays only; you should probably make reservations in advance).

The East Side of the island is crowded and wonderful.

With great shopping, hidden beaches, outstanding food and easy access to the east and north shores of the island, the East Side is a good home base if the North Shore is too sleepy for you. The stretch of road between Lihue and Kapa’a sees some pretty heavy traffic during rush hour as commuters on the East Side commute downtown for work, so try to plan your travel to avoid peak hours.

(Must-sees are marked with an asterisk!)

Wailua

The coast along the east side of the island is beautiful, but rough. Lydgate Beach is completely enclosed by a stone wall, making the beach perfect for small children and snorkeling. Check out the massive pieces of driftwood on the coastline nearby! 

Outstanding coffee at Imua Coffee Roasters and Aloha Roastery.

Must-have dinner and cocktails at Avalon Gastropub*. Cute casual outdoor dining and vegan cuisine at Russell’s. Great local-style burgers at Kenji Burger. Cute, basic breakfast on the beach at Lava Lava Beach Club.

Best shave ice on the island at Wailua Shave Ice*, which was so good as a food truck that it now has a brick-and-mortar store.

Kapa'a

The island’s main “highway” slows to a crawl as it bisects Kapa’a’s main drag. It’s worth stopping for an hour or two to explore the many shops, art galleries, and restaurants here. 

Cocktails, Lunch and Dinner at Fish|Bar|Deli*, a truly outstanding restaurant and vibe - everything is good, but their fried chicken is out of this world! Breakfast/Coffee at Java Kai, Coffee at the Small Town Coffee truck, and get rejuvenated at one of the many Kauai Juice Co locations on the island.

Hee Fat General Store is a shave ice mainstay in Kapa’a. Pay the extra couple of dollars to get the real fruit syrup!

Pono Market has poke, spam musubi, and delicious bento (boxed lunches), but their specialty is a baked good called “manju,” a local favorite. They have a number of flavors, including coconut, red bean, and sweet potato. The market is usually sold out of manju by noon, but if you call the day before, you can give them your name and reserve a batch for pickup the next day!

Bike paths are generally not a thing on Kauai, but there is a stretch from Wailua to Anahola where you can rent a bike from one of many rental outfits and ride along the bike bath past beachside restaurants, amazing beaches, and hidden coves. It’s a short ride but can take up half a day if you allow yourself to stop and see the many attractions!

Anahola

Anahola Beach* is one of our favorite beaches; top three on the island. Never too crowded with lots of shoreline, there is a cove on the eastern side that protects it from the rough waves - great for kids!

Moloa’a Beach is under-the-radar and absolutely gorgeous. The drawback is a lack of facilities (no showers or restrooms) and side-of-the-road parking, but this truly is one of the island’s less-appreciated gems.

Kalalea Juice Hale* has the best acai bowls in the world. Their fruit is unbelievable, and every menu item here is outstanding. Think of the Juice Hale like a toll - you cannot pass this stretch of highway without stopping here and getting something.

The most pristine, laid-back part of Kauai, the North Shore stretches from Kilauea all the way to the “end of the road” where the highway ends and the Na Pali Coast begins.

The North Shore has largely been preserved from development as many wealthy real estate tycoons and celebrities have bought large tracts of land here. Princeville is the lone resort cluster on the North Shore. The rest of the area is natural, beautiful, and isolated. As a result, some of the best places on the North Shore are also the hardest to access.

(Must-sees are marked with an asterisk!)

Kilauea

Kilauea Lighthouse is located in the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. It has outstanding views of the coast and the many bird species protected by the refuge. $5 entrance fee. It won’t take long and is definitely worth the visit.

Kong Lung market center has truly unique offerings, with mostly local artisans and higher-end clothing shops. Definitely check out Aloha Exchange’s Kilauea branch here!

A new development across from Kong Lung has really started to blossom in recent years. Try the zen vibe of Trilogy for coffee and tea, Kai Bar for breakfast and coffee, Kauai Juice Co for a healthy boost, and our go-to location for delicious and dependable Hawaiian food options: the cafe at Kilauea Market + Cafe*.

Na 'Aina Kai is a beautifully maintained botanical garden located just outside Kilauea. The expansive grounds feature a variety of impressive — and sometimes surprising — trees, foliage, and art.

Kalihiwai

Kalihiwai Beach is in a nice big bay with sizable, but usually manageable, waves. It’s never too busy here, and incredibly beautiful. Approach the beach from the east in order to find parking.

Long, lazy, and beautiful, the drive down Anini Road is right on the water with fantastic, secluded beaches all along it, the largest being Anini Beach*. This might be the best beach on the island for families, with good facilities, lots of space, and shallow, calm water.

Princeville

Home to most of the condos and vacation rentals on the North Shore, Princeville definitely feels like a resort community, with its local Foodland grocery store, shopping center, and golf courses. While decidedly touristy, it makes for a great base of operations on the North Shore.

• Tiki Iniki is one of the few places open late. Good for drinks until 11pm.

• Make sure to get some ice cream at Lappert's after a long day of sight-seeing; it's also located at the shopping center. 

Queen’s Bath* is a beautiful spot incredibly unique to Kauai. Along the rocky coast, there are two tide pools and a number of other features that make for great sightseeing. The more adventurous travelers choose to swim in the tide pools, while others are content to explore the rocky coastline and look for sea turtles swimming along the shore. The only access is from an 8-car parking lot and it’s a bit of a hike to get there, so be careful,  especially if you’re trekking back up after sunset.

Hanalei

The last town before the end of the road, Hanalei is a great stop for tourists looking to shop, eat, or relax. Park once and then walk around the whole town. There is really great shopping for all shapes, sizes, and tastes. Bookmark a couple hours to walk around here!

For coffee, Hanalei Bread Company has been the best game in town, with great food to go with it. For quick delicious local fare earlier in the day, stop by Village Snack Shop and Bakery.

AMA probably lays claim to best views on the island, with their delicious ramen served against the stunning backdrop of Mt Waialeale.

Tahiti Nui* has great pizza, a hearty Hawaiian-inspired menu, and often live music. Eating there is a true experience on the North Shore, especially as it is now quite popular since George Clooney ate there in the movie, “The Descendants.” 

Bar Acuda* is a candidate for best restaurant on the island. It’s expensive and you must make a reservation (if you’re going to try to walk in for dinner, get there before they open to wait in line). Great cocktails and delicious tapas.

Make sure to check out the food trucks on the side of the road, including Holey Grail Donuts and our favorite, the Wishing Well* which has outstanding shave ice and acai bowls.

Finally, try to catch the Hanalei Taro and Juice Co. lunch wagon. They serve traditional Hawaiian plate lunch and taro smoothies. Taro is like a potato, but it’s purple, tropical, and delicious.

Hanalei Beach is an iconic beach featured in many movies. There are two parking lots for beach parking. The beach itself is okay, not as nice as others on the island, but the location and views can’t be beat.

The End of the Road

The road past Hanalei is slow, curvy, beautiful, and full of turn-offs and small beaches to stop at. Definitely take your time exploring this stretch, it’s one of the island’s treasures. 

Be Advised: Kauai has instituted controls on traffic and visitation to the beautiful locations beyond Hanalei. You will need to make a reservation for either parking or taking the shuttle. The latest procedures and reservations can be found at gohaena.com.

Ke’e Beach is fantastic for wading, sunbathing, and snorkeling. There is a 50 percent chance you will see a honu (sea turtle) during your time there. Bring your slippers, the sand gets HOT. Ha’ena Beach is great for sunbathing, but not for swimming. The waves there are huge and dangerous!

The Kalalau Trail is at the end of the road. Famous as the trail through the Na Pali Coast, you can walk as far as you’d like. Twenty minutes will deliver amazing views of the coastline and Ke’e Beach. A day hike to Hanakapi’ai Falls (8 miles round trip) will be one of the most memorable of your life.