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.