THE ISLAND GUIDE
Kauaʻi
Let the landscape set the pace.
Nā Pali Coast, Kauaʻi — aerial view · Romain Guy
Get to know Kauaʻi.
Explore the north shore, the south coast, and the canyon country on different days. Leave room in your plans for changing weather and the long drive into Kōkeʻe.
Start exploringLīhuʻe · Kapaʻa · Poʻipū
Make time forCoastal views & forest hikes
In this guide27 beaches · 12 walks & hikes
A visitor advisory is listed by Go Hawaiʻi. Conditions vary by area; confirm directly with parks and travel providers before your visit. Official island guidance
27 stops
Beaches & parks
Beach parks, quiet bays, and open coastlines. Find a place, then check the day’s conditions.
North Shore
Hāʻena Beach Park
Coastal scenery beneath Mount Makana.
County recovery notice lists this park closed until further notice. Reopening not confirmed.
North Shore
Kēʻē Beach
At Hāʻena State Park. Check entry and parking reservations.
Closure notice reviewed October 4, 2026: Hāʻena State Park is covered by the current Kauaʻi State Park closure notice.
Before you swim: Check Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety, speak to lifeguards, and obey posted signs. Stay clear of wildlife.
12 stops
Hikes & walks
From short coastal walks to demanding trails. Choose a route that fits your experience and the weather.
North Shore · Challenging
Kalalau Trail to Hanakāpīʻai
The first two miles each way. Check Hāʻena access; do not swim at the beach.
Closure notice reviewed October 4, 2026: Current State Park recovery notice closes access beyond reopened Wailua areas; confirm with DLNR before any trail visit.
Nāpali Coast · Expert backpacking
Kalalau Trail — full route
An 11-mile one-way route. Permits and serious preparation are essential.
Closure notice reviewed October 4, 2026: Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park access and camping remain closed under the current notice.
Kōkeʻe · Challenging
Awaʻawapuhi Trail
A forest route toward dramatic coastal views. Avoid exposed cliff edges.
Rating & price sources
Reported by Wanderlog · observed 2026-10-02. Ratings can change.
Rating location: Awa'awapuhi, Awa'awapuhi Trail, Waimea, HI 96796, USA
Before you hike: Check the official source for closures, permits, and trail conditions. Stay on open, marked routes.
28 stops
Culinary
Neighborhood favorites, Hawaiian food, sweet treats, and special dinners. Explore by food category, ranked from highest to lowest.
Kapaʻa · Burgers
Bubba Burgers — Kapaʻa
Casual burger restaurant in old Kapaʻa town across from the beach park. The company also operates a Poʻipū location.
Casual dining
Līhuʻe · Oceanfront dining
Duke’s Kauaʻi
Fish, steak, and casual bar dining beside Kalapakī Beach, overlooking Nāwiliwili Bay.
Rating & price sources
Reported by Wanderlog · observed 2026-10-02. Ratings can change.
Rating location: 3610 Rice St, Lihue, HI 96766, USA
Casual dining
Kapaʻa · Mexican
El Taco Feliz (Happy Taco)
A Kapaʻa Mexican food stop for tacos and other casual Mexican dishes.
Rating & price sources
Reported by Restaurant Guru · observed 2026-10-02. Ratings can change.
Rating location: 4-1395 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, Hawaii, USA
$10-$20: Restaurant Guru snapshot
Casual dining
4.7/5 · Tripadvisor
Published rating snapshot · reviewed 2026-09-27. Ratings can change.
2 stops
Farmers markets
Meet local growers and makers. Check the organizer’s latest schedule before heading out. Times are Hawaiʻi Standard Time.
Poʻipū · Farmers market
Kauaʻi Culinary Market
A midweek market at the Shops at Kukuiʻula for island-grown ingredients and local food.
Wednesdays · 3:30–6 p.m.
Līhuʻe · Farmers market
Monday Pau Hana Market
A neighborhood produce stop in the Kukui Grove parking lot.
Mondays · 3–5:30 p.m.
Check each market’s linked organizer for its latest schedule. Weather, holidays, and vendor availability can change plans.
4 stops
Lūʻau
Food, music, hula, and storytelling. Compare the setting and package inclusions directly with each operator.
Wailua · Garden dinner & performance
Smith Family Garden Lūʻau
A garden setting for a meal and music and dance from across Polynesia. Check the current operating calendar for available evenings.
Scheduled reopening September 24, 2026; modified schedule until further notice.
After reopening: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Confirm a specific date before booking.
Līhuʻe · Plantation dinner & theatrical show
Lūʻau Kalamakū
A dinner and performance at Kilohana Plantation telling a voyage story from Tahiti to Hawaiʻi through music, hula, and fire-knife dancing.
Poʻipū · Oceanfront dinner & show
ʻAuliʻi Lūʻau
An oceanfront lūʻau on Poʻipū Beach with a Hawaiian buffet, cocktails, and Polynesian music and dance, from a Native Hawaiian-owned company.
Rating & price sources
Reported by Wanderlog · observed 2026-10-02. Ratings can change.
Rating location: 2440 Hoonani Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, USA
4 stops
Golf
Municipal rounds, Upcountry fairways, and resort courses. Confirm tee times and visitor eligibility directly.
Wailua · Municipal golf
Wailua Golf Course
A coastal municipal golf option on Kauaʻi’s east side. Check county guidance for reservations and current access.
Rating & price sources
Reported by Wanderlog · observed 2026-10-02. Ratings can change.
Rating location: 3-5350 Kuhio Hwy, Lihue, HI 96766, USA
County recovery notice lists the course closed until further notice; reopening not confirmed.
Kōloa
Kiahuna Golf Club
Public Kauaʻi golf course listed in the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority golf directory.
Līhuʻe
Ocean Course at Hōkūala
Resort Kauaʻi golf course listed in the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority golf directory.
Rating & price sources
Reported by Wanderlog · observed 2026-10-02. Ratings can change.
Rating location: 3132 Ninini Point St, Lihue, HI 96766, USA
8 stops
Museums, monuments & attractions
Museums, royal places, historic sites, family attractions, and the zoo. Check admission and operating calendars.
Līhuʻe · Island history & culture
Kauaʻi Museum
A journey through Kauaʻi and Niʻihau history, with cultural exhibits, artifacts, art, and programs in central Līhuʻe.
Līhuʻe · Historic sugar plantation
Grove Farm Museum
A preserved homestead and working landscape that interprets Kauaʻi’s sugar plantation era and the people who lived and worked there.
Rating & price sources
Reported by Wanderlog · observed 2026-10-02. Ratings can change.
Rating location: 4050 Nawiliwili Rd, Lihue, HI 96766, USA
Lāwaʻi / Kōloa
Allerton Garden
A landscaped garden where plants, art, and the stories of Queen Emma and the Allertons meet.
Tours cancelled through September 25, 2026, according to NTBG. Reopening is not yet confirmed.
0 stops
Cruises & sails
Dinner at sea, catamaran sails, and sunset cocktails. Compare boarding locations, food, and drink policies.
We don’t have a verified cruises & sails listing for Kauaʻi yet. Explore other islands.