Ultimate First Timer’s Guide to Kauai Island, Hawaii
Last Updated on March 24, 2024
First-Timer’s Guide to Kauai Island
Waimea Canyon Lookout
Often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” the Waimea Canyon State Park stretches over 10 miles across the West Side of Kuaia. Centuries of waves rushing through the Waimea River have carved the rock formations into swirling reds and gold twists. Much of the canyon is formed from Kuaia’s fertile volcanic material, which lets green vegetation sprout at the tips of the rock formations.
The Waimea Canyon also has quite a few hiking trails with amazing angles of the natural scenery. Here are some that you’ll want to try on your trip there:
Waimea Canyon Lookout (Easy): As a relaxed 2-minute walk from Kokee Road to the state park’s main lookout, this 0.1-mile-long hike is the easiest and fastest way to get a good look at everything Waimea Canyon has to offer.
Iliau Nature Loop Trail (Easy to Moderate): This 8-minute hike starts in the popular Kukui Picnic Area and circles around for 0.3 miles. It gains some upper ground to catch some vistas of the canyons and passes through the canyon’s signature tall grass and unique flora.
Waimea Canyon River Trail (Hard): If you’re up to the challenge, this 7-and-a-half-hour trail provides incredible shots of the canyon along the branching Waimea River. It stretches over 18 miles of fresh red earth and climbs up over a thousand feet in elevation, allowing you access to vantage points across the canyon and fresh walks along the stepping stones of the river banks.
Waimea Canyon Lookout
These glowing colors all make up one of the most majestic landscapes I’ve ever seen in Hawaii. The Waimea Canyon Lookout also provides a brilliant panoramic view of the whole park. Bring your camera, as you won’t want to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime view.
Resting after a hike along the Pihea Vista Trail
Hidden behind dense forest and winding paths, the Na Pali Coast is as beautiful as it is dramatic. Tall waterfalls pour out from sheer cliffs and years of volcanic lava have built up huge, jagged rock formations along the side of the coastline. No wonder it is continuously rated as one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world by many websites.
There are no roads wide enough to access this gorgeous coastline with four-wheeled vehicles. Instead, determined hikers can take a long hike up to the coast or reserve a boat or helicopter seat.
Hiking provides a fun challenge for experienced explorers. I’d recommend coming to these trails during dryer seasons because solid ground is essential in keeping your footing along these paths. These are some of the hiking trails you can take on at the park:
Pihea Vista Trail (Moderate): An hour-long trail that runs 2.2 miles beside the Waniniha cliffsides. It overlooks the steep curve sinking into the ocean with an endless expanse of tropical trees and plant life–definitely one of my favorite hiking trails during my trip to Kauai!
Kalalau Trail (Hard): A rising and falling trail that stretches around 20 miles back and forth along the edge of the Nā Pali Coast. This is one of the most popular trails to trek for its gorgeous views of the unique, jagged coastal structures, but mind that you’ll need around 12 hours to fully complete it. You can also take stops along the well-equipped campsites or important landmarks on each end of the trail if you want to taste bite-sized chunks of the journey.
Booking a helicopter or boat also provides fantastic views of the coastline from different perspectives. Keep in mind that you’ll want to be more cautious and do more research regarding what transport agency you book, though!
When I went to the coastline, I decided to hike and take a helicopter ride to the coast. It took a lot of time to get the proper shots from my trip because of some very avoidable missteps along the way.
I booked something on the phone at the last minute without looking up the agency, and the agent claimed there were “no middle seats” on our helicopter tour. However, I was told to sit in the middle seat as soon as we got to the helicopter. Luckily, my partner saved the day and offered his window seat to me, but then the flight crew told me that we weren’t allowed to bring our cameras to the window seat.
All in all, some research will probably save you quite a headache later.
Furthermore, you should book some time in the afternoon (ideally during the golden hour)! I booked my flight a little too early in the morning. At that time, the sun shone from the opposite direction of the helicopter, leading to a lot of glare and dark shadows over the west coast.
I still loved my view of the Na Pali Coast, but I hope my experiences help make your trip much smoother!
Tunnels Beach
A lush green Mount Makana overlooks the teal waters of Tunnels Beach, colored by the vast network of reefs in the shallow sea. The clear ocean with the trees as a backdrop makes Tunnels Beach incredibly picturesque, and the golden sands make a nice place to lie down and take in the ocean breeze.
Tunnels Beach is also a popular spot for snorkelers and surfers. Historically, lava flowed down into the ocean and created the tunnel-like structures of the beach’s main reefs. Because of this, marine life thrives under the waters, and you’ll get the chance to admire many species native to the island if you dive in.
A romantic walk down Hanalei Bay Pier
Even if you’ve never been to Hawaii, you’ve probably seen images of Hanalei Bay in travel montages or magazines. It’s likely the most iconic bay in Hawaii and definitely one of the most beautiful in the world! You can find this beach at the tip of Kauai’s north shores, resting between the Hanalei and Waipa Rivers.
The sand curves inward in the shape of the moon, and there’s a long pier jutting out in the middle with a little roofed structure at the end. From the pier, you get a full view of the island growing on the other end, surrounded by vast ocean waves and endless sky.
View of Hanalei Bay and the pier
Waterfalls
Kauai is home to many gorgeous waterfalls that you can hike to at your own pace. Some of my favorites were Hanakapiai Falls, Waipo’o Falls, Ho’opi’i Falls, and Red Dirt Waterfall.
Many of them are only accessible through winding trails, and some of them require more elaborate methods to get to. For example, Uluwehi Falls is known as the Secret Falls because of the way to get there. You’ll need to go on a kayak first before hiking past the trees to reach this beautiful, hidden cascade in the forests.
Waipo’o Falls and Manawaiopuna Falls from above
Like the Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, there are also a lot of different helicopter tours to many of the waterfalls in Kauai. These guided tours set up ethereal outlooks of the waterfalls from far above, and they can sometimes even land on the top of the falls, letting you take some brilliant pictures from high up.
I visited Waipo’o Falls and Manawaiopuna Falls on a helicopter trip, and seeing them from a distance has a vastly different feeling than looking at them up close. You get a full panoramic view of the land near the waterfall, and how the flowing stream crashes down into thickets of trees and runs down into the rivers. It’s all quite awe-inspiring!
Caves
Maniniholo Dry Cave
The island’s volcanic earth molds interesting caverns with holed patterns on the rock forms, like ocean reefs. I went to the Maniniholo Dry Cave and was impressed by the massive rock formations above. They have hypnotic wave-like patterns shaped by time under the water, and it makes for a magnetic image in the end.
The Makauwahi Cave Trail is also an easy 0.5 mile to the Makauwahi Cave structures. Its reddish rock front glows in the sunlight, and it’s surrounded by lush forest. The small opening leading makes an impressive silhouette of the greenery outside, casting chiaroscuro shadows around the walls of the cave.
Things First-Timers Should Try
Drive through Tree Tunnel
Maluhia Road is a part of the main highway connecting the southern shores of Kauai to the inland. It’s hard to travel around Kauai without passing through it, which makes the Tree Tunnel through the road all the more enjoyable.
Tree Tunnel consists of half a thousand Eucalyptus trees lined around the highway. These trees are said to have healing properties, and you can feel that whenever you pass through them. There’s a feeling of serenity when looking up at the rays of sun piercing through the canopy of leaves, casting warm shadows on the road.
Going through Tree Tunnel makes for a great travel vlog since it’s so orderly and calm. Remember to keep your eyes on the road while driving!
Ride on a helicopter above the canyons and cliffside
Helicopter view from above
Kauai has some of the most scenic views from above, so a helicopter ride is a great way to fully take in the island’s beauty. Na Pali Coast isn’t the only landscape hidden in the vast forests and rocky cliffsides–many of the waterfalls and valleys in Kauai are also challenging to access by car or bus. A helicopter ride easily shows off these gorgeous views!
Feed chickens at Kōkeʻe Lodge
A chicken from Kōkeʻe State Park
For nature lovers, there’s nothing quite like having a flock of birds crowd around you for seeds. The Kōkeʻe Lodge is a restaurant in the Kōkeʻe State Park on the West Side of Kauai, and it serves authentic Hawaiian cuisine daily. Its most memorable feature it offers visitors, however, is the chance to feed chickens!
Where to eat & stay
Tidepools Restaurant
One of the most beautiful restaurants in Kauai, you can find the Tidepools in Poipu near the South Coast. It’s an upscale Hawaiian seafood restaurant with a breathtaking view of the sea, a sprawling garden with tiki torches and multicolor flora, and ponds with bridges to walk over and admire the fish! You can sit inside traditional hall structures with straw roofs, and all of them are perched over the clear, glimmering pool water.
It’s best to book it a month in advance, as it’s almost always packed! I went in during a weekday in the off-season, and I didn’t get the chance to sit by the bustling koi pond off one of the huts. The experience was still fantastic: they served the most tender steak and delicious fish, their service was phenomenal, and the atmosphere was out of this world.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa from above
The Tidepools Restaurant is a part of the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, which is just as grand and lavish as the restaurant. On top of the stellar room service, it offers a warm and relaxing spa experience, many different restaurants, an outdoor clubhouse, and even a golf course. All of these facilities glow with the same warmth in all of Kauai’s culture and scene.
The Grand Hyatt is close to Kauai’s most iconic beaches, including Shipwreck Beach. If you’re looking for more natural views of Kauai, within walking distance of the hotel is also the Moir Gardens, a brilliant botanical exhibit full of native tropical plants and koi ponds. The Grand Hyatt is one of the best places to rest after a fun day exploring Poipu and the beaches.
Beach House Restaurant
I had an amazing time trying Pacific Rim cuisine at this restaurant. The fish was tender and sweet, their salad platter was fresh, and their cooking is top-notch. The restaurant also has a great view of the beach–from over the deck, you can see white sands stretching over crystal clear sea, and watch the locals sail their boats across the water.
Just off Poipu Road and a short drive away from Hanakaape Bay and Koloa Landing, this resort is conveniently located in one of the busiest cities in Kauai. It also has one of the most beautiful pools on the island, complete with built-in waterfalls, tropical trees, and glittering, clear waters. It offers deluxe studios, luxury villas, and penthouse suites, but they all have charming Hawaiian interior design that’s perfect to lie and relax in.
If you’re looking for more home-like amenities, the condos at The Cliffs may be worth looking into. Situated above the north shores of Kauai, the windows to these accommodations look out over the cliffsides and towards the wide expanse of the ocean and eternal summer sky. It’s especially captivating during the sunset when the purple sky washes over the darkening ocean. This location is also near many of north Kauai’s greatest attractions, including Hanalei and the Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park.
Getting around
There are many different ways you can ride around Kauai. There are also plenty of guided tours with buses or shuttle options for those who need more direction along the roads. Renting a car is one of the most popular choices, and you don’t need a 4×4 to access top hikes or visitor destinations. I rented a car on Turo as one of the cheapest and the most convenient options.
If you’re driving, remember that Hawaii’s customary pace tends to be more relaxed than the rest of the U.S. For the most part, you can unwind and enjoy the scenery around you as you cruise along the highways.
