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17 Best Kauai Adventures: Beaches, Hikes + Views

I just spent a fantastic active week with my family exploring as many Kauai adventures as we could, so now it’s time for me to share the gorgeous Kauai activities with you! We did our best to find all the most adventurous things to do in Kauai, as well as restaurants, drinks, sunsets, hiking, and beaches.

As I am usually a budget traveler, this week in my parent’s luxurious condo at the Marriott Beach Club Resort was of course a little bit different than my usual style (not that I am complaining whatsoever :P).

I felt a bit out of place at first, having just been scraping mush off the ground in a hostel in Hong Kong a few weeks ago (okay I’m exaggerating a little). But then I remembered what it was like growing up to go on family vacations with them as a dependent child, so I basically reverted right back to that state and was happily stuffing my face with fancy dinners and pleading for nice tours like the little brat that I forgot I could be, making use of this rare time I’m not poor. Okay, I’m exaggerating again, sorry. Or am I? You’ll never know.

Best Kauai Adventures + Places to Explore

In case you need some packing inspiration, here is a Hawaii packing list with some ingenious items on it to pack before planning your Kauai Itinerary! Check out Unique Places to Stay in Maui if you are exploring outside of Kauai also.

Na Pali Coast Overlook Pihea Trail kauai adventure guide

Explore the Na Pali Coast

THIS IS A MUST when in Kauai. See it from the sea, see it from above, see it from the trail that winds through it. This is Jurassic Park in real life, folks; I thought I would see T-Rexes tearing their way through the trees or maybe a pterodactyl cruising by above us.

The dramatic, jagged cliffs of the Na Pali coast look like something that couldn’t possibly have been formed by nature, with the growing shadows accentuating their razor-like edges more and more as the day goes on.

If there is one place to splurge on a Sightseeing Flight… THIS IS IT. – Book your Kauai Scenic Flight here – it’s one of the best Kauai adventures, and the views of the Na Pali are so worth it.

See the Na Pali Coast from a Kauai Adventure Boat Tour

Tons of companies run day boat trips to see the Na Pali from the sea and snorkel, dive, or dine. We signed up for one with Captain Andy’s, which was pretty much my number one goal for the weekend, buuuuut when we got there the waves were too high to safely boat out there. Le sigh.

But, we still had a fantastic day on the boat on the south coast with a super fun and engaging crew who helped us make the best of it. It was a still one of the best Kauai adventures, though it surely would have been better had we actually seen the Na Pali! There are loads of Na Pali Coast Boat tours to check out.

We ended up seeing tons of whales (it is migrating season here in January!) and a few dolphins, and I swam with a monk seal (which is apparently really rare!) and a sea turtle! So, it was kindof still ok…. just kidding, it was an awesome day. But next time I’m making sure to boat out to the Na Pali no matter what!

Hike Kauai’s Adventurous Na Pali Coast

There are a few ways to hike the Na Pali coast:

Kalalau Trail

This was one of my number one bucket list trails ever, and top Kauai adventures. You need a permit to go past 2 miles of the 11 mile Kalalau Trail, and we didn’t get one in time. So, we just did 2 miles in and 2 out, which was actually perfect for my parents.

The Kalalau trail runs along the jagged cliffs and through tons of tropical plants, secluded beaches, and streams, often with audible waves crashing a few hundred feet below you off the side of the trail. People who do the entire 11 miles usually camp at the end, on Kalalau beach, and spend a day or a few out there in the ruggedly beautiful place. This is on my lifetime bucket list 10000%.

Hike the Na Pali Coast Pihea Trail guide to kauai adventures & sunsets in kauai
Na Pali Coast

Hike Above the Na Pali – Pihea Trail

After you drive up past Waimea Canyon, you get to a couple lookouts the have stunning spanning views above the end of the Na Pali coastline. Check out the Kalalau Lookout and the Pu’u O Kila Lookout, which then gives way to the Pihea Trail.

This trail runs above the coastline with stunning views before turning inland towards the wet part of Kauai (the wettest place on earth is in Kauai actually!) for some more mileage. You can take the Pihea trail in a bit of a U-shape, or change to the Alaka’i Swamp trail halfway through which ends at another viewpoint.

Don’t follow me on insta yet?! Get on it! 

Outdoor Kauai Adventures in Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon, or the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” is ridiculously impressive. With jagged cliffy canyons resemblant of the Na Pali and an opulent massive waterfall visible from the entire canyon, it’s a sight not to miss and truly one of the best Kauai adventures.

If you take the 155 road up from Waimea, you will start to get unbelievable views as you ascend the mountain – many people pull over for photos! You can stop at the Waimea Canyon Lookout, or the Pu’u Hinahina Lookout as well.

See Waimea River and Canyon on a Guided Tour – on this Kauai tour. See the canyon, do a river cruise, and see a few other points of interest in one day!
hike waimea canyon trail kauai guide
Waimea Canyon views

Hiking in Waimea Canyon

The Pu’u Hinahina lookout is the start of the Waimea Canyon Trail, which is just under 2 miles each way and takes you up and down a few mountains, over a stream, and across an amazing hilltop path right in the center of Waimea Canyon which ends right at the top of the big waterfall.

The only issue? You can’t exactly see the waterfall when you’re standing at the top of it. Womp womp womp. However, the view coming up the waterfall is definitely worth it to see. I was there right during golden hour with a delicious warm, soft light, but if you’re there in the morning you’re sure to have a pristine view of the whole canyon from within it… besides the waterfall. You’ll hear it, though! 😛

Check out a few other Waimea Canyon trails for even more Kauai adventures if you have time!

Dragon's back hike kauai hawaii

More Kaui Adventurous Hiking: Sleeping Giant

We did this one on our first day in Kauai. This hike is pretty close to the airport and near one of my favorite towns, Kapa’a.

It’s called Sleeping Giant because from the ground the whole mountain looks like a giant man laying on his back! This was about 2 miles either way as well, and had great views from the top and yummy strawberry-guavas growing on bushes to eat on the way up.

Places to Visit for Kauai Adventures

Here are some more places to visit in Kauai for adventurous outdoor activities, swimming in rock pools, exploring caves, and more! This island has SO many outdoor activities that you can find them nearly anywhere. Here are some of the best:

Queen’s Bath Swimming + Views

Queen's bath kauai
Queen’s Bath

This place is supposed to be really cool at low tide, where you can jump in and swim. When I went, it was very high tide with a massive swell, so we just stood and watched the waves come in. It’s a gorgeous place though and would be a thrilling adventure to swim in when the tide is right.

Dry Cave/ Wet Cave

dry cave guide to kauai adventures & sunsets in kauai
Dry Cave

These are two caves close to the beginning of the Kalalau Trail/ Ke’e beach that are right next to the road. You can walk into the dry cave, and apparently with the correct guide you can swim into the wet cave and into what is called the ‘blue room’ where the cave walls reflect blue.

Kilaheua Lighthouse

kilahuea lighthouse kauai
Kilahuea Lighthouse

This is a scenic landmark on the north coast that is not only pretty to look at but is also home to nature reserve. Take some adventurous hikes around here for beautiful views.

Glass Beach

glass beach Kauai adventures
Glass Beach

Glass Beach, which is situated right next to Port Allen, apparently used to be a glass dump of Kauai. After just over 100 years, all the glass was subjected to the forces of mother nature (aka waves) and crushed up smaller and smaller. Today, it looks like a normal sand beach, but when you look up close all the ‘grains’ are small pieces of sea glass!

Wailea Falls

Wailea Falls guide to kauai adventures  in kauai
Wailea Falls

These falls are really impressive and easily accessible by car!! There are so many waterfalls in Kauai it’s hard to keep track of, but this one is quite easily accessible. The viewpoint is perfect to view the falls from above.

Kauai Adventure Tours: River Kayaking to Seret Falls

secret falls Kauai
secret falls
Kayaking among Mangroves in the Wailua river is over of the best Kauai adventures!
Kayaking among Mangroves is over of the best Kauai adventures!

We did an awesome day tour kayaking the Wailea river and hiking to ‘Secret Falls’ from a little inlet up the river. It was a fun, active, and adventurous day kayaking about a mile and a half to and from the 2 mile (round trip) hike to another stunning waterfall.

If you are looking for Kauai adventures, this is it! We loved our tour and after such an active day we couldn’t wait to sit down at dinner and get sipping on some cocktails.

I know they also have kayak tours on the Hanalei river too, but we didn’t get the chance to do it!

Towns to Check Out & Explore for More Kauai Adventures

Hanalei Bay + Surfing

Hanalei has an adorable little town shopping center with gorgeous wall murals to see, and is also of the best places to rent a board and go surfing. Hanalei is a great place to get lost exploring the little town and try your hand at surfing, whether you are experienced or not. A surfer we met told us that the waves along the outside of Hanalei are usually always small and good for learning!

Kapa’a

I think if I had to live anywhere on Kauai, I would live here. Kapa’a seemed to be the biggest town, although still tiny and very local. Shops, healthy eateries, thrift stores, food trucks, and markets lined the long main street, which was all pretty trendy and cool to wander around. See below for some of the places we ate here, including amaaaazing shaved ice!

Poipu

This is where our fancy timeshare was, and where most of the other fancy timeshares on Kauai are!! Apparently Poipu is the richer area of Kauai, which did not surprise me.

We spent one morning wandering through all the other resorts, some of which were mind blowing! There is a great shopping center in Poipu with restaurants and eateries, and some fantastic beaches and a beach park that are great to hang out.

Watch a Beautiful Kauai Sunset

sunset spots in kauai kalapaka kauai guide
Kauai Sunset

There are lots of amazing places to watch the sunset in Kauai… so much that I wrote them their own article! One of the most beautiful Kauai adventures is chasing incredible sunsets over beaches and along viewpoint trails, so check the article below to find out where the best ones are.

Amazing Restaurants to Visit + Food to Eat After Your Kauai Adventures

POKE – Get poke, and get it everywhere. I think I had poke nearly every day here, and it was so fresh I did not tire of it at all! (if you’ve been living under a rock, poke is fresh raw fish heavily marinated in all sorts of good stuff. The markets here had dozens of different kinds!) Our boat tour guide said that Ishihara Market was the best poke on the island. I’ve also had recommendations to get it from Pono market in Kapa’a and Fish Factory in Lihue!

SHAVED ICE – Also get shaved ice, and get it a lot. It’s the perfect refresher on warm Hawaiian days! I went to Waimea shaved ice company (a parked food truck in Kapa’a) multiple times – they actually use fresh fruit on their shaved ices and they are to die for! There are also some great places in Hanalei, and another called Tege Tege in Kapa’a that was closed when we were there, but I have been recommended it by multiple people.

      IMPORTANT: one of our tour guides actually told us that one of the beach resorts sells alcoholic shaved ice. Like, a pina colada shaved ice with actual rum. I am greatly saddened we didn’t have a chance to try it but you totally should because it sounds like it could be life-changing.

sam's ocean view kauai
Sam’s Ocean View

A lot of our meals were like a Hawaiian-Asian-American fusion, with really creative and interesting dishes and ‘pupu’s’ which are like Hawaiian appetizers. There are also good options for vegan food in Kauai if you want. Here are the best food-driven Kauai adventures we had:

Oasis Bar & Grill – We stumbled upon this place while walking along the waterfront in Kapa’a, and were at first reluctant because it is part of a hotel. But the atmosphere and view were perfect, so we took a chance and were so glad we did! It had a super creative mixed gourmet menu, and awesome cocktails (try the agony & ecstasy 😉 ) . Try the beets 5 ways (no joke) and the dark chocolate kahlua terrine with almond absinthe biscotti for dessert!

Keoki’s – This was a Japanese fusion fish/steak restaurant in Poipu with an awesome menu and open atmosphere, amazingly lit with wooden panels and tropical vegetation adorned throughout, even with a waterfall! I recommend the calamari, the purple sweet potato gnocchi as a side, and all their super fresh fish!!

Sam’s Ocean View – This was our favorite restaurant view of the whole week. It looks directly out onto Kapa’a’s beach path, park, and waterfront (pictured above), and has amazing cocktails and pupu’s. Get the sliders and the poke nachos! And the painkiller cocktail might knock you out 😉

The Eating House – This great little spot in Poipu was the perfect mix of casual and upscale. We got a fantastic kale salad and poke, but the burgers looked the best to me!

Brenneke’s – located right on the beach park in Poipu, Brenneke’s is apparently home of the world famous Mai Tai and also has fantastic fresh fish and other cocktails. (Get the brown nipple… just trust me on that.)

Well that’s about it for now! Pin this if you enjoyed these Kauai Adventures,  Sunsets, or if you want to save some of these recommendations for later 🙂

Kauai Adventure & Sunset Guide ocmplete with the best places to adventure, watch the sunset, eat, and stay in beautiful Kauai! Best Kauai Adventures

KAUAI ADVENTURES ESSENTIALS:

Katharina

Friday 3rd of February 2017

I LOVE trips that are all about nature and enjoying the landscape around us. And this certainly is one. And wow girl, that is some amazing photography!

Bistra Yakimova

Thursday 2nd of February 2017

I can only be jealous at you and those amazing photos! You had amazing time! I wish I were there, too! Maybe it's good idea to start planning how to get to Kauai! Thank you :-)

Tabassum Ahmed

Thursday 2nd of February 2017

I honestly had no idea about this place but now I'm spellbound. The pictures say it all really! Would love to go their someday.

Lizzie Jones

Thursday 2nd of February 2017

How beautiful is this?!

I wanna go kayacking and walking and watching beautiful sunsets!

Sandy N Vyjay

Thursday 2nd of February 2017

Kauai looks really beautiful and serene. The landscapes are stunning and so varied from mountains to beaches. The sunset is indeed magical and weaves a spell.

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