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Whether you are island hopping or heading to Kauai, Hawaii for an extended time, you are in for a treat when visiting this island. The rugged coastline, untouched lands, and beautiful beaches are truly incredible to experience. If you are currently planning activities that you must do in Kauai, look no further. This post covers exactly what to see while you are in Kauai.

Note: Some of the links included in this post are affiliate links which provide me a commission for my recommendation at no additional cost to you.

Where is Kauai, Hawaii

There are eight main Hawaiian islands, seven of which are permanently inhabited. However there are four main islands that people visit when they head to Hawaii: Oahu (Honolulu is located here, along with Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor), Maui (has the beautiful Road to Hana and Haleakela National Park), The Big Island of Hawaii (Has Volcanoes National Park), and Kauai (nicknamed “The Garden Island” and much more lush and untouched). Considering Kauai is nicknamed “The Garden Island”, it’s fitting that it’s an adventurer’s paradise. This also means that there are quite a few activities that are a must do in Kauai.

How to get Around Kauai, Hawaii

When booking your flight to Kauai, the airport is Lihue (LIH). I strongly recommend renting a car as the airport is on the eastern side of the island and the Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon are on the Northwest side of the island. However if you are staying in a resort, they may have a shuttle service. Kauai does have Uber and Lyft.

Where to stay in Kauai, Hawaii

The first time I visited Kauai, I stayed at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach on my credit card points through Marriott Bonvoy. This hotel was a Courtyard at the time but it has since been updated. This hotel is located in close proximity to the airport and it is right on the beach in a pretty low-key area. If you are looking to do something similar, this is the credit card that I have.

The second time I visited Kauai, I stayed in an Airbnb in Poipu. The downside of this option is that it was not on the beach but it was nice to have my own bed and bathroom and not have to share with my friend.

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Not sure what to do in Kauai? 🌺 Then book this buffet dinner and Luau Kalamaku Show since it’s the perfect combination of authentic food and beautiful Hawaiian culture 🍍.

Must Do Activities in Kauai

Now that you know where Kauai is located, where to stay, and how to get around, let’s talk about the things that you must do when you are in Kauai.

1. Kauai: Local Tastes Small-Group Food Tour

⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5.0 (48 Reviews) Price: $120.68 per person Duration: 3/3.5 hours 📍Meeting Point: Varies based on the day of your tour Operator: Tasting Kauai Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

One of the best ways to understand a local culture is through its cuisine. Therefore, one of the top things to do in Kauai is to book an amazing local food tour like this one right here.

So, come hungry and get ready to eat as much as possible as your local guide shows how the island’s unique food scene varies throughout the island and within different neighborhoods.

But, the best part? Six totally different and wonderfully fun tours are on offer based on the day of your departure.

“This was a great experience. Susan was very knowledgeable and made it fun. All the food was great and abundant. Would highly recommend to anyone staying on Kauai.”

Theresa (read more reviews now)

So, choose between:

• Hanalei Walking Tour (North Shore) – Offered on Sundays and allows you to visit a cute little town where you can eat with local farmers
• Downtown Lihue Tour – Offered on Saturdays this epic tour introduces you to sustainable agriculture and walks you through a local farmer’s markets.
• Hanapepe Old Town Tour – Held on Fridays, this cool walking tour will take you through Hanapepe, introduce you to the history of the town, and orient you to modern cuisine through five incredible tastings.
• East Side Tour – Book this experience on Thursday and head to the Royal Coconut Coast where you can visit some of the island’s best farm-to-table restaurants.
• South Shore Tour – Conducted on Wednesdays, this awesome tour will introduce you to the best seasonal fare that the Garden Isle has to offer during six epic tastings.
• North Shore Tour – Held on Mondays and Tuesdays, this expertly curated experience allows you to sample local fruits, teas, grass-fed beef, and fresh-caught fish as you meet the people who grew and raised your food.

Because regardless of where your foodie interests lie, there’s an exciting tour that you will absolutely adore.

2. Allerton Garden Guided Group Walking Tour

⭐️ Rating: 4.7/5.0 (51 Reviews) Price: $63.60 per person Duration: 2.5 hours 📍Meeting Point: Entrance to the National Tropical Botanical Garden Operator: National Tropical Botanical Gardens Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

One of the many reasons why people visit Kauai is to escape the chaos of everyday life and to enjoy the tranquil beauty of this stunning natural oasis.

So, if you want to reconnect with nature and enjoy the insane beauty of this island then one of the best things to do in Kauai for you is to take a tour of Allerton Garden.

After all, this place is massive and it can be difficult to know exactly what you’re looking at.

Therefore, you need an expert guide to help you uncover the hidden charms of a historic oasis of greenery that dates back to the 1800s.

So, walk along Lawai Stream and stand in awe as a natural valley opens up along the coast to reveal koi fish, large bullfrogs, chickens, ducks, and more.

“Beautiful gardens. Very well kept. Excellent knowledgeable and entertaining guide who answered every question. Fascinating trees used in popular movies. Had to go home and see the movie again to find the trees. I would gladly return for another tour.”

Anonymous (read more reviews now)

Next, continue along winding paths and check out the giant Moreton Bay fig trees that this rainforest is known for before walking through a bamboo forest, a flower garden, and bronze statues surrounded by fruit trees and water fountains.

After all, this place is so stunning that it was used to film iconic movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, Jurassic Park, and Starsky and Hutch.

3. Buffet Dinner with Open Bar and Luau Kalamaku Show

⭐️ Rating: 4.6/5.0 (461 Reviews) Price: $166.49 per person Duration: 3.5 hours 📍Meeting Point: Pick up at accommodation Operator: Luau Kalamaku Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

Talk about a feast for the total senses because this buffet dinner with an open bar and Luau Kalamaku Show really does have it all.

See, you’ll start your evening off with a trip to the Kilohana Plantation, which is an awe-inspiring 60-acre orchard and agricultural park.

Next, upon arrival, get an authentic lei greeting and some welcome drinks from the open bar before digging into a sumptuous Hawaiian dinner.

In fact, menu highlights include poi, Kalua pork baked in imu, seasonal fish, teriyaki chicken, pineapple upside-down cake, haupia (coconut pudding), and banana crème tart.

“It was an excellent experience and different from the any other luau that I had been too. The food was very good and selection allowed choices for everyone. We went when there was the local craft market which was enjoyable, small but nice to have there. The actual performance was fantastic.”

Anonymous (read more reviews now)

As you enjoy this delicious cuisine, watch an Incredible 45-minute show that explains how the Hawaiian people moved across the ocean from Tahiti to Kauai.

Afterward, listen to live Hawaiian music, watch enchanting hula dancers, and marvel at traditional fire knife and fire poi ball dancing before capturing a photo op with the cast at the end of the show.

It’s a fun night filled with food and one-of-a-kind cultural experiences that make for one of the best things to do in Kauai.

4. Helicopter Tour

This is my number 1 must do in Kauai and for a good reason. You literally cannot beat the experience of seeing Kauai from a helicopter. I did a helicopter tour on both of my trips to Kauai because it was so incredible the first time that I had to do it again. If you have flexibility, book your helicopter tour at the beginning of your trip. Not only will it help orient you to the island, but it allows you an opportunity to re-book in case it gets canceled due to weather.

There are “budget” options for helicopter tours in Kauai which have 6 passenger seats (+ 1 pilot seat). This obviously means that not everyone gets a window seat. But if that is all you can afford, still go for it! I booked this type of tour the first time because I didn’t know any better and it was still awesome.

The second trip, we ended up doing a private helicopter tour of Kauai with the doors off. If one is available, I highly recommend this instead. It was an incredible experience. It does get a little chilly so make sure to bring a jacket and maybe some pants. If you do the helicopter tour with doors on, you should wear dark clothing to cut down on the reflection.

Because of the popularity of this activity, many individual companies may be booked. Keep looking – the tour I took was one that I found after checking about 8 different companies. Here is a list of helicopter tour companies in Kauai.

5. Zodiac Boat Tour

If you are looking for another must do in Kauai, check out a zodiac boat tour. We did one of these with Blue Ocean Adventures on day 1 of our trip and it was incredibly fun. As a note, this is not a good option for anyone who is pregnant or who has back or neck problems.

My trip was in February which is a great time to see whales in Hawaii. The downside of going in February is that the surf is pretty intense. The day we went it wasn’t as intense as prior days but the swells were still 10 ft high. This meant we could get pretty close to some of the caves but not go all the way inside of most of them. It also meant that snorkeling was not really an option either that day. With the swells, it did cause my friend to get a little seasick, but I was alright.

Here are some additional zodiac boat tours and some other more casual boat options if the zodiac boat is a bit too intense for you.

6. Whale and Dolphin Watching

November through March is commonly known as whale watching season, but peak whale watching time is in January and February. But don’t worry! If you are not visiting Kauai during whale watching season, you still have the opportunity to see dolphins. And you likely will have much calmer seas!

If you opted for the zodiac boat tour, you likely had a chance to see whales and dolphins already. But if the zodiac boat tour was a bit intense, it is still fun to go whale and dolphin watching on a different type of boat. You could do a sunset sail or opt for a boat tour that also includes snorkeling. Here is a list of Kauai boat tour options.

While it was a little farther away, we actually saw whales breaching from the beach while we were in Kauai. So if you don’t get a chance to go on a boat, still keep your eyes peeled for whales.

7. Visit the Napali Coast

There are three different ways to see the Napali Coast. You can see it from the air, from the water, and from on land. Personally, I would recommend doing all three as they each provide such a unique perspective on one of the most beautiful coastlines I have ever seen. Regardless of your choice, visiting the Napali Coast is a must do in Kauai.

If you are looking to drive to see the Napali Coast, probably the easiest way to see it is to drive to the Kalalau Lookout. There is a fee to park your car, but it is totally worth it for the view. If you want to get a bit closer to the Napali Coast, check out the next section about hiking.

8. Go for a hike

Hiking in Kauai is incredible. Fortunately as the island is incredibly diverse, you get a lot of different options. However, hiking in Hawaii can be very strenuous and very muddy. Make sure to bring dark clothes that will be okay getting dirty. If you are not a regular hiker, stick with hikes that are rated “easy” on AllTrails and download the maps ahead of time as there is not cell service in the more remote parts of the island.

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Anytime you go for a hike, but especially in Hawaii, make sure to leave no trace. For more information about specific hikes, these are my top 3 hikes in Kauai.

If you are planning to visit Kauai as a part of a more broad trip to Hawaii, check out this blog post on the best hikes on Oahu.

9. Visit Waimea Canyon

Planning a trip to Waimea Canyon is another must do in Kauai. Often referred to as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, Waimea Canyon is very impressive. Waimea Canyon is visible along many pull-outs if you are already planning to drive to the Kalalau Lookout and you can hike in Waimea Canyon as well. There is a fee to park your car at any of the official Waimea Canyon State Park parking lots. However this same fee covers your parking at the Kalalau Lookout also.

If you want a fun stop in the Waimea Canyon area, check out the Red Dirt Waterfall. It honestly reminded me a lot of Utah in that area – it is pretty unique.

10. Go to the Beach

Probably most people’s first thoughts when they think of Hawaii, Kauai has some amazing beaches. Poipu Beach is beautiful for sunset and there are almost always some sea turtles or seals sunbathing on the beach. Shipwreck Beach has a cool spot for cliff jumping (at your own risk) that is about 40 ft high. We went to this beach three different times and I only ever saw one person jump. Queen’s Bath is remote and difficult to access – 4WD is advised – although I was able to make it in my Hyundai Elantra rental. Hanalei Beach is another beautiful choice. You basically can’t go wrong with beaches in Kauai.

Not sure what to do in Kauai? 🌺 Then book this buffet dinner and Luau Kalamaku Show since it’s the perfect combination of authentic food and beautiful Hawaiian culture 🍍.

10 Things You Must Do in Kauai

Hopefully this list of must do activities in Kauai is helpful in planning an absolutely epic adventure in Hawaii. Is Kauai on your list to visit or have you already been? Let me know which activity is your favorite in the comments!

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

• Top 3 Hikes in Kauai
• Best Hikes on Oahu
• How to Hike in the Rainforest

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