As a family who loves adventure, we seek out the extraordinary when we travel. Remote, hidden gems coupled with fascinating history and routine tourist stops are all part of the fun for our family. We discovered a few years back when visiting one of the Hawaiian islands that they are quite possibly one of the most beautiful locations on the planet. The rich topography, multiple climate zones, amazing year-round climate and vast tourism sector make it one of the most fabulous destinations to visit any time of the year. Read on to learn about our top 13 can’t miss experiences on the island of Kauai.
1. Poipu Beach
Recently ranked as the Top Beach in America by The Travel Channel and consistently ranked in the Top 10 best beaches across America, Poipu Beach most certainly has it all.
A series of crescent shapes transformed into coastline is sprinkled with the most beautiful fine, golden sand your toes will ever touch. This lovely beach dots this sunny, south shore location in Kauai.
Poipu beach has it ALL. The area is fronted by a beach park with picnic tables, shave ice directly across the street and bathroom facilities. Poipu beach is also a fantastic swimming beach. Because of the beach and rock formations, its shape lends way to a natural wade pool that’s great for the little ones. Poipu beach is also known for excellent snorkeling, boogie boarding and surfing.
Poipu beach is often populated with natural wildlife native to the Hawaiian islands, too. Frequently, one will spot monk seals and the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle perch upon the golden sands in the morning, basking in the warm sunlight. These animals are protected by law and tourists are encouraged to keep their distance, but it provides a really fun site-seeing opportunity and nature lesson while visiting one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
2. Sunset on “The Wall”
If you want to experience the most stunning location to witness the golden hour in Kauai, look no further than what the locals refer to as “the wall.”
“The wall” is literally just that – a concrete and stone retaining wall lining the hillside down to the ocean on the south shore of Kauai, just to the west of Poipu Beach. However unassuming this wall is, one cannot miss the stunning sunsets that can be viewed from here.
Grab a happy hour cocktail and walk on down to witness unobstructed views of the sun setting to the west over the Pacific ocean.
Some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve EVER seen have been had on this wall. You’re welcome. 😉
3. Smith Family Plantation Luau
When visiting any of the Hawaiian islands, it’s a right of passage to take in an authentic luau. If you want to experience the best one of Kauai, then you must take in the Smith Family Plantation Luau.
Each island has its very own luau style: some feature a lot of dancing, fire and feet stomping, while others showcase the jewels of the Hawaiian culture with food and art.
I’d like to say the Smith Family Plantation Luau offers a bit of both. While visiting Kauai, our family was hosted by the Smith Family Plantation for an evening of fun and cultural entertainment. Spending an evening at the Smith Family Plantation Luau was one of the top highlights of our vacation to Kauai.
4. Safari Helicopter Tour
Did someone mention a helicopter tour over the Napali Coast?
Yes. Yes, I did.
Y’all. The vivid scenery throughout this helicopter tour is easily one of the most phenomenal pieces of geographical art you will ever witness.
During this helicopter tour, you’ll cross over canyons, touch down on mountain tops where scenes from Jurassic Park was filmed, watch dozens of waterfalls catapult over the sides of hilltops, see the Napali coast from a bird’s eye view with its vivid hues of greens and blues and visit the wettest spot in the WORLD where it receives over 400 inches of rain per year!
Do I have your attention? I hope so. When in Kauai, it is definitely worth looking into a helicopter tour with Safari Helicopters.
5. Shave Ice
Ice that is shaved, rather than crushed, then drenched in delicious tropical flavors of coconut, guava and pineapple (more flavors are usually available, too) will feel like snow in your mouth on a hot, sunny day on Kauai.
Known as a traditional delicacy to the island of Kauai, you’ll find dozens of shave ice stands dotted around the island. Some stands will even put a scoop of ice cream at the bottom – now THAT is heaven on Earth!
A few of our favorite shave ice spots around the islands are:
6. Surf Lesson with Hawaiian Style Surfining
Learning to surf has been high on my adventure bucket list for some time and where else in the world could be better to learn than on a Hawaiian island?!
We teamed up with Hawaiian Style Surfing, located right at the Sheraton Resort at Poipu, where my husband, oldest son and myself were hosted for a fantastic afternoon of learning to surf!
The team at Hawaiian Style Surfing FAR exceeded our expectations. Their small group lessons are fantastic from start to finish!
It starts with a land lesson where the participants learn the basics of how to get into the water with a board, all the way up to moving through the motions of being on the board, then riding a wave – all while learning this on stable ground first.
NOTE: Land lessons are KEY! We learned that many of the surf lesson companies do not start with training on land first. Land training is critical! I’ll be the first to say that this is important, especially if it’s your first time surfing! Get your legs and movements down BEFORE you head to the water!
Click below to watch an awesome video of our Hawaiian Style Surfing experience!
For more in-depth information about our ocean adventures with Hawaiian Style Surfing, click HERE.
7. Dinner at Red Salt
Interested in an unbelievable dinner while visiting Kauai?
Look no further than the #1 restaurant on Kauai – Red Salt. It is located at the Ko’a Kea Resort near Poipu. The award-winning cuisine on Red Salt’s menu comprises upscale, modern Hawaiian cuisine such as Madagascar Vanilla-Bean Seared Mahi, the decadently layered Red Salt Burger that my husband couldn’t resist, and a Passion Fruit Cheesecake that will make you forget your name.
Red Salt – Best of Kauai
8. Koloa Landing Resort
Boasting the “Best Pool in America” by USA Today’s 10 Best, the Koloa Landing Resort is absolutely, hands-down the best place to stay on the Southern part of the island of Kauai.
(photo credit: Koloa Landing Resort)
(photo credit: Koloa Landing Resort)
This resort has all of the perks of a traditional resort, but makes guests feel right at home with their cozy 1-3 bedroom expertly-crafted and authentically-decorated villas.
(photo credit: Koloa Landing Resort)
It is in these villas where guests can kick back, relax and unwind in the comforts of a spacious villa. The villas are complete with a full kitchen and dining room, laundry facilities, bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, walk in closets, full living rooms and gorgeous lanais or balconies.
Koloa Landing Resort’s amenities include:
- Spa
- Dining
- Shopping
- Stock Your Pantry Service
- “Best Pool in America”
- Deluxe & Luxury Villas & Penthouse Suites Accommodations
- Wedding & Corporate Retreat Facilities
(photo credit: Koloa Landing Resort)
9. Hike the Kalalau Trail
An 11-mile hiking trail along Kauai’s famed Napali Coast is a great way to spend an entire day on the island of Kauai!
The Kalalau Trail is the only land access to this rugged part of the Napali Cost. The Kalalau Trail traverses over 5 magnificent, never-level, valleys. It is here that you’ll experience the beauty of lush, green valleys and the dramatic sea cliffs of the Napali Coast via land.
For important information on planning your trek on the Kalalau Trail, permits, camping, transportation, weather and more, click HERE.
10. Drive to Polihale Beach & Watch The Sun Set Over The Ocean
An amazing vacation to Kauai is not complete without the adventurous drive over to Polihale Beach, located in the western most publicly accessible area on the island.
Polihale Beach is a huge, remote, wild beach that can only be reached by a poorly marked, minimally-maintained dirt sugarcane road.
And…when I say minimally-maintained, what I really mean is this:
Do NOT attempt this drive in a small car with the ground clearance of a pocket gopher.
You will not make it – the ride will end with a flat tire and heaven help you get a tow truck out there in the middle of nowhere (there aren’t any).
The only way to drive here is by using a Jeep or larger SUV that can handle washboards and potholes for miles. Take it slowly & enjoy the journey!
What I have to say is this: If you’ve visited Polihale Beach, you just know how truly special this beach is.
This breathtaking, several mile long, several hundred yard wide swath of gorgeous, powdery sand. It’s some of the most remote beautiful beaches you’ll EVER see. It’s even better at sunset hour on a clear day.
It’s amazing. You will not regret the journey. BUT, be prepared for a bumpy ride!
11. Charter A Deep-Sea Fishing Boat
While in Hawaii, why not try to catch the BIG fish?!
My husband and I have gone on our fair share of deep-sea fishing tours, but this time, we wanted our oldest two children to try it out. My husband booked a half day charter tour for a deep-sea fishing adventure!
The seas were a bit choppy that day, but my boys LOVED it! They still talk about the Mahi Mahi and Yellowfin Tuna they caught. What 6 and 10 year old boys can resist an opportunity to catch large ocean fish?!
12. Hawaii Z Tourz Snorkel Tour
Snorkeling & diving are some of my favorite ways to see the ocean. Viewing life below the water’s surface is fascinating!
In partnership with Hawaii Z Tourz, my family and I were hosted for a morning snorkel adventure off the south coast of Kauai.
We watched dolphins bound the waves next to our boat as we coasted out to sea. We got to see a HUGE Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle in its natural ocean habitat floating in the water right next to us! For an in-depth review of our snorkel tour with Hawaii Z Tourz, click HERE!
The Hawaii Z Tourz boat leaders are incredible – knowledgeable staff who lead a safe, fun and exciting tour. Even my 6 year old son came out snorkeling with us!
Hawaii Z Tourz offers several different tour packages. Check them out HERE.
13. Shipwreck’s Beach
A gorgeous beach located on the sunny south shore of Kauai that has it ALL – beautiful, powdery sand, surfing, boogie-boarding, shallow entrance, a walking trail that leads to a lookout above and so much more.
Albeit a little less busy and touristy than Poipu, it’s equally as beautiful and fun! My family and I found this to be our favorite “has it all” beach! The boys spent the day burying my husband in the sand, building sand castles, and enjoying endless amounts of snacks.
NOTE: Portable facilities and parking is located on-site. It gets busy during the peak hours, so come early and you will find plenty of parking available.
Why Kauai?
I hope I’ve inspired you to start planning your trip to Kauai with this list of 13 can’t miss experiences!
Kauai is certainly a special place that will leave you wanting to come back again…and again…and again.
For more family travel inspiration, hop back over to the blog HERE and let your imagination run WILD!
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Until next time…Eat Well. Travel Often. Love Much.
XOXO
Oh my goodness!! I feel like I’ve had a vacation after reading this post! My favorite place in the world is Maui and I keep telling myself that I need to explore the other islands. I am super fired up to visit Kauai now and you’ve given me a great family road map!! Thanks for sharing this. ❤️❤️ Aloha!!
I’ve traveled across the Pacific 7 times but haven’t once gotten to ever visit Hawaii. It’s on my bucket list for certain though. Your pictures are phenomenal. You’re so lucky to have been to so many interesting places! Lovely post!
This looks like such an amazing trip! We’ve been wanting to do Hawaii for a while now and that Red Salt burger looks good enough to make me want to book a trip today.
Great post! We will be (hopefully) in Hawaii in March, so this is perfect! Kauai is our final stop, so this gives me some ideas of things my family might enjoy!