Kauai, Hawaii’s oldest island and commonly referred to as the Garden Isle, is full to the brim with beautiful lush landscapes of mountains, waterfalls, valleys, and coastline beaches. Kauai boasts a diverse range of plant life and offers plenty of adventures, attractions, and scenic views. Here are some of the places to visit in Kauai:
Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon is often dubbed the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’ – stretching a mile wide, over 10 miles long, and over 3,500 feet deep, the canyon is decorated with beautifully contrasting colours from the rich red soil, lush green jungle, pitch-black volcanic rock, crystal blue streams and waterfalls, and mist cascading from the plateaus.
Find the Menehune
Legend says that the Menehune are a mythical people who used to inhabit Kauai – they are shy and mischievous creatures, just 2 feet tall, and are famous for building a system of fishponds and aqueducts in a single night. You can follow their work all over the island, such as the Alekoko Fishpond and ancient irrigation aqueducts.
Wailua Falls and River
With a double waterfall crashing down an 80ft high rock face, you can find the Wailua Falls at the end of the sacred Wailua River, passing ancient temples, incredible plant life, mountain views, and waterfalls along the way. Then there is a short (and muddy) hike to the base of the falls, where you can swim in the pool and take in the impressive view.
Hawaiian legend has it that the ancient chiefs would jump from the top of the falls to prove their strength and courage.
Hunting for Heiaus
Wailua was the ancient heart of Kauai, a sacred place where nobles were born, lived, and worshipped. Remains of these sacred temples (heiaus) and other building structures can be found along the river, as well as countless other historic remnants, like petroglyphs and royal birthstones. Remember to be respectful of these sacred sites.
Hanalei Valley
Hanalei is a small village on the north coast of the island, with a beautiful sandy beach opening into the valley. The best view of the valley is from Hanalei Lookout, where you can find enchanting views of the river weaving through the valley between sugar cane and taro fields, with mountains rising in the background.
Hanalei itself is a quaint town and hotspot for music, fishing, and swimming with fresh seafood restaurants, art galleries, surf shops, and more.
Na Pali Coast State Park
Na Pali Coast is a remote area on the northwest of the island, with incredible mountains, waterfalls, and caves to look out over from the air. The mountains reach almost 4,000 feet at their highest peak, with plunging cliffs, and hidden beaches the base of the mountains. You can sail along the coast or by air with a helicopter ride, or explore the coast on foot, but only if you are up for the challenge as it is more strenuous and taxing but well worth it.
Beaches
There are so many amazing beaches on Kauai, from the Tunnels Beach, Secret Beach, Anini Beach, to the Mahaulepu Beach. Sitting in the shadow of the Na Pali Coast, the Ke’e beach is an all-around great choice – it is good for snorkelling with warm calm waters, it’s kid-friendly and you can spot countless tropical fish sea turtles.
Poipu Golf Course
This incredible golf course at Poipu Bay offers only nine courses, but more than makes up for the limited courses with beautiful high-quality holes for a truly unforgettable golfing destination – it’s the best course in Hawaii. The Poipu Beach nearby is a wonderful spot too, where you can snorkel in the calm waters and spot the occasional endangered Monk Seal.
Old Koloa town
Old Koloa Town is full of historic buildings, with a rich history, which has since been converted into a bustling town for tourists and locals alike. With plenty of shops and restaurants, local treats and beautiful scenery, there’s plenty to enjoy.
There are so many more amazing things to do in Kauai – try the local rum, go to farmers markets, attend a Luau, go deep-sea fishing, and soak up the island history.
Michael Dehoyos is a dedicated content marketer and editor at Origin Writings. He assists companies in developing their marketing strategy concepts and contributes his expertise to numerous other sites and publications.
