Kauai, Hawaii Travel Guide

KAUAI, the 'Garden Isle', is said to be the most wild + beautiful of the Hawaiian islands. Its natural beauty, rugged Na Pali coastline, and friendly small town feel make it an amazing place for an adventurous getaway.

While the island does have many incredible luxury resorts, I believe the best way to see Kauai is by getting out into the wild and camping (see below in “where to stay on Kauai” for details on how to rent gear, etc.) Backpacking into the canyon was one of the best experiences of my travels yet!

Best things to do on Kauai:

1. Hike into Waimea Canyon

As you drive up the hairpin turns of Route 550, you will start to see the canyon expand to your right. This area is incredibly beautiful and riddled with great hikes. I'd recommend hiking in to one of the many campsites in the canyon (book via local parks/forest office).

2. Visit Hanalei Bay

Located on the North side of the island, Hanalei offers a nice downtown with hip cali-inspired cafes and restaurants. There's also a great beach and some trails nearby – like Queen's Bath.

3. Camp at Polihale State Park

Although the unpaved road can be a challenge for smaller vehicles (and bumpy for every vehicle), Polihale is worth it! The westernmost beach on Kauai, the sand of Polihale continues right to the base of massive volcanic mountains. This rugged, beautiful coastline was so nice, we stayed a whole weekend camping there. (however, just FYI the wind can be a bit crazy!

Best Hikes on Kauai:

Awa'awapuhi Trail: Incredible views that make for equally incredible photos.
Sleeping Giant: 360 views of most of the island’s Eastern side.
Any of the waterfalls: They're all beautiful and amazing to see in person plus you can go for a swim!

Eden Coffee - best coffee on the island!

Where to Eat on Kauai:

PACO TACO located in Kapaa, Paco's was our favorite local spot to eat.
KOKE'E LODGE a perfect after-hike stop, this lodge is the only restaurant up near the canyon trails.
EDEN COFFEE It's a truck, but it's amazing. Best coffee on island.

Camping in the back of our rental truck at Polihale

Where to Stay on Kauai:

HOSTELS: Kauai Beach Hostel: There are only two hostels on island, this one was the nicer (in my opinion) and I met tons of people there!
CAMPING: Kauai is known for its natural beauty so what better way to experience it than by camping! Save a ton of money by planning to camp! You can rent gear on island at 'Kayak Kauai' in Kapaa and book camp passes at the local parks/forest office. Pro Tip: Ask for thick sleeping bags – it can get freezing at night in the canyon!
HOTELS: there are a ton of Hotels, especially in the Poipu area, but they are expensive! Use HotelTonight for good last minute deals (use code @pcorgan for some perks!). I opted to stay at hostels and camp most of my time there but had a few fancy hotel nights mixed in!

Is Kauai Worth Visiting?

I haven’t had a chance to visit the other Hawaiian islands yet but I can confidently say, Kauai was 100% worth the trip. The hiking and camping was incredible as were our “fancy” nights at resorts, eating at fine dining restaurants while watching the unforgettable Kauai sunsets.

Travel Guide for Kauai, Hawaii