The Best Kauai Activities

The Best Activities to Book When Visiting Kauai

There is so much to do on Kauai, it can be super overwhelming to plan, especially from afar. I thought I would help you out and write an article about what activities are available to choose from and help decipher which are kid friendly, worth the money, etc. 

1. See the Napali Coast!  I recommend taking the time to see it by vehicle, boat, air, and by foot. 

The cheapest way to see the stunning geography of Kauai is by taking a drive up Waimea Canyon and stopping at all of the lookouts as you make your way up. You will see beautiful views, waterfalls, possibly goats, dragonflies, and possibly lots of fast moving clouds or fog. The parking areas are fee areas (it’s not much $10-20 per vehicle). These fees help to maintain the park and is greatly appreciated and seen as a sign of respect to the island by the locals. You can enjoy some beautiful hikes with gorgeous views while up here. My favorite hike is called the Awaawapuhi Trail and  is 7.2 miles roundtrip. Waipo’o Falls is just 2 miles one way from the road and is a more family friendly hike. Eat lunch at Kokee Lodge after and don’t forget to enjoy the Kokee Museum- it is a gold mine of information and has a lot of information about endemic species and plants. It is donation based- well worth it! 

The second way to see the Napali Coast is by boat. Our favorite companies to choose from are  Blue Dolphin Charter because we love that you can get your cocktails a little earlier than the other companies, and HoloHolo Charters because we love their staff. Captain Andy’s will allow children as young as three to go onto their catamarans, which is awesome! You really can’t go wrong with any of the companies- sunrise is best for seeing wildlife and having a full day of sight seeing, snorkeling, and sunshine. Sunset is the best time to grab photos of the actual coastline because the lighting is perfect- can you tell I am a photographer?? You can also go the adventurous route and take a Zodiak raft down the coast and let me just say- it is so much fun!!!! I recommend NaPali Riders because their captains are top notch and share so much of the Hawaiian culture by way of stories and experience on top of the adventure of being on a raft in the ocean.  

The third way to see the coastline is by foot. You can hike the 12 miles of the iconic Kalalau Trail to Kalalau beach and camp for a few days and really immerse yourself into the Napali coast. You can even opt to do a day trek and hike from Ke’e Beach to Hanakapiai Falls and back- a total of 8 miles. This hiking trail is an expert hiking trail and is absolutely amazing and highly recommended. Ke’e beach is great for the day for kiddos in the summer months and not at all recommended for swimming in the winter months due to high surf. This requires reservations and permits to access. Please visit www.gohaena.com for more information or www.hawaii.gov It can be difficult to get permits as they sell out quickly and it is recommended that you do this first thing in the morning until you can get one. 

You can also call Hawaii DLNR at 1(808)-274-3444 if you have questions. 

Go for a helicopter ride and see the coastline by air. You can book a helicopter tour to do this. If you are especially adventurous, try the doors off option! Kids must be 12 years old to do this option. 

1. Go horseback riding with CJM Stables in Poipu. 

They have so many beautiful, well behaved horses for any type of rider and take riders on a tour of  their beautiful property, including on the sand of Mahaulepu Beach. It’s one of the coolest experiences you can do while visiting. www.cjmstables.com 

1. Go ziplining or adventure on ATVs with Kipu Ranch Adventures!

 They have one of the most beautiful properties on island with gorgeous views, a rich history, and lots of movies were filmed there. The guides are spectacular and fun which is a crucial part of having a great time! Fun for the whole family!! www.kiputours.com 

1. Go Ziplining or tubing through canals.

Backcountry Adventures also offers zipline fun and tubing through canals all throughout an old sugarcane plantation! I have always heard how much fun this activity is and how many of my clients see this as a highlight of their entire trip. It’s like you get to take a journey through Kauai’s rich history while exploring it at the same time. Heads up- this is a very popular activity to do and there is a waitlist, so planning ahead is recommended. www.backcountry.com 

1. Go kayaking or paddle boarding up the Wailua river to Secret Falls. 

You can either take a guided tour or rent your own equipment for this. We love Wailua Kayak Adventures- they have been a staple in the kayak industry for over 20 years on Kauai! www.wailuakayakadventure.com 

1. Go experience a night at a Luau! 

This is one of the funnest ways to try news foods, see the skills of the dancers, and learn a little bit about the cultures that make up Kauai. Smith’s Luau is a whole package- you get to explore the beautiful grounds and florals (and hang with peacocks) before dinner and their show. Luau Kahakina at The Sheraton Coconut Beach Resort in Kapaa is also a ton of fun- they have an amazingly skilled performance that focuses on Hawaiian, Tahitian, and Maori cultures and will be memorable for the whole family! 

1. Book a family photo session. There are some seriously stunning backdrops that deserve to be put up onto your gallery walls at home, or as the focal point for your holiday cards. Including an evening (or an early morning) of professional photos into your travel plans only makes sense when you are putting all of the effort into planning the most epic trip! Head onto my website for some more information about this! www.elanatoughphotography.com

All of these activities are super fun and worth the money. As a local, I often opt in to any of these activities when friends or family come to visit and never mind paying the price because I know it is always a great experience and makes everyone smile. It is highly recommended to book all activities mentioned well in advance so that it ensures you will get the date, time, and business you prefer! I hope these tips help you plan the perfect trip- although, it really is virtually impossible not to have the best time on Kauai no matter what you choose to do!