UPDATED 2024. Are you planning a trip to the beautiful island of Kauai? We’ve created a guide to the perfect Kauai vacation to help you prepare for the trip of a lifetime! Here are some things you’ll want to know before you head to the Garden Isle.

The first question many people ask is “Which Hawaiian island should I visit?” The answer to this question depends on a lot of factors but there really is something for everyone in Hawaii. And a lot of times people “island hop” to visit more than just one spot!

Let's first get familiar with the layout of our favorite Pacific islands, which indeed are part of the United States—meaning no passport needed for US residents.

Hawaiian islands in order of tourism and annual visitors:

1. Oahu is called “The Gathering Place” and it does! It is the most populated and most visited of all the Hawaiian islands, with approximately 5 million visitors annually. Oahu is also home to the largest airport—Honolulu and nearby famous Waikiki Beach. It’s our top pick for overall first visits to Hawaii.
2. Maui is known as “The Valley Isle” with about 3 million annual visitors. Maui tends to have higher priced hotel options but is a good mix between laid back island life and the bustle of tourist attractions.
3. Next up is Hawaii “The Big Island” and it lives up to its name with easily over a million visitors each year. Its vast landscape offers active volcanoes, tropical rainforests, and even snow-capped mountains!
4. Kauai is “The Garden Island” and is the farthest west island of the chain. Here you’ll find miles of coastline with relaxing beach vibes. Honeymooners love the seclusion and slow pace of the island.

After these main islands, guests can also visit Lanai and Molokai but these two islands are generally an add on or even a day trip for Hawaiian vacationers who have already experienced multiple islands. Their populations and tourism industries are minimal—if you want to visit either, it’s best to take a ferry or flight from the west side of Maui as a day trip.

In this article, we’ll focus on Kauai with tips on where to go, what to see, where to stay and more.

Our team at Get Away Today spends a lot of time in Hawaii. While we suggest Oahu as a wonderful starting point for a first time guest, there’s no reason why you should skip Kauai if the island calls to you!

Speaking of calling to you, there’s a song that sings the tune of just that. Recorded by Don Ho, most known for the song “Tiny Bubbles”, the lyrics of “Beautiful Kaua’i” (written by Rudolph "Randy" Haleakala Farden) are below:

Beautiful Kauaʻi - by There's an island across the sea
Beautiful Kauaʻi, beautiful Kauaʻi
And it's calling, yes calling to me
Beautiful Kauaʻi, beautiful Kauaʻi

In the midst of Fern Grotto
Mother Nature made her home
And the falls of Wailua
Where lovers often roam

So I'll return to
My isle across the sea
Beautiful Kauaʻi, beautiful Kauaʻi
Where my true love is waiting for me
Beautiful Kauaʻi, beautiful Kauaʻi

Here are our top reasons we think you should choose Kauai for your next vacation:

• Kauai’s airport Lihue (LIH) is a very short flight from Honolulu and offers many nonstop flights from several west coast mainland cities.
• Popular Poipu Beach is a short drive from the airport and the more remote North Shore is about 40-60 minutes away by car.
• Tropical island life, stunning beaches, breathtaking cliffs and more await on Kauai.

And of course, if you want to get your feet wet on any other island, we are happy to help you plan visits to Maui, Hawaii and Oahu.

Kauai has a solid offerings of resorts, hotels and rentals to choose from. In fact, there are so many options that it can be an overwhelming choice on where to stay.

When making your choice, consider your circumstances and these key questions:

• What is your budget?
• Are you an adventurer?
• Do you want a remote location or closer to more amenities?
• Are you celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary and need something quiet and romantic?
• Are you planning for a luxury golf experience?
• Are you traveling with your children and need a bigger space with a full kitchen to prepare meals?

After you know your objectives and budget, it will be easier to choose the perfect location. You’ll want to make your reservations well ahead of time, and Get Away Today can help you with all the details and point you in the right direction. It is our specialty!

In fact, we’ve even come up with a quick short list for suggestions on resorts and hotels for those exact questions and answers.

Aston Islander on the Beach is located on the east side of Kauai in Kapaa. This hotel has a good beach for sunbathing and watching the waves, but no swimming. All rooms at Aston Islander on the Beach feature a private lanai for true island style living.

Choose from views of the water or the lush gardens. Amenities include a pool and hot tub, outdoor BBQ dining areas, an on-site restaurant and poolside bar. For an additional fee, you can enjoy bike rentals, beverage vouchers and airport transportation.

Wailua Bay View Condos are also located on the east side of Kauai in Kapaa. This boutique condo property has beach access, but it’s not for swimming. Every Wailua Bay View condo has a beachfront lanai so you can enjoy the view just steps away from your bed every day. It features a pool as well on the property and is near the 12 mile Kauai Path biking trail. This hotel is close to shopping, restaurants and bars for local entertainment. As of January 2019, Wailua Bay View is a non-smoking resort.

Castle Resort Poipu Shores is located on the south side of Kauai in Poipu. It is a five-minute walk from Brennecke Beach, and is just seven minutes from Poipu Beach Park. Many of the condos at Castle Poipu Shores are steps away from the water, and the property’s swimming pool is situated above the rocky beach to overlook the ocean. The entire beachfront at Castle Poipu Shores is rocky, so don’t expect a sandy spot for sunbathing or castle building. The sound of the water crashing against the rocks is sure to be a soothing backdrop to your stay at the resort!

Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa Kauai by OUTRIGGER can be found on Kauai’s east side in Kapaa. There are a number of options at Waipouli Beach Resort, and these condos have great beach access as well as a pool. In addition to these water features, the resort also boasts a salt water lazy river, water slides, hot tubs and a sandy beach area that is friendly for kids of all ages. There is also on-site dining, trails and a spa. It is conveniently located near Kauai Village Shopping Center and the Coconut Marketplace. All rooms include a full sized kitchen, washer and dryer and up to two bedrooms.

Aston at Poipu Kai Condos is adjacent to Shipwreck Beach on the south side of Kauai in Poipu. These condos require just a two-night minimum stay, so if you are island hopping, this is a great choice for a couple of days on Kauai. While Aston at Poipu Kai is not on the beach, it does boast six swimming pools. Condo options include anything from one to four bedrooms for a tropical home away from home.

Hilton Garden Inn Wailua Bay Hotel is on the east side of Kauai, in Kapaa. It is next to Lyndgate Beach Park, providing beach access and a playground. It’s an ideal location for families traveling to Kauai! Your resort reservation includes a two-hour reservation for two people to bike the property and look for sea turtles and seals. This hotel also offers an onsite restaurant and bar so you don’t have to go far for a bite to eat.

Castle Kiahuna Plantation Condos are located on the south side of Kauai in Poipu. They are situated across from Poipu Shopping Center.

Wyndham Shearwater Condos are situated on a high ledge overlooking the ocean, on the north side of Kauai in Princeville. Stunning views and resort-style amenities make this island paradise a great choice for your next Kauai trip. The two-bedroom suites can sleep up to six guests, and include a kitchen to make meal prep a breeze. Also included in the suites are a washer and dryer so you can get laundry done before you head home, making reentry into the real world that much easier.

Kiahuna Plantation Condos are in the Poipu/Koloa region on the south side of Kauai. Some of the condos do have beachfront access, while others are a little further inland. No matter where you are staying, you will be able to walk to Hale o ia Beach. The Kiahuna Plantation condos have the feel of historic Hawaii, set on 35 beautifully landscaped acres. Amenities include a pool, athletic club, bar, and suites with one to bedrooms. Kitchens and private lanais are also included in the condos.

Kauai Marriott Hotel is in Lihue on the east side of Kauai. It has beach access and a beautiful pool. Depending on your room type, you’ll have views of the meticulously well-kept gardens, the pool or the ocean. You can choose standard rooms with King or Queen beds or a one-bedroom suite with a separate living area. Amenities at the Kauai Marriott Hotel include air conditioning, an in-room mini fridge and cable TV. Wi-Fi is an additional fee.

Princeville Resort Hotel on the north side of Kauai overlooks Hanalei Bay. With a choice between standard rooms and suites, you’re sure to find the accommodations that fit your travel needs. For added convenience, you can book connecting rooms at the Princeville Resort. Amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, spa, fitness center, golfing and more.

The Westin Princeville Ocean Villas overlooks Hanalei Bay as well. It offers studio, one bedroom and two bedroom options. Many boast stunning views as the Westin Villas are set on a cliff surrounded by lush vegetation. The Westin Princeville Ocean Villas offer amenities such as on-site yoga, four heated swimming pools, a kids club, on-site dining and more.

Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort sits on Poipu Beach on the south side of Kauai. Almost all guest rooms offer at least a partial ocean view, so you never have to be too far from the Pacific. Choose between King size and Double size beds, and enjoy private lanais, dual-head showers and a pair of complementary flip-flops to take home. Amenities at Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort include a spa, a pool with an outdoor bar, on-site restaurant, fitness studio and rentals for biking, snorkeling, paddle boarding and more.

Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club Condos is also on Poipu Beach and offers standard rooms as well as two bedroom villas. Standard rooms include a mini fridge for convenient food storage, and villas include a full kitchen for more dining flexibility. The Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club Villas also feature a washer and dryer so you can ensure you don’t bring any beach sand home with you when you leave Kauai. Onsite amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, three outdoor pools, dining options and a fitness center.

Now that you have a huge list of hotels on Kauai to choose from, what should you do on Kauai? Like we mentioned before, this is the island to visit for scenic beaches, warm waters, good food, hikes and more. In today’s article, we’ve broken down activities based on their location on Kauai, so you can get a general idea of where to go.

Hands down, the number one recommendation we can give is to take a helicopter tour of Kauai. It is the best way to see all the diversity of Kauai’s natural beauty. Also, some tours may take you to areas of the island where parts of the original 1993 version of Jurassic Park was filmed.

Kauai is also known for its wonderful hiking opportunities. For adults, we recommend the Alakai Swamp Trail, which is about nine miles of hiking with many elevation changes. It may not be the best for young hikers, but for avid hikers, it’s a beautiful choice.

Queen’s Bath is an excellent water spot at low tide because the “pool” will be more kid-friendly. You can explore tide pools here, enjoy the waves crashing against the rocks, cliff jump and more at Queen’s Bath. This is best during summer months only and please obey all signs posted regarding conditions.

Just southwest of Princeville is Hanalei Bay, which is ideal for young kids. The waves are small enough you can enjoy boogie boarding and wading. It is the largest bay on the north shore of Kauai and has a two-mile stretch of beach. It is surrounded by mountains, giving you the best of both worlds- land and sea.

Ke’e Beach is located on the farthest northern point of Kauai and since it has a reef offering protection from large waves, it is an ideal beach for swimming and snorkeling. Ke’e Beach is also known as one of the most scenic beach spots on Kauai. Be sure to check for reservations to enter this area at times.

For hiking on the east side of Kauai, check out Ho’opi’i Falls. It is less than one hour to the east of Princeville and is family friendly. Ho’opi’i Falls is a short hike with a series of cascading waterfalls and swimming areas and served as a backdrop for scenes in the original Jurassic Park film.

Wailua Falls is one of the most well-known falls on the island of Kauai. These falls are located in Wailua River State Park and no hiking is required to reach this destination.

The Hindu Monastery is located under a volcano and guests can visit to take in the surreal, tropical beauty and to meditate between the hours of 9 am and noon. Guests can download a self-guided tour, or once every week guests can catch a guided tour of the monastery. This two-hour tour is free, but donations are accepted.

As for places to eat on the east side of Kauai, we recommend Street Burger, Scorpacciata Neapolitan Pizza, Wailua Shave Ice and Tege Tege Shave Ice.

Near Eleele, on the south side of Kauai, you’ll find Capt. Andy’s Na Pali Raft Expeditions. Choose a dinner and sunset voyage to cap off a day on this lush island. Watch the sunset over the ocean as you dine and relax on a yacht.

Shipwreck Beach is located in Poipu and is warm enough for swimming, and is an ideal location for spotting massive sea turtles.

When you’re ready to eat, the following spots come highly recommended from our travel agents and guests: Puka Dog, Kauai Juice Co. and Pizzetta in Koloa. Living Foods Gourmet Market and Cafe is also a convenient option for groceries in Poipu.

Kekaha Beach is down a bumpy dirt road but the payoff is worth it! Kekaha Beach is stunning, much like all other Kauai beaches. Being on the west coast, north of Waimea, Kekaha Beach is one of the best spots from which you can view the sun setting over the Pacific. Additionally, if you need to get away from rain elsewhere on Kauai, it’s a safe bet you can do so here.

Waimea Canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, so you can imagine what it has to offer. The canyon stretches about ten miles and has a couple of lookout points from which you can view the multicolored layers of the island.

After you’ve worked up an appetite exploring the beauty on the west side of Kauai, stop Coconut Corner on HI-50 for refreshing pineapple smoothies. Perfect for a treat after hiking in Waimea Canyon. For something a little more substantial, stop by Porky’s for a sausage, hot dog or grilled cheese sandwich towering with toppings.

Traveling to Hawaii is a dream vacation for many, and we are here to help you plan every detail. Planning with Get Away Today will help you fully enjoy the best of what Hawaii has to offer, and we’ll make sure you have the trip of a lifetime from beginning to end!

You can book your Hawaii vacation online, or call any of our vacation experts at 855-GET-AWAY. Either way, we'd love to help you plan your first escape to the Aloha State.