Most travelers visiting Hawaii’s beautiful Islands gravitate toward The Big Island, Maui, or Oahu. These islands are great tourist locations and offer a lot of history and excitement for tourists. Kauai may be a less touristy Island, but offers a lot of outdoor activities even during the wet seasons. Some Kauai attractions are incredibly popular because they offer an experience that truly captures the magical essence of Kauai. Flying to Kauai is often less expensive compared to the other islands and easier to fly to with many non-stop flights to Lihue Airport (LIH).
We experienced some rainy days, but the rain did not stop us from enjoying our planned activities. The best time to travel for dry weather is between April and June, and September through November. The weather is pleasant and flights are much cheaper. One of my favorite outdoor events was on our final day which was packed with entertainment and Hawaiian food and culture at The Smith Family Garden Luau.
My top 10 things to do in Kauai:
1. Where to stay in Kauai – If you have a timeshare, save up those points for a great vacation home in Kauai. We stayed at one of Shell Vacations beautiful two bedroom resorts. Our friends stayed at the Marriott Hotel, at Coconut Beach, and Waipouli Beach Resort.
2. Choose how you would like to travel -To make the most of your time, consider renting a vehicle. It is also possible to get around Kauai by public transportation, tour bus or taxi.
3. Helicopter Ride to experience a quiet aerial tour of gorgeous Kauai.
4. Kauai Museum is the best way to explore and enjoy the rich history of Kauai and its neighboring cities.
5. Kilauea Pointalso known as The Lighthouse, is an important sanctuary for Hawaiian Wildlife.
6. The Local Markets – visit the local markets for unprocessed food, fresh fruits, and vegetables. The Sunshine Market
Coconut Marketplace is an open air market and another favorite spot for dining and shopping.
7. Napali Boat Tour – This spectacular tour shows off the beauty of Napali Coast with a small group of tourists per tour. It is a breathtaking experience and requires reservation ahead of time to guarantee a spot on the boat. If you love adventure, the Napali Coast also has an 11-mile trail.
8. Poipu Beach – We chose this beach among many because we had the kids with us on our vacation to Kauai. The waves are calmer with beautiful golden sand. One can sit back and relax at Poipu Beach. There is also Kalapaki Beach and Tunnels Beach (for snorkelers).
9. Smith Family Garden Luau – While there are various luaus throughout the island, research has proven The Smith Family had been hosting luaus for over 60 years with lots of attractions including the laid back Wailua River Tour, the family garden and botanical tour, the roasting of the pig, and ending the day with a beautiful cultural song and dance performance. Performance includes Hawaiian hulas, Tahitian drummers and dancers, and a Samoan fire knife dance.
10. Regardless of where you choose to stay, there are many beaches and state parks around the Island. Picnic at the beach is great. Watch the sunset in the evenings or grab a breakfast snack as you watch the sunrise. Soak in the beauty of the gorgeous Hawaiian Island.
Mahalo!