Kauai County

Featured Lists

Kyle Pearce / CC BY-SA 2.0

Kauai County's Absolute Essentials

Kauai County, the Garden Isle, offers diverse landscapes from the 3,000-foot-deep Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, to the rugged Na Pali Coast. This collection features iconic waterfalls like the twin tiers of Wailua and the 300-foot Hanakapi’ai. Explore the North Shore’s Hanalei Bay and the protected snorkeling lagoon at Ke’e Beach. The list includes historic sites like the Kilauea Point Lighthouse and the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge, alongside dramatic viewpoints such as the Kalalau Lookout overlooking the valley.

11 places

Dwijnker / GFDL

Kauai's Best Beaches

Kauai’s coastline offers diverse geological features, from the protected lagoons of Ke'e and Tunnels on the North Shore to the dramatic lithified cliffs of Shipwreck Beach in the south. The island hosts unique formations like Queen's Bath, a natural tide pool carved into lava rock, and the expansive Hanalei Bay. While North Shore beaches like 'Anini provide calm waters sheltered by one of Hawaii's largest reefs, the remote shores of the Na Pali Coast, such as Kalalau and Hanakapiʻai, are accessible only by rugged trails or boat.

15 places

Michael from Minnesota / CC BY-SA 2.0

Majestic Peaks and Viewpoints

Kauai’s landscape is defined by the dramatic erosion of Mount Waiʻaleʻale, creating the deep red gorges of Waimea Canyon and the jagged emerald spires of the Na Pali Coast. This collection features accessible roadside lookouts and remote hiking destinations. These sites offer views of historic taro fields, 173-foot waterfalls, and the distant island of Niʻihau, showcasing the geological diversity of Hawaii's oldest main island.

20 places

Grace808 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Kauai's Majestic Waterfalls

Kauai, Hawaii’s "Garden Isle," contains one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in the world, fueled by the extreme rainfall at Mount Waialeale. This selection ranges from the easily accessible 173-foot Wailua Falls to the remote Weeping Wall, where dozens of streams cascade down 5,000-foot cliffs. Key highlights include the 800-foot Waipo'o Falls in Waimea Canyon and the "Jurassic Park" falls in Hanapepe Valley. While some are visible from roadside lookouts, many require helicopter tours or strenuous jungle treks through the island's interior.

25 places

Bob Linsdell / CC BY 3.0

Nature's Retreats

Explore Kauai’s diverse landscapes through the 17-acre Limahuli Garden and Preserve on the north shore and the historic Allerton Garden on the south shore. This collection includes the Keahua Arboretum, known for its rainbow eucalyptus trees, and Poʻipū Beach Park, a site where endangered Hawaiian monk seals are frequently observed. From the narrow historical grounds of Hofgaard Park in Waimea to the elevated Kukui Picnic Area overlooking Waimea Canyon, these locations showcase native Hawaiian flora and community-led restoration efforts.

9 places

Fatimah Kausar / CC-BY-SA

Taste of Hawaii

This collection highlights Kauai's diverse culinary landscape, ranging from casual roadside stands to upscale resort dining. Kilauea Fish Market provides fresh poke and local produce, while Merriman’s Fish House emphasizes the regional farm-to-table movement with an extensive wine list. For traditional plate lunches, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue offers standard island fare, while Red Salt and Nanea Restaurant and Bar serve refined dishes using locally sourced ingredients. The list also includes Huli Chicken, featuring traditional rotisserie-style preparation over open flames.

6 places

Kauai County — Map

Climate & when to visit

Best time to visit: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Practical information

Tours & Activities