10 Best Things To Do In Kauai Hawaii
Are you ready to plan an unforgettable trip to Kauai, Hawaii? Amazing! This island is packed with adventure, beauty, and bucket-list experiences! There are so many things to do in Kauai!
We recently traveled to Kauai with our four kids and spent our days exploring every corner of the island.
I’m so excited to share what we discovered, what we did, what we loved, and what we can’t wait to go back for.
Kauai truly has it all. Whether you’re dreaming of peaceful beaches, lush hiking trails, or incredible swimming spots, this island is the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.
In this post, you’ll find a roundup of the best things to do in Kauai, along with tips to help you plan a family-friendly (or solo!) getaway.
We’ll break down which activities in Kauai work well for kids, which are great for adults, and which ones our family personally enjoyed on our latest trip.
Let’s dive in and explore the very best activities in Kauai!
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1. Choose a Relaxing Resort
When we were deciding which island to visit, one thing I noticed was that the resorts on Kauai were less expensive than other islands!
That is a win! There are some really nice resorts on Kauai! We stayed at the Waiohai Marriott Vacation Club. This was also very close to the Sheraton Kauai Resort and Koloa Landing Resort.
You can also stay closer to Lihue at the Marriott’s Kaua’i Beach Club or the north shore at the Westin Princeville Resort.
All of the areas are really nice. There are beaches and great snorkeling.
We really loved staying in Poipu!
One thing I love about staying at a resort is that they have very nice pools, and the one we stayed at had direct access to the beach.
I came to Kauai to relax, and picking the right resort is key to accomplishing this goal!
If you love hiking, Kauai is the island for you. It is known as the Garden State because of its lush and beautiful landscape.
Most Popular Hikes in Kauai
- Secret Falls Kayak and Hike Tour ( Most Popular)
- Kalalua Trail
- Waimea Canyon – Waipoo Falls
- Kuilau Trail
- Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail
- Ho‘opi‘i Falls
We did a lot of these hikes.
If you are looking for a more family-friendly hike, Ho’opi was our favorite! Our 10-year-old loved it. It was a short hike to a waterfall where you could jump in and swim. Kuilau Trail is another great family-friendly trail.
My husband did the Kalalua trail, but did not do the entire 11 miles because if you go past a certain point, you need a permit.
We also hiked the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail. It was very close to our resort. One thing I thought was cool about this trail was that there were shells everywhere. At first, I thought they were seashells, but later we learned that these shells belonged to giant snails.
We drove to Waimea Canyon and walked around at every viewpoint. We did not hike all the way to Waipoo Falls but could see it from the overview.
One of the most popular things to do in Kauai is go on a helicopter tour.
Helicopter tours take you to parts of the island you can not reach by car or hiking.
These tours are the ultimate adventure! There are doors off tours and of course doors on tours.
Book a Helicopter Tour
Some of the sites you will fly over are:
- Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Falls)
- Na’ Pali Coast
- Waimea Canyon
- Mount Waiʻaleʻale & the Crater Walls
- Hanalei Bay & North Shore
- Kōkeʻe State Park / Kalalau Valley
I have to be honest, my sister said this was the most incredible tour she has been on, but I am a total chicken! I’m a little afraid of heights!
Go on this tour if you are not afraid of heights; it is worth it!
You have to go to a luau when in Hawaii! Our kids had not been to one so we made sure to book it first.
There are lots of good options for luaus on Kauai.
Book a Luau
We booked the Kalamaku Luau. We thought it was awesome. The food was really good and the entertainment was phenomenal!
Later, when talking with the hotel staff at our resort, they told us that Kalamuku was the best on the island! I am glad we went!
The Na’ Pali Coast is also one of the top things to do in Kauai. There are a few activities that you can choose from that will let you experience the Na’Pali Coast.
Best Tours of the Na’Pali Coast
There are morning and sunset Na Pali Boat Tours. There is also a Na Pali Super Raft and Snorkel Tour. These tours may explore sea caves or even give you views of dolphins!
We did get to see the Na’ Pali coast, but did not have time to book a tour! Next time! I really want to do this tour!
Zip-lining in Kauai is a must. We went with Koloa Zip lining. My kids had a blast! They loved doing the tricks, hanging upside down.
It was a beautiful area to fly over! This activity was one of the perfect things to do in Kauai with kids! The guides were really nice and made everyone feel comfortable.
Be sure to Book a Zip Lining Tour in Kauai!
7. Biking in Kauai
We rented bikes, and it was a blast! Although the weather changed suddenly and we had to pull over and wait for the rain to stop!
You can go on a formal bike tour or you can just rent bikes and do a self-guided tour.
8. Beach Time
One of the best things to do in Kauai is just hang out on the beach and relax.
You can go kayaking and snorkel, take surf lessons, spot sea turtles, take a yoga class on the beach, or just look for seashells! The water is perfect in Kauai, and swimming is a great option as well.
The Best Beaches in Kauai
- Poʻipū Beach (South Shore)
- Hanalei Bay (North Shore)
- Tunnels Beach (also known as Mākua Beach — North Shore)
- Kēʻē Beach (North Shore / End-of-the-road near Haʻena)
Water conditions on Kauaʻi vary a lot by season and area. Some beaches (especially on the North Shore) are perfect in summer but can be rough or even dangerous in winter.
For snorkeling: Tunnels Beach, Poʻipū Beach, Kēʻē Beach tend to offer the best underwater experiences.
For families or casual swimmers, Poʻipū Beach is generally the safest bet as there are lifeguards on duty.
For scenery, solitude, or a more “wild coastline” vibe: Kēʻē Beach and Māhāʻulepū Beach stand out.
9. Mountain Tubing
If you want to try something unique and really fun, book a mountain tubing tour.
We went mountain tubing in Kauaʻi, and it was such a cool experience. The course follows old irrigation ditches and tunnels that were carved into the mountains in the 1870s to bring water to the sugarcane fields.
With a headlamp strapped on, you hop into an inner tube and float gently down the mountainside, drifting through lush scenery and historic hand-dug tunnels. It’s an adventure you will love.
10. Eat Local
When you visit Kauai you need to try some of the local favorites. We had to get shaved ice, and it did not disappoint! We tried some of the local foods when we attended the luau as well. We also found a cute ice cream shop called Lapperts. It was very good.
Local Food to Try in Kauai
- Shaved Ice
- Poke
- Kalua Pork
- Malasadas
- Macadamia Nut Treats
- Mai Tai (Virgin)
- Dole Whip
Things to Do in Kauai
Are you ready to do all of the fun things in Kauai? I hope these options gave you a little idea of some of the fun stuff you can book and explore while visiting Kauai!
Have so much fun!
See More of Hawaii
I love exploring all of Hawaii. We have been to almost every island! We can’t wait to go back and explore them all!
Have fun in paradise! I have you covered if you are looking for more things to do in Oahu with kids or just a great one-week in Oahu itinerary. We loved snorkeling in Oahu, especially at Hanauma Bay. Pearl Harbor is also amazing.
We also loved doing all the things on the North Shore including the Polynesian Cultural Center, Jurassic Adventure, Dole Pineapple Plantation!
I also can help you with what to pack for Hawaii and finding the best family resorts on Oahu.
Also, you may be interested in my One Day in Maui itinerary, or my crazy experience driving in Maui on the road of death, if you decide to island-hop to Maui.
Don’t forget your Hawaii Souvenirs!
Facebook Community
If you have any questions, be sure to join my Facebook Travel Community . This great community can help answer any questions you may have about your upcoming trips. Plus, I try to add any great deals or promotions that companies send me!
