Magical, out of this world, and a unique place on Earth: these are standard definitions of the Hawaiian archipelago. After visiting Kauai, I can tell you that we are not even close to expressing the magnificence of these islands.
Our trip to Kauai actually lasted almost four days. However, we spent most of the time on the Kalalau Trail, which was our primary goal for this adventure. If you’re a hiker, check how the experience has been in this article.
This being said, I was already excited when I booked the trip, not realizing that just a few people have the opportunity to visit this remote gem. Looking forward to Kauai’s nature-oriented landscapes, we (me and my friend Diogo) left with high expectations. Spending a one-day road trip around the island was enough to say that we weren’t ready to be overwhelmed by the beauty and freedom of this incredibly green land.
Every spot is worth stopping (and full of chickens, more on that later), making you forget about all the trouble you’ve been through to get there – whether you fly from the other side of the planet or not. The weather in Kauai is a little crazy, but the frequent raindrops are short and perfect for taking a break from the tropical climate.
What you definitely need is a car, in my opinion. There are a few buses that run once in a while, but renting a vehicle means having your timetable and therefore having the opportunity to see different things during your stay. Isn’t it your main goal when visiting an amazing place?
I can’t wait to travel back there – I’d like to spend more days driving around because we missed so many unbelievable spots. Prepare the rain jacket, and hop on to explore the best of Kauai in one day!
Night arrivals are tricky
We left from Vancouver in the evening – just so you know, there are direct flights departing from there – and after six hours in the sky (Hawaii is further than everyone imagines!) we landed in the main airport of Kauai, close to the town of Lihue.
If you are staying in this cute village and willing to walk from the airport once you arrive, be rain jacket-ready when you drop off the plane! There is a main road connecting the terminals and the town core, which gives you around 30 minutes to approach the unpredictable climate and relaxing silence of this place at night.
At the same time, when landing on a late flight, the local restaurants will disappoint (or surprise?) you. Don’t worry; this is not because the food is awful! Unfortunately, the majority of the dining places close very early in the day in most of the island. Your options are either order in or there are well-known supermarkets to save your stomach!
Choose Lihue for a strategic stay
We decided to stay in Lihue for mainly two reasons. Firstly, there are no resorts here, which means cheaper accommodation. Kauai Palms Hotel is a bit vintage, but if you’re looking for something affordable (remember you’re traveling to Hawaii, though) it’s definitely for you!
The Wi-Fi works great, and there is plenty of parking. Also, the personnel are available for your needs most of the day. However, a room for two people may be too small sometimes. Speaking frankly, I do believe this is a good compromise if you are looking forward to saving money and you don’t mind being a little adventurous!
You should know that Lihue is located right between the North and the South of the island. Here is the second reason why we stayed there, because if you have just one day to road trip your plan can be efficient and the exploration time optimized! You can choose one side of Kauai, have a pit stop at the town on the way back, and drive to the other side. This is more or less what we’ve done (more on that in the next paragraphs).
Early mornings in Kauai are amazing. Whether it’s raining or the sun is shining, you feel so at peace and ready to dive into the green forests that surround you. Still hungry from the night before, we looked around to find a place for a bite.
Kauai Diner is super close to the motel and opens very early (5:30 AM!). Here you can have a delicious savory breakfast with a taste of authentic Hawaiian. Served by a gentle but gruff woman, we felt this was the perfect spot to fully charge our batteries and be prepared to explore!
Wailua and wild chickens
Heading North for your morning trip is, in my opinion, the wisest choice. There are many awesome spots along the way, and since you’re full of energy, you’d better visit this part of the island first! After stopping by a market to grab some food – always looking at the wallet – we pointed to Wailua.
Besides stunning waves and resorts on the beach, Kauai offers even more when you drive towards the inland. Your first stop should be Wailua River and its lookout (you can find it as Poliahu Heiau on Google Maps). Here, you are astonished by the nature surrounding the water. If it’s raining, the contrast between the grey clouds and the green forests makes you feel so tiny compared to the wonderful landscape spreading in front of you. And if your trip is longer, you can rent a kayak and paddle on the river!
But you’re not alone there… May the chickens be with you! One thing you’ll quickly notice is that wild hens are
Literally.
Everywhere.
The local lore tells that the hurricanes that happened in 1982 and 1992 destroyed domestic coops. Hence, the chickens were released into the jungles and they mated with the wild red junglefowl – which was brought by the Polynesian. The result is feral chickens invading the island – they’ll definitely wake you up at 5 AM!
Wailua has another couple of beautiful spots worth the ride. Just a few hundred meters after the river’s viewpoint, head to Opaeka’a Falls lookout. These waterfalls are the most accessible on the island, and there is even a tour including the beautiful Fern Grotto if you have room for some extra-budget exploration.
Keep roaming inland and you’ll end up experiencing a taste of Indian culture in Hawaii. Yes, that’s right! Kauai’s Hindu Monastery rises at the beginning of the Rudraksha Forest with its traditions and peaceful environment. Meditation rooms are available to relax and live something special, and the rain makes it even more magical. We were lucky enough to assist to a holy celebration, but be aware: you must keep your mouth shut while watching it! This place is worth the visit, and keep in mind that it’s open in the mornings only.
Where to stop along the road
With sun and rain fighting over each other every 15 minutes – no kidding! – we continued heading up North and reached the biggest city on the island: Kapaa. Here you can find markets, souvenir shops, and a few accommodations – including cheap hostels.
There were many spots for camping gear rental as well, which was what we needed for the following days. Anyway, we decided to keep driving and leave the town vibes for later. Before leaving Kapaa, though, you should stop at Kaiakea Point. From here, you can admire the infinite ocean and Kauai’s coastline towards the South.
The Kuhio Highway is where you’re going to wander most of the time. We were astonished by this scenic route, where nature reigns and your eyes are constantly wide open. After enjoying quite a long drive, your next must-see spot is Kilauea Lighthouse, located in the homonym village.
You can visit this solitaire watchtower twice per week with guided tours, which will help you out figuring the history behind this landmark. However, you must book in advance (here if you’re interested). Unfortunately, we didn’t know that, so we just stared at the vertiginous cliffs and smiled at the overwhelming amount of birds flying around. This is why the lighthouse area is perfect for bird watching, too!
Be aware that there is no phone reception in this remote area.
Don’t forget to wave around this little town if you have some extra time! Chill vibes will surround you, and you’ll get to know local history.
Time for some good food and beaches
All this exploration requires a pit stop to satisfy your tongue, right? Well, the food trucks in Hanalei will probably attract your inner foodie. This village is a great destination for five-star hotels and resorts facing the ocean. At the same time, you’d rather stay up next to the highway to taste some delicious local plates!
Grab some lunch at Fresh Bite Farm To Beach, and you won’t be disappointed. Among the huge variety of choices, the bowls with fresh (it’s in the name, no?) ingredients are a must. We had veggie meals containing avocado, mango, and other locally grown plants. Unbelievably tasty and natural, this is an incredible opportunity to finally have a fantastic Hawaiian meal!
If you look around and walk a few steps, you’ll find yourself absorbed by traditional delicacies and cute (but pricey) shops. Feel free to take some rest in the area, but there is one spot left further up North you should visit.
What we did was go back to the car and leave Hanalei’s peculiar vibe for later on our way back. Your choice, of course!
You’re in Hawaii, a well-known beach paradise. It’s time to stop by one of the beaches in North Kauai, and your eyes might catch Lumaha’i Beach. This wild strip of gold sand is the perfect spot to enjoy Kauai’s spectacular nature and chill out a little.
Lumaha’i River crosses this place, allowing you to have a dive in a mix of salty and stream water. You know, the ocean is kind of dangerous, especially due to the crazy weather conditions on the island. Black rocks are waiting for you to be climbed – you can spot vivid sea life here, including crabs and birds. Also, you can look deep into your soul and be inspired by the landscape in front of you.
Back to Hanalei for shaved ice
At this time, you are probably wondering if you will make it to the South before the end of the day. I know, every spot is worth stopping and time is so tight!
Either way, you should stop at Hanalei again on your way back (if you didn’t before). The temperatures are high in the afternoon, so what about something refreshing? Wishing Well Shave Ice offers different choices for one of the most “I’d like to cool down” snacks I’ve ever had. Shaved ice is a big thing in Kauai, and it comes in rainbow colors to satisfy not only your thirst, but also your eyes!
After a quick walk around the cozy shops of the upper town, you realize the clock is ticking. Let’s head back to the car for a long drive towards South Kauai, then!
Kapaa and a quick look at Southern Kauai
While enjoying the road trip on the Kuhio Highway, Kapaa is waiting for a little exploration. There is a market where you can grab some food to save on dinner and snacks. Feel free to check out all the souvenir shops, and the handmade creations of local people. Although undoubtedly fantastic, they are very expensive and not suitable for your financial plan – at least they weren’t for us.
If you’re running out of time – like we did – your final destination must be Waimea and its amazing canyon. Located in the very far South, the main attraction of this village is the inland’s rocky formation.
There is a steep and scenic road – don’t worry, car-suitable – starting from the town and leading to the canyon. The perfect time to arrive here is at sunset. Your best plan should be to drive up to the canyon viewpoint, take some awesome pictures, and admire the vastness of this place first.
Its mix of colors, combined with the river digging and waving between the rocks, makes this natural beauty one of the best spots in Kauai, in my opinion.
The sun is about to set, and you’re in the right place to end this incredible one-day journey. There are many lookouts on the way down, and you can simply stop at one of them to think about what you’ve just lived.
What an emotional dream this road trip has been!
Is this the most interesting itinerary?
Few would argue that the above described itinerary is the most naturalistic. The point is… I don’t think there is another way to define Kauai with a single word, honestly. Its beauty resides first and foremost in the green forests, wild beaches, waterfalls, and anything that Mother Nature built there.
On a side note, we do regret losing the opportunity to learn more about local history. In addition to the Kilauea Lighthouse guided tour, there is an interesting museum located in Lihue.
Kauai Museum shows plenty of information regarding the history of Kauai. From its discovery and the colonial period to native artifacts, this collection brings you back in time. The price is 15 USD – perhaps a bit expensive, but definitely worth the visit.
Keep in mind that the museum is open until 4 PM.
How do you find the time for this, though? Well, what I’d recommend would be giving up on either the local shops in Kapaa or optimizing the time in Hanalei (remember the double stop we made for lunch and then the shaved ice? You could make it all together!).
Talking about beaches instead, there is a wonderful spot up North – the very last strip of sand before the wilderness of the Kalalau Trail.
Tunnels Beach is known for snorkeling and its beautiful views of the Na Pali Coast. If you’re looking for wildlife underwater encounters, this is the place for you. Saving some time to drive up here might be a challenge, but you could always skip a couple of viewpoints along the way… You can stare at Jurassic Park’s (yes, one of the islands in the movie is Kauai) green mountains from this heavenly beach!
Final thoughts – is Kauai for you?
Wrapping up the best of Kauai in just one day wasn’t the easiest job of my life. If you’re an addicted hiker like me, you’d feel that you missed a lot of opportunities to explore the forests and the core of the island.
On the other hand, you might like to stop by more beaches and relax.
Again, Kauai is a natural paradise. If you’d like to feel like an adventurer who discovered the island for the first time, you could make the best out of the stunning spots in Kauai. Scenic views, infinite green forests, and numerous hikes should bring you to explore every single corner of this land.
The way people still treat their native place and their connection with it is incredible. Modernity is pulled aside here, and although some five-star accommodations are present, the main attractions of Kauai are its traditions and pristine environment.
What if you’re just looking to spend the whole time under the sun drinking some crispy cocktails? Well, this is not the Hawaiian paradise you’d expect. Your best bet would be either Honolulu – the most “contemporary” island – or Maui, with its mix of touristy locations and wild lands.
Personally, I fell in love with this place.
I know that it might be easy to say for me because I’m nature addicted. At the same time, I do believe many people will find Kauai to be the perfect match to actually experience something completely unique in this world.
This island helps you to reconnect with our planet and its people, far away from skyscrapers and businesses. There is something magical about Kauai, between its introspective journey and the power of nature that dominates it.
Roaming around this piece of land will be enough for you to understand its values and incredible history!
You’ll never guess it, but I will definitely be back here (lol). I’d like to explore more, learn even further, and live all the emotions that I’ve felt on that exciting day.
Our journey on the island wasn’t at its end, though. Check out our “beyond the fatigue and more” experience on the Kalalau Trail in this article!
When to visit Kauai
The best times to visit Kauai are definitely the shoulder seasons. Not only you can find great rates and the island is less crowded, but also the weather is typically better compared to other months.
This being said, please remember that you are traveling to a tropical land, which means occasional showers are often expected. For example, we went in April and the weather was a little crazy just the first day – with light rain every now and then, but it was more refreshing than annoying.
Wintertime (between November and March) is the wettest. In addition, I’d recommend avoiding going in December because the prices spike up.
How to get around
Well, you’re in North America. It is well-established that they’re not really inclined to public transport in general… Kauai is not an exception. As previously mentioned, your best choice is renting a car.
Unfortunately, it seems that the major rental companies have a monopoly on the islands. There are a few options online to get some quotes from “local” renters, but they’re not as cheap as you’d expect (whenever they don’t show the prices clearly, it stinks). At the same time, you can reserve vehicles for good rates by planning your trip ahead. Again, shoulder seasons bring many advantages to this, too.
Share your experience!
If you’ve ever been to Kauai, please hit me up here or on my social accounts! I’d love to know what I missed and if you’d like to go there after reading this post. I’d love to help!
Leave a Reply