KAUAI

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but some places give beholders more reason to appreciate them than others. Take Kauai. This lush, 533-square-mile Hawaiian Isle enchants visitors for many distinct reasons. Whether your dream day is kayaking off the Na Pali Coast or exploring Waimea Canyon—dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” by Mark Twain—the Garden Isle is for you. Beach lovers find its selection of strands irresistible, and divers can’t get enough of the warm waters off the shore.

Kauai is the oldest Hawaiian Island, nicknamed the Garden Isle, because it is lush and green. Every part of Kauai is worth visiting, and you’ll find numerous adventures to fill up your days on this magical Island.  

Kauai invites leisurely exploration. The Island’s one main road leads you effortlessly to beaches, towns, forests, and parklands. Throughout the day, your senses will awaken to a symphony of surprises: the extravagant palette of sunrise and sunset and the lush, green ramparts of the Na Pali Coast. From tranquil forests to contemporary luxuries, Kauai unfolds in a spectacle of nature. Bring your beach towel, bottled water, appropriate footwear, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Of course, don’t leave your camera behind. Here are just a few of the natural wonders waiting for you.  

WAIMEA CANYON
Waimea Canyon is a “scenic treasure,” its multi-colored rock walls provide a sight you won’t soon forget. Once you’ve astonished yourself with the views, you can picnic in the wildlands and walk a short nature trail (there is a longer, more challenging trail in the forest reserve adjacent to the canyon). Plummeting over three thousand feet at its deepest point, the 10-mile-long canyon is a rough, inhospitable cut—only goats and birds can manage the jagged terrain; the main overlook offers a sprawling landscape, where white-tailed birds soar overhead.  Hardy hikers may want to tackle the trails that zigzag down the canyon’s wall, while the Illau Nature Loop north of the lookout is an excellent path for casual strollers. 

KALALAU VALLEY LOOKOUT
Timing is everything at this 4,000-foot-high vantage point, where the vista is usually apparent in the early morning but obscured by mist and clouds by afternoon. Visitors often make the long ascent to Kalalau only to find the fabled view hidden by the clouds. But the effect is startlingly beautiful when clouds part—even if just for a moment.  

NA PALI COAST STATE PARK
The history of the area is as fascinating as the hike to it. Hawaiians lived here in large numbers from the 1400s through the 1800s. Later, a leprosy victim named Koolau hid from officials with his wife and child in the steep hills. Then, during the 1960s, Flower Children maintained the tradition by hiding from their families and the law in remote corners of the Na Pali Coast, building love shacks. Today, the area is a state park, but it’s still a place to go when you want to feel far away from the world you know. Be forewarned: The Kalalau Trail isn’t a cakewalk—even the first two miles require a lot of uphill walking. 

MANAWAIOPUNA FALLS
No bus tour or boat can take you to the location. A Kauai helicopter tour is the only way to see and reach these magnificent falls. Island Helicopters Kauai will give you an incredible view of the falls from the air and up close as the helicopter lands at the Falls. After landing, you can walk to the base of the Falls and learn about the history and other facts about the surrounding rainforest.

The air portion of the tour, called the Grand Skies Island Tour, will not only take you to the movie-famous Falls but also give you access to other sensational landmarks such as Waimea Canyon, Hanapepe Valley, Hanalei Bay and Valley, and the Mount Waialeale crater. Throughout the tour, you’ll learn Hawaiian history and local legends from your pilot as you fly over these must-see canyons, mountains, and cliffs. 

Island Helicopter Kauai also offers “Jurassic Falls.” This shorter flight, under an hour, does not include landing and provides a more budget-friendly experience. You’ll still experience the Jurassic movie while also seeing other popular sites, such as Waimea Canyon and the rugged Na Poli Coast cliffs and shoreline.  

FERN GROTTO
You come to Kauai for the tropical setting, and it doesn’t get more tropical than the famous Fern Grotto. Accessible by riverboat up the Wailua River, this hanging fern-covered lava rock cave is surrounded by other tropical foliage. After the boats land, you’ll walk through the jungle to an imposing cave filled with giant cascading ferns. Inside, the guides recount legends with background music. Musicians playing Hawaiian music display its acoustics, making it no small wonder that this natural wonder is among the top attractions on Kauai.

TREE TUNNEL
Driving under a canopy of Eucalyptus trees is a tropical experience not to be missed! As you travel to the south shore of Kauai, take this fantastic route. The sun reflecting off the more than 500 trees offers a picturesque scene that guides you to the southern part of the Island. There are several stops to learn about the Island, from ancient worship sites to its long sugar plantation history.

SPOUTING HORN
Once you reach Poipu on the South Shore, you’ll find what is known as one of the most photographed spots on Kauai: Spouting Horn. This blowhole among the crashing waves releases waters as high as 50 feet into the air! Stand on a guard-railed small hill overlooking the blowhole and join the countless others who have taken pictures of this grand sight. The blowhole results from the waters traveling through a natural lava tube below the surface, with compressed air forcing it upwards. The roar and hiss of the air accompanying the spraying waters make for an overall spectacular experience.

HANALEI BAY
A stunning, picture-perfect arc of sand cradled by the sharp flanks of Mount Waialeale, this beach is famous for picnics, catching the rays, and beach gatherings. It’s also a popular film location, and the movie South Pacific captured it in all its splendor. After days of adventures and hiking, it’s a welcome sight for many!

KILAUEA POINT NATIONAL
WILDLIFE REFUGE
Lighthouses are usually found in rugged, unspoiled areas, and this one is no exception. When the Kilauea Lighthouse on the National Register of Historic Places was built in 1913, it could be seen 20 miles from shore. The U.S. Coast Guard stopped operating when an automated light was installed in 1974; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now runs the 106-acre preserve. After a multi-million-dollar renovation, there are updated exhibits and a half-mile trail to a volcanic crater. Look for red-footed boobies and wedge-tailed shearwaters soaring above. Nature lovers will be thrilled as they spot humpback whales in winter.

MENEHUNA FISHPOND
According to legend, the Menehune were tw0-food-tall people who occupied Kauai long before the Polynesians and accomplished enormous physical feats, the remains of which are still visible. The Menehune are credited with making this mullet pond by building a 900-foot-long wall to cut off land in the Huleia River. Legend has it that a princess and her brother asked the Menehune to undertake this task, and they agreed if the two didn’t watch them build it. Naturally, they did watch, and quite unnaturally, they were turned to stone. The twin pillars near the fishpond are said to be curious siblings.

LUMAHAI BEACH
It’s one of the most photographed beaches in Hawaii, and you won’t be able to resist taking your own shot (or two)! There are two beaches; the one farther west is more challenging, especially if the surf is up. You’ll find Lumahai Beach off Kuhia Highway after Hanalei Bay, then follow the unmarked trail; the second beach is farther west by the river.  

For more information on Kauai, visit gohawaii.com/kauai