I’ve been to Kauai many times and wanted to share what were the top things you can do on the island.

Kauai’s Northshore

Kīlauea light house

Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is located near Princeville on the Northshore. It’s a sanctuary for many species of birds and plants. The lighthouse was built in 1913 to help navigate ships and houses one of the only Fresnel Lenses in the world.

It’s important to get there during business hours and not 15 min before they close since you need at least 15 min to walk out to the lighthouse. Due to COVID they are open Thurs- Saturday 10:00-4:00pm and they have implemented a timed entry reservation system in order to meet the CDC and state guidance. You can make your reservation ahead by clicking here. If you are Military or Veteran receiving Disability, you can get in FREE with the National Park pass. If you don’t have a pass you can purchase one when you get there. AD requires a CAC card and Veterans require their Retiree ID and Disability statement. Please visit the USGS website for FAQ’s on getting a park pass.

KILAUEA LIGHTHOUSE in Kalihiwai, Kauai, Hawaii

Queens Bath - Where is Queens Bath?

You won’t get help on directions from any hotel because Queens bath is a dangerous place during the Winter due to high waves. During the summer months there is an amazing set of tide pools that you can swim in that don’t open to the ocean. The views of the blue ocean, crashing waves and lava landscape are amazing. Queens bath is located at the top of Kapiolani Loop in a residential area. There are about 12 parking spots on Kapiolani Loop. Be prepared to walk about 1/2 a mile down and then 1/2 mile across uneven Lava. If you can’t park in the assigned parking lot then the next place you can park is on Ka Haku Road and you’ll have to walk in (see map second image). You cannot park in the neighborhood itself or they will tow. Bring tennis shoes to walk across the lava rocks and a backpack and water. Wear your swimsuit so you can go in the many wade pools like this one.

One of the many swimming holes at Queens Bath with a view of Bali Hai

Queens Beach swimming hole that opens to the Ocean (very dangerous in the Winter time)

Queens Bath legal parking areas on Kapiolani Loop and Ka Haku Road.

Hanalei Bay is probably the most beautiful beach in all of Hawaii! You can walk out to Hanalei pier from this point below which was originally used by rice farmers in 1860 to move their crops to market. This beach is almost 2 miles long and has spectacular Mountain (Mauka) views. “The Descendants” movie was filmed from the Hanalei Hale Nalu plantation located right on the Hanalei beach just down the way from the pier.

Hanalei Bay Resort is located on the Northshore in Princeville, Kauai. The view from the Happy Talk restaurant shows the pool that the Hanalei Bay resort guests enjoy with a stunning sunset view of Bali Hai in the background. It’s probably my favorite place to stay on all of Kauai.

Happy Talk restaurant view looking over Hanalei Bay Resort properties

Ke’e Beach is located in Ha’ena state park on the Northshore. You would drive as far as you could to the end where the Kalalau trail begins but since the devastating floods in 2018 they took away the parking and you have to make reservations on a shuttle prior to going out there. If you go to the Kalalau trails be advised you need a permit to camp if going further than Hanakapiai camp site.

Kauai’s South Shore

Poi’pu is one of Kauai’s top places to stay. And one of my favorite hikes is the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail. It starts at Shipwreck Beach and makes it’s way down the scenic Kawailoa Bay coast line. It’s about 4 miles roundtrip across sand and rock. It’s very hot and reminds me of the Kaena Point Hike in West Oahu. You’ll need several bottles of water and lots of sunscreen.

About 1 mile into the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail

On the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail you will pass the Ho‘oūlui‘a, an ancient fishing heiau (temple)

Don’t forget to watch the sunset from the popular Poi’pu beach park. Voted as one of the Top beaches in America, this popular beach is fun for body boarders and has a sandbar for smaller waves. The reef is protected well and provides a shallow swimming area that is great for toddlers.

The Spouting Horn in Poi’pu is just down the road from Poi’pu beach park. Surprisingly this “blow hole” can shoot up water pretty high when a large wave comes in. You’re not allowed down by the blow hole anymore but can view it from a higher elevation on a platform just above it.

Kauai’s West side

Koke’e National Park. The Kalalau Lookout is located in the Kokee National Park and is one of the most spectacular sites in West Kauai. Located just North of Waimea town, the Kalalau Lookout is located near the end of Waimea Canyon road at Mile Marker #18. Given that it’s 4000ft above sea level it is slightly cooler air and tricky to catch it on a sunny clear day. If you drive just a little further down the road is Pu’uokila lookout where the Pihea trail head starts but you want to hike it on a dry day because it can be quite muddy.

Pu’uokila Lookout is just a few minutes past the Kalalau Lookout stop.

Waimea Canyon State Park. The viewpoint from the Waimea Canyon lookout is called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” with it’s deep gorges and sweeping views. When it rains there are waterfalls everywhere you look across this 16 mile gorge.

Red Dirt Waterfall. This is your first pit stop on your way up to Waimea Canyon Park. You can pull over on the side of the road and walk over to the red dirt hill. The waterfall is made from iron rich basalt rock and has formed into this red hill with a natural waterfall. The color is spectacular.

Kalalau Valley from the Napali Coast tour. I highly recommend you do a boat tour that takes you to by the Kalalau valley and along the Napali coast. The beaches you pass by are uninhabited and only reachable by boat or by the difficult Kalalau trail. The Napali coastline is 16 miles long and has great snorkeling, waterfalls and sea caves. It’s not to be missed! The close boat sails out of Port Allen near Hanapepe and Waimea in West Kauai.

Kids having fun sailing at 16 knots on the Napali Coast tour

Kauai’s East side, Kapa’a and Lihue

Wailua Falls Kapa’a on the East side of Kauai. It’s a 20 min single lane road to get to Wailua Falls from Kuhio Highway. The Wailua falls are really quite a sight to see but from afar. There’s a way to hike down to the falls but the hike is actually closed since the 2018 devistating floods. however, you’ll see people going down there anyways at their own risk. You’ll see why it’s closed as there are large logs and debris that has blocked a safe way down to the falls. There are very few parking spots so you’ll have to go early to get there.

Wailua River. Along the Wailua River below you can rent kayaks and go down the river. There are several kayak rental places just off Kuhio Highway in Kapa’a. This view is not to be missed.

Poliahu Heiau near Wailua Falls. The “Heiau” Is a sacred site (temple) to the Hawaiian people and Wailua Valley has a complex of Heiau’s. Many generations ago each stone was brought by hand up to this bluff from the Wailua River below. Ceremonies and rituals were held here and what you see standing is what is left of a structured thatched house. This is a very interested site along the Wailua river trail.

Hokuala Kauai Ocean golf course in Lihue overlooking Kalapaki beach. If you drive past the Kauai Marriott and Beach Club in Lihue and go up the hill and park on the left side in the public parking spots when it’s not busy like this. You can get this amazing panoramic view of Kalapaki Beach and the lighthouse. You’ll see locals fishing down by the lighthouse and small boats sailing in the harbor. Lihue, Kauai is not to be missed!

West Kauai

Hanapepe Town. If you are driving to Waimea Canyon or stopping at Port Allen to get on a boat tour you might want to stop at Hanapepe Town for a bite to eat and walk across the Swinging bridge that was built in 1911 for residents to cross the river. The kids will love it!

Mahalo for reading! I hope you enjoyed this.

My next article will be on the Top sites to see on Maui later this month. Aloha and see you soon. Be sure to check out my other Hawaii Military Life blogs.

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