Kauai is filled with wilderness reserves and hiking spots, like the Mahaulepu Heritage Coastal Trail. Michelle Mishina for Insider Kauai is filled with incredible activities for an outdoorsy vacation, from snorkeling to hiking. Here’s a list of must-do activities from a Hawaii local to help map out your travel itinerary.
Visit Insider’s hub for travel guides, tips, and recommendations As an Oahu local, I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Kauai more times than I can count. And every time I visit, I find new and incredible things to do. But my favorites are consistently Kauai’s outdoor activities.
After all, with the beautiful Na Pali Coast, the eye-catching Waimea Canyon, the beaches, the cascading waterfalls, and so much more, why would anyone on the island want to spend time indoors?Whether you’re ready to surf the waves or prefer a leisurely hike with unparalleled views, there’s an adventure for every visitor on Kauai. Here are the activities and experiences I recommend on the island. Soak up the sun at Polihale State Park.
Avoid the crowds by visiting Polihale State Park for much needed beach time. Michelle Mishina for InsiderNo trip to Kauai would be complete without a little beach time. On the west side of the island, Polihale State Park is a lesser-known shoreline with golden sand and incredible views of the Na Pali Coast.
So lay out your towel, take in the views, and soak up some vitamin D. Strong currents make swimming at Polihale State Park very dangerous, so I recommend staying out of the water during your visit to this beach. Four-wheel drive is recommended to reach Polihale State Park.
Some car-rental contracts even specifically prohibit driving to Polihale State Park because of the bumpy unpaved road. Hike through Waimea Canyon. Waimea Canyon was carved thousands of years ago by rivers flowing from Mount Waiʻaleʻale.
Tyler Sonnemaker/InsiderAlso known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon is one of the most beautiful landscapes on Kauai — and that’s saying something, considering all the island’s gems. There are a few ways to explore Waimea Canyon: You can drive up and take a peek at each of the lookouts, take to the skies in a helicopter tour, or explore on foot with a fantastic hike. I recommend the latter option, more specifically the moderate 3.
6-mile hike to Waipo’o Falls, starting in the Pu’u Hinahina parking lot. Not only will you get to explore the depths of the beautiful canyon, but you’ll get an incredible unobstructed view of the falls that you won’t get from the lookout points. Experience Hanapepe Art Night.
Hit the south side of Kauai for a night full of art and community. Michelle Mishina for InsiderThe adorable town of Hanapepe on Kauai’s southern shore is just 1 square mile, but it’s packed with gems. I love to pop into Talk Story Bookstore for a new book, walk across the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge, and sit down for a bite at Japanese Grandma’s Cafe.
Hanapepe is also the place to be on Friday nights, when Hanapepe Art Night takes place from 6 to 8 p. m. Not only do the cute stores stay open late, but this weekly event draws in talented local artists and sponsors live music.
Explore and hike Kokee State Park. Hike the Kalalau Trail along the coastline in Kokee State park. IndustryAndTravel/ShutterstockIf you’re already at Waimea Canyon, I highly recommend continuing down Kokee Road until you reach Kokee State Park.
This park is known for its incredible views, particularly of the Pacific Ocean and the Na Pali Coast. There are a couple ways to explore Kokee State Park. If you want to take things easy, just stop by the two viewpoints, Kalalau Lookout and Pu’u O Kila Lookout.
If you’re looking for an activity to get your blood pumping, I recommend hiking the moderate six-mile Awa’awapuhi Trail, which boasts breathtaking views. But check the weather first: Muddy conditions make this hike much more difficult than it needs to be. Say hello to animals at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.
For animal enthusiasts, the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is a must-stop. Michelle Mishina for InsiderHawaii is home to its fair share of endangered animals. Though I’ve lived in Hawaii practically my whole life, I still get excited every time I see a nene goose, a Hawaiian green sea turtle, or a Hawaiian monk seal.
So you can imagine how thrilling it is to visit the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, a protected piece of land on the North Shore that has all these wonderful animals, a lighthouse, and more. Make sure to book a timed-entry reservation. Go mountain tubing in the Wailua River Valley.
Take a guided tubing tour down the winding Wailua River. Khallies/Shutterstock. With the shining sun and calming water, a lazy river is the perfect combination of outdoor fun and relaxation.
Kauai Backcountry Adventures puts a new spin on a classic lazy river with guided mountain tubing in the Wailua River Valley. On the tour, you’ll float down a historic sugar-plantation irrigation system, make your way through tunnels, learn about Kauai’s sugar-plantation history, admire the beautiful mountains in the distance, and maybe even get serenaded with a ukulele performance. The company provides helmets, headlamps, and lunch during the three-hour excursion.
Kayak to Secret Falls. Uluwehi Falls aka Secret Falls is set among lush mountains in Kauai. Mark Wilson/500px/Getty ImagesDespite its name, Secret Falls — properly known as Uluwehi Falls — isn’t really a secret anymore.
But it’s still definitely worth a visit. To reach this 100-foot waterfall, you’ll need to kayak on the Wailua River. When you reach the end, not only will you feel like an Olympic athlete (thanks to the arm and core workout), but you’ll get to gape in awe at the picture-perfect cascade surrounded by greenery.
It’s a pretty great reward, in my opinion. While you can technically do this on your own, it’s a whole lot easier to go on a tour with Kayak Wailua. Hike the Mahaulepu Heritage Coastal Trail.
Mahaulepu Heritage Coastal Trail is a hike filled with unbeatable views. Michelle Mishina for InsiderThe Mahaulepu Heritage Coastal Trail may be one of the most underrated things to do on Kauai. While hikes on Kauai can be quite difficult, the Mahaulepu Heritage Coastal Trail is easy.
Other than the initial few steep steps, the two-mile path (four miles total, there and back) is relatively flat. There’s so much to see as you walk along this path. You’ll be stopping every two minutes to search for humpback whales in the distance, check out hidden ancient petroglyphs, admire rare ilima blossoms, and take pictures of the gorgeous Pacific Ocean.
Sail and snorkel along the Na Pali Coast. Spend a day on the Na Pali Coast and catch a glimpse of local marine life. Alexander Demyanenko/ShutterstockIf there’s one thing you can’t miss on Kauai, it’s the Na Pali Coast.
This stunning mountain range is known for its thriving greenery, deep crevices, and dozens of waterfalls. There are a few ways to see the Na Pali Coast: on foot, by air, or by water. I recommend the latter, specifically with Capt Andy’s boat-tour company.
You’ll get to see the gorgeous mountains above the surface and marine life like spinner dolphins below it. The company offers a variety of tours, from two hours on a whale-watching raft or a full-day six-hour expedition, as well as sunset dinner and BBQ sails. Visit the Kauai Community College farmers’ market.
The Kauai Community College farmers’ market is the perfect place to find fresh produce on the island. Michelle Mishina for InsiderIf you’re looking for fresh produce and unique products from local vendors, the Kauai Community College farmers’ market is arguably the best on the island. It’s home to all sorts of local goodies — tropical fruits, blooming flowers, freshly baked bread, and delicious lumpia are just the start.
The market is held weekly on Saturdays. View Insider’s comprehensive guide to visiting Kauai, Hawaii. Read the original article on Insider.
From: insider
URL: https://www.insider.com/best-things-to-do-in-kauai-hawaii-hidden-hikes-beaches-snorkeling
