The Top Things to Do in Kauai Depending on Your Travel Style

Kauai’s natural beauty alone makes it a setting that’s ripe for romance. Add to that the fact that fewer crowds (compared to some of the other main Hawaiian islands) means more privacy, and trying new teamwork activities like outrigger canoe paddling that facilitates bonding, and you’ve got the ideal elements for a romantic getaway.

While there are no adults-only hotels on Kauai, you can ensure more adults-only experiences by inquiring about honeymoon and romance packages, choosing hotels like 1 Hanalei Bay that feature an adults-only pool, and booking activities, such as rum tasting at Koloa Rum Co., that have an age minimum and are geared toward adults. Consider splurging on special experiences such as couples’ spa treatments, a private boat charter excursion, or a catered sunset picnic on the beach.

Kauai’s slower pace, rugged terrain, and abundance of kid-friendly activities make it a popular place for outdoorsy families. When planning a family vacation or multigenerational trip to Kauai, you can choose a family-friendly resort like the Grand Hyatt Kauai that has a waterslide and a kids club program with hands-on arts and crafts that are popular with the little ones. Or, if you’re looking for a higher-end experience and residence-style accommodations complete with a kitchen for cooking together (or for hiring a private chef), opt for a luxury property like Timbers Kauai or The Lodge at Kukui`ula. Inquire about on-site complimentary activities, such as hula, to keep the whole family entertained, and always ask about any age restrictions before booking tours and activities.

As a popular family vacation destination, Kauai might not seem like the best place for solo travelers. But a little bit of pre-trip planning can make a big difference. If you’re seeking solitude, you can find it—especially on the quieter North Shore, lesser-frequented hiking trails, and more remote beaches. On the other hand, if you’re the kind of solo traveler who prefers to mingle, it’s wise to book guided group activities and choose hotels in the heart of the action, such as Ko`a Kea Resort in Po`ipu, where you can sunbathe, snorkel, and strike up a conversation with other beachgoers at popular Po`ipu Beach.

If you’re planning to enjoy Kauai’s natural environment on your own, be sure to check the weather, trail, and ocean conditions. Rip tides, flash floods, and other facets of the environment can be dangerous and even deadly. Only set out alone on outdoor activities if you are an experienced hiker and swimmer, and always go prepared with appropriate gear, food, and water.

Kauai is an ideal place for a holistic reset. You can nourish your body with farm-and-ocean-to-table eats, invite healing through traditional treatments like lomi lomi massage, and nurture the land and your connection to it through volunteer activities, such as beach cleanups with the Surfrider Foundation and restoring native forests and fishponds with the Waipa Foundation.

If you prefer a guided and more structured approach, inquire with your hotel about wellness packages and upcoming retreats. And if it’s your first time dabbling with wellness travel, don’t be shy; properties with on-site spas, like The Hi`ilani Spa at Kukui`ula (that includes a refreshing multi-step water ritual), are happy to suggest treatments and activities based on your specific needs.

Between the flights and the high cost of island life, Kauai is not a budget destination. But there are ways to reduce costs. Avoid peak periods that include holidays and the summer season, and travel in shoulder months like September when availability and prices may be more favorable. Pack your own water bottle, snorkel gear, and reef-safe sunscreen, and you can avoid paying island prices for these items. When you arrive in Lihue, shop for snacks and other supplies; you’ll find larger stores and more options here.

Eat at food trucks and other casual restaurants. Forego the beachfront resorts and consider more budget-friendly hotels on the eastern part of the island. While it is ideal to have a car on Kauai, compare the cost of a car rental versus guided tours that include transportation; car rentals are a big expense and, depending on your itinerary and hotel location, you may find forfeiting the freedom of a car rental is worth the savings.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to elevated experiences on Kauai. See the island’s waterfalls, canyons, and 4,000-foot sea cliffs on a private small plane or helicopter tour. Stay in style at a 5-star property. Unwind with a private yoga session or massage on the beach.

Charter a boat and sip champagne while cruising the Na Pali Coast. Dine on fresh seafood with sunset views at one of Kauai’s best open-air restaurants, such as Hualani’s or Merriman’s. Renting a vacation home doesn’t have to mean missing out on luxury hotel services; you can still arrange for a private chef, masseuse, butler, luau show, and more.

Thrill-seekers will find opportunities for adventurous activities by land and sea. The biggest challenge might be paring down your list (or extending your trip!) to fit it all in. You can learn to surf, tackle the famous Kalalau Trail, kayak the Wailua River, try skydiving, take a Zodiac tour to sea caves along the coast, and more. If you’re interested in seriously leveling up your skills, you can also get dive certified at Dive Kauai Scuba Center or look into multi-day workshops and clinics, like Kukui`ula’s Outrigger Canoe Paddling Intensive. In all of the excitement of your adventure vacation planning, just don’t forget to leave some downtime to enjoy Kauai’s quieter moments, too.

There’s a lot to learn about this five million-year-old island, and understanding the history and culture will inevitably enhance your experience here. Take a self-guided stroll on the Hanapepe Historic Walking Trail. Attend a Hawaiian language, storytelling, hula, or ukulele workshop offered at your hotel. Embark on a narrated train ride through the island’s plantation era on the Kilohana Plantation Railway.

Book a guided hike that includes geological and historical insights. Check the Kauai Museum calendar and time your visit to join a lei-making, hula, or other cultural class after you check out the museum’s historic and cultural exhibits. If you don’t have a car, you can still hit some of the highlights, including an ancient fishpond, on the Trolley Stop Tour.

Humans aren’t the only ones drawn to Kauai. You can observe sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals basking on the beach and swim alongside the Humuhumunukunukuapua`a, Hawaii’s state fish, and other marine life while snorkeling or diving around Kauai.

Join the Holo Holo Super Tour for a chance to visit Lehua Crater off the coast of Ni`ihau, where you may spot manta rays, monk seals, and more in the clear waters. Go birdwatching with Kauai Hiking Tours, or take a guided trek along the North Shore and keep an eye out for sea turtles, red-footed boobies, and other wildlife. From November through March, humpback whales migrate through Hawaii and can be spotted on whale-watching tours and sometimes even from the shore.

While you may be eager to get closer to Kauai’s wildlife, always keep a safe distance, heed the instructions of guides and local authorities, and never touch or disturb wildlife. Some, like the Hawaiian monk seal, are endangered, and getting too close is not only potentially unsafe for you and stressful for them; it’s illegal.

With all of the island-grown and locally sourced food available on Kauai, you can plan a full itinerary of culinary activities. Start with a farmers’ market where you can sample a variety of fresh produce and local flavors in one place. Or take a deeper dive on a farm tour and gain an appreciation for Hawaii’s “canoe crops” that offer health benefits and hold cultural significance. Then get in the kitchen for a cooking lesson and learn to create Hawaiian dishes with these ingredients.

Head to a coffee or chocolate farm, where you’ll see (and taste!) how Kauai’s environment influences the quality and flavors. Satisfy your sushi cravings at Red Salt. Spend a day restaurant and food truck-hopping on a tasting tour of poke, plate lunches, and other ono grinds (delicious food). You can also schedule your trip around a culinary event, such as the Kauai Poke Fest at Koloa Landing or the Pa`ina with Kauai-born Chef Noelani Planas.