Travel Guide | Kauai, HI
Although I’m partial to Maui, I love visiting Kauai! It is quiet and relaxing - perfect for a getaway with a 3 month old baby. Kauai has incredible hiking, beaches, and local food. Accommodation is pricey (possibly the most expensive island to stay on - I recommend finding an airbnb), but there are loads of activities and cheap eats.
Eat:
Da Crack Mexican Grinds (Koloa) - Simple and affordable mexican food served through a window. Easy grab and go food.
Scorpacciata Pizza (Lihue) - excellent wood fired pizza
Kauai Bakery & Coffee (Lihue) - best malasadas on Kauai
Java Kai (Kapa’a and Kilauea) - my favorite spot for healthy brunch and caffeine - the tropical waffles are a must!
Kauai Juice Co. (multiple) - the best cold pressed juice you’ll ever have!
Nourish Hanalei - healthy sweet & savory bowls served out of a shack overlooking the Hanalei valley. I could eat here daily!
Kalalea Juice Hale (Anahola) - Acai bowls, shave ice, fruity drinks. What else do you need in Hawaii?
Wishing Well Shave Ice (Hanalei) - classic hawaiian shave ice and acai bowls
AMA (Hanalei) - yummy ramen and steamed buns in a beautiful sit down restaurant, overlooking the mountains
Bar Acuda (Hanalei) - tapas, very popular sit down restaurant
Fresh Bite Kauai (Hanalei) - food truck serving healthy, fresh salads and sandwiches
Holey Grail Donuts (Hanalei) - food truck, unique flavored donuts
Cafe Turmeric (Hanalei) - also food truck serving authentic and cozy indian food
Porky’s Kauai (Waimea) - food truck serving affordable and gourmet hot dogs, sausages and sandwiches
The Fresh Shave (Koloa) - funky spot with delicious and natural flavors of shave ice
Koloa Food trucks - soo many good food trucks like Kickshaws, D Green’s BBQ, Taco Libre and Dim ‘N’ Den Sum. Something for everyone.
See & Do:
Beaches:
Tunnels Beach
Haena Beach
Ke’e Beach
Hanalei Beach
Hideaway Beach
Kauapea Beach
Shipwreck Beach
Poipu Beach
Salt Pond Beach
Polihale State Park Beach (requires 4WD)
Waimea Canyon State Park - a bit of a drive, but cool to see views of the Napali coast, waterfalls, and the “grand canyon of the pacific”
Napali Coast - do the full 11 mile each way trail or do a shorter day hike to a gorgeous beach. *be sure to reserve a pass to be able to hike and get a parking spot
Queen’s Baths - Natural tide pools carved into rock that you can swim in
Helicopter Ride - take a helicopter over Waimea canyon and Napali Coast. Worth every penny for the incredible views! I recommend the helicopter with the doors off for the full experience.
Captain Andy’s Sailing trip - go sailing along the majestic Napali Coast
Wailua Falls - you can walk down and swim under the waterfall
Ho’opi’i Falls Trail - hike and swim in the waterfall