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Aptly nicknamed the Garden Isle, the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi is filled with natural beauty, from the stratified walls of Waimea Canyon to the carved cliffs of the Na Pali Coast and the serene waters of Hanalei Bay.
And while this incredible landscape with all its flora and fauna is the main draw of this sleepy, slow-paced island, it's worth carving out pockets of time during your outdoor adventures to discover food truck finds and farm tours, locally made rum tastings and ancient Hawaiian ruins. We've got everything you need to know about visiting Kauaʻi for the first time.
Despite being the rainiest of all of the Hawaiian Islands, there really isn’t a bad time to visit Kauaʻi. After all, the abundance of rain brings a whole lot of greenery! That said, winter is the rainiest season of all and storms can put a damper on morning hikes and afternoon beach visits. Instead, visit during shoulder season – March to May and October to November – for smaller crowds, lower prices, and (more) sunny skies.
Even though Kauaʻi isn’t all that large, it’s jam-packed with things to do. You’ll need at least three days just to check out the highlights, including Waimea Canyon State Park, Koke‘e State Park, the Na Pali Coast and Old Town Kapa‘a.
Ideally, you’ll have time to stick around for a week or longer, so you can explore beyond the must-sees. Hike along the Maha‘ulepu Heritage Trail, take a chocolate tour at Lydgate Farms, try taro-based sweets from Holey Grail Donuts, and laze on the shores of Hanalei Bay, just to start.
There is only one commercial airport on Kaua‘i – Lihue Airport (LIH). While there are some direct domestic and international flights, odds are you’ll have to connect through the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu before flying to the Garden Isle.
Once you officially land on Kauaʻi, you’ll likely need a rental car for most, if not all, of your stay. While there is The Kauaʻi Bus, the public bus system, it can be quite slow and it doesn’t travel to several main attractions like Waimea Canyon State Park, Koke‘e State Park, and Ha‘ena State Park (the Na Pali Coast and Kalalau Trail entry point).
Essentially one park split into two, both Waimea Canyon State Park and Koke‘e State Park can’t be missed. Drive along the scenic Waimea Canyon Drive until you hit Waimea Canyon, where the incredible Waimea Canyon Lookout and two-mile Waipo'o Falls Trail await.
Soon enough, Waimea Canyon Drive merges with Koke‘e Road, taking you to Koke‘e State Park. There, make stops at the Kalalau Lookout and the Pu‘u o Kila Lookout for jaw-dropping views. If the weather conditions are right, tackle the gorgeous Awa‘awapuhi Trail to get your blood pumping.
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