Kauai holds such a special place in my heart. It was the first place Alex and I went on vacation together as a couple, and it’s also where we tied the knot in September 2019. We ended up doing a mini engagement shoot with our wedding photographer in Kauai a few days before the wedding, and I could not recommend a pre-wedding shoot enough! You can read more about my experience with my wedding photographer here.

Kauai is hands down one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It’s very small, about 25 miles wide and 33 miles long and can be driven in under three hours. The laid back vibe, delicious food, and unbelievable natural beauty are expected, but it’s also a place where you can reconnect with nature and yourself. The beauty of Kauai is you can have as much of a relaxing or active trip as you like! It’s an incredibly therapeutic and healing place.

I love sharing my recommendations for how to explore this amazing island and since I’ve provided tips to friends and families on multiple occasions, I decided to put them on the blog. I recommend adventurists rent a SUV or Jeep for off-road, off-the-beaten path experiences. Rental companies will not cover insurance for any damage as a result of off-roading, which is often the route you must take to get to the best secret beaches. Without further ado, here are a few of my favorite things to do on Kauai.

Beaches

+ Hanalei Beach is the largest beach in the Hanalei/Princeville area on the North Shore. It is a long, scenic beach with shallow waters perfect for floating around and swimming, with incredible mountain views. A walk on the Hanalei Pier is a must and it’s also a great place to catch the sunset.

+ A bit tricky to find, Secret Beach (otherwise known as Kauapea Beach) is located between Kalihiwai Bay and Kilauea Point and accessible via a short trail alongside private property. Alex and I had our mini-engagement shoot here! Once you get there, you can enjoy an expansive beach almost entirely to yourself. The waters are a bit rough, so it’s best to hang out on the beach.

+ Shipwreck Beach is accessible via a roughly one mile, bumpy dirt road past the Grand Hyatt Kauai. Once you get to the parking area at the end of the road there is a short walking path to the beach where you'll find a swing tied to a tree, calm waves, and empty beaches. Alternatively, you could hike the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail which is a coastal hike that takes you toward Shipwreck Beach and passes by sand-dune cliffs, Kiawe trees, limestone formations and rocky inlets that are an occasional safe haven for marine life like sea turtles and the Hawaiian Monk Seal.

+ Lawai Beach is a small cove for snorkeling where you'll see amazing sea life from fish to starfish to small octopus if you're lucky. Pick up your gear from one of the various snorkel rental shops in Poipu.

Hikes

+ Sleeping Giant Trail (otherwise known as Nounou Mountain Trail) is a popular hike among locals and visitors with beautiful 360 degree views of the eastern side of the island. The switchback hike is about 3 miles roundtrip with increased elevation on the way up. The hike is easy to access and there is a parking lot right at the trailhead. It's a great workout, and the view is worth it.

+ Queen's Bath is a natural enclosed pool area formed by rock lava and the ocean. It is accessible via a 15 minute hike from a small parking area on the edge of Princeville. Expect to see sea turtles floating near the rock lava shelf and beautiful views of the north shore coastline! Make sure to gauge the safeness of the area if you decide to jump in.

+ Waimea Canyon is a must-see when you’re on Kauai. The rusty red canyon is full of waterfalls and hikes and views for miles. We did the Cliff/Canyon Trail which is about 4 miles roundtrip. The hike takes you deep through jungly terrain, and takes you to a viewpoint in the middle of the Canyon over a waterfall. The hike can be treacherous, muddy, and wet, and you have to be very careful at the viewpoint area. But it’s absolutely magical and 100% worth it!

Sights

+ Great for a quick roadside stop, the Kilauea Lighthouse sits above a beautiful bay where you'll see native bird species flying overhead and around the water.

+ Wailua Falls is a 173 foot waterfall located near Lihue that feeds into the Wailua River. It's an incredible sight to see, rain or shine. You can drive to the top for overhead views, or you can even join a guided kayak tour that takes you from the mouth of Wailua River toward the falls. It’s best to do a guided kayak tour because the sandbar from the river that leads up to the falls can be hard to find, but it’s one of the most amazing things you can do, in my opinion!

+ Spouting Horn is a fun roadside stop where you'll see water shooting through rock lava tubes like a geyser. Half of the fun is the anticipation of the next geyser-like spout from each incoming wave that can reach heights up to 50 feet.

Keep reading in Part II for my tips on where to find my favorite places to eat and drink and also enjoy a bit of the local scene.