18 Top Kauai Packing List Items for 2023 + What to Wear & NOT to Bring

FAQs about travel in Kauai

• 1. What are the best beaches on Kauai?

  It’s probably no surprise that there’s a lot of competition for the best beach on Kauai. Poipu Beach is the most popular, and has a sandbar that divides a calm, protected cove from the busier areas. Hanalei Bay is definitely another contender, with soft white sand and great surfing for all levels. Nearby Tunnels Beach is renowned for its snorkeling and diving, as well as calm family-friendly waters.

  On the east side, Lydgate Beach Park is one of the island’s best snorkeling spots, thanks to a lava rock wall that creates a natural lagoon and shields the area from the open ocean. Kekaha Beach is a favorite local spot on the far west side of the island, though the winds and currents there can be strong. Lastly, you may recognize Lumahai Beach from the movie South Pacific, but although it’s stunning, the waters are typically too rough for swimming.

• 2. What are the top things to do on Kauai?

  Like Hawaii’s other main islands, there’s so much to experience on Kauai that it would be hard to ever get bored. Of course, spending time at the beach tops most visitors’ lists of things to do on Kauai, and the island offers a wide range of water activities – swimming, snorkeling, diving, surfing, and more. Inland, the Wailua River offers even more water activities, including rafting, kayaking, and water-skiing.

  Kauai also has some spectacular hiking, particularly along the Napali Coast and in Koke’e State Park and Waimea Canyon State Park. Even if you don’t go hiking, Waimea Canyon is a must-see for any visitor. Other top spots to see away from the beach include Limahuli Garden and Preserve, Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kilohana Plantation, and Grove Farm, as well as the unexpected Kauai Hindu Monastery. A scenic drive along the island’s north coast is another must, and if you can splurge on it, a helicopter tour over Kauai is truly the best (and most memorable) way to see the island.

• 3. How can I get to Kauai?

  Visitors generally arrive at Kauai’s only commercial airport in Lihue, located on the island’s southeast coast. The most convenient way to get to Kauai is on a direct flight from the continental US, and Lihue is served by flights from several West Coast cities. There are no international flights to Kauai, though, so if you’re coming from another part of the world, your itinerary will probably include a layover in Honolulu and a 40-minute inter-island flight.

• 4. What’s the best way to get around on Kauai?

  A car rental is easily the most convenient way to get around Kauai and will allow visitors the most flexibility and the chance to enjoy the island’s scenic drives. Otherwise, it’s possible – though pricey – to get around much of the island by taxi or Uber/Lyft. There’s also a public bus system, which travels the major highway between Kekaha and Hanalei with stops including Poipu, Lihue, Princeville, and Kapaa. The buses are not terribly frequent, though, and don’t access many parts of the island of interest to visitors, so be sure to check the routes and schedules ahead of time. Within Poipu, the Aloha Spirit Shuttle runs between the area’s various resorts and restaurants and is free.

• 5. Are there any safety concerns on Kauai?

  Visiting Kauai doesn’t require any special health or safety precautions beyond practicing common sense. Ocean and water safety are the main concerns, so be aware of the ocean conditions before you go for a swim. Hiking in Kauai can also be risky for those who aren’t prepared, and only the most experienced hikers should attempt the Kalalau Trail. Otherwise, there’s not much to worry about beyond standard precautions like locking up your valuables, parking in well-lit areas, and obeying local laws and posted signs.

• 6. What is the best time of year to visit?

  Weather-wise, Kauai is remarkably stable year-round, as average temperatures only fluctuate about 15 degrees throughout the year. Fall and winter are the rainiest seasons on Kauai, and high-season for tourism generally runs from December to March and again from July to August. To avoid both the crowds and the rain – and save some money, as flight and hotel prices tend to drop outside of peak season – late spring and early fall are the best times to visit.

• 7. Where should I stay on Kauai?

  Kauai’s most popular area for visitors is Poipu, though it’s also the most expensive. This town on the south shore is known for stunning beaches that are great for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and other water activities, and many of the island’s major resorts are found here. On the north shore, Hanalei is another of the most popular areas, thanks largely to the famed Hanalei Bay, which is often regarded as one of Kauai’s best beaches (and best surfing spots). The north shore is also home to Princeville, an upscale resort area with modern condo developments. Kauai’s eastern shore is known as the Coconut Coast for its groves of coconut palms, and Lihue and nearby Kapaa are the island’s main commercial hubs. The Old Town area of Kapaa is especially charming.

• 8. Where are the best viewpoints?

  There is no shortage of places to take in a great view on Kauai. The Hanalei Valley Outlook is one of the most photographed spots in the state, with its views of the valley, the coast, and the mountains. The drive along Waimea Canyon Road is one of Kauai’s most popular, and there are several different lookouts along the road. Kalalau Lookout is another top viewpoint on Kauai, and is one of the only places on the Napali Coast that’s accessible by road.

• 9. Is Kauai an expensive place to travel?

  Yes, in many ways it is. Geographic isolation means that Hawaiians depend on imports from the mainland for much of their goods and food products. A few kinds of products can be grown locally but most things have to be shipped at significant cost, which means they’re more expensive to buy. Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to make your trip cheaper! Below are some Kauai budget travel tips.

• 10. How can I travel on a budget on Kauai?

  As in the rest of Hawaii, there are many places to splurge for luxury on Kauai – but there are also plenty of options for traveling on a budget. If your schedule is flexible, visiting the island during low-season (spring and fall) will cut down on airfare and accommodation costs. No matter what time of year you visit, the good news is that Kauai tends to have slightly lower hotel prices than Hawaii’s other major islands. On Kauai, the cheaper hotels are farther from the beach and away from the popular tourist areas of Poipu, Princeville, and Hanalei.

  To save even more on accommodations, opt for a homesharing-style rental or one of the few hostels on the island, or consider camping for part of your trip. To stick to a tight food budget in Kauai, you can save significantly by eating at the island’s many food trucks or picking up groceries at a local supermarket. Restaurants outside of the tourist areas will also be much cheaper (food in Poipu is more expensive than anywhere else on the island). You might also consider renting a car for only the days you’ll really need it, and walking or taking the bus where possible. Lastly, don’t forget that many of the best things to do on Kauai – relaxing at the beach, hiking, taking in scenic views – are free.

• 11. How can I plan to hike the Kalalau Trail?

  The Kalalau Trail is an 11-mile (one-way) hike that gains a total of 5,000 feet in elevation, and is as stunning as it is treacherous. While the first few miles of the trail can be done as a day hike, the second stretch is only suitable for experienced hikers. The trail is extremely muddy, even during dry season, and sections of it are incredibly narrow with steep drop-offs. It also requires crossing Hanakapi’ai Stream, which can be fatal if the water is too high or flowing too fast.

  If you’re confident that you’re prepared for the challenge, plan to spend at least one night on the trail, preferably two, or even more if you have the time. Though many people camp illegally in this area, there are two designated campsites along the trail (at Hanakoa and Kalalau). Hiking the Kalalau Trail and camping at the campsites requires a permit, which must be obtained in advance. Make sure you bring camping gear, a waterproof cell phone, hiking poles, a water purification system, a fire starter, and a First-Aid kit.