Got a trip planned to Oʻahu—but want to visit Kauaʻi, too? I don’t blame you. Kauaʻi is one of my favorite places to visit, especially when I want to decompress and relax. It’s a great island for exploring, with miles of uncrowded hiking trails and secluded beaches. If you’re planning to spend at least a […]
It’s not every day you walk through a forest of Honduras mahogany trees in Hawai‘i—or anywhere, really. And yet, here we are, standing among more than 85,000 of these trees, planted in perfect rows on the Wai Koa Plantation, a 500-acre working farm on the north shore of Kaua‘i. Wai Koa is the largest mahogany
Kauaʻi’s East Side is known as the Royal Coconut Coast for the groves of coconut palms that grace the coastline. Visitors like its central location; it’s only 15 minutes from Līhuʻe and an hour from Kaua‘i’s North Shore or the west side. This is the most populated district on the island, with about 16,000 of
Just getting to Kauaʻi is expensive. Airfare, car rental, hotel rooms. We get it. But there’s lots to do on the Garden Isle that won’t cost you a thing. 1. Hit the Beach Most beaches in Hawaiʻi are free to visit. (There are some exceptions, including Hāʻena State Park on Kauaʻi’s North Shore, which now
The quaint Kauaʻi town of Kōloa stretches from Old Kōloa Town all the way to Poʻipū on the island’s sunny south shore. It was the site of Hawaiʻi’s first commercial sugar mill, which opened in 1835, and its rich history is evident all around the small town. Walk around and see cute boutiques and art
Hiking is one of my favorite ways to explore the place I’m visiting. It’s a great way to learn about and appreciate its unique natural environment—and burn calories, too. (Because eating is my second favorite thing to do!) Kauaʻi boasts miles of trails, from hikes to waterfalls to paths meandering through majestic mahogany trees. Here
In 2002 Ed Justus took a chance. At 18, the Virginia native visited Kaua‘i and fell so in love with the place that he extended his visit. He moved around the island—from Kalāheo to Kapa‘a to Hanapēpē—and paid rent during that time by scouring nearby garage sales for rare items and selling them on eBay.
I had a lot of questions. How cold is the water? How long is the drive? Am I going to freak out in the tunnels? Our guide answered all of my questions—“not very,” “not far,” “no worries”—before I hopped in the open-air, four-wheel-drive vehicle with my 6-year-old son to ride inner tubes down an old
From white sandy beaches to rocky and rugged coastlines, the Garden Isle is home to a diverse selection of breathtaking beaches. Our readers say that these five are the best beaches on Kaua‘i to visit on your next trip. Read More: Our 10 Essential Experiences on Kauaʻi 1. Poʻipū Beach Poʻipū Beach topped the list this
Kauaʻi Coffee Co. is no ordinary Hawaiʻi coffee farm. At over 3,000 acres in size and home to 4 million coffee trees, the locally owned and operated coffee farm continues to wow visitors and locals with its delicious-tasting coffee and engaging visitor experiences. It’s no wonder that Kauaʻi Coffee Company has taken home top honors
Kauaʻi may be the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands—but it’s also one of the most beloved by visitors. Everything about the island—its lushness, its uncrowded beaches, its laid-back vibe—makes for an idyllic Hawaiʻi vacation. But there are things that are unique to the Garden Isle—things you won’t find anywhere else in Hawaiʻi. Read More: Our
The forecast called for sunshine—after all, this was Kaua‘i—and we planned accordingly. That meant leaving rain jackets and backpack shells behind. Luckily, that was the only mistake we made that weekend. When I turned 40, my husband took me on a hiking adventure to Kaua‘i. We stayed in one of the rustic cabins at Kōke‘e
