* Discover our favorite north shore beaches: Hanalei Bay for incredible beach walks, calm summertime swimming, and challenging winter surf breaks; Kalihiwai for family fun, with firm, level sand perfect for running, and river kayaking (in summer, you can kayak in the bay itself); Secret Beach for quiet seclusion, accessible only down a cliff side trail; Larsen’s Beach for lazy afternoons of beach combing; or Tunnel’s Beach for amazing snorkeling, best in summer or on calm winter days.
* Drive to the end of the road on the north shore. From Hanalei to Ha‘ena and then on to Ke‘e Beach, you will wind along a narrow road, at times crossing one lane bridges, at times hugging the cliff, or perched next to the sea. At road’s end, Ke’e Beach is a great spot for summertime snorkeling, and is also the trailhead for the Kalalau trail.

* Tour the Na Pali Coast. This spectacular wilderness area is one of the most beautiful places in the world – huge waves crash against jagged cliffs, and waterfalls plunge into the cobalt sea. See the whole Na Pali coast either by boat or helicopter. One gives you a bird’s eye view; the other takes you up close into sea caves and under sparkling waterfalls. If possible, try both.

* Hike the Kalalau Trail even if only for the first quarter mile. Experience the amazing Na Pali cliffs from a narrow footpath winding through tropical trees and streams along the coastline. Seasoned hikers can forge ahead to Hanakapi‘ai Beach, Hanakapi‘ai Falls, or beyond.

* Snorkel with Kauai’s fish: Poipu Beach on the south, Lydgate Park on the east, and on the north, Tunnels (best in summer or calm winter days) and Ke‘e Beach (summer only). Or try scuba diving. Gregg Winston at Watersports Adventures, an excellent scuba teacher and pro guide, can coax even the most timid first-timers into the water and on to adventure.

* Escape to a hidden beach, perhaps Secret Beach, Larsen’s, or Kilauea (north shore); Maha‘ulepu Beach (south shore); the long beach walk south of Lydgate Park (eastside); or Pakala’s (also called Infinities) (westside).

* Sunrise, sunset: In summer, head north to one of our favorite beach overlooks, or visit the Princeville Hotel, watch the sun set into the ocean (summer) before a leisurely dinner in Hanalei. In winter, try the Beach House Restaurant in Poipu, or drive father west to the beach at Kekaha. At sunrise, walk the beach south of Lydgate Park on the eastside.

* Drive to the end of the road on the westside. See spectacular Polihale Beach, miles of white sand and a limitless horizon against tall cliffs.

* Taste local Kauai. Try a restaurant that has been serving meals on the island for more than 70 years:

Haimura’s Saimin, Barbecue Inn, or Tip Top (Lihue); and Hanama‘ulu Café & Tea House (Hanama‘ulu). Here you can find authentic Kauai!

* Sample Kauai treats: lilikoi chiffon pie, Taro-Ka Chips, shave ice, and home-made ice cream.

* Meet local farmers at farmers’ markets. On different days in different parts of the island, you can sample wonderful fruits and vegetables from the back of pick up trucks and on folding card tables – mangoes, papayas, tasty bananas and star fruit, as well as beautiful flowers. You will be tempted to cook eggplant and string beans – even if you’re on vacation!

* Try Kauai’s fresh catch: Local fish markets sell fish off the boat: Ara
Sushi Market (Hanama‘ulu), Fish Express (Lihue), and Pono Market
(Kapa’a) which has what many consider the island’s best poki (sashimi
grade fish with seasoning and onions). For a terrific lunch or cook-your own
filets, try Kilauea Fish Market (north shore) or Koloa Fish Market
(south shore). Or hook your own dinner on a fishing charter.

* Zipline over Kauai’s valleys and streams on a Kipu adventure.

* Drive Waimea and hike Koke‘e. The Waimea Canyon is Kauai’s own miniature version of the Grand Canyon. At road’s end, hiking trails in Koke‘e can show you gorgeous forest scenery entirely different from coast and beach.

* See the privately-owned island of Ni‘ihau, off limits to all but native Hawaiians (in order to preserve Hawaiian culture). Holo Holo Charters and Blue Dolphin Charters take snorkeling trips to the reefs off Ni‘hau; Seasport Divers has an all-day three-tank scuba boat dive for certified divers. Ni‘ihau Helicopters (operated by the Robinson family) offers an air tour with a beach and picnic stop.

MOST IMPORTANTLY… Have fun, you are on vacation!  Kauai has so much to offer and no matter what you choose to take part (shelling at Tunnels Beach or Zip-lining through Kauai’s Rain Forest) you will have an unforgettable and memorable time.

Take a moment to preview our large selection of amazing Kauai vacation rentals sprinkled around the island.   Being in your own ‘home away from home’ is an ideal way to stay on the island… gets one away from the hustle and bustle of a typical resort and let’s you experience the true feeling of the island.

Listen to the surf reports, and plan any winter visits for times when surf is manageable, and preferably at low tide.  In calm conditions, bring the kids and let them paddle about on boogie boards while the older ones try their luck with mask and snorkel.  Bring fish food, or even a green leaf, in a plastic baggy and swish it in the water and you’ll be surrounded by fish (just be sure to bring the bag out of the water with you, dangerous for turtles and fish to get caught up in).  Swimming and Snorkeling through the coral formations of the reef, which is almost like a maze of tunnels, can be great fun when the water is quiet.  Enter the reef through one of the small sandy channels or the large one on the right, and dozens of fish in rainbow colors will swim right up to your mask.  If the showers which frequent the north shore rain on your parade, you can take shelter under the ironwood trees –or under your boogie board!  If you see a monk seal lying on the beach, give it it’s space, it is probably exhausted and looking for some peace and relaxation.  Seals do not trust humans and need their privacy.

Warning:  Even when the area between the two reefs may look calm for swimming and snorkeling, watch out for these danger signs: high surf on the outer reef or fast moving ripples in the channel between the two reefs.  These indicate powerful, swift currents that could sweep you out through the channel into open ocean.  Instead of swimming, hunt for shells on the beach, or walk around the rocks to the east.

Directions: From Lihue continue west on Highway 56 (Kuhio Hwy), and go 1.1. miles past the Hanalei Colony Resort in Haena.  You will pass mile marker 8 and the turn-off road to the YMCA camp.  Parking is nearly impossible, very small area.  Cars parked along the main road will be ticketed.  You can drive past Tunnels to the Haena Beach Park, park your car and walk the beach back to Tunnels (15 minute beach walk).

Tunnels Beach on the north shore is an amazing place to not only take advantage of the incredible beach but also the gorgeous vacation homes in the area.  With parking such an issue, the ultimate is having a beach house that you can walk from!  Please do explore our large selection of beautiful homes and cottages is this area.

For Snorkel and Dive Tours at the Tunnels Beach, please contact our Kauai Activity Specialist who can assist with snorkel gear, dive gear and guided water adventures!

We think of it like an Oreo cookie!  The vacation home is simply not enough, our guests want the inside “frosting” too!   If you are planning a trip to Kauai and are looking for a truly remarkable Kauai vacation rental, please take a moment to preview our large selection of vacation rental properties as well as our  Kauai Essential Packages; the “frosting” on any Kauai vacation!