Land of Liberty Explorers

Kauai is Hawaii’s oldest and northernmost island. It is known for its beautiful rainforests, rivers, cliffs, and its own grand canyon. Here are some of our favorite things on the Garden Isle!

Poipu

Poipu Beach Park

Considered one of America’s best beaches. Poipu Beach Park is located on Kauai’s south shore. It is well known for swimming, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing. We saw plenty of green seal turtles and endangered monk seals relaxing on the beach at Poipu.

Brennecke’s & Puka Dog

Our two favorite restaurants on Kauai are Brennecke’s Beach Broiler and Puka Dog. Brennecke’s has a local feel unlike the restaurants in the nearby resorts. It sits right on the beach and serves up fresh, local seafood and tasty cheeseburgers! Enjoy the ocean air through the open windows.

Puka Dog is a unique Hawaiian hot dog experience! An order at Puka Dog starts with a Hawaiian sweet bread bun impaled on a heated metal spike. While the bun toasts, your choice of polish sausage or veggie dog is grilled. Next you choose your choice of secret garlic lemon sauce: mild, spicy, hot, or lava. Then you choose your favorite Hawaiian fruit flavored relish: pineapple, mango, papaya, banana, or star fruit. Aunty Lilikoi’s Hawaiian mustard is also available. The sauce, relish, and sausage are placed in the warm bun to complete the Puka Dog. Wash it down with a fresh squeezed lemonade! Puka Dog is located next to Poipu Beach Park inside Brennecke’s Deli!

Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail

This 4 mile round trip out and back trail along Kauai’s south shore shows off a beautiful section of undeveloped coastline. The trail features sand dune cliffs, Kiawe trees, limestone formations, and rocky inlets.

Spouting Horn

Spouting Horn is a blowhole located on Kauai’s south shore. It is known to spray water over 50 feet in the air.

Waterfalls

Wailua Falls

One of the most easily accessible falls on the island, Wailua Falls is located just outside Lihue.

Opaekaa Falls

Another easy to view waterfall, Opaekaa Falls is a lovely 151 foot waterfall.

Kauai Mountain Tubing

One of our most memorable experiences on the island was joining Kauai Backcountry Adventures for an inner tube float down an irrigation canal built to bring water to sugarcane plantations in the 1870s. The adventure begins with a great view of Mount Waialeale – one of the wettest places on the planet. After taking in this view, the guides discuss safety procedures, then it is on to the canal! The canal runs through lush rain forest and several tunnels. This tour is a unique and fun way to experience Kauai!

Nā Pali Coast

The Nā Pali Coast is one of the most striking geological features in all of Hawaii! We enjoyed taking in all the views from our sunset dinner cruise on Captain Andy’s Southern Star – a 65 foot catamaran. The cruise leaves from Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor on the southwestern shore of Kauai and sails past lovely beaches. Before long, the cruise reaches the Nā Pali Coast. The views are breathtaking – coastal mountains, sea caves, and waterfalls! In addition, dinner served on board was one of our favorite meals on the our trip.

Waimea Canyon State Park

Waimea Canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It is 14 miles long and up to 3,600 feet deep. Waipoo Falls tumbles over 800 feet down the canyon wall. Kōke’e State Park is located at the end of the road to the canyon. It offers a great view of the Na Pali Coast – but get there early to beat the afternoon clouds.

Kilauea Point Lighthouse

Kilauea Point Lighthouse is a gem on Kauai’s northeastern shore. The lighthouse sits at the end of a peninsula 180 feet above the Pacific Ocean. The site is a bird sanctuary. We were delighted to see nēnē and a whitetail tropic bird!

North Shore

We enjoyed exploring Kauai’s north shore. Hanalei Town’s famous beach was fun to see. We loved the green churches along the road as well! Maniniholo Dry Cave was an impressive site to explore. Ke’e Beach was a great last stop; it is the location of the trailhead for the famous Kalalau Trail that skirts the cliffs of the Na Pali Coast.