KAUAI by area
Our favorite area to stay is Hanalei or Princeville. There are plenty of AirBnbs and VRBOs. You’ll be driving a lot if you stay here though. If you are looking to just relax on a beach, stay here. If you are looking for a more lively and easier to access things, there are hotels on the South Shore in Poipu
NORTH SHORE – Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea – check before you go, Mudslides have closed off many roads here
Secluded, stunning scenery and tons of green.
The St Regis Hotel is in Princeville. One of the more luxurious places on the island.
The North Shore gets more rain than the rest of the island and Jan – March is the rainy season so keep this in mind.
Our favorite things are
HANALEI BAY – Absolutely beautiful town and bay. You can sip a glass of champagne and watch sunset at the St. Regis Hotel in Princeville. There are food truck and a few fun restaurants
(CLOSED) KALALAU BEACH HIKE – The hike was my favorite thing to do.(11 mile backpack in and 11 miles out) Plan at least 2 days for this. A lot of people hike just the first 2 miles of it to a beach. There are a lot of other hikes I’d recommend first. There is a 4 mile hike here that leads to a waterfall.. That I would recommend but it’s moderately strenuous as well and will take about 3-4 hours. During the summer you can go to Kalalau beach on a boat with a tour.
SNORKEL AND BEACHES
Anini Beach – recently opened!
Kalihiwai Beach
Secret Beach
Tunnels Beach
KILAUEA LIGHTHOUSE OVERLOOK
WEST COAST
It is fairly undeveloped but there are a few cute towns with local shops and tons of art galleries. We were also fans of the coffee here.
* POLIHALE – Very out of the way, but this was one of our favorite beaches ever. It’s huge and you are at the back side of the Na Pali mountains. If you have the time, it’s worth it. VERY rough road at the end. Make sure you have a 4WD car
* WAIMEA CANYON – this is a great drive with lots of amazing lookouts. There are a million hikes in here too. They call this the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
Fav Hikes – Awa’awapuhi trail – 6 miles round trip but easy-moderate hike. Should take you about 3-4 hours roundtrip. This takes you to the top peaks of the mountains. Super amazing views.
Waipoo Falls trail – 4 miles round trip but this one is moderately strenuous. Should also take about 3 hours. This takes you into the bottom of the canyon to a cool waterfall.
SOUTH SHORE
- Poipu Beach – one of the most popular
- The only limestone cave in the Hawaiian islands – http://www.cavereserve.org/
- Snorkel Salt Pond Beach
EAST COAST
This is the central and most lively part of the island. You’ll be flying into Lihue which is here and there are plenty of restaurants as well as plenty of traffic. This is the most mild water on the island so it’s a safe place to learn to surf.
* Wailua River – there are guided tours or you can do it by yourself. We personally don’t like touristy type things so the tour was a bit much for us. But it’s a 2 miles kayaking down the river to the end and a quick and easy hike to a waterfall. Cool but a decent amount of people. Takes 2-3 hours by yourselves and 4 hours with a tour.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
* Helicopter tour – this is a fantastic way to see the Kalalau beach, Waimea canyon and the entire island. If you want to relax most of the time and still see the sights, book this. It won’t change your life, as they say, but it was well worth it!
* Movie Buffs – There are tours that can show you were some movies were filmed like Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Dragonfly, Tropic Thunder, Lilo & Stitch and more
OAHU
Natalie’s favorite beach in Oahu – Waimanalo (turquoise water and the finest sand ever!)
North Shore is worth the trip
Leeward side(west coast) is a lot of driving and not much there, but it’s pretty and epic
A million hikes, can’t go wrong with any of them.
The Modern Hotel – great place to have a drink, Fireworks at Night
The Pig and the Lady – MUST GO! Pork Ramen
Fun to hotel hop and check out different pools, bars and restaurants
