KAUAI. Often referred to as Hawaii’s Garden Isle, this slice of paradise is known for its green forests, winding rivers and beautiful waterfalls. It’s also not as touristy as the other islands, making it a great choice for families who've done Maui and Oahu and want a change of pace. Just know that it can be rainy most of the year so summer is your best bet for less rain.
We made a last-minute trip to Kauai over Labor Day weekend to celebrate our middle daughter's 10th birthday (more on how we got there below.) But not having been to the island before, we were a little bit unsure of what to do and how to do it. Trial and error is not my favorite thing to experience on vacation so I've compiled a list of 6 things to see, do, and eat.
1. Hanalei Bay Pier. This is an iconic, end of earth, picturesque spot. It also has a chill beach called Black Pot and if you're a surfer, some rideable waves for longboarders (depending on the season.) But the best thing by far for adults and kids to do is jump off the pier. My kids probably did this 50 times and it didn't get old. I did it once too 😊 The only thing to know is that the tide has to be somewhat high in order to have a succesful splash. And no, there's no lifeguard so be vigilant.
2. Eat in Hanalei. You can actually start your morning in the little town of Hanalei at the Hanalei Bread Company (get there early!) where you can grab breakfast sandwiches and coffee to fuel you up for all the pier-jumping you will do. Other great places to eat are the little food stalls at the Ching Young village (here's where you can get poke and shaved ice!) But if you want to try a special spot for dinner, do Dolphin Sushi or the upscale ramen spot, Ama Ramen.
3. Queen's Bath. This is a super cool natural tide pool that's big enough for many people to swim in. It's only reachable in the summer time and the trail down to it can be fraught. And muddy. Again, there's no official park supervision. So strap on your Tevas or Crocs and tread carefully. But once you get there it's so worth the experience to swim in a tide pool!
4. Mini-Golf and Botanical Garden at Anaina Hou. Mini-golf but with a Hawaiian botany lesson! Plus there's shaved ice and delicious empanadas onsite. There's also a fantastic, toddler-friendly playground to hit up too.
5. Stop in a Meneheune Market. The snacks here are simply amazing. Your kids will love it! And have enough sugared energy to jump off the pier again.
6. Explore. Unlike other Hawaiian islands where you get sucked into the resort life routine of beaching and pooling all day, Kauai is meant to be explored on your own. We googled some random hiking trails and snorkeling spots and were kind of amazed at how you can just about go anywhere to have a mini-adventure.
1 Thing We Didn't Do (and Regret)
The one thing we didn't do and were bummed about was a tubing tour. Since our trip was so last-minute we didn't have enough time to reserve this adventure. While most of Kauai is pretty chill and come as you please, these do fill up pretty quickly and far out in advance. As soon as you book your trip to Kauai, book the tubing tour!
How We Got There:
We actually scored a great deal on Southwest Airlines from Los Angeles over Labor Day weekend. We're talking $1,200 total for five people, round trip. Even better, the flight was mostly empty so each of us had our own row on the way out there.
Where We Stayed:
We stayed at an Airbnb in Princeville. Everyone had their own bedroom and we loved having a kitchen to make meals. The community pool was also just beyond our backyard. The only downer was constantly cleaning and doing dishes. If you don't want to rent a house, families love the space and kitchenettes offered in the suites at The Westin Kauai while those seeking a luxury retreat can now stay at the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. *
The convenient thing about Princeville is that it's master-planned community of sorts with plenty of homes, walking paths, golf course, pools, and tennis courts which is why families love it. But it's also a master-planned community of sorts with plenty of homes, walking paths, a golf course, pools, and tennis courts. See what we did there?
Hanalei on the other hand is a small sort of hamlet near the ocean with a local grown village. Houses here are older, don't have AC and your option for a swimming pool is the big one that God created nearby. Lol. It's chill, it's whatever goes, it's barefeet are alright, it's just relax and see where the day takes you kind of place (although to be honest, the day will take you to the Black Pot Beach and the Hanalei Pier and not much further.)
If I had to do an Airbnb again, I would stay closer to Hanalei. But I've got my mind on returning to Kauai and staying at the 1 Hotel.
Remember, as a luxury travel advisor with Beyond Travel, a Virtuoso agency, I can sweeten your Hawaiian vacation with extra goodies such as resort credit, daily breakfast, welcome amenities and if available, room upgrades. For more about my travel services, go here. Ready to start planning? Email me your dates and I'll start checking rates right away.
What to Know About Maui
14 Best Things to Do with Kids in Maui (written for Condé Nast Traveler)
Why the Pool at the Grand Wailea is Still the Best Resort Pool
The Best Room to Book at the Sheraton Maui
Sleep Like a Baby at the Inn at Mama's Fish House
The Do's and Don'ts of Disney's Aulani Resort and Spa
A Look at the new Mauna Lani Resort
Space Glorious Space at the Fairmont Kea Lani
A Putting Green is Just One Thing to Love About Napili Kai Beach Resort
Kids Get Merits, While Parents Get Mai Tais at Montage Kapalua
What to Know Before You Fly Southwest to Hawaii
Trips + Giggles Hotel Picks: Ritz-Carlton Kapalua
