Kauai is known as “The Garden Isle” because of its stunning and diverse natural landscapes and its lush green valleys and sea cliffs. The Na Pali coast and Waimea Canyon are world-famous destinations. If you love the outdoors and a laid-back island feel. Kauai is the Hawaiian island to visit. Follow along while I reveal the 13 best things to do in Kauai for the more adventurous traveler.

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Here are the 13 best things to do in Kauai

Explore Waimea Canyon (The Grand Canyon of the Pacific)

Waimea Canyon State Park is located on the western side of Kauai, near Waimea. It was formed by erosion over the last million years, and the landscape has reddish and green hues. It is approximately 10 miles long and is often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” There’s a scenic overlook that you can drive to, where you can see the Na Pali coast from the top. All of these scenic overlooks offer amazing hiking and photo opportunities.

View the Na Pali Coast

The Na Pali Coast is located on the northwestern shore of Kauai and is 17 miles long. It is part of Kokee State Park and is known for its rugged terrain. It can be viewed from the top of the scenic overlook or the vantage point at sea.

Take a Hike

Kauai is best known for its hikes with beautiful, lush greenery and landscapes. Places such as Waimea Canyon Trails, Kalalua Trail (permit needed), and the popular Sleeping Giant Trail. If you are interested in adventure, Kauai hiking trails have you covered.

Kayaking

Kayaking and paddle boarding the Wailua River to Secret Falls is a favorite. The river is easy to navigate and rewards you with a walking trail with a spectacular view of an island waterfall at the end. Here is a link on how to do this tour Self-guided.

Shave Ice

Hawaii is well known for its tasty and refreshing shave ice. Grab some at some of my favorite locally-owned shave ice at Wailua Shave Ice. Check out my post on the best shave ice in Kauai.

Surfing at Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Bay is breathtaking, and the surf is just right for a beginner. If you want to catch some waves, Hanalei is one of the best places to do it.

Snorkel and Scuba Dive

Kauai is abundant with sea life. On the North Shore, you can snorkel or spearfish (with the locals) at Anini Beach or head South or to the West side of the Island for some world-class Scuba Diving. If you do scuba dive, I highly recommend Bubbles Below. They know how to get it done with a personalized diving experience.

Golf

If you love to golf along the blue waters of the coastline with breathtaking lush green mountains in the background, then golfing on the island of Kauai is a must. There are lots of golf courses to choose from. You may just want to stick to courses close to where you are staying, especially if you are catching an early tee time.

Beach Hop

You can find so many cool beaches to visit on this island. We like to keep moving and exploring, so we just drove around checking out one beach from the next. Here is a list of some of the best beaches in Kauai.

Check out Turtle Cave

The hike to Turtle Cave in Princeville is not an official hike, but many locals know about it. It is best to do this in the Summer and be aware of the weather and tide conditions. It’s a short and steep trail for the extreme adventurers, which leads you down to a cave where tons of sea turtles live year-round.

Explore the Island’s History

Grab a car and download the Shaka Guide, as the narrator helps you explore the island’s history and visit cool historic locations, like places where they filmed movies and TV shows (e.g., King Kong and Gilligan’s Island). If you like to explore new places, then this is a great self-guided tour. Who knows where it will lead you.

Moloa’a Beach (famous for filming Gilligan’s Island)

Float Down a Mountain:

The historic Lihue Plantation ditch and tunnel system is no longer used for sugar cane crops, but it is up and running for tubing tours. The water system runs down the top of Mt. Wai’ale’ale, and you can take a cool dip in the fresh rainwater as you float to the bottom.