The other island Jackie and I decided to explore after we left Maui was Kauai. I can’t remember what prompted that choice, other than I can guess it was all the beautiful images we had bookmarked on Instagram, but I am SO so glad we ended our trip there. It was the perfect mix of relaxing but also sight seeing and the whole island had this chill vibe that I try to channel on the regular. While I loved Maui, I would return to Kauai in a heartbeat.
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WHERE TO STAY
HILTON GARDEN INN WAILUA BAY // @HILTONGIKAUAI
This hotel is a little north east of the airport, on the way to Kapa’a town. It’s a great budget-friendly and central option. The staff was beyond amazing, we could catch the sunrise from our room and there were multiple pool options for a lazy afternoon. Lihue/Wailua/Kapa’a are located on the east side about halfway between the two main parts of Kauai: Princeville/Hanalei and Koloa. It’s about a 30-40 minute drive either direction so it was nice to be central.
Additional budget-friendly option:
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT KAUAI AND COCONUT BEACH
More upscale options – North:
PRINCEVILLE RESORT (FORMERLY THE ST. REGIS PRINCEVILLE) // @PRINCEVILLERESORT
WESTIN PRINCEVILLE OCEAN RESORT VILLAS // @WESTINPRINCEVILLE
More upscale options – South:
KO’A KEA HOTEL & RESORT // @KOAKEARESORT
GRAND HYATT KAUAI RESORT & SPA // @GRANDHYATTKAUAI
SHEARATON KAUAI RESORT* // @SHERATONKAUAI
*This is where we did our luau!
KAUA’I MARRIOTT RESORT // @KAUAIMARRIOTT
KOLOA LANDING RESORT AT POIPU, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION // @KOLOALANDINGRESORT
WHERE TO EAT
One of the best things about visiting Hawaii was how delicious and fresh the food was (especially the seafood and produce!). Below is my foodie guide to Kauai, along with some places I bookmarked that we didn’t make it to that may suit your own trip (and that I hope to visit the next time I’m on the island)!
Just south of the airport, this is a great place to grab a quick bite right after you land
What we ordered: coconut shrimp, Cajun fish tacos and Kalua pork tacos
3610 Rice Street, Lihue, HI 96766
LAVA LAVA BEACH CLUB // @LLBCKAUAI
Lava Lava was just north of our hotel and everyone raved about the poke nachos in the reviews so of course we had to dine here! It’s right on the beach so would also be a lovely spot for brunch or lunch while enjoying the views.
What we ordered: poke nachos, “da hale” salad, mushroom flatbread and pineapple fried rice w/sautéed shrimp
420 Papaloa Road, Kapa’a, HI 96746
Java Kai serves quite literally THE BEST coffee I’ve ever had and their food was great too! So good, we went three times.
What we ordered: iced coffee of course, cream cheese + pesto + tomato sandwich, ham + egg pannini
4-1384 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
WISHING WELL SHAVE ICE // @WISHINGWELLSHAVEICE
Of all the shave ice places we tried on this island (and trust me we tried a few), this was by far my favorite! Bonus: it’s also a very instagrammable spot.
5-5080 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714
STREET BURGER // @STREETBURGERKAUAI
This was a quick stop for us after our helicopter ride. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu and make sure you get a local brew to drink! We definitely needed it after our aerial tour of the island.
4-369 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746
Our dinner at Bar Acuda was literally one of the best meals we ate which is saying a lot because the food all over the island was really good! It’s a tapas restaurant with really great vibes. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling them (info on their website).
What we ordered: beef tartare, grilled beef skewers, seared scallop, papas aho/fried potatoes
5-5161 Kuhio Hwy, Hanalei, HI 96714
KEOKI’S PARADISE // @KEOKISPARADISE
Part of the same restaurant group as Duke’s, we ate here for our last meal on the island. It was casual and just what we wanted. It was pretty busy so I’d recommend a reservation just in case!
What we ordered: grilled thai shrimp, dinosaur kale salad, seafood risotto, kalo crusted ahi
2360 Kiahuna Plantation Dr, Koloa, HI 96756
WHAT TO DO
- Luau at the Sheraton
- Helicopter Tour of the island – the varying landscapes are absolutely stunning. My favorite part was flying over the Na Pali Coast which is breathtaking and can only be accessed by helicopter, boat or hiking. We booked the Kauai Eco Adventures with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters (@bluehawaiian) and they were great! Word of advice – if you get motion sickness, consider wearing one of those seasick bracelets or taking something beforehand. I tend to get car sick but have never been seasick so didn’t think a helicopter would affect me until we were wrapping up our tour in Mt Wai’ale’ale and it took all I had to keep myself together!
- Grab a drink at the Princeville Resort patio and watch the sunset over Hanalei Bay.
- Drive out to the Kilauea Lighthouse. The scenery around the peninsula is so beautiful. If you’re feeling adventurous you can hike down to Secret Beach (we didn’t do this but might the next time around!).
- Do a beach day in Waioli Beach Park in Hanalei Bay. Get there super early for parking or later in the day – a lot of this area is blocked off from tourist parking so pay attention to the signs for residents only. I really wanted to walk to Hanalei Pier – we couldn’t drive there because of the resident parking restrictions – but it was really far from where we were on the beach so it’s definitely on my list for my next trip.
- Hanalei Valley Lookout – pull over as you’re driving down into Hanalei and take in the view. Also be ready for the views that will follow as you drive down Kuhio highway closer to the Hanalei Bridge – they’re spectacular.
- Visit the super cute shops in Kapa’a Town and also specifically the Noka Fair Shops (@nokafairkauai) – they’re a set of cute, colorful huts on the side of the road, all with local merchants.
BUCKETLIST
For future trips to Kauai, I have the following on my list:
- Visit Hanalei Pier, Queens Bath, Anini Beach and Kauapea Beach (Secret Beach)
- Check out Wailua Falls
- Snorkeling adventure
- Drive to Waimea Canyon (and stop at the Red Waterfall on the way)
- Koloa: eat at Merriman’s (we ate at their Maui location and it was delish!), Eating House 1849 Koloa, The Dolphin Poipu, ‘Anake’s Juice Bar, Da Crack, Makai Sushi; explore the Shops at Kukui’ula and Old Koloa Town
- Hanalei: eat at Pat’s Taqueria, Hanalei Bread Company, Hanalei Wake Up Cafe, Akamai Juice Company
