The oldest and greenest of the main Hawaiian islands, the "Garden Isle": the fluted sea cliffs of the Nā Pali Coast, seen by boat from Port Allen, by helicopter from Līhuʻe, or on foot along the first 3 km of the Kalalau Trail; Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific", with the Kalalau Lookout above it; Hanalei Bay and the north shore's taro fields; and the sunny south-shore beaches of Poʻipū. Hāʻena State Park, where the Kalalau Trail starts, must be booked ahead by visitors from out of state (US$5 a person, $10 to park). Hurricane Lowell passed just west of the island on 8 September 2026 and closed the state parks, Hāʻena and Nā Pali among them: check the state parks site (dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp) before you go. No ferry runs between the islands: Kauai is 40-55 minutes' flying from Honolulu.
Highlights
- Nā Pali Coast by boat or helicopter
- Waimea Canyon and the Kalalau Lookout
- Kalalau Trail to Hanakāpīʻai Beach
- Hanalei Bay and the Hanalei Valley lookout
- Kayak the Wailua River to a waterfall
- Poʻipū Beach and Spouting Horn
- Humpback whales offshore (December-April)
Things to do
- Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Lookout driveMorning · 5h
- Nā Pali Coast boat tour from Port AllenMorning · 5h
- Helicopter flight over Nā Pali and Waimea CanyonAfternoon · 1h 30m
- Kalalau Trail to Hanakāpīʻai Beach (Hāʻena booking)Morning · 4h
- Hanalei Bay and the north-shore beachesAfternoon · 3h
- Wailua River kayak and waterfall walkMorning · 4h 30m
- Poʻipū Beach, its turtles and Spouting HornAfternoon · 3h
- Snorkelling at Poʻipū or Tunnels BeachAfternoon · 2h
- Sunset over Hanalei BayEvening · 1h 30m
- Luau dinner and showEvening · 3h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: April – October
Worth knowing
Central Pacific Hurricane Season
⚠️ The Central Pacific hurricane season runs from June to November, with most storms from July to October. Hurricane Lowell passed just west of Kauai on 8 September 2026, closing the state parks and cutting power to most of the island, and Iniki struck it directly in 1992. Buy refundable bookings and insurance that covers hurricanes, and follow the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in the days before you fly.
Heads up
Winter Swells on the North Shore
From about November to March big swells pound Hanalei and the north shore: many beaches are unsafe to swim, and Nā Pali boat tours are cancelled in high seas. Swim on the south shore at Poʻipū, and only where lifeguards are posted. Summer is the calm season on the north shore.
- Humpback whale season, Maui — Thousands of humpbacks winter in Hawaiian waters from about December to April, most in the channels off west Maui, where whale-watching boats leave Ma'alaea and Ka'anapali daily; February and March are the peak.