Kauai attractions

Enjoy an evening of live Hawaiian entertainment and traditional food at Luau Kalamaku, an island tradition staged on the grounds of Kauai’s historic Kilohana Plantation. Stroll the plantation grounds—or take a train ride—before heeding the call of the conch shell and sitting down to fire dancers, hula dancers, live music, and storytelling of epic proportions. What’s also in epic proportions? The fresh, local Hawaiian fare.

The Kauai Cruise Part is located in Nawiliwili, southeast of the main town of Lihue, in the southeastern part of the island. Most major cruises to the Hawaiian Islands make a stop here, usually just for the day, and the cruise ship terminal is within walking distance of souvenir shops, eateries, and Kalapaki Beach.

The first of five gardens in the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Allerton Garden is also one of the most vibrant. Flowering plants such as anthuriums and plumeria grow alongside Moreton Bay fig trees, their human-sized roots rising from the ground near the Lawa‘i Stream. The garden is also home to the Corypha, or Talipot palm, which flowers only once in its lifetime, producing the largest known flower cluster of any plant.

On the northeast side of Kauai, these falls along Kapa‘a Stream rank among the most beautiful on the island—and the least visited. Enclosed by dense tropical foliage, the area’s cinematic scenery even appeared in Jurassic Park. However, the falls are difficult to access; there’s no official trailhead, and the route crosses private land where locals discourage casual hikers.

This network of sinkholes and limestone caves—including the largest in Hawaii—is rich in fascinating fossils and home to a complex underground ecosystem of flora and fauna. Spread across acres of forest, wetlands, and dunes, the reserve is a habitat for dozens of native plants, waterbirds, and tortoises, and offers spectacular views of the the Maha’ulepu Valley and Kauai’s southern coast.

At Hanakapi’ai Falls, a cascade plunges 300 feet (91.5 meters) down a sheer cliff into a swimmable pool surrounded by unspoiled flora and fauna. It’s an ideal spot for a break or a dip along the challenging Kalalau Trail—or a scenic destination in its own right, offering a shorter segment of the much longer full trail on Kauai’s north shore.

With its white shingle siding and a broad front porch straight out of the American South, Waioli Mission House marks the point where the story of mainland missionaries and Kauai intertwine. Built in 1836 by a Kentucky reverend for the area’s first missionaries, the carefully preserved house-turned-museum offers visitors a time-capsule glimpse into 19th-century island life—when Western influences reshaped traditions and daily life on Kauai’s North Shore.

McBryde Garden is bursting with Hawaiian plant life. From the endemic Brighamia insignis, of which only one is known to live in the wild, to dozens of “canoe” plants brought to the island by the first Hawaiians, the rare plants are more than worth seeing in a lush, manicured setting. You could spend days searching for Kauai's unique tropical blooms on your own—or view them here in just a few hours.

Many travelers to Kauai’s South Shore stop to browse the plantation-style storefronts of Old Koloa Town, once the site of Kauai's first sugar mill. While shopping for artisan crafts and local fare is easy and enjoyable, more adventurous visitors can follow the Koloa Heritage Trail—a 10-mile (16-kilometer) route through one of the island’s most historic areas. Along the way, you’ll find more than a dozen landmarks, including Hawaiian temples and the remains of the sugar mill.

This modest museum in Koke’e State Park has a lot to offer any nature enthusiast. Highlights include botanical prints, wood samples, mounted birds and animals, and exhibits on everything from forest deities to early conservationists. Stop in to learn about the region’s unique natural history, pick up information on popular hiking trails before you set out, or browse the well-stocked gift shop before heading out.

Known as the Forbidden Island, Niʻihau is a privately owned island mostly untouched by outsiders, creating a microcosm of Hawaiian history and culture. Just 17 miles (27 kilometers) off the coast of Kauai, the island’s fewer than 200 residents speak Hawaiian and live without cars, electricity, and modern amenities. Though non-residents are generally not allowed to visit, Niʻihau is a popular spot for off-shore snorkeling and diving, and flightseeing tours often view the island from above.

A prize of the Garden Isle, the dual curtains of Wailua Falls cascade into a glistening pool that’s surrounded by lush tropical forests and—if you catch it at the right moment—dancing with rainbows. The postcard-perfect falls got their fame when they were featured on the TV show Fantasy Island, and they’re now on the must-visit list of many Kaui vacationers, especially those who want to admire one of the island’s natural waterfalls without hiking.

Waterfowl and endangered birds such as the koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot), ‘alae ‘ula (Hawaiian gallinule), ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt), and the nēnē (Hawaiian goose) make their home in the wetlands of Huleia National Wildlife Refuge, a swath of protected land on Kauai’s southeast side. Visit the surroundings of the refuge to spot the water birds, in a lush area historically used for taro cultivation, a cornerstone of Hawaiian agriculture.

The Menehune Fish Pond (Alekoko) is one of Kauai’s most intriguing landmarks. According to legend, the pond was built in a single night by the Menehune—a mythological race of tiny people believed to have inhabited Hawaii long before the arrival of Polynesian settlers. Whether or not you believe the story, there’s no denying the site’s beauty, where calm waters meet green hills just a short ride from Lihue.

Perched on Kauai’s rugged northern coastline, the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding cliffs. This historic beacon has guided ships since the early 20th century, but today it draws travelers with its panoramic vistas, dramatic seascapes, and abundant birdlife. Watch for red-footed boobies and wedge-tailed shearwaters, or look out to sea to spot humpback whales breaching offshore in season.

Protected by the Wailua River State Park, the Wailua is the largest navigable river in the Hawaiian archipelago (a feature found only on the island of Kauai). As the 20-mile (32-kilometer) river meanders through a lush valley, it passes through jungle landscapes and past two notable waterfalls—Opaekaa Falls and Wailua Falls—as well as the vegetation-covered Fern Grotto. The river offers boat tours and outdoor recreation for a broad range of travelers, including kayakers, paddleboarders, and hikers.

Polihale State Park sits on Kauai’s remote western edge, where golden sand dunes stretch for miles and the Na Pali cliffs rise in the distance. Known for its wild beauty and sense of solitude, this off-the-grid beach draws adventurous travelers looking to experience Kauai’s rugged coastline. Local legend holds that spirits once departed this world from Polihale, giving the area cultural weight alongside its natural drama.

Kauai’s capital city and gateway to all island adventures, Lihue is located on the eastern coastline and is home to both the main cruise port and the only commercial airport. The city is also Kauai’s primary shopping destination and boasts several historic spots, such as the Kilohana Plantation and the Kauai Museum. Kalapaki Beach, located just north of Lihue, is one of the island’s top sunbathing spots.

It’s no wonder Kauai is nicknamed the Garden Isle. In the center of the island sits Mt. Waialeale, one of the wettest places on Earth. Beautiful jungle expanses characterize this emerald mountain and a massive cliffside dubbed the Weeping Wall, where countless waterfalls rush to their depths. Movie buffs, take note: Areas near the mountain were used as a backdrop for some of the scenes in Jurassic Park.

A historic sugar plantation set in the Garden Isle's lush tropics, Kilohana Plantation is a hub for Hawaiian culture and history. Visit the estate—centered around a historic Tudor-style mansion—to see tropical orchards, take narrated train rides, visit a rum distillery, eat at the on-site restaurant, and participate in a theatrical luau. In addition, the rooms of the historic manor house have been converted into shops selling artisan arts and crafts for unique Kauai souvenirs.

Located on the north shore of Kauai, Hanalei Bay is one of the island’s most picturesque stretches of coast. Its crescent is lined by nearly 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) of white sand backed by volcanic peaks, towering waterfalls, and laid-back towns. The beaches offer an array of watersports, while the nearby poke and shave ice stands serve island street food staples, and colorful shops stock everything from surf gear to local crafts.

With steep emerald cliffs, lush valleys, and remote cascading waterfalls, the Na Pali Coast is one of Hawaii’s most beautiful regions, and no trip to the island of Kauai is complete without a visit to this magical coastline. There are only three ways to explore the Na Pali Coast—by air, by sea, and on foot—and each offers its own unique perspective.