Kauai Unleashed

Oh, Hawaii. Every time I visit these islands I feel speechless! Let me share some of the best moments & things to do in the Garden Island.

First up, research the weather ahead of booking your flights. While Hawaii is a popular destination around the Christmas holidays, it also tends to be rainier, and the islands are typically busier and pricier. If you do go during the winter time, keep in mind that the South Shore is sunnier and appropriate for swimming; while the North Shore is considered dangerous for swimming/surfing at this time (unless you are very experienced).

That being said, Kauai is a small island, so we were happy to stay in the North of the island for a cheaper stay & nice views, and made up our minds that we'd drive the 1-hour trip down South nearly every day. Well, without further ado, here are my top 5 picks on what to do in Kauai:

1. The best surfing spot for beginners

• Where: Poipu Beach Park
• Approximate time: ~2 - 4 hours
• Budget: $20 for 1 hour; $30 for 2 hours
• Bring: Sunscreen, water shoes, towels & water/snacks

There is a large free parking lot as soon as you arrive at this beach. You can walk straight towards the beach and then head towards the right side, where you may see some sleepy seals in the sand, and you should see a little stand in front of the resort. Look for Surf Lesson signs or ask at Honu Bar.

Keep in mind the shop runs on island time, so sometimes the staff may not be there for half an hour to an hour :-) in that case, just give them a call and sit by the beach to relax before doing this intense physical activity.

Once you've got your surfboard, keep walking over towards the right side of the beach; you will go through the resort and then reach a small pathway that leads you to Kiahuna Beach. You'll see lots of instructors and beginners surfing there!

This bay was referred to by one of the instructors as the bunny hills of surfing, and we loved it! Keep in mind it is a very rocky area, so definitely be careful with that and I'd recommend wearing water shoes.

2. Swim with turtles

• Where: Lawa'i Beach
• Approximate time: 1+ hour
• Budget: $0*
• Bring: Sunscreen, water shoes, snorkel set, towels & water/snacks

Upon arriving at Lawa'i, one might underestimate it: It's a nice little beach, but it doesn't look like there is much to it. However, this is a wonderful snorkeling spot, with many fishes and turtles that are not far from the shore.

Bonus tip: Grab a delicious & affordable meal at Koloa Fish Market, just 5 minutes away by car, and eat by the beach!

Walk up to the middle of the beach, where you'll see most people entering, and head towards the middle ~ right until you spot a couple of large rocks & corals. There are at least a couple of turtles always hanging and sleeping around that spot. Please remember to be mindful and not touch the animals.

*Unless you need to rent a snorkel set, which I believe was about $18 for 24 hours. You could also just buy a whole set for ~$20 at Walmart!

3. Go chasing (Jurassic Park) waterfalls

• Where: Ho'opi'i Falls
• Approximate time: 2 - 3 hours
• Budget: $0
• Bring: Bug spray, water or hiking shoes, towels & water

Are you ready for a real hike? This one will keep you on your toes, with a somewhat muddy terrain (try and avoid rainy days here) and a little bit of a climb to get to the lower falls.

There are a couple of waterfalls at the top, from which you can cliff jump from if you'd like (do check with a local where the jumping spots are, since there are hidden rocks here)! It's a beautiful place.

4. Take in the views (or cliff jump)

• Where: Shipwreck Beach
• Approximate time: 1+ hour
• Budget: $0*
• Bring: Sunscreen, water or tennis shoes, towels & water/snacks

You'll notice that these Shipwreck, Poipu, and Lawa'i beaches are all pretty much beside each other. We'd usually start the day off at Shipwreck, climb the rocks to soak in the view; and then head to Poipu for surfing.

As soon as you arrive at Shipwreck, you'll notice a cliff on the left side of the beach. Walking towards the trail and make your way up there for unique views!

My husband did the cliff jump a couple of times here (~10 m jump) and while the height is probably ok for most people, you do have to be a very strong swimmer to get back to shore. There is a current and waves that can push you the wrong way, so please be careful if you do decide to jump!

5. Hike Waimea Canyon

• Where: Waimea Canyon (look for the Canyon Trail to Waipo'o Falls)
• Approximate time: 4+ hours (~2 hours for the hike)
• Budget: $20 (parking fee to access the entire park)
• Bring: Sunscreen, comfortable shoes (runners are fine), towels & water

It was worth driving over to Waimea Canyon to see the red dirt, immense canyons, and waterfalls. Aim to get to the Canyon Trail to access Waipo'o Falls and you'll get to enjoy a moderate hike that will take you to the very top of a waterfall.

I really enjoyed this hike and the views of the canyon were just amazing. This trail can also get muddy/slippery when it rains, so try and avoid wet days here.

That's all, folks! Here is a video with some of the trip's highlights, if you'd like to check it out: