The rain beat down as our ship docked in Kauai, an island that is one of nature’s most exquisite masterpieces, regardless of the weather. Armed with our list of must-see Kauai itinerary items, we were ready to see the highlights. Rather than pre-booking one of the ship’s Kauai excursions, we had hired a private guide.
We were not going to let the weather slow us down.
The fourth-largest (and the oldest) of the eight main Hawaiian islands, Kauai is called the Garden Isle for a good reason.
With lush green forests and jagged cliff edges, it is paradise, even in a drizzle. Some would say we were unlucky, as it rained on our one day in Kauai, but in reality, it is this mist that keeps the island’s vegetation growing so well.
Our Kauai itinerary wish list
Before we even looked at the options for Kauai excursions, we made our must-see on our one-day-in-Kauai itinerary list:
- Wailua Falls
- Spouting Horn
- Poipu Beach
- Shipwreck Point
- Opaeka’a Falls
- Waimea Canyon
- Napali Coast (would need to give up something else)
Plus, there are plenty of other small stops listed below. These were just the key highlights, the must-sees on our Kauai itinerary.
Kauai excursions
For us, Kauai was a cruise port, a one-day visit. Rather than one of the ship’s Kauai excursions, we organized one on our own. We knew we had enough time to see everything on our Kauai itinerary and make it back to the ship. (When time is tight, we often opt for ship excursions).
Our options included group tours, private tours, the public bus, or renting a car.
We wanted the extra knowledge that only one who lives on the island can have. We opted for a private tour so we could be flexible as the day progressed. Find your private guide here.
For us, it was a great choice, especially as our guide immediately recommended changes to our plan based on the weather. We rebuilt our itinerary together, and off we went.
Kauai excursions booked independently generally offer tours of similar quality to the ship with smaller groups and lower costs.
Our Kauai itinerary
With so many wonderful things to do on Kauai, whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong. Below are our highlights.
Wailua Falls
If you are from my generation, you will recognize these falls from the old television series Fantasy Island.
The Wailua River that they flow into is the only navigable river in the state of Hawaii. A two-mile float will bring you to a fern grotto so beautiful, it was once reserved only for Hawaiian royalty.
With a one-day Kauai itinerary that includes all the additional places below, you can’t get to the grotto. However, if you are here longer, you can enjoy this six-hour adventure with a river cruise trip that includes a visit to the grotto. Reserve your tour here.
Spouting Horn
The sound of a ‘dragon’ caught my attention before the spout reached up to the sky. It has hit heights of up to 50 feet.
And like everywhere on the island, colourful Kauai roosters and hens are abundant in the area.
Poipu Beach
Located on the sunny south side of the island, Poipu Beach is one of the world’s top beaches and was named the number one beach in the USA by The Travel Channel.
It is one of many Kauai beaches offering both a protected family swim area as well as a surf beach. In fact, nearly half of the island’s 111 miles of coastline are beaches. There are several fabulous Kauai hikes near Poipu.
As we were driving away from here, we noticed a monk seal basking on the rocks.
Shipwreck Point and beach
The hike up to the top of Shipwreck Point is easy and takes only about 10 minutes. The views are well worth the minimal effort.
It’s a scene recognizable from movies, like when the stars of Six Days Seven Nights were being chased by pirates and leaped off the cliff.
I don’t know about you, but unless I was being chased, I don’t think I would jump off this cliff. However, we met a group of European tourists that felt differently about it, each one taking the leap from Shipwreck Point.
Also from here, we could see the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort. According to our guide, it was one of the filming locations of Jurassic World.
Waimea Canyon
One look at the image and you know why this 3,567-foot deep, 12-mile long canyon is nicknamed the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific.’
Waimea Canyon was originally on our list. We opted not to visit as our driver advised that with the rainy weather came heavy fog, and she felt we would see nothing.
However, it’s a popular Kauai excursion destination. Many like to hike the canyon. This popular tour will have you hike up the canyon, and also see Spouting Horn, learn about Kauai history, and cruise down Wailua River to Opaekaa Falls and Fern Grotto. Reserve your Waimea Canyon and River tour here.
If we were staying longer, however, we would have taken this highly-rated helicopter tour that flies over the Manawaiopuna Falls (Jarrasic Falls) and lands in the Olokeke canyon, as well as flying over Waimea Canyon. Reserve your helicopter adventure here.
Napali Coast
Visiting Kauai is different than islands like Rarotonga, as there is no outer rim road on Kauai.
In fact, the beautiful Napali Coast can only be accessed by plane, helicopter, or boat. We didn’t get here on this visit as the weather was not favorable.
If you are here for longer and want a small plane flight, we recommend this highly-rated flight-seeing tour that flies over the Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon. Reserve your flight here.
Kauai Tree Tunnel
It may not look it in the photo, but this over the 100-year-old tunnel of eucalyptus trees runs for a mile. It was originally planted next to sugar cane fields and offered a place for cattle to get some shade.
Old Ahukini Harbor and ruins of a sugarcane dock
The fog limited the normally massive views seen beyond the old Ahukini Harbor, but along with the bad weather came the bigger waves and sea spray.
A highlight of the Ahukini Harbor is the ruins of a former train dock used by the sugarcane plantations. While sugarcane isn’t currently commercially grown on the island, it does have a long history dating back to 1835.
Opaeka’a Falls and the village used in the movie “Outbreak”
Viewed from a lookout point, Opeaka’a Falls is often called a rolling waterfall as the water seems to roll down rather than fall.
Immediately after you see Opaeka’a Falls, be sure to walk to the end of the path and cross the street. Here, we overlooked the camp where the movie “Outbreak” was filmed. If you allocate time, you can walk down to the village on one of the many Kauai hiking trails.
Outbreak is one of several movies filmed on the island including Blue Hawaii, Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, Six Days Seven Nights, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Descendants, South Pacific, and Donovan’s Reef, to name a few.
Derelict Coco Palms Resort
The once-flourishing Coco Palms Resort has over 200 coconut trees on its property and, in 1961, was the filming location of Blue Hawaii starring Elvis Presley.
Unfortunately, the property was seriously damaged by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and has been left to become derelict, a much different story than the sordid tale of the derelict Sheraton on Rarotonga.
Saturday farmer’s market in Lihu’e
One of the big advantages of having a private guide is the flexibility to make changes on the spot.
The Saturday morning farmer’s market in Lihu’e was an unplanned stop offering us samples of a variety of Hawaiian tropical fruits like sugarloaf pineapple and Hayden papaya.
Old Koloa Town
I love stopping in old historic towns like Koloa. Here we found a tiny (one-room) museum that highlighted the former sugar cane industry that once dominated this area. There is also a fancy nut roastery, a coffee shop, and public restrooms.
Menehune Fishpond
The Menehune are an ancient race of Kauaians, who, legend tells us settled the island hundreds of years before Captian Cook discovered it in 1778.
According to legend, they built this brick-lined fish pond in just one full-mooned night. Today, plants and pond water hide the bricks. In days gone by, the fish from the pond could only be eaten by royalty.
Kauai cruise port
Kauai is an easy port to visit via cruise ship, as we can walk off the ship and be in the port of Nawiliwili.
For us, it was one of only five ports as we sailed from Los Angeles in the USA to Auckland in New Zealand on the Golden Princess.
The other ports were Honolulu (Hawaii), Papeete (Tahiti), Moorea (French Polynesia), and Pago Pago (American Samoa). To be honest, we found Kauai to be one of the most beautiful islands we have visited via cruise.
Practical information and fun facts on visiting Kauai
- Hawaii is part of the United States. Therefore, the currency is US Dollars. However, Hawaii is the only state to have two official languages: English and Hawaiian.
- Driving in Kauai is like being in slow motion. While the speed limit through major towns like Lihue is only 35 mph (56 km), locals tend to drive even slower. According to our guide, it is only the tourists that seem to be in a hurry.
- Like the rest of the United States, tipping on Kauai is typically 15% to 20%.
- Hiring a taxi driver at the port to act as a tour guide will typically run $60 per hour; however, this rate is negotiable. In general, we prefer to arrange with a guide before we arrive.
- Kauai has over 300 waterfalls (up to 2,000 when it rains heavily), but most are on private land.
- Kauai claims that the hula originated on the island.
- If you are planning to stay longer than just a Kauai excursion from a ship, there are plenty of accommodation options. We always start our search at Booking.com for a great selection and prices.
Teresa
I love these photos. I went there in 1979 but did not make photos then. Thanks for sharing. Brought back memories.
jenn
Did you feel that visiting the Islands via a cruise gave you enough time? Every time I do it I feel like i just have a taste and end up going back to the islands to explore on my own.
Jim and Corinne
We’ve only been to Hawaii and Oahu, never Kauai. It looks stunning, even in the rain! You definitely made the most of the your time available.
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
We once spent a week on Kauai. We stayed in a serviced apartment a short walk from Poipu Beach. I remember seeing more than one seal basking on the rocks. We loved the place but I wish I had known more about it then. You have made me want to go back.
Rob+Ann
Love this! We’ve explored about half of the Hawaiian Islands, but have not yet tackled Kauai. We’ve also been looking for a sail to Australia/New Zealand, but never thought about finding one that stops in Hawaii! That’s a fantastic idea that we will now be looking into. Thanks for the idea, and the gorgeous photos from around the island.
Jill Chapman
Kauai is one of my all time favorite places I’ve been. And one can see why from the long list of things to do there. I missed alot of your list – and I was there 5 days – but the ones I did do were so wonderful. Looks like you did an incredible amount on your time on the island!
beatravelling
I so wanna visit Hawaii!! Loved the Pacific, Cook Islands, so I’ve already decided I’m retiring to Hawaii 😀
hilary
Your post has perfect timing as we just talked about wanting to visit Kauai. We’ve been to the Hawaiian Islands a few times, but never Kauai, which I hear is the most lush and beautiful of the islands… though I suppose that’s because it’s also known for being the rainiest.
Bryna | Dotted Line Travels
So many highlights! I personally would love to see (and hear!) the Spouting Horn, see the beautiful Napali Coast, and visit the Tree Tunnel. When I visited Hawaii years ago, I didn’t make it out to Kauai, but you’ve given me many reasons to go!
Amber
I use to work on the golden princess. It was my first cruise contract. Kauai was my fact islands. I can’t wait to go back one day.
Anda
Kauai is my favorite of all the Hawaiian Islands. We’ve been there so many times, but I can never get bored of it. Was this your first time in Kauai Rhonda? I hope not, because if it was and you got rained on it’s really sad. Usually the rain goes away pretty fast at the tropics, but I’ve been in Kauai one time when it every single day for a week. The only spot on the island where it was sunny was the South Shore, at Poipu Beach. So we had to drive down there every day for a week, to see the sun.
Rhonda Albom
I was there for a week a long time ago and it was fantastic.
Paul Pietrangelo
All I can say Rhonda is fantastic. I hope to take my wife on a cruise to Hawaii in the future. Sooner them later. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Paul Pietrangelo
I remember Fantasy Island. Da plane, da plane That we Herve but unfortunately he died and so did Mr. Rourke. See ya Rhonda.
Cruisin Paul
Esther
Oh, the waterfalls and rugged hills look absolutely amazing. What an amazing place, this is so inspiring!!
Annette @ A French Collection
If only I could look as relaxed as your monk seal every now and again! Fabulous post Rhonda
Anisa
Next time I am in Hawaii I want to go to Kauai! It looks gorgeous and there is so much to do. I would have a hard time deciding what to do if I only had one day.
Brooke
Your blog post took me back to my visit to Kauai years ago. It’s impressive to see that the same spectacular landscapes of Waimea Canyon. Thanks for sparking some great memories with your gorgeous photos!
Kimberly
Hawaii is still on my Bucket List and your photos just made me want to go even more! The water fall looks especially amazing!
Sharon
Beautiful, even in the poor weather you had. My favorite photo is the waterfall. I have a feeling that would be my favorite place on Kauai too!
Rhonda Albom
I really enjoyed Shipwreck Point and the people jumping off the cliff. It was a thrill to watch.
Sarah
We were in Hawaii last April, visiting Maui, Oahu and the Big Island. It was an unforgettable adventure and we’re already planning on returning to visit the other islands. Kauai’s on top of our list this time. Can’t believe how much you got to see in just a day. Taking a private tour was clearly the right decision… and so was not jumping of that cliff.
Rhonda Albom
I prefer a private tour so I can see what I want to see and when I want to see it. No waiting and customized to my tastes.
Sarah
I would really like to go to Kauai or any of the Hawaiian islands. But I feel like I will need months to see everything! Maybe I should just move there, lol. Also, it’s really cool that you saw a monk seal! I’d love to see one in the wild.
Rhonda Albom
I would have loved to see more but I figure I can go back there someday.
Katherine
The same thing happened to us with the weather when we were doing a snorkelling tour off Maui. It was pouring with rain when we arrived and as we sailed out, but by the end of the day it was beautiful and sunny. Hawaii is just such a gorgeous place!
Rhonda Albom
I don’t think snorkelling in the rain would bother me as long as there was enough light.
Tanja/The Red Phone Box travels
gorgeous nature
Niche Travel Design - Shelley Jarvis
I am from California and Hawaii was always a quick and inexpensive escape as there were always deals to be had. There is nothing like Hawaii. I really miss it. Kauai is also my favorite island and I have 2 good friends who live there. I am craving some Hawaii now. Thanks for taking me back and reminding me of the wonders of the USA.
Rhonda Albom
You are very lucky to have easy access to such a beautiful island. I would have liked to spend a bit more time than one day there.
Jessica
Oh, your photos make me long to return to Kauai! It is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world. I am lucky enough to have been many times, and I just can never get enough. It truly does rain all the time! In fact, you can expect at least a bit of a drizzle every day… but we’re always thankful for it because the views and greenery make it worth it! I’m glad you had a great time! 🙂
Rhonda Albom
I think I was lucky in that it only drizzled a little bit when I was outside.
Lisa | Handmade in Israel
How beautiful! That waterfall is stunning. The basking seal made me laugh out loud!
Rhonda Albom
I was impressed by the height of the waterfall. I saw two monk seals – this one and one at the aquarium on Oahu.
Erin Gustafson | Oregon Girl Around the World
Oh you are making me nostalgic! We love Kauai! So glad you explored on your own – what a beautiful island. We have stayed on the Poipu side a couple times and just loved it. And the Waimea Canyon is just epic. One more movie filmed on Kauai for your list – the 1950’s classic South Pacific was filmed at Hanalei Bay on the North shore of Kauai as well. And I can HIGHLY recommend the fresh tuna poké from the Koloa Fish Market there in Koloa town. YUM. Salivating just thinking about it! Fab post – cheers from Copenhagen!
Rhonda Albom
There were so many movies made on Kauai. The island is absolutely stunning.
Twosome
I’m a traveler myself and these are some amazing destinations. Mountains and waterfall have always been my love, sadly I’ve never been to a beach yet. That menhune fishpond though is the ultimate dream of an explorer from a bird’s eye.
Lovely post, thanks for sharing all these. Will add them to my go-to list.
Rhonda Albom
I love it all, mountains, waterfalls, and the beach. I just like exploring new destinations.
Molly
I love the relaxing seal
Mollyx
Rhonda Albom
Apparently, monk seals are a rare find.
Ressa
First off, I’ve always heard such great things about Kauai! You’re so lucky to have gone there! Second, Wailua Falls looks incredible! I would go just to visit it!
Rhonda Albom
I agree. The Wailua Falls are spectacular. Apparently, it used to be very common to hike to the base, but parking is very limited in the area and people would get a spot and then hike. Now parking is maximum 20 minutes and enforced.
Hilary
Hi Rhonda – I imagine the islands are quite beautiful in their separate ways. You’ve given us some wonderful views and notes … lovely to see – cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom
Yes, each island we have been to in the Pacific seem to be distinctively different from the others. Kauai is in the Northern Hemisphere, and quite a bit built up, yet still lush.
Kelly Anne Rothaermel
So beautiful! We are going to Oahu at Christmas!
Rhonda Albom
Our cruise took us to Oahu the day before Kauai. We stayed mostly close to Honolulu, so for us, the two visits were completely different.
Sadie
Wow, that tunnel of trees is so long, but my favourite spot on Kauai is Napali Coast. Too bad you didn’t get to go there.
Rhonda Albom
I love tree tunnels also, and this was by far the longest one we have ever seen.
Ana
WOW! What a fantastic thorough post of the fantastic setting of Kauai – I just loved how you really got a sense of the island through your fabulous pictures and itinerary. I absolutely am adding this beautiful island to the top of my travel bucket list, but I can’t promise that I would jump off that cliff. LOL! Thank you so much for sharing and I’m pinning for future reference.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks, Ana, it is such a lovely island. I hope you can go for a while so a rainy day would impact you less. And, cliff jumping is optional. In fact, our guide said she had never seen tourist do it before that day.
Tiffanie Anne
Ah!!! Loved all of your recommendations and photos! I have been wanting to go to Kauai! My husband and I recently got married in Oahu, and we are now wanting to go to Kauai! Love all the waterfalls and greenery!
Rhonda Albom
Hawaii would be such a beautiful place to get married. Kauai seems like the perfect anniversary celebration.
Winston
We are looking at taking a Hawaii cruise next year. I think I am braver than you. I want to jump off that cliff.
Rhonda Albom
LOL – If you can look at it and think it would be fun, you are way braver than me.
Blu
Whenever I see people jumping off cliff I keep thinking how liberating it must feel! But at the same time I don’t think I could ever do it! lol I love visiting farmer’s markets whenever I travel.
Blu
Rhonda Albom
I don’t think I could feel anything other than terror if I jumped off a cliff.
Fred
Pretty! Impressive that it looks this nice in the rain.
Rhonda Albom
I have to admit, I was a bit worried when I saw the weather, but it turned out to be a colourful day despite the rain.
James Blackwell
I have only been to the Big Island, but I see I really missed out by not visiting Kauai.
Rhonda Albom
We were on the Big Island years ago. It is also lovely, but very different. Kauai is very lush.
Ryan Biddulph
Incredibly gorgeous sights on Kauai Rhonda. Way cool seeing the monk seal too. I reckon these guys do not show up much in Hawaii, preferring cooler climates. What eye-popping images.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Ryan. I hadn’t realized how rare the monk seal sighting was, but I am starting too.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
It’s amazing the diversity on just one island.
I wouldn’t jump from that cliff either. Actually, I’d be pressed to get into the ocean at all. I know the Jaws theme song would play the entire time.
The first two excursions on the list sound my style.
Rhonda Albom
My hubby is the same way about the ocean and the movie Jaws.
Comedy Plus
My favorite of all the Hawaiian Islands. I love Kauai and there is so much to do.
Have a fabulous day and week, Rhonda. ♥
Rhonda Albom
I have only been to four of the islands, but Kauai is my favourite so far.
Lydia C. Lee
We had a great time on Kauai – I loved the canyon and we sailed the Napali Coast. Just magnificent. So pretty. Lucky you seeing the monk seal. We saw one on the beach on the North Shore on our 3rd day and our friend who lived in Hawaii for 4 years and surfed most days had NEVER seen one! Apparently it’s rare, according to him????
Rhonda Albom
Our guide was extremely good at spotting the monk seals (plus I used to work at a marine animal rescue centre) so we were looking for them. I didn’t realize it was a rare spotting.