Kauai Activity Travel Guide

This is one of Hawaii’s oldest islands, so it has a reputation to uphold as a place rich with Hawaiian history and culture. Relaxed and rural, Kauai is a banquet for the senses and the soul. Let’s start with the northern coastline with its lush green valleys, golden beaches and cascading waterfalls. There you’ll find Haena’s wet and dry caves -- natural lava tubes that throughout the ages have become beautifully eerie caverns for exploring. For a striking view of the mountains and a river running through taro patches, head to Hanalei Valley Lookout. Expect non-stop panoramas of green and blue, with the occasional white puffy cloud. Across the road on Puu Poa Ridge, you’ll find the 23-acre Princeville Resort, known for its own share of the color green in the form of award-winning golf courses. Along this coast you’ll also find Lumahai Beach, the Bali Hai mountains (made famous by the movie “South Pacific”), and peeks of Sleeping Giant, Kauai’s most famous mountain profile. If you’re interested in any of these north shore sights, consider taking the Hanalei Valley tour. It will show you all of them, and provide the back story. Waimea Canyon, Kauai’s “Grand Canyon of The Pacific” is usually on everyone’s list. The Waimea Canyon tour includes a jaw-dropping view at 3,400 feet into the 2,857-foot-deep canyon, along with a stop at Spouting Horn blowhole and a trip through Waimea Town and Koloa Town. To see Waimea Canyon, and take a boat cruise down the meandering Wailua River, consider the Waimea Canyon & Fern Grotto tour. Not only will you witness the famed lava rock grotto covered with tropical ferns, but you’ll stop at sacred sites and lookouts with views of waterfalls and valleys. Subtract Waimea Canyon from these sights and you’ve got the Fern Grotto tour. With the most sandy white beaches and rugged mountain ranges of all the Hawaiian Islands, it’s no wonder Kauai has so much in the way of island treasures and the most judicious visitors focus on the gems.

KAUAI CAMPING

Kauai's county and state parks are ideal for camping. Both require permits. Permits for camping at county parks are issued for seven days, and enable you to camp in one location for seven consecutive days - and a total of up to 60 days at all county parks. Permits cost $3 per person per night, with children under 18 free. State park permits are free, and allow camping for five consecutive days. It is suggested that permits for state and county parks be requested up to one year in advance of arrival, especially for popular areas such as the Na Pali coast and Kokee. For other areas, try approximately one month in advance for the winter and six months in advance for the summer. The State Division of Forestry also offers camping permits for sites in the forest reserves. For permit information, please contact:

Kauai County:
Department of Parks and Recreation
4193 Hardy Street
Lihue, Kauai
Phone: 808-241-6660

Kauai State:
Department of Land and Natural Resources
3060 Eiwa Street
Lihue, Kauai, HI 96766
Phone: 808-274-3444

Kauai State Division of Forestry
3060 Eiwa Street
Lihue, Kauai, HI 96766
Phone: 808-274-3433