75 Kauai Travel Tips! (What to Know BEFORE You Go)

Make your Kauai dream trip a reality with these fun Kauai Travel Tips, Tricks and Secrets!

Then… keep planning your next Hawaiian vacation with these must-read Maui Travel Tips and Oahu Travel Tips!

Kauai Travel Tips

Planning (or dreaming of) a trip to Kauai??  Don’t leave home without reading these Kauai Travel Tips!  You’ll learn where to eat, play, and stay, and how to visit Kauai on a budget!

With sand in your toes, palms swaying in the breeze, gorgeous waterfalls off in the distance, and dramatic cliffs and mountain views… you’ll love soaking up every minute of your tropical Hawaiian Vacation!

Seriously… the beautiful garden isle of Hawaii has so much to offer!  I loved every minute of our trip to Kauai, and know you will too!

Nothing beats the relaxed island vibe of Kauai… it really is the perfect place to unwind!  The lush gardens, secluded beaches, and sweet spirit of Aloha make it one of my favorite islands to visit!

So are you ready to start planning your trip?  Read on for the top insider Kauai Travel Tips and Tricks and my favorite hacks to travel Kauai on a Budget!

Here’s everything you need to know BEFORE you go…

Related: How to Travel for Free or Cheap (20 Budget Travel Hacks)

Best Beaches in Kauai

Best Beaches for Snorkeling in Kauai

You can find some fantastic snorkeling in Kauai… but be sure to take your underwater camera along so you can capture those memories of all the amazing fish and sea turtles!

Snorkel gear is available for rent all of the island, or if you want to save money and time, you can pack your own snorkel gear in your suitcase or you can skip the snorkel gear and just pack a pair of swimming goggles.

Pictured above is a sea turtle we spotted right in front of our condo, just a ways north of Lydgate Beach Park.

For some of the best snorkeling options, I suggest checking out the following beaches…

• Tunnels Beach (North shore of island)
• Lydgate Beach Park (East side of island)
• Poipu Beach (South shore of island) – go on weekdays to avoid the heaviest crowds, and keep an eye out for sea turtles and monk seals!

Lydgate Beach Park

Poipu Beach

Gail said: “We stayed in Poipu. Rented a few condos overlooking the beach and got married right on a nice grassy space overlooking the ocean. No fee for a wedding venue and best backdrop you can imagine.”

What You’ll Need

Snorkel Gear

Best Kauai Swimming Beaches

In addition to the protected swimming at Poipu Beach (pictured above), following are more fabulous swimming beaches on Kauai…

Hanalei Bay

When it comes to swimming with epic mountain views and catching gorgeous sunsets, my favorite swimming beach is Hanalei Bay.  It’s on the North shore and and has lifeguards, bathrooms, and free parking lots + free street parking.

In the Summer, the water in the bay is calm… perfect for swimming and stand up paddle boarding.

From the water, you’ve even got a view of gorgeous rugged mountains and cascading waterfalls.  It definitely tops the charts for the all-around dreamy beach experience!

It’s also great for long beach walks!

Salt Pond County Beach Park

Salt Pond Beach, located on the west side of the island, is another great swimming beach!

With calm, gentle waves, it’s always a top choice for families with young children.

Best Boogie Boarding Beaches in Kauai

Boogie boarding is always fun, but finding the right spots to ride those waves in is essential!

Following are my two favorite boogie boarding beaches on Kauai…

Kekaha Beach

Kekaha Beach is a beautiful, long sandy beach located over on the west side of the island.  Not only does it have some great boogie boarding waves, but it also is fairly secluded compared to other beaches.

If it’s rainy on other parts of the island, head over to Kekaha… you’ll often find it dry and sunny!

Kealia Beach

Kealia Beach is found over on the east side, and even has a special section of beach marked off just for boogie boarders.

It’s a lot busier of a beach than Kekaha, but is worth a visit at least once if you want to catch some more waves…

Spouting Horn Blowhole

Blowholes are always fascinating to watch, and Kauai has a spectacular one you can view called Spouting Horn!

The water can spout up to 50 feet high at times!

So make sure to stop by the Spouting Horn Beach Park and take some time to just relax and enjoy the fascinating view.

Waimea Canyon Drive

Taking a drive up to the Waimea Canyon is an absolute must.

You’ll find peek-a-boo views as well as established viewpoints with stunning views!

Affectionately nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of Kauai”, you’ll notice some striking similarities!

Na Pali Coast Viewpoint – Kalalau Lookout

The Na Pali coast will take your breath away.  With the lush jagged cliffs against the tropical blue waters, the view is simply spectacular!

While helicopter tours and boat tours are an option for viewing the Na Pali coast, you can also catch a gorgeous view at the Kalalau Lookout.

And you might even spot some wild chickens roaming around the parking lot!

Waterfalls on Kauai You Can Drive To

There are so many gorgeous waterfalls all over Kauai, but my favorites are the Wailua Falls and Opaekaa Falls.

Both have easy access to viewpoints to make sure you’re able to get some fun waterfall pictures.

Wailua Falls Viewpoint

Opaekaa Falls Viewpoint

Kauai Free Hula Shows + Inexpensive Hula Show

Now if you’re wanting to enjoy a hula show while on Kauai, I’d suggest one of the free hula shows!

On the Eastside, you’ll be able to attend a Free Hula Show every Wednesday at 5pm and Saturday at 1pm at the Coconut Marketplace Shopping Center on Kuhio Highway in Kapaa.

Or if you’re looking for a bigger event, you can check out the hula show at the Smith Family Luau.

It wasn’t my favorite show at all, but it did have an epic fire dance at the end of the show.  I’d still recommend opting for the free hula shows, but if you just really want to see that show, tickets to the Luau run around $98 per person.

Yikes!

BUT, they actually give you an option to skip the meal and just go for the show, with tickets then around $15 per person.

That’s better, right?

It’s a bit tricky to find that option on their website (smithskauai.com), but you can always call them for help reserving the cheaper tickets as well.

More Kauai Travel Tips + Vacation Ideas

Kim said: “Kauai Travel Tips?  Sometimes you have to take short hikes to beaches, but it’s well worth it.  My favorite beach on the island Lumihai! You can snorkel (limited) in one area, have nearly flat water in one area, or go out toward the rock area and sit in a wave pool…so cool.

There is a beautiful hike on the North shore of island where the road ends. You can hike either 1-2 miles, 4 miles or 17! I love the beach there Ke’e!

My favorite area is Hanalei Bay near the North shore – it’s gorgeous. There is a huge bay there were you can rent paddle boards. The “grand canyon of Hawaii” is also on Kauai – it’s unbelievable! The view from top is the best I’ve ever seen in my life.

If you’re feeling adventurous, check out the hike called “jungle hike”. It’s amazing! You drive your car deep in to woods, grab your styrofoam boards and float down a river (in a cave) –need to bring a head lamp— into an opening of a great blue pool, with rope swing and waterfall. It’s very secluded. Be sure to take a sunset cruise to the Napali Coast. Kauai coffee is also fun to visit.  Those are my top Kauai Travel Tips.”

Sheryl said: “The nicest weather is in the Poipu Area. Important, because the Wettest Spot on Earth is Mt. Waialeale on Kauai!  This is also why this island is so lush & beautiful.”

Rich said: “Airfare is a big part of your expenses, so the longer you can stay the better. One week is bare minimum, 10 days is nicer, two weeks is even better.  The key is finding lodging that does not charge too much, make sure you ask about all the taxes to, as they are high. No need to be right on the beach, a block away can cut prices a lot. Hope this helps.”

Elecia said: “Loved it!!! Went as a teenager. We drove the entire island!!! Glass beach was amazing. We went snorkeling right off of Ke’e beach.  We visited so many gorgeous places. I remember the drive was so beautiful to the Canyon!!!  Kauai was my favorite island out of all I visited!  The bridal caves are awesome!!!  I loved the beautiful place we stayed, They encouraged us to pick the flowers, walk on the grass, partake in the luau, and taste every fruit the island had to offer!”

Oksana said: “I love sharing Kauai travel tips!  Kauai is our favorite island. We’re going back for our 8th time soon.

Kayaking is so fun on Kauai. It’s a bit harder for us, because we have little kids right now, but with older kids it’s a great day activity. My favorite is Wailua River kayak then hike day trip.

Kalalau trail is my favorite trail on the island, but there are sooo many other that are very beautiful. You can hike the first 2 miles of Kalalau or go all the way 11 miles I believe. We have done the 11 miles once a long time ago.

For the first timers you have to take the boat trip around Napali Coast. I liked that way better then the helicopter tour. We have never done the zipline there but I hear its a lot of fun.  And of course so many amazing, beautiful beaches, snorkling, swimming and just relaxing soaking up that Hawaiian sun.

My favorite place to eat is Keoki’s Paradise the bar area. Good food, live music in the evening, great atmosphere. We don’t eat out very much, but this is the place we always go to every time we are in Kauai.  If you would like to go on the less expensive side there are so many condos you can rent.”

Jill said: “Bubba’s Burgers, Hanalei Bay, Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Coast… it is so beautiful!!!!!!!!”

Shelley said: “It’s an interesting island….dry side and wet side…Waimea Canyon is awesome!!!!  Have lunch up at the top.  Also drive the side with the lighthouses… amazing!”

Jen said: “Got married there! Hanalei Colony Resort on the North end was amazing.”

Heather said: “Eat at the Sushi Girl in Kilauea – poke is so yummy!  Visit Polihale Beach – rugged road to get to, but sooo worth it, and visit Glass beach in Eleele.”

Kelly said: “We rented a house on a semi private cove. Had the tranquil beach to ourselves much of the time. Hanalei was our favorite town and the drive there is absolutely beautiful. Sigh…I wanna go back now.”

Brandi said: “We rented a small cottage that had a full kitchen. That way we could cook for ourselves if we wanted to (from the farmer’s markets).  It saved a lot of money and was like we were living like the locals.  We stayed 7 days near Kapaa on the east side of the island and 4 days in the Hanalei area (North Shore).  Spent a lot of time relaxing at hidden beaches, hiking to beautiful places, and eating delicious shave ice.”

Jennifer said: “We stayed in Princeville just before Hanalei Bay. I would have to say my favorite thing we did was get married on the island. I love it there and can’t wait to go back! Also Snorkeling Tunnels Beach.”

Beth said: “See the Na Pali Coast by Catamaran.”

Meredith said: “I have been to Kauai about half a dozen times.  Two words… Food trucks!  Some of the best food you will get on the island.  Especially their huli huli chicken.”

DeAnn said: “If you are a military veteran there are places to stay and just about every place gives military discounts and senior discounts at the same time. We went last year and found an even less expensive place to stay the next time we go.”

Patricia said: “Eat at Beach House Restaurant in Poipu. Great location and drinks.”

Jessica said: “Tubing and off roading through the muddy forests is so much for fun teens”

Liza said: “Kauai is our favorite vacation spot… the island is so quaint.  The best luau is the Smith Family Luau; the best beach we love is Tunnels Beach; and a must do is the Waimea Canyon.  There are ton of hiking places within Canyon!  We fell in love with Hawaii in after our honeymoon, and we have gone back almost every year since.  One new thing we will try in Kauai is the Sugar Cane tubing adventure as recommended by a friend.”

Patti said: “Out of the 4 islands I went to, Kauai was my favorite. So laid back and easy going.  We did a whaling expedition on Maui, but ended up seeing more whales from a condo’s balcony on Kauai.”

Maryann said: “Beautiful Fern Grotto.”

Shelli said: “Kauai Travel Tips?  Well we stayed in Poipu at a VRBO. Very quiet on the south side of the island. But the North shore is amazing!!!! Especially Ke’e Beach. Probably the most amazing beach I’ve ever seen. Totally wanna go back. Also taking a catamaran around the Napali coastline was breathtaking.  We also went zip lining and tubing in the old sugar plantations. Lots of fun.  The tubing is in old sugar plantation canals!!! It’s super fun. You go through many tunnels get to wear headlamp. The scenery is beautiful on the old plantations. And most of the tours offer a lunch.”

Rani said: “Just got back from my 4th trip to Kauai (my favorite Hawaiian island) and had a blast! Must do is a Raft Trip to see the Na Pali Coast and visit any of the gorgeous beaches! Went to the Fern Grotto a couple weeks ago.  The 1992 hurricane wiped out much of the ferns and it’s not as lush as it use to be.  Still amazing.”

Barbara said: “My daughter and son in law lived there so we were able to visit. It is amazing; the flowers, the canyon, the rain everyday!! Be prepared for high prices though!”

Wendy said: “Boat ride to the Fern Grotto. Don’t know if they still do, but when I was there years ago, they sang the Hawaiian Wedding Song….wonderful.”

Destiny said: “Hanelai Bay, Princeville and all of the wild chickens were too cool! Go check out the Waimea Valley and the Fern Grotto.”

Sandra said: “Yes, those mentioned above plus the Kilauea Lighthouse, Waimea Falls and Opeaka’a Falls.”

Kelly said: “Go Snorkeling with Fair Wind Cruises! They provide all of your equipment and two meals while taking you to three different places for snorkeling. My favorite day in Hawaii!

Meri said: “Ziplining! I forgot the name of the outdoor group (I believe there are two), but the one we went on was on the South side. A BLAST!”

Shannon said: “Tubin’ The Ditch!”

Johannah said: “The whole island is wonderful, the people are so friendly. If you go to Kauai once, you will want to go back. We visited Polihale State Park, and have done hiking, kayaking, sightseeing, and laying on the beach. My only advice is stay long enough to see the island. Don’t stay the whole time on the south shore or the north shore. You have to see east and west as well to really appreciate the beauty and serenity of Kauai.”

Anthony said: “Hiking some of the trails is an absolute must. The real lasting impressions are from the island’s interior, not the coasts. And since you are all frugal… keep in mind that all parks and trails are free. You do sure need to be in good physical condition. For sure – Wrangler’s Steak House in Waimea. Absolutely do: the Kuilau Trail, and the Pihea/Ala’kai Swamp Trail if in real good physical condition.”

Jenny said: “We try and travel in the off season and/or on off-days to save money, like Fall & Winter in Hawaii.”

Dani said: “Recommend staying on Poipu Beach, taking a trip to Spouting Horn, and Kayaking or Boating to the Napali Coast. We only saw the coast from inland and that was breathtaking. Definitely recommend ziplining at Kauai Backcountry Adventures, staff and grounds were amazing. Oh and make a trip to head over to Puka Dogs for the best hot dogs you’ve ever had. Aloha.”

Kauai On A Budget

To keep your Hawaiian vacation budget-friendly, you’ll need to do some planning ahead, and one of the first things you’ll want to do is start stashing cash away for your  ‘Kauai Trip Fund’.

Need to increase your travel fund stash?  One of the easiest ways is to make extra money on the side in your free time!  Here are my favorite tricks for ramping up the vacation budget…

27 Side Hustles Ideas

Where to Stay in Kauai + Kauai Weather

When considering where to stay in Kauai, you basically have the North, South, East, and West.

In the North, you’ll find Princeville and Hanalei… it is a stunning area, but keep in mind prices usually run higher for accommodations there and you’ll also have more rain on that part of the island.

In the South, you’ll find plenty of hotels and condos near Poipu Beach… it’s a sunnier spot of the island, but is also a bit crowded.

On the West, you’ll find a smattering of vacation rentals by owner… and you’ll also find the hottest and driest weather of the entire island.

On the East, you’ll find LOTS of affordable hotel and condo rental options for your stay.  It will pretty much rain at some point there every day, but there are some lovely snorkeling beaches, and you’ll be conveniently located to drive up North or South depending on the day.  We opted to stay in Kapa’a at a VRBO rental on the East side, and loved it!

How to Save on Lodging in Kauai

Wondering how to plan the perfect hotel stay for your next beach vacation?  It’s so much easier than you think!

Don’t book your next hotel without knowing these secrets shared by Hotel Staff and Frequent Travelers…

75 Hotel Hacks Everyone Should Know

In addition to hotels, I also recommend staying at a VRBO on Kauai to save BIG on your trip.  They have so many vacation rentals listed by owner all over the island, and they’re such a great way to find nice lodging that is way less expensive than the resorts.

I’ve personally stayed at multiple lovely condo complexes through VRBO.  Not only were they often significantly cheaper than the nearby hotels, they also came fully stocked with beach towels, beach chairs, boogie boards, and an in-room kitchen.  One even had in-room laundry!

These amenities alone saved us SO much money!

Plus… as a bonus there was free parking, no resort fees, gorgeous pools and hot tubs, and excellent customer service!  Such a perfect home away from home!

Laura writes: “Kauai is so beautiful! Stay somewhere that you can prepare your own meals, that will save you $$.”

Now do you want to know my favorite tips and tricks for saving BIG on a VRBO?  These little known hacks will save you SO much money!  Check this out…

How to Slash The Cost of Your Next Trip Using VRBO

How to Get Cheap Flights to Kauai

35 Southwest Airlines Hacks (+ How to Fly SWA to Kauai for FREE!)

25 American Airlines Flight Hacks (Weird Tricks Everyone Should Know)

23 Delta Airlines Travel Hacks (Savvy Travel Hacking Ideas)

Make sure to be flexible with your dates, too!

Ness said: “September flights are really cheap to there”

How to Save Money on Food In Hawaii…  Kauai Grocery Stores + Food Prices (+ How to Eat on a Budget)

Are you wondering how to save money on food in Hawaii?  One of the first things you’ll notice on Kauai is the significantly higher food prices.

Specifically bread and dairy prices can be a bit off-the-charts.  However, you can still have some AMAZING food on Kauai without breaking the bank!  Here are a few of my favorite tricks…

Make Your 1st Stop the Walmart by the Airport.

After flying into Lihue Airport on Kauai, you’ll want to make your first stop the Walmart about 2 miles away.

Oh, I realize it’s not the most exciting first stop on your Hawaiian vacation, but it will definitely save you LOADS of money!  Before heading to your hotel or condo (and the more expensive shops in those areas), you’ll first want to load up on full-size sunscreen, food and snacks, and beach gear at Walmart (like buckets and shovels for the kids, etc).

Don’t forget to take your Printable Coupons to save even more, and make sure to take along some reusable bags to bag up your groceries… Walmart on Kauai charges for bags.

Chandra said: “Get your souvenirs at the Walmart. It’s the same stuff vendors are selling, but you’ll pay less.”

Want to sweeten the deal even more? Use these tips for Walmart Grocery Deals to save even more…

Walmart Grocery Deals (20 Secret Tips)

Shop the Sales at Foodland, Big Save Market & Safeway

After Walmart, you’ll find some of the best grocery prices at Foodland, Big Save Market, and Safeway on Kauai.

If you don’t already have a loyalty card for these stores, be sure to sign up at the checkout line for one so you can take advantage of the sale prices.

Stock up on Bulk Items at Costco

Yes… there is a Costco on Kauai, and it’s another great way to slash your vacation food budget bill!

So just what should you consider buying at Costco?

• Water Bottles (this alone will save SO much money!)
• Bottled Coffees
• Bread
• Lunch Meats / Cheeses
• and Beach Chairs if your VRBO doesn’t already have them.

Use the Grills by your Hotel’s Pool

Most hotels and condo complexes offer grills free to use, often located right by the pool.  Taking advantage of these can be such a simple way to save money on your dinner each night!

Plus… you might even make some new friends.  We’ve met so many nice people from all over the world down by the grills!

Pictured below you’ll see our Teriyaki Burgers with Pineapple Rings that hubby grilled up one night down by the pool… and yes, that’s a peek-a-boo view of the ocean right there!

Dinner with a view!

… Or Buy a Portable Grill & Cook Dinner on the Beach!

This one is a game-changer.  Restaurants on Kauai are EXPENSIVE, so you will save hundreds and hundreds of dollars on your family vacation simply by making your own food!

Plus… bonus points for having all of those extra hours at the beach to play and watch the sunset while everyone else is taking off to go change and eat dinner.

We picked up the portable grill pictured below for $28 at Walmart, and used it 8 out of the 10 nights we were there to grill up dinner.  It saved us SO much $$!

It turns out sand castles make a great wind barrier for grilling, too!

Pick up a Pizza on the Way to the Beach!

Another budget meal on Kauai is to pick up a pizza on the way to the beach!  We were able to score deals at both Domino’s Pizza and Pizza Hut when ordering online for pickup, and grabbed a large pizza for right around $10.

Then… our family got to enjoy the tasty meal right on the beach!  It was such a cheap lunch those days… and allowed us even more time spent relaxing at the beach with the sand in our toes!

Check out these tips below to sweeten your deal at Domino’s on Kauai even more…

How to Get Free Domino’s Pizza (+ 12 Ordering Hacks to Save Even More)

Best Shaved Ice on Kauai

Now the one thing you just NEED to splurge on, is shaved ice!  But… don’t stop at just any shaved ice shop.

You’ve got to head north to Hanalei Bay and stop by the Wishing Well Shaved Ice truck.

I’m a BIG lover of shaved ice, and this is hands down the best shaved ice I’ve ever had!  I ordered mine also with fresh papaya, coconut shavings, and served over Macadamia Nut ice cream.

Um… YUM!

Kauai Car Rentals + Cheap Deals

To make sure you’ve got the freedom to drive and explore all of the hidden gems on Kauai, you’ll definitely want that rental car.

There are several Rental Car Hacks to slash your costs that you’ll want to take advantage of!

Here are my favorite tricks to save BIG on Kauai car rentals…

20 Ways to Save Money on Rental Cars

More Frugal Kauai Travel Tips

How To Save On Gas (Genius Hacks)

How to Travel for Free or Cheap (20 Budget Travel Hacks)

Moriah said: “Try an Air BNB with a full kitchen.  Eat breakfast and lunch (or some meals) in instead of out!”

Renee said: “We usually buy food from the grocery store for breakfast and lunches… fruit, bread, lunch meat and cheeses… then ONLY eat out for dinner.  Saves so much!!!”

What to Do Before You Leave Home

For longer trips, you can save even more money by temporarily canceling subscriptions at home you won’t be using, like Netflix or Hulu.

You’ll also want to turn up your home’s A/C in the Summer or turn down the heat in the Winter to save on Electricity, suspend your gym membership, etc.

All the money you save by doing making these little adjustments can then be applied towards your trip expenses!

Cha-ching!

Kauai Travel Tips for Souvenirs

Be sure to leave extra room in your suitcase to bring home some souvenirs!  (The ABC stores are my favorite spot snatch up some budget-friendly souvenirs.)

More Fun and Frugal Vacation Ideas

Planning on visiting more than one Hawaiian Island?  Now that you’ve finished reading these Kauai Travel Tips, check out more Frugal Travel Tips below…

45 Best Maui Travel Tips

75 Oahu Travel Tips and Tricks

35 Los Angeles Travel Tips (What You Can’t Afford to Miss)

75 San Diego Travel Tips (Where to Eat, Stay & Play)

50 Outer Banks Travel Tips (OBX Guide)

35 Wilmington North Carolina Things to Do

101 Myrtle Beach Travel Tips and Things to Do (What to Know BEFORE You Go)

101 Charleston South Carolina Things to Do

Top 10 Romantic Honeymoon Destinations

101 Frugal Travel Tips and Best Kept Secrets

So… have YOU every been to Kauai before? 

What are some of your favorite Kauai Travel Tips for places to see, things to do, beaches to visit, etc?

Leave a comment & share your own Kauai Travel Tips!