By: Bound2explore November 22, 2022

After several visits to Hawaii, I finally made it to Kauai Island. Just like Oahu and Maui, Kauai offers incredible view, perfect weather and amazing beaches. All in all, I think Kauai is the prettiest among the three Islands. From tree tunnel, the light house, the canyon to swing bridge, Kauai offers endless beauty and things to do. Here are top ten things to do in Kauai you should not miss.

1. Explore Waimea Canyon
Waimanalo Canyon state park is definitely one of must do things in Kauai. Known as grand Canyon of the Pacific, the view will awe you just like the Grand Canyon. There are two main look out points where you can hike at the end of the drive. One of them is Pu’u O Kila Lookout. Here you can park the car, pay the fee at the machine and start your short hike. On your drive to Pu’u O Kila Lookout, you can also stop along the way at different look out points. The drive is very scenic.

2. Drive to Opaekaa Falls.

This water falls is very accessible. You basically drive to the look out point and park your car on the parking lot. From there you just need a short walk to see the Opaekaa Falls. So, if you are not into hiking, you can do this.  It requires very minimal effort.

3. Shark watching at Fuji Beach.

We stopped by at Fuji Beach because we wanted to enjoy the breeze and stunning view of clear blue pacific ocean. Fuji beach also have tide pool for kids to swim and has many picnic tables. To our surprise, we saw several sharks swimming along the beach where estuary river meets the ocean. We couldn’t believe our eyes. What a sight to be hold. So if you want to watch the shark swimming around, visit the Fuji Beach. According to the local, sometimes you can even spot the tiger shark at this location.

4. Catch the rainbow over Wailua water falls
Yes, you can catch the rainbow over the water fall.  The Wailua Falls is beautiful even without the rainbow. But if you show up in the morning,  you can see the rainbow across the water falls. It is easily access from the road above but hard to find a parking spot. The trail gate is locked, so basically you should not hike to the bottom of the fall but some people jump the fence to hike down the water falls.

5. Swim in Lyndgate natural pools
This is one of my favorite of all top ten Things to do in Kauai. Imagine calm blue ocean and easy breeze, such as nice place to swim around or to just float and relax in the water. Lyndgate beach has two natural pools with barriers so the barriers prevent big waves from crashing down on you while swimming  around. You can bring your snorkel equipment if you want to watch the fish swimming around  in these pools. The beach provide free showers, picnic area and ample parking. This is definitely one of my favorite things to do in Kauai.

6. Make a stop at spouting horn
This one is similar to blowhole on Oahu Island. Depend on the time of the day, you might be able to see a big one. Spouting horn is located on southern coast of Kauai in Koloa district. There are ample parking in Spouting Horn Beach Park and the entrance is free. Here you can watch a blowhole spout a plume of seawater into the air. On the way back, make a stop at Poipu Beach for sunset watch, and if you are lucky, you might spot turtles.

7. Have breakfast a Seaview Terrace Restaurant

This beautiful restaurant is located inside Grand Hyatt Kauai. It is better to make a reservation especially if you are not staying on the property. The food is scrumptious and the view is breathtaking. After a meal you can take a walk around beautiful Grand Hyatt Property.

8. Watch  Hula show at Coconut Market
Everything in Hawaii are so expensive, so what a sweet surprise when you stumble upon free things to do in Kauai. The Hula show at Coconut Market is  free to watch. The showcase represents all Polynesian culture, from Hawaii, Tahiti, Maori to Samoan.  The show starts every Friday at 5 PM. This interactive show is very entertaining and at the same time, you will learn a lot about Polynesian culture. If you are hungry, you can grab delicious  food, drink or Hawaiian ice water from the stores inside Coconut Market. The show is presented by one of dance school in Kauai, so donation will be greatly appreciated.

9. Hike the Makauwahi trail
This is an easy trail to hike and the view along the hike is jaw dropping. Here is how to get to the trail. Follow the sign on the road, you will make a turn onto dirt road. Park your car alongside dirt road since there is no designated parking lot. You will see another sign on the dirt road. Follow the sign.

The trail will take you to two destinations. If you make a right at the fork, you’ll end up on the beach and if you make a left,  you’ll end up at the Makauwahi Cave.  You should check out both of them.  The cave is an interesting place to visit.  It used to be a sinkhole before the water receded and disappeared. There is a small opening on the cave.  So, you have to crawl to enter the cave.  After you passed the small opening, you’ll see a big open cave right in front of you. While it is free to enter the cave, there is donation box right after the entrance.

10. Attend a fire show/luau
This is a professional show so you have to pay to watch the show.  Some resort like Hilton and Grand Hyatt Kauai have their own Luau show on their property. The ticket usually come with dinner. The show is quite amazing. So whenever you are visiting  Kauai, you really need to check this out.