PLACES TO EAT:

In Princeville:

  • Princeville Resort Hotel — A good place to eat during any night of your stay is at the Princeville Resort Hotel. The terrace overlooks beautiful Hanalei Bay and the beginning of Na Pali Coast. Be sure to get there about an hour before sunset to get a table with the best views. Book your reservations at 808-826-9644.
  • Princeville Makai Golf Club is a great place to have lunch!
  • PV Eats is the newest place to dine in Princeville, located at the former Princeville Golf clubhouse.
  • Piazza for pizzas and Italian cuisine.

In Hanalei town:

  • Hanalei Bread Company for coffee, breakfast, sandwiches and snacks.
  • The Dolphin be sure to get there by 5 p.m. The Fish Market has fresh fish and sushi.
  • Postcards serves organic food, casual atmosphere, but slow service.
  • BARacuda you must have reservations here; serves tapas style cuisine.
  • Ama Restaurant behind Baracuda. Gourmet saimin.
  • The Gourmet serves sandwiches, burgers, pastas etc.
  • Tropical Taco for fish tacos.
  • Fresh Bite is a great food truck located near the Hanalei Liquor Store.
  • The Tahiti Nui Luau for dinner and entertainment.
  • There are a variety of other food trucks in Hanalei town that are fun to enjoy.

In Kilauea:

  • Kilauea Bakery is great little coffee shop/sandwich place.
  • Across the street at the stone building, try the Kauai Juice Co.; Great cold-pressed, local, organic juices.

In Poipu:

OUR FAVORITE ACTIVITIES:

  • Surfing
  • Boogie Boarding
  • Stand Up Paddle (SUP)
  • Kayaking
  • Beach path biking
  • Hiking
  • Sightseeing
  • Beach lounging
  • Shave ice eating
  • Mai tai sipping
  • Hula dancing
  • Relaxing

BEACHES (top picks):

  • Hanalei Bay
  • Kalihiwai Bay
  • Lumahai Beach
  • Rock Quarry Beach (Kilauea Bay)
  • Ke’e Beach
  • Kealia Beach
  • Tunnels (Makua) Beach
  • Lydgate Beach Park (great for small children)
  • Anini Beach (great for small children)
  • Poipu Beach Park
  • Secrets (Kauapea) Beach
  • Polihale State Park

Visit the Kauai Explorer for more beach info.

Only swim where there’s a lifeguard! Be sure to watch the ocean for at least 15 minutes before going in. And only swim where there’s a lifeguard! If in doubt, don’t go out.

Kauai Points of Interest:

  • Visit the spectacular Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge:
  • Have fun at Kauai Mini Golf – don’t be fooled by the name. You just might be able to get a hole-in-one. It’s also a botanical garden of native Hawaiian plants. You can rent brand new mountain bikes or hike a couple of miles on a loop trail that takes you up to a beautiful waterfall, that was man-made over 100 years ago. (I actually got a historical award for rebuilding the Kilauea Plantation Stone Dam.) It’s a great place to have a picnic lunch. Make sure to bring your camera & mosquito spray.
  • Take a helicopter tour with Sunshine Helicopter, they fly out of Princeville airport, which is close by. It’s a great way to see the Na Pali Coast State Park.
  • You can also check out Na Pali Coast State Park via chartered boat. Take an early morning charter. You visit sea caves and view indescribable, amazing cliffs. You learn some history and do some snorkeling as well. I recommend NaPali Catamaran, Holo Holo Charters or UFO. It’s best to make a reservation now. They leave out of Hanalei Bay, the closest, direct route with half-day adventures.
  • For kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals, go to Kayak Hanalei (at the Dolphin Center). You can book an early morning kayak trip with them, where they take you up the Hanalei River and give you a history of the area.
  • Anyone wanting surf lessons should check out Hanalei Surfing Adventures, 808-482-0749. Or, try Robin at the Hawaiian School of Surfing at the Quiksilver shop. Robin’s number is 808-652-1116.
  • Another fun thing to do is hike the Na Pali coast. Drive to the end of the road, 8 miles past Hanalei town. Go early as the trail gets crowded. It’s an hour hike to the first beach. Dangerous swimming conditions there, so be careful.
  • For a full day of adventure – drive to the other side of the island and visit Waimea Canyon. It’s a must-see!
  • Make some stops in some cute, old towns like Koloa, Hanapepe, and Waimea town. These places are only several blocks long.