Kauai Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia

From an eye-popping coastline

to a colossal canyon…

from ancient cultures to cool coastal vibes,

if ever there were an island
where all things bloom, surely it is Kauai.

It once took mariners
months to reach her shores, but today,

the Hawaiian island of Kauai is
just a six-hour flight from mainland USA,

or a half-hour flight from Honolulu.

Kauai is the tip of a giant volcano,

which rose from the Pacific
floor over 5 million years ago.

The waves brought coconuts.

The birds brought seed, and the mountains, rain.

By the time the legendary
Polynesian navigator Hawai’iloa arrived,

Kauai was a veritable garden,

ready to nourish all with her spiritual essence, her Mana.

On today’s Kauai,
no building can be taller than a coconut tree,

a symbol of her people’s deep
and ongoing respect for the island.

Begin your Kauai adventure on the North Shore,

and you’ll soon see why
Kauai is known as The Garden island.

From Hanalei Valley Lookout,

gaze down at one of
the lushest valleys on the planet,

where the heart-shaped
leaves of taro rise from a patchwork of flooded fields.

A half-hour drive away at Limahuli Gardens and Reserve,

follow trails through forests and terraces,

and gain a deeper
appreciation of Kauai’s unique botany

and ancient farming techniques.

Down by the water, soak up the soulful vibes in Hanalie.

Chill out with a shave ice,

or enjoy the simple pleasure of a freshly cut coconut

at the weekly farmers market.

Rising high above the
North Shore is historic Kilauea Lighthouse,

a welcome sight to early sailors and anxious aviators

after their long journeys across the vast Pacific.

After soaking up Kauai’s northern vibes head east,

and cruise down the Royal Coconut Coast, to Kapa’a.

Nestled at the base of Sleeping Giant Mountain,

Kapa’a is the perfect place to experience the aromas

and rhythms of traditional Hawaiian life.

Kapa’a is also blessed with some
of the islands most accessible waterfalls.

Breathe in the mists of Wailua Falls,

one of the many popular film
locations which dot the island.

Just to the south is Lihue, Kauai’s capital.

Despite being the island’s commercial heart,

historic and cultural roots run deep here.

Step though the lava-stone
entrance of the Kauai Museum,

and immerse yourself in
the rich history of the island and her peoples.

Then take a ride through the Kilohana Planation,

home to a mansion that for decades

was the heart of Kauai’s social and diplomatic life.

After exploring the East Coast,

follow Highway 520 through the Tree Tunnel,

the cool gateway to Kauai’s South Shore.

For an old-school slice
of Island life, hang out at Hanapepe,

whose swinging bridge has
been swaying under the footsteps

of local taro farmers for over a century.

Then at Waimea, stock up on
fresh provisions, just as Captain James Cook did

when he first stepped ashore
on what would be his final epic voyage.

Cook only explored the
lower reaches of the Waimea River,

but if he’d ventured further he would have been the first

European to have witnessed the
grandeur of one of Hawaii’s greatest treasures,

Waimea Canyon.

After taking in the views
of Waimea Canyon, continue north

for views of one of the planet’s
most spectacular shores, the Na Pali Coast.

To truly appreciate Na Pali,

take to the water and gaze up
at the towering cliffs that have been

stunning mariners into silence for centuries

cliffs which rise from the Pacific floor

and cradle a garden like no other on earth.

The waves brought coconuts to Kauai.

The birds brought seed, and the mountains rain.

Welcome to the Garden Island,
where the only thing missing, is you.