Imagine this: seashells, sunsets, beaches, mountains, waterfalls, papaya, pineapple, starfruit, sugarcane, wild chickens (just go with the flow here), coral, snorkeling, swimming, and surfing.
Today’s Dream Trip is to the Hawaiian Island of Kauai, known for it’s natural beauty and outdoor adventures.
See
Stay
The Koa Kea in Kauai
Stay at the Koa Kea Hotel situated on the white sands of Poipu Beach. More like a boutique hotel than a huge resort, the Koa Kea was ranked as the #1 most romantic hotel in the United States in Trip Advisor’s 20212 Traveler’s Choice survey.
Do
Tour the Waimea Canyon, take a cruise on the Wailua River and visit the Fern Grotto.
Snorkel on the coast of the Forbidden Island, Ni’ihau.
Go on a zipline adventure in the shadows of the Haupu Mountains & swim at Kipu Falls.
Enjoy a traditional luau and sunset dinner lit by torches.
Eat
A trip to Kauai wouldn’t be complete without shaved ice. Visit Jo Jo’s Anuenue and try the Haupia Special for a yummy treat.
Visit the Koloa Fish Market and try one of their cooked fish plats (topped with butter & garlic, teriyaki or wasabi cream sauce).
Craving organic? Try Postcards Cafe for fresh seafood and gourmet vegetarian meals.
Eat waffles topped with papaya, whipped cream, bananas, macadamia nuts with a coconut syrup while drinking amazing coffee made from freshly roasted coffee beans at Hanalei Coffee Roasters.
Plan Your Kauai Trip
Kauai’s Official Travel Site
Kauai Guidebooks
Find more things to do in Kauai
Book a stay at the Koa Kea Hotel
Been To Kauai? Give us some tips for creating an amazing Kauai vacation. (pretty please)
About the Author
About the Author: Kate is a travel junkie at heart. She lives for exploring cultures, food, history and local life and is currently scheming ways to get enough time free to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Get Trip Logic Updates by Email.
Kuai’i is the cradle of traditional Hawaiian culture and the oldest island. I’d explore Waimea, go tubing down the old plantation waterways, go to Cook’s or Grand Hyatt Luau (do not skip the poi) and talk to as many aunties and uncles (elders) as possible!
Love these suggestions. Tubing down the old plantation waterways sounds thrilling and I love the idea of exploring the culture of Kuai’i by talking to the elders. Thanks so much for sharing these with us.
Beautiful photography from a beautiful place. I especially love the rooster.
Beautiful pictures. Never been to Hawaii, but Kauai is at the top for which Hawaiian island I’d most like to visit.
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Koa Kea is terrific – stayed there in late ’10. Would recommend a tour via helicopter or small plane to see the western part of the island … it’s the only way to see it. Also recommend the Beach House for sunset views.
Hey Sean – thanks for stopping by and thanks for the advice! Do you have any recommendations of places to eat nearby?
Hello Kate! Don’t know if you’ve already made your trip, but..Tidepools at the Grand Hyatt was amazing. My hubby and I loved our stay @ the Koa Kea in June 2011. Tidepools is a short hop right down the road from the KK. The food was delicious and our table was right by the water. Sooo beautiful..and with a brief rain during our dinner, it was even more romantic. Another great place was Keoki’s Paradise. Hubby loved the Monchong (fish) so much, he’s had it delivered here at home a few times since! We also ate at The Beach House Restaurant on our last night followed by a walk by the water’s edge after. Our kayak trip down the Wailua river with a hike to the waterfall was another awesome experience..sorry, I was just gonna talk about food! Now I want to go back.
Btw..Keoki’s has a yummy Hula Pie!
Hi Karen,
Thanks so much for sharing all these great tips. I’m totally drooling over your food recommendations. Sounds like you had a fantastic trip!