25 Best Sights in Kauai, Hawaii

This drive-up beach park favored by campers year-round has a wide bay named Makua bordered by two large reef systems, creating favorable waves for skilled surfers during peak winter conditions. Entering the water can be dangerous in winter when the big swells roll in. In July and August, waters at this same beach are usually as calm as a lake, and throughout summer this is a premier snorkeling site. It's not unusual to find a food vendor parked here, selling sandwiches and drinks out of a converted bread van. Adjacent to this beach is Tunnels Beach.

Parking is extremely limited (the lot typically fills up by 8:30 am), and all vehicles illegally parked outside of designated parking zones are subject to fees and towing. You can also park your car in the shuttle parking lot in Waipa, west of Hanalei Town, and board the North Shore Shuttle for a ride to the beach park ($35 round-trip with seven stops); see  gohaena.com for details and reservations. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; surfing; walking.

This 2-mile crescent beach cradles a wide bay in a setting that is quintessential Hawaii: the sea is on one side, and behind you are the mountains, often ribboned with waterfalls and changing color in the shifting light. In winter, Hanalei Bay boasts some of the biggest onshore surf breaks in the state, attracting world-class surfers, and the beach is plenty wide enough for sunbathing and strolling. In summer, the bay is transformed—calm waters lap the beach, sailboats moor in the bay, and outrigger-canoe paddlers ply the sea. Pack the cooler, haul out the beach umbrellas, and don't forget the beach toys because Hanalei Bay is worth scheduling for an entire day, maybe two. Several county beach parks, some with pavilions, can be found along the bay: Waioli, Black Pot, and Hanalei Pavilion (with ample facilities). Amenities: lifeguards; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

Dramatic mountains and a patchwork of neat taro farms bisected by the wide Hanalei River make this one of Hawaii's loveliest views, even with the flood damage it sustained in 2018. The fertile Hanalei Valley has been planted with taro since perhaps AD 700, save for an 80-year-long foray into rice that ended in 1960. (The historic Haraguchi Rice Mill is all that remains of that era.) Many taro farmers lease land within the 900-acre Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, helping to provide wetland habitat for four species of endangered Hawaiian waterbirds.

Located at the end of the trail with the same name, Kalalau is a remote beach in spectacular Napali Coast State Wilderness Park, and reaching it requires an arduous 11-mile hike along sea cliff faces (permit required), through steaming tropical valleys, and across sometimes-raging streams. The trail has no to limited cell phone service and is recommended for experienced hikers only. Another option is to paddle a kayak to the beach—summer only, though, or else the surf is way too big. All boat and kayak tours must be through a permitted, guided company. The beach is anchored by a heiau (a stone platform used as a place of worship) on one end and a waterfall on the other.

The safest time to come is summer, when the trail is dry and the beach is wide, cupped by low, vegetated sand dunes and a large walk-in cave on the western edge. Day hikes into the valley offer waterfalls, freshwater swimming pools, and wild, tropical fruits. Though state camping permits are required, the valley often has a significant illegal crowd, which has strained park facilities and degraded much of its former peaceful solitude. Helicopter overflights are near-constant in good weather. Amenities: none. Best for: sunset; walking; solitude.

Two restored camp houses, dating from the days when sugar was the main agricultural crop on the Islands, have been converted into a museum, visitor center, snack bar, and gift shop. About 3,100 acres of McBryde sugar land have become Hawaii's largest coffee plantation, with its 4 million trees producing more than half of the state's beans. You can walk among the trees, view old grinders and roasters, watch a video to learn how coffee is harvested and processed, sample various estate roasts, and check out the gift store.

The center offers free self-guided tours through a small coffee grove (about 20 minutes) and a personalized, one-hour "coffee on the brain" tour for a fee. From Kalaheo, take Route 50 in the direction of Waimea Canyon (west) and veer left onto Route 540. It's 2½ miles from the Route 50 turnoff.

Highway 560 on the North Shore literally dead-ends at this beach, pronounced "kay-eh," which is also the start of the challenging, permit-required 11-mile Kalalau Trail on Napali Coast and a culturally significant area to Native Hawaiians, who still use an ancient heiau (a stone platform used as a place of worship) dedicated to hula. (It's not appropriate to hang out on the platform or leave offerings there; stay at a respectful distance.) The setting is gorgeous, with Makana (a prominent peak that Hollywood dubbed "Bali Hai" in the blockbuster musical South Pacific) imposing itself on the lovely coastline and lots of lush tropical vegetation.

The small beach is protected by a reef—except during high surf—creating a small, sandy-bottom lagoon that's a popular snorkeling spot. There can be a strong current in winter. A mandatory permit system limits guests and prevents overcrowding. Unless you are a Hawaii resident with identification, you must reserve a spot online (reservations open 30 days prior); the prized spaces sell out weeks in advance. See  gohaena.com for reservations. Passes are valid during specified time periods. The parking area is ⅓ mile from the beach on a path partially on a boardwalk, so be prepared to lug your beach gear. Kee Beach is a great place to watch the sunset lighting up Napali Coast. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming; walking.

A beacon for sea traffic since it was dedicated in 1913, this National Historic Landmark has the world's largest clamshell lens in a lighthouse and stands within a wildlife refuge where thousands of seabirds soar on the trade winds and nest on the steep ocean cliffs. It's well worth the site's modest entry fee to see nene geese (the state bird, a threatened species), white- and red-tailed tropicbirds, and more (identifiable by educational signboards), as well as native plants, dolphins, humpback whales (in season), huge winter surf, and gorgeous North Shore views. The gift shop has a great selection of books about the island's natural history and an array of unique merchandise, with all proceeds benefiting education and preservation efforts. Advance reservations are required via  recreation.gov.

Narrow Limahuli Valley, with its fluted mountain peaks and ancient stone taro terraces, creates an unparalleled setting for this botanical garden and nature preserve, one of the most gorgeous spots on Kauai and the crown jewel of the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Dedicated to protecting native plants and unusual varieties of taro, it represents the principles of conservation and stewardship held by its founder, Juliet Rice Wichman. Limahuli's primordial beauty and strong mana (spiritual power) eclipse the extensive botanical collection. Call ahead to check if guided tours are being offered, or tour on your own. A reservation is required to park here, though North Shore Shuttle riders are exempt. Check out the quality gift shop and revolutionary compost toilet, and be prepared to walk a somewhat steep hillside.

Joyce and Ed Doty's love for plants and art spans the 240 acres here and includes many different gardens, a hardwood plantation, an ahupuaa (a Hawaiian land division), a re-created Navajo compound, an Athabascan village, a Japanese teahouse, a hedge maze, a waterfall, and access to a sandy beach. Throughout the grounds are more than 200 bronze sculptures, one of the nation's largest collections. One popular feature is a children's garden with a 16-foot-tall Jack and the Beanstalk bronze sculpture, gecko maze, tree house, kid-size train, and, of course, a tropical jungle. Located in a residential neighborhood and hoping to maintain good neighborly relations, the nonprofit organization limits tours (guided only). Tour lengths vary from 1½ to 5 hours. Reservations are required.

A great family park, Anini features one of the longest and widest fringing reefs in all Hawaii, creating a shallow lagoon that is good for snorkeling and kids splashing about, even though there are no lifeguards. It is safe except when surf is raging outside the reef and strong currents are created. A rip current exists between the two reefs where the boats enter and exit the beach ramp, so avoid swimming there. The entire reef follows the shoreline for some 2 miles and extends 1,600 feet offshore at its widest point. There's a narrow ribbon of sandy beach, with lots of grass and shade, as well as a county campground at the western end and a small boat ramp. Amenities: parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking.

If you're not up for the full 11-mile haul to Kalalau Beach, you can see part of Napali Coast via a 2-mile hike to Hanakapiai Beach, which fronts a tropical valley. It'll take about two hours from the starting point at the Kee Beach parking area in Haena State Park, and you'll have plenty of company on the trail. You cannot hike the Kalalu Trail beyond this beach without a permit. This is no longer a secluded beach, although it is still wilderness, and you'll find no amenities except pit toilets.

We do not recommend swimming or any water activities at this beach. The ocean here is what locals like to call "confused," and Hanakapiai Bay has been the site of numerous drownings. In winter, surf often eats up the beach, exposing lava-rock boulders backing the sand. Be cautious when crossing the stream that runs through the valley, as it can quickly flood, stranding hikers on the wrong side. This has resulted in helicopter rescues and even deaths, as people are swept out to sea while attempting to cross. A new bridge makes the passage easier, but don't attempt to cross during heavy rain.Amenities: toilets. Best for: sunset.

Built in 1892, the historic Hanalei Pier can be seen from miles across the bay and is a great spot for photos or taking a leisurely stroll; it attracts a gathering every sunset. The pier came to fame when it was featured in the award-winning 1957 movie South Pacific. Fishers fish here, and picnickers picnic. The pier was refurbished after flooding in 2018.

Rice grew in the taro fields of Hanalei Valley for almost 80 years—beginning in the 1880s and ending in the early 1960s—and today this history is embodied in the Haraguchi family, whose ancestors threshed, hulled, polished, separated, graded, and bagged rice in their 3,500-square-foot rice mill. It was demolished once by fire and twice by hurricanes, and was damaged by flooding in 2018 and 2021. Rebuilt to the standards of the National Register of Historic Places, the mill—with neighboring taro fields—is typically open for tours on a limited schedule mainly due to endangered-bird nesting areas. At this writing, tours were not available, but check the website or Instagram (@HanaleiTaro) for updates. The family still farms taro on the one-time rice paddies and also operates the Hanalei Taro & Juice kiosk in Hanalei Town; see  hanaleitaro.com. All proceeds from the historic rice mill go to nonprofit education programs. 

You wouldn't know it today, but this beach on Kilauea Bay was once an interisland steamer landing and a rock quarry. Today, it's a fairly quiet beach, although when the surf closes out many other North Shore surf spots, the break directly offshore from Kilauea Stream near the abandoned quarry is still rideable. For the regular ocean goer, summer's the best bet, although the quickly sloping ocean bottom makes for generally treacherous swimming. The stream estuary is quite beautiful, and the ironwood trees and false kamani growing in the generous sand dunes at the rear of the beach provide protection from the sun. It's a wonderful place to observe seabirds. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; surfing; walking.

A winding road leads down a cliff face to picture-perfect Kalihiwai Beach, which fronts a bay of the same name. It's another one of those drive-up beaches, so it's very accessible. Most people park under the grove of ironwood trees, near the stream, where young kids like to splash and older kids like to bodyboard.  The stream carries leptospirosis, a potentially lethal bacteria that can enter through open cuts. In winter months, beware of a treacherous shore break. Summer is the only truly safe time to swim. The local-favorite winter surf spot off the eastern edge of the beach is for advanced surfers only. Toilets here are the portable kind, and there are no showers. Amenities: parking (free); toilets. Best for: solitude; surfing; swimming; walking.

This beach was relatively unknown—except by local fishers, of course—for a long time, hence the common reference to it as "Secret Beach." You'll understand why once you stand on the coarse white sands of Kauapea and see the solid wall of rock that runs the length of the beach, making it fairly inaccessible. For the hardy, there is a steep hike down the western end. From there, you can walk for a long way in either direction in summer. During winter, big swells cut off access to sections of the beach. You may witness dolphins just offshore, and it's a great place to see seabirds, as Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and its historic lighthouse lie at the eastern end. Nudity is not uncommon, though it is illegal in Hawaii. A consistent onshore break makes swimming here typically very dangerous. On big-surf days, don't go near the shoreline. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: solitude; sunrise; walking.

Translated as "Torchlight of the God Lono," Kukuiolono has serene Japanese gardens, a display of significant Hawaiian stones, a meditation pavilion, and spectacular panoramic views of the south and west shorelines. This quiet hilltop park is one of Kauai's most scenic areas and ideal for a picnic or easy hike through an ironwood grove. The nine-hole golf course has the island's least expensive fees, and there's a new minigolf activity. Nongolfers can explore walking paths with interpretive signage; just keep alert.

The long, wide fringing reef here is this beach's trademark. The waters near shore are generally too shallow for swimming; if you go in, wear a rash guard to protect against prickly sea urchins and sharp coral on the bottom. This area is known for its tricky currents, especially during periods of high surf, and has been the site of numerous drownings. It can be dangerous to snorkel here. There's some nudity at the western end. Accessing this long strand of coarse, white sand requires hiking down a steep, rocky trail that is slippery when wet. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: solitude; sunrise; walking.

Spend a serene morning in Lawai Valley, a pastoral corridor that joins verdant hills to the beach where Queen Emma (1836–85) had a home. In 1904, Japanese plantation workers created a miniature version of the famed 88 temples of Shikoku so they could complete a sacred pilgrimage despite being far from home. This is the only replica of this temple route outside Japan and one of the country's oldest Buddhist sites. Ancient Hawaiians built a heiau (temple) in Lawai, and then each group of immigrants that followed––Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Filipino––built their own places of worship in this area known for its healing waters.

Engulfed by vegetation for decades, this hillside dotted with knee-high shrines was excavated and restored by volunteers, who now offer bimonthly tours. After a welcome of tea and manju (Japanese cookies) and a short presentation, you can borrow a walking staff to wind your way up an orchid-lined path for a silent stroll, pausing to peek into each handmade shrine. Afterward, visitors may enter the 13th century–style Hall of Compassion, built without nails under the guidance of Japanese master carpenters. Reservations are required by phone, text, or email. Arrive 15 minutes early and wear comfortable shoes.

Famous as the beach where Nurse Nellie washed that man right out of her hair in South Pacific, Lumahai is picturesque, with a river and ironwood grove on the western end and stands of hala (pandanus) trees and black lava rock on the eastern side. In between is a long stretch of olivine-flecked sand that can be wide or narrow, depending on the surf. The beach can be accessed in two places from the highway; one involves a steep hike from the road. Avoid swimming and water activities here—the ocean can be dangerous, with a snapping shore break year-round and monster swells in the winter; in addition, the current can be strong near the river. Parking is very limited, along the road or in a rough dirt lot near the river. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; sunset; walking.

Across the highway from Haena Beach Park is Maniniholo Dry Cave, a place steeped in legends. You can walk for a few minutes through a 30-yard-long cave, which darkens and becomes more claustrophobic as you glide across its sandy floor, hearing the drips down the walls and wondering at its past. Legend has it that Maniniholo was the head fisherman of the Menehune—Kauai's quasi-mythical first inhabitants. After gathering too much food to carry, Maniniholo's men stored the excess under a cliff overnight. When he returned in the morning, the food had vanished, and he blamed the imps living in the cliff's cracks. He and his men dug into the cliff to find and destroy the imps, leaving behind the dry cave.

This is actually two very small pocket beaches separated by a slender, rocky point, and the narrow beach area can all but disappear in wintertime. However, in summer, the steep, rocky trail (don't trust the rusty handrails and rotting ropes) that provides access reduces the number of beachgoers, at times creating a deserted beach feel. Winter's high surf creates dangerous conditions. The parking lot is small. Don't attempt the trail after a heavy rain—it turns into a mudslide.Amenities: parking (free). Best for: sunset; surfing.

The coastline along the community of Princeville is primarily made up of sea cliffs with a couple of pocket beaches. The sea cliffs end with a long, narrow stretch of beach just east of the Hanalei River. Public access is via 100-plus steps around the back of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (scheduled to open in late 2022); hotel guests can take the elevator to sea level. The beach itself is subject to the hazards of winter's surf, narrowing and widening with the surf height. On calm days, snorkeling is good thanks to a shallow reef system pocked with sand. Sometimes a shallow sandbar extends across the river to Black Pot Beach Park, part of the Hanalei Beach system, making it easy to cross the river. On high-surf days, the outer edge of the reef near the river draws internationally ranked surfers. The 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay pool is off-limits to nonguests, but the hotel's restaurants and bars are not. Note that parking is limited. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free). Best for: snorkeling; sunset; surfing.

Like the Waioli Mission House behind it, this little church is an exquisite representation of New England architecture crossed with Hawaiian thatched buildings. Designated a National Historic Landmark, the church—affiliated with the United Church of Christ—doesn't go unnoticed right alongside Route 560 in downtown Hanalei, and its doors are often wide open (from 10 am to 2 pm, give or take), inviting inquisitive visitors in for a look around. During Hurricane Iniki's visit in 1992, which brought sustained winds of 160 mph and wind gusts up to 220 mph, the church was lifted off its foundation but, thankfully, it has been lovingly restored. Services are held at 10 am on Sunday, with many hymns sung in Hawaiian and often accompanied by piano, ukulele, and hula.

Built by missionaries William and Mary Alexander, this 1837 home has tidy New England–style architecture and formal koa-wood furnishings that epitomize the prim and proper missionary influence. Informative guided tours offer a fascinating peek into the private lives of Kauai's early white residents. One-hour private guided tours are available for a requested donation; reservations are required, so call to reserve a day and time.