Explore Kauai: Travel Tips, Guides & Island Adventures

Known as the Garden Isle, Kauai is Hawaii’s lushest and most laid-back island—perfect for those seeking natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and peaceful escapes. From the dramatic cliffs of the Nā Pali Coast to the serene Wailua River and stunning beaches, Kauai offers something for every type of traveler.


Dive into our travel tips, activity guides, and local insights to help you plan an unforgettable trip filled with scenic beauty and authentic island experiences.

Looking for the best waterfalls on the island of Kauai? Check out our list of the top 5.
By Gavin Hillman May 24, 2025
Explore the top 5 must-see waterfalls on Kauai, Hawaii — from iconic roadside cascades like Wailua Falls to remote jungle treasures like Hanakāpīʻai Falls. Learn how to get there, what to expect, and tips for making the most of your waterfall adventure.
Your guide to exploring the island of Kauai.
By Gavin Hillman April 24, 2025
Discover the best of Kauai with our complete guide—explore natural wonders, thrilling adventures, local markets, cultural gems, and top attractions.
The most beautiful places to see on the Island of Kauai.
By Cheryl Lee March 26, 2025
Discover the most stunning sights on Kaua‘i, from Waimea Canyon to the Nā Pali Coast. Explore top scenic spots on Hawaii’s lush Garden Isle.
By Cheryl Lee March 23, 2025
Feast on some of our favorite places to dine at on Kaua'i!
A Guide to Kauai's Best Beaches
By Cheryl Lee March 23, 2025
Discover the best beaches on Kauaʻi, from family-friendly shores to secluded hideaways. Explore top spots for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing on the Garden Isle.
By Cheryl Lee March 13, 2025
Waimea Canyon is a spectacular nation treasure! The canyon rests at the end of a long, curvy and slowly ascending road up Highway 552-Koke‘e Road, ending at Koke‘e and Waimea Canyon State Parks.
March 5, 2025
A Legacy of Style, Family, and Island Spirit
Six pineapples are lined up in a row on a white surface.
By Hawaii December 28, 2022
by Fern Gavelek While tourism has replaced Hawaii agriculture as the state’s main economic engine, coffee, pineapple and macadamia nuts are still being cultivated in the Aloha State, plus a wide range of diversified crops such as cattle, aquaculture, floral/foliage products, veggies, fruits, honey, chocolate and vanilla. Mainland-based companies are also propagating year-round seed crops— […] The post Hawaii Agriculture – How It’s Shaped The State’s History appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Kauai June 20, 2022
Gear up for a day at Po‘ipu Beach gear with brand name swimwear, quality snorkel gear and beach accessories, surf lessons and food—for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Making Waves, part of the Maui Clothing Company family of stores, features “Hawai‘i’s largest collection of swimwear” offering eye-catching styles and designs for every shape and size. Stop […] The post Get Your Po’ipu Beach Gear appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Kauai June 19, 2022
If you’re looking for a beautiful and serene place to vacation, look no further than Lihue Kauai. This island is located in the Hawaiian archipelago and is known for its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and dramatic cliffs. In this blog post, we will provide a visitor’s guide to Lihue Kauai, including information on where to […] The post Lihue Kauai: A Visitor’s Guide appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Kauai June 5, 2022
The first paniolo (cowboys) in Hawai‘i were hired by John Palmer Parker of Parker Ranch fame. They were Mexican vaqueros, highly skilled horsemen who then trained his Hawaiian ranch workers. Eventually, the paniolo spread to other islands including Kaua‘i, which has a significant horse culture today. Every July for 20 years, Joyce Miranda of CJM […] The post Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Paniolo! appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Kauai June 5, 2022
Rapid heart rate. Sweating. Heightened senses. Quick, shallow breathing. Decreased ability to feel pain. Increased strength and performance. Dilated pupils. Feeling jittery or nervous. – These are all symptoms of an adrenaline rush. Even on Kaua‘i, where people come ostensibly to relax, there are ways to get the ol’ heart racing if you so choose.  […] The post Adrenaline Rush Kaua’i appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Hawaii June 4, 2022
Aloha – (ah-low-ha) – Hello, goodbye, the feeling or spirit of love, affection or kindness Wiki wiki – (wee-kee-wee-kee) – To hurry up, very quick Shaka – (shah-kah) – Great Puka – (poo-kah) – Hole Pua – (poo-ah) – Flower, blossom Pono – (poh-no) – Goodness, excellence, correct, proper Poi – (poy) – Pounded kalo […] The post Hawaiian Words & Phrases appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
A waterfall in the middle of a lush green forest surrounded by rocks and trees.
March 11, 2022
Although Hawaii is usually known for some of the best beaches in the world, most visitors are unaware just how many Hawaii waterfalls there are to visit.  In this blog, we will provide a comprehensive guide to the best waterfalls in Hawaii (we’ll even cover some lesser known secret waterfalls in hawaii). First Up: Hawaii […] The post Hawaii Waterfalls: A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Hawaii March 7, 2022
The Hawaiian Lei is a beautiful tradition that is often seen during special occasions in the islands. But what many people don’t know is that there is more to these flowers than just their aesthetic appeal. In this blog post, we will discuss the history and symbolism of the Hawaiian Lei, as well as some […] The post Understanding Hawaiian Lei Flowers appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
A passport , hat , and toy airplane are on a wooden table.
March 7, 2022
Wondering if you need a passport to go to Hawaii? Learn travel requirements for U.S. citizens and international visitors before planning your trip.
A view of the wing of an airplane through the window.
By Hawaii January 22, 2022
If you’re headed to Hawaii, there’s a good chance you’re excited about your trip. And rightly so! It’s a beautiful place with plenty to see and do. But if you want to make the most of your time in the islands, there are a few things you can do on your flight over. In this […] The post Things To Do On Your Flight To Hawaii appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Hawaii January 10, 2022
If you’re looking for the perfect honeymoon destination, look no further than Hawaii! With its pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and stunning volcanoes, Hawaii offers something for everyone. In this blog post, we will provide tips on how to plan the perfect honeymoon in Hawaii. We’ll cover everything from finding the right hotel to choosing the […] The post How to Plan the Perfect Honeymoon in Hawaii appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Kauai May 7, 2021
Sharing songs and legends of the Wailua River Valley is a family tradition. In 1946, Walter Smith, Sr. and his wife, Emily, started our family business with a small rowboat and a borrowed outboard motor. Four generations later, we continue Grandpa’s tradition of sharing our love of Kauai and its rich cultural heritage. Some activities take […] The post Cruising the Wailua River Valley With Four Generations of Smiths appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
A group of people are standing on a balcony overlooking a mountain range.
By Kauai April 30, 2021
Most first time visitors to Kauai read up on the island and Waimea Canyon, but many visitors miss out on some of the most interesting facts about Waimea Canyon that aren’t widely known. Don’t worry we’ll cover our 5 favorite Waimea canyon facts in this article! How can a canyon on the fourth largest Hawaiian […] The post Five Fascinating Waimea Canyon Facts appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Kauai December 31, 2020
His real name is Kaua’iikimaikalani (meaning little Kaua’i from the heavens), but when you take a tour on Kauai Sea Tours’ 60-foot Lucky Lady sailboat, custom designed for the Napali Coast, you can just call him “Captain Kaua’i”.  “I come from a long line of fisherman and boat people on my father’s side,” he says. […] The post Captain Kauai appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Hawaii August 13, 2020
When you imagine a tropical paradise, Hawaii is one of the first places to come to mind. You probably picture a hammock tied up to two palm trees on the beach with a scrumptious strawberry margarita in your hand. But you can find palm trees, sandy beaches, and tasty margaritas at vacation destinations all over […] The post What is Hawaii Uniquely Known For? appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
A museum with a display case and a large wooden object hanging from the ceiling.
By Kauai December 13, 2019
When you plan your vacation to Kaua‘i, it’s unlikely that you’re envisioning yourself relaxing…on a rainy day. Kaua‘i, however, gets a lot of rain, especially on the windward Hanalei side. Here are a couple of ways to turn a rainy day into one of the best of your vacation. “We don’t even have to look […] The post Rainy Day Fun on Kaua‘i appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Hawaii June 20, 2018
While we may not be “dreaming of a white Christmas,” Hawaiʻi locals are still very fond of the winter season. Say goodbye to those winter boots and frumpy jackets (but probably keep an umbrella handy), because winter in Hawaiʻi is all about surf, sun, celebrations…and a few sprinkles every now and then. Need more convincing? […] The post Top Eight Reasons to Visit Hawaii in the Winter appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Developer June 18, 2018
You can learn a great deal about the culture and heritage of a new travel destination from the food that locals eat. A state or country’s cuisine is often inspired by the people who inhabit it, the locals who pour their hearts and souls into the land and shape the way it’s perceived. And as […] The post Hawaiian Food: A Taste of Real Hawaii appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Hawaii April 20, 2018
Every April, people around the world recognize Earth Day, a time to promote awareness, education and understanding of the biggest challenges and struggles facing our environment and delicate ecosystem. From the first Earth Day in 1970 until today, we have made great strides in building an environmental movement, but there is still so much more […] The post Five Earth Day Celebrations in Hawaiʻi appeared first on This Week Hawaii.
By Hawaii December 28, 2017
There’s no place like home for the holidays and, lucky for us, home means rolling mountain ranges, big wave surf and a rich history steeped in many cultural traditions. Influenced by Japanese, Chinese and Hawaiian customs, Hawaiʻi is the perfect melting pot in which to welcome 2018. And, with many traditions practiced in the hopes […] The post Six Hawaiʻi Customs to Make Your New Year Unforgettable appeared first on This Week Hawaii.