14 Bite-sized things to do for Kauai

You’ve got your trip to Kauaʻi booked, and you’ve got the lay of the land as far as all the major sights and destinations to see. All you need now are some ideas about how to round out your itinerary.

Below, we provide some of our favorite activities, points of interests, and stop-offs to sprinkle in along the way. Many require no prior planning and can simply be enjoyed spontaneously; others highlight some lesser-known experiences you may want to check out.

We can personally vouch for every item on this list because we often do them ourselves when we have some time on our hands :). This perhaps also explains how some of them have made it into our 7-day itinerary for Kauaʻi.

Stop by the Kāneiʻolouma Heiau in Poʻipū

Located right in the heart of Poʻipū, the Kāneiʻolouma Heiau is a relatively new cultural site. As recently as 2008, the 13-acre complex was covered from public view by overgrown vegetation and invasive species, essentially hiding in plain site. Slowly but surely, thanks to countless hours of volunteer work, the complex has been unearthed to reveal the remains of a large Hawaiian village.

Currently, there are no tours of the complex (yet!), but you can stop by to take a look. Interpretive signs explain some of the history behind this once-thriving village, complete with housing, religious sites, farm areas, and rock walls. A quick stop is a good idea to gain perspective on how Hawaiians once managed and lived on the land in Poʻipū.

Aerial view from 2019 of the Kāneiolouma Heiau showing the ongoing progress of the restoration efforts. Credit: the Kāhua O Kāneiolouma website.

Walk the Coastal Mahaʻulepu Heritage Trail

If you’re looking for a good morning or late afternoon hike that’s easily accessible from Poʻipū, we recommend checking out the Mahaʻulepu Heritage Trail. It runs about 4 miles along the coast, passing by beaches, scenic view points, historical sites, and lava/geological points of interest.

The trail starts at Shipwreck Beach, leaving the developed resort area and opening up into a natural coastline. The views of the ocean are fantastic, with plenty of places to stop and sit on the cliffs along the way. Shade is limited, so bring plenty of water and avoid the heat of the day.

Crawl into the Makauwahi Cave

The Makauwahi Cave is located on the outskirts of Poʻipū. It’s a fun place to visit because it combines history, cultural, geology, and scenic beauty – it’s great for individuals and families alike. The largest limestone cave in Hawaiʻi, it was once a birth site for royalty. Visitors today get to crawl inside of the cave (you literally crawl in on your hands and knees) and learn about how the cave was used in ancient times, as well as the collection of fossils and burial sites found in and around the cave.

If you plan it correctly and have the stamina, you can visit the Makauwahi Cave as part of your adventure on the Mahaʻulepu Heritage Trail. Or, you can drive. Tours are free and take place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily. Give them a call to find out specific tour times and availability.

See the following short video by the HTA to learn more about the Makauwahi Cave and the ongoing restoration efforts:

Kayak the Hanalei River

Most kayaking in Hawaiʻi takes place on the ocean, but Kauaʻi offers unique opportunities for river kayaking. The Wailua River State Park is the largest navigable river in Hawaiʻi, and many enjoy paddling on its waters. But there’s also an opportunity up north in Hanalei on the Hanalei River.

You can put in on the Hanalei River inland and float downstream towards the ocean, passing under the Hanalei Bridge, into the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, and end up in Hanalei Bay for a peaceful, easy, scenic paddle. You can rent a kayak or jump on a guided tour via Kayak Hanalei.

A couple kayaking the Hanalei River. Image credit: Jeff Muceus on Flickr.

Good to know: Kayaking the Hanalei river is one of our favorite 7 water activities for Kauaʻi.

Taste Locally-Made Kōloa Rum

Hawaiʻi has a long history of sugar cane production, which dates back to the mid-1800s. Today, large-scale commercial sugar cane production is no more, but it is still grown and processed in the islands for another reason: rum.

Kōloa Rum is headquartered in Līhuʻe at the Kilohana Plantation. There are free rum tastings on the hour every hour, and the locally-made rum serves not only as a mixer for your sunset happy hour while on island, but a wonderful take-home souvenir or gift. Make a stop on your way into or out of Līhuʻe.

Fly to Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Park Falls)

Movie buffs will love Kauaʻi, as dozens and dozens of films have been made amongst the lush backdrop of its jungles. One of the most famous movies of the 1990s, Jurassic Park, has a memorable scene on Kauaʻi, when a helicopter lands at the base of Manawaiopuna Falls.

Located on private land, the waterfall is only accessible via a helicopter tour (see also our Kauaʻi Helicopter Tour overview). The chopper won’t land on the landing pad that’s in the movie – that was built just for the movie and destroyed after – but it will land adjacent to the falls, giving you the chance to relive the movie scene and take in the view from its base.

The Manawaiopuna Falls (do you recognize them from the “Jurassic Park”movie?). Image credit: Opacity on Flickr.

Boat trip to Lehua Crater and Niʻihau

There are wonderful snorkeling boat tour opportunities on Kauaʻi, specifically along the Nāpali Coast. But Kauaʻi also offers another unique experience: the opportunity to visit Lehua Crater, an extinct tuff cone of the Niʻihau volcano.

The crystal clear waters off the Lehua Crater, an extinct tuff cone of the Niʻihau volcano, are a snorkelers paradise. Image by Polihale, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Featuring clear waters and a healthy reef, Lehua is a protected seabird sanctuary, offering great snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as views of Niʻihau, which is otherwise off limits to visits. Try the following tour by Hole Hole charters:

Try poi, lau lau, and local plate lunches at Hanalei Taro & Juice

If you’re hanging out in Hanalei, you’ll see the area is home to a lot of agricultural and taro fields. Hanalei Taro is a sixth-generation family farm that, in addition to supply food to the community, also runs a food truck called Hanalei Taro & Juice. It is typically parked on Kūhiō Highway right in Hanalei.

We can’t recommend this food truck more. Featuring local agricultural products, it is a prime spot to try local dishes like lau lau, kalua pork, fish tacos, poi, and fruit/taro smoothies. Look for it when you visit Hanalei.

Experience kalua pork and poke from Pono Market

Kapaʻa has an abundance of new food options, including food trucks and gastropubs. Try them all over the course of your visit, but don’t miss out on a longstanding local favorite, the Pono Market.

Whether you’re craving a plate lunch or poke, Pono Market specializes in Hawaiian food in a no-frills, market-style establishment. If you’re looking for a classic Hawaiian meal, Pono Market should not be missed.

Stop by Fort Elizabeth/the Captain Cook Landing Site

Did you know that Kauaʻi was the first island that Captain Cook visited when he “discovered” Hawaiʻi? You can check out a statue dedicated to him in Waimea and visit his first landing site.

Nearby, just across the Waimea River, is another interesting historical point of interest: Fort Elizabeth, built by the Russians in 1817. Russians in Hawaiʻi? You bet. Read up on the story of their political attempts in Hawaiʻi and make a quick stop at Fort Elizabeth on your way to or from Waimea Canyon.

Hanapepe Swinging Bridge and Art Walk

Hanapepe is a small, artistic community on Kauaʻi’s south shore. Before modern-day development occurred, residents used a swinging bridge to cross the river. Today, that bridge is still standing and a fun, interesting stop for families.

Walking on the suspension bridge is something both children and adults will enjoy as it rocks and swings as you cross, with a view of the river and some perspective on how these small towns once operated back in the day. Consider stopping by during the Friday Night Art Walk between 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Please respect local residents who live near the bridge.

The Hanapepe Swinging bridge is a historic suspension bridge that was built in 1911. Image credit: Zanzabar Photography on Flickr.

Kuamoʻo Road and ʻOpaekaʻa Falls

When driving around Kauaʻi on the main road, you’ll pass by Wailua River State Park and the mouth of the river just south of Kapaʻa. Here, you can enjoy the scenery where the river meets the ocean, or jump on a kayak tour of the river.

Don’t be afraid to explore a little further, though. Turn left onto Kuamoʻo Road and drive up toward the state park. You’ll immediately start gaining elevation, with beautiful vantage points of the ocean and the greenery from pullouts like Poliahu Park. Before long, you’ll reach a pullout for ʻOpaekaʻa Falls, which cascades down the rocky, green mountainside. It’s a short but sweet scenic drive.

Explore Kīlauea Town

Most people who visit Kīlauea are focused on the lighthouse and bird sanctuary there, coming and going without exploring otherwise. But don’t overlook the town of Kīlauea itself. It has an interesting past, and has been working really hard on its present and future.

The town was once one of the largest guava plantations in the world, selling its product as jams, preserves, and other household treats. Today, Kīlauea’s downtown area is home to a number of shops and restaurants, including Palate Wine Bar, Sushi Girl, Kīlauea Fish Market, and a couple coffee shops. Stop by to see this plantation town in transition.

Stop and see the tree tunnel in Poʻipū.

It goes by in a flash, so we always recommend making a point to stop and take in the beauty of the tree tunnel outside of Poipu. Even if you’re not staying in that area, it’s worth a short detour to check it out, as it makes for great photos and even a background for a family photo.

The first mile of Highway 520 has 500 (!!!) Eucalyptus trees that are more than 100 years old, planted in 1911. It’s a great stretch of road to have the windows down and appreciate Hawaiʻi’s beauty. Feel free to stop and take photos, but please use caution with traffic and make sure you park in a safe place.

The Poipu Tree Tunnel is a beautiful canopy of Eucalyptus trees that line Maliuhi Road. Image credit: Shaadi Faris on Flickr.