Between airline fares and accommodation rates, Hawaiʻi is already one of the most expensive destinations in the U.S. to visit. Add in rental cars, dining out, and the price of organized tours, and it’s no surprise that you never hear Hawaiʻi described as a cheap destination.
But, fear not, budget-conscious travelers – the upside of the Hawaiian Islands is that they offer an abundance of free things to do, and once you get here, you can have great, memorable experiences without breaking the bank.
On Kauaʻi, the natural volcanic and lush landscape presents the visitor with a variety of free (or low-cost) things to do.
Below are some of our favorite free (or very cheap) activities on Kauaʻi.
Outdoor Adventures
Here are free or cheap things to check out as it relates to the natural world:
Mountain Hikes
Despite being a relatively small island, Kauaʻi’s mountains, craters, and canyons will keep you very busy. The island has myriad hikes, several of which are world class, including the eye-popping, coastal Kalalau Trail up north and the Waimea Canyon trail system down south.
Have a look at our guide to hiking on Kauaʻi to find the trail(s) for you.
The Kuilau Ridge Trail is a family-friendly hike with great views. Image: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)
Coastal Walks/Beach Walks
If traversing a mountainside seems too intimidating, worry not. They are other, mellow ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Kauaʻi. Many areas on the island offer coastal walking/bike paths, such as the Kapaʻa Bike Path (8 miles), or flat, seaside trails, such as the Mahaʻulepu Trail in Poipʻu. The latter is one of our favorite easy hikes on the island, and don’t forget that any beach can serve as an enjoyable place to walk.
Set out in the morning when conditions are peaceful to best enjoy your seaside stroll.
View from the Mahaʻulepu Heritage Trail on Kauaʻi. Image credit: Gary Eyring on Flickr.
Beaches
Depending on where you’re from, you may be surprised to learn that all beaches in Hawaiʻi are free and open to the public. There are no private beaches, and no slice of sand requires payment or “beach tags.” In this way, Hawaiʻi gives you access to world-class beaches for free, and all you need is a chair, towel, and maybe a book to beach bum your way around the island.
Check our our list of (what we think are) Kauaʻi’s best beaches (+ map).
Hanalei Bay is a gorgeous crescent bay ringed by a sandy beach. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Ron Garnett
Snorkeling
Comfortable in the water? Snorkeling is a thrilling and inexpensive way to spend time in the islands. Though snorkel tours can cost upwards of a $100, snorkel sets can be bought or rented for cheap. There are many free and easy-to-access snorkel sites on Kauaʻi.
Check out our 11 favorite snorkeling spots on Kauaʻi to learn more.
The gateway to the Nāpali Coast, Keʻe Beach offers great scenery above and below water. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
Surfing
After the initial cost of a lesson, surfing becomes a very economical activity. Renting a board on Kauaʻi is not as cheap as, say, Waikīkī, but prices are still reasonable, with some shops offering prices of $40/day or $150 a week. Considering the Hawaiian Islands are one of the best places in the world to surf, one might consider those prices to be quite the bargain.
The majestic, jagged mountains that surround Hanalei make Hanalei Bay (Kauaʻi) a special place to surf. Image credit: Mary and Andrew on Flickr.
Sunset Picnic
Feeling romantic and cheap? The islands have you covered. No expensive waterview restaurant is needed to enjoy the beauty; simply pack a cooler with some store-bought poke (or similar), snacks, and drinks, and find your place in the sand. This is the local/economical way to enjoy the sunset in the islands, and it will save you some serious coin over the length of your stay.
Napali coast sunset. Photo by Spencer Watson on Unsplash
Have a look at our favorite Kauaʻi sunset spots for inspiration.
Waimea Canyon
In addition to the volcanic features found throughout the Hawaiian Islands, Kauaʻi also has one of the most unexpected natural environments – Waimea Canyon, also known as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”
Three to four thousand feet deep and about 10 miles long, there are many adventures to be had, including scenic lookouts, day hikes, backpacking trails, camping, and more. Free to enter and explore, this wild area is one of the most unique outdoor arenas in Hawaiʻi, and it will only cost you the gas to get there. See our guide to Waimea Canyon for inspiration, tips, and planning help.
The easily accessible Waimea Canyon Lookout gives amazing views of Waimea Canyon. Image credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Ben Ono
Nāpali Coast
The northwest coast of Kauaʻi, also known as the Nāpali Coast, is another world-class natural environment that proves the best things in life are (close to) free. Though it has become more tightly regulated in recent years – and now requires reservations, parking, and/or shuttle fees to access – this coast of Kauaʻi is one of the oldest in the island chain, boasting jagged, carved mountains and a pristine, protected wilderness.
Head up this way to check out a full day of activities, which include beaches, hikes, jagged mountains, and ocean environments. See our guide to the Nāpali Coast for more intel on what to see and do.
There are many sea caves along the Napali coast on Kauaʻi. Of those caves, Pukalani (the Open Ceiling Cave) is the most popular one. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tommy Lundberg
History & Culture
Learning about the history and culture of Kauaʻi is an inexpensive way to add a lot of context and meaning to your trip. Here are some easy and affordable ways to do so:
Museums
Museums are a great way to take a break from the sun while adding perspective and knowledge to your visit – a “sense of place,” as the Hawaiians call it. The Kauaʻi Museum in downtown Līhuʻe is a wonderful place to visit for its extensive and interesting overview of the island’s history. Up at Waimea Canyon, spend some time in the Kokeʻe Natural History Museum.
For more inspiration, check out our guide to history and culture on Kauaʻi.
Kauai Museum on Kauaʻi. Image by Richard N Horne – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107329426
Makauwahi Cave
Located on the south shore, the Makauwahi Cave is the only known limestone cave in the Hawaiian Islands, and a visit offers an affordable and unique look at this seaside, natural environment, which includes cultural sites as well as geological interest. Guided tours of the cave are free (with a small donation suggested).
The Makauwahi Cave Reserve on Kauaʻi. Free guided tours take place daily, but be sure to call ahead to confirm. Exploring the cave site will take an hour or two, but bring rations and supplies to hang out for a few hours on nearby Gillin’s/Mahaʻulepu Beach to experience a calmer side of the south shore. Image credit: Wolfram Burner, source.
Kōloa Heritage Trail
Poʻipū, now the hub of tourism on the south shore of Kauaʻi, was once a rich agricultural area and the first commercial sugar cane plantation Hawaiʻi. A free and easy way to explore the history is to follow the 14-stop, self-guided Kōloa Heritage Trail, where you can discover the history of the sugar cane plantation days as well as other cultural and geological sites that once dominated the area. Dive head first and explore them all back-to-back, or simply keep the points of interest in mind as you explore throughout your trip.
Agritourism
A new and emerging segment of travel, agritourism involves visiting farms and producers to learn and experience how local products are grown or made. These visits/tours are normally inexpensive and provide an inside look to the source of local specialties. Here are a few that we love on Kauaʻi:
Allerton National Tropical Botanical Gardens & Queen Emma’s Cottage
With entry fees of about $20 or less, botanical gardens are a great way to spend a couple of hours, immersed in the beauty and variety of Hawaiʻi’s tropical and indigenous plants. Allerton National Tropical Botanical Gardens on Kauaʻi showcases the landscape as well as a nice historical site, Queen Emma’s Cottage, which provides a glimpse at how Hawaiʻi royalty lived and traveled back in the day.
Farm Tours
Kauaʻi isn’t called The Garden Isle for nothing. In addition to its lush mountains and tropical rainforests, Kauaʻi also has an abundance of farming and ranching. One of our favorites is the taro farm tour from Hanalei Taro up north. Pineapple and coffee farms are also available.
For a big list of ideas, see our guide to culinary and farm tours on Kauaʻi.
Touring a Taro Farm close to Hanalei. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Heather Goodman @hbgoodie
Food, Drink, and Shopping
Eating and drinking in the islands can be expensive. Here are some tricks to save money like a local:
Beach Picnics
A few drinks and a meal in Hawaiʻi can easily reach triple digits for a party of two. But you can avoid paying the big bill if you live like the locals and go for a beach picnic. Or, more specifically, a poke picnic. When ordered in restaurants, poke can cost an arm and a leg; but when purchased by the pound at the grocery deli, it becomes much more reasonable. A poke bowl, which is poke atop rice, is even more economical, costing just $10-$15 depending on where you go.
Pick up some provisions and find a slice of sand to enjoy your (free) waterfront view.
Local Grocery Stores
While not unique to Hawaiʻi, this tip is definitely one to heed in the islands. Buying meals from the grocery store and preparing them yourself will save you a lot of money over the course of a week’s stay, especially with Hawaiʻi’s inflated restaurant prices. You might consider getting a place to stay with a kitchen in order to save money on eating and drinking during your visit.
ABC Stores
ABC Stores have taken over every hub in Hawaiʻi, which is not our favorite thing. Preferably, we can shop at locally-owned, independent stores whenever possible. However, if cash gets tight and you need souvenirs, the ABC Store can come through in a big way, with T-shirts for just a couple dollars and an assortment of small, affordable trinkets. It is also an easy and economical place to grab drinks on the go for the beach, or a small snack.
When your budget gets tight, the ABC Store can help.
More free and affordable activities guides
If you have made it this far down the page chances are that you will also enjoy our other island guides with free and affordable activities:
- Our list with cheap and free Maui activities lets you enjoy Maui without breaking the bank!
- The same goes for our list of cheap and free Oʻahu activities!
- And, while you are browsing, check out our Big Island on a Budget list.