There are lots of reasons to visit and vacation on Kauai’s North Shore. With its lush green scenery, superb beaches and majestic mountains, it was hard to pick a few to highlight here. But when pushed, we came up with these top 10 reasons why you should visit the North Shore.
So why do we recommend Kauai’s North Shore?
1 The Beaches
There are some AMAZING beaches and parks on the north shore – but please bear in mind that some of them are dangerous. If you are looking for a day at the beach, with lifeguards, restrooms, picnic areas and parking, then we would recommend (but please note that swimming even at these beaches can be dangerous) :
- Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park – perfect for sunbathing and surfing
- Waioli Beach Park – located next to Hanalei Beach it offers stunning ocean and mountain views and great sand
- Haena Country Park Beach (also known as Ke’e Beach)
2 Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge
Perched on a bluff, this lighthouse represents the northernmost part of the Hawaiian islands. Built in 1913, it was used until the 1970s, when it was replaced with a beacon. There are self-guided tours around the area, and the view from the bluff is amazing. The ocean cliffs and tall grassy slopes of a dormant volcano provide a protective breeding ground for many Hawaiian seabirds.
3 The Na Pali Coast – must-see
Located on the northwest corner of the island, the magnificent cliffs of the Na Pali Coast rise steeply from the Pacific Ocean. This area is uninhabited but features some of the most amazing landscapes on Kauai, with lush valleys, sea caves and beautiful and isolated sandy beaches. The Coast is accessible by foot along an 11-mile hiking trail that runs to the Kalalau Valley from the western end of Highway #560. The Kalalau Trail passes by a series of secluded beaches.
4 Hanalei Bay
Meaning wreath-shaped or crescent-shaped, the entire bay is ringed by a beach. Hanalei attracts yachters during the calm summer months and big-wave surfers during the winter. While beautiful to look at, it doesn’t offer the best swimming opportunities, so head to Hanalei Pavilion Park or Ke’e Beach). The picturesque pier at Black Pot Beach is one of the most popular places to take sunset photos.
5 Makana Peak
Walk past Ke’e Beach along the shoreline trail, and you’ll see the start of the Na Pali coastline. If you look up towards the mountains, you’ll see a 1,600 ft. peak of Bali Hai (the Hawaiian name for Makana Peak) and made famous in the movie South Pacific. In ancient times, men would climb the peak with spears made from hau and papala. When the sunset, they would light the spears and throw them towards the ocean below, leaving a fire trail behind and creating a light show if they got caught in the updrafts.
6 Waioli Mission House
The Wai’oli Hui’la Church is a historic building located just west of the town of Hanalei. Built-in 1912, this north Kauai church sits gracefully behind a white fence on a nicely landscaped lot. Don’t miss the stained glass windows in this historic church.
7 Incredible caves
Manininiholo Dry Cave is located just off the highway in Haena State Park. This large opening dry cave can be explored easily and is fun to explore with children. Bring along a flashlight for your cave exploration. The Waikanaloa Cave and Waikapale Cave are located a bit further up the road from the lifeguard beach and involve a quick hike. The caves are not safe for swimming. The best time to visit the cave is when the sun is just north of Haena, giving the cave a blue glow from the light reflecting off the bottom of the cave. The Waikapalae cave was used in the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides.
8 Great Golf
Three excellent golf courses are located in Princeville, one of the two main towns on the north shore. The Princeville Golf & Country Club operates all three courses. Equipment rentals are available at the resort.
- Makai Golf Course (72)
- Woods Golf Course (36)
- Prince Golf Course (72)
9 Hanalei Valley Lookout
This is a popular lookout point offering sweeping, panoramic views of the surrounding valley and lush hillside. The Hanalei Valley is a wonderful place to see waterfalls, rainbows, and fields of taro. Set against the backdrop of the carved-out and waterfall-bejeweled Namolokama mountain, this magical place is not to be missed.
10 Ali’i Kai Resort Premium Condos
If you are looking for somewhere to stay during your Kauai vacation, then the Ali’i Kai Resort premium condos are a great choice. Recently upgraded, the two-bedroom, two-bathroom condos are comfortable, beautifully furnished and packed with amenities. They are the perfect place to come home to after a busy day enjoying the delights, not only of the North Shore but the whole island itself.
Photo by Christian Joudrey on Unsplash
