Kauai FAQs
The best way to truly enjoy Kauai is by renting a vehicle, as the island’s public transportation system is limited.
Although not a large island, it can take time to drive from one area to the next. There is one major road that circumnavigates most of the island from Polihale Beach to Ke’e Beach – Route 50 to the south and route 56 to the north. The speed limit is between 35-50 mph and there is only one lane in each direction.
Car Rental
All of the major car-rental agencies are represented on Kauai. At the airport baggage claim, cross the street to catch one of the frequent shuttle vans to the rental lots.
You can also rent motorcycles, mopeds and scooters.
Taxi
Taxis are available and mostly operate out of Lihue. If you’re on Kauai’s north shore then your best bet is North Shore Cab. If you’re on the south or southwest, then look into Southshore Taxi. The meter rates are set by the county and start at $3 with an additional $3 per mile.
Approximate taxi fares from the airport are: Poipu area $65, Princeville/Hanalei $117, east side Wailua/Kapaa $40.
Bus
Kauai’s public bus system, The Kauai Bus, runs from Kekaha to Hanalei with stops along the main highway. Fares are $2 (or $25 for a monthly pass) and you can get to many of Kauai’s key spots.
The buses run hourly from 5.30am to 10.30pm weekdays and 6.30am to 6.00pm on weekends and holidays. Suitcases, large backpacks and surfboards are not allowed on the bus. You can find a bus schedule here. (www.kauai.gov)
Kauai is blessed with many beautiful beaches along its coastline. With golden sand and clear blue, warm water, a relaxing day at the beach is a must during your vacation.
However, being an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean means you have to take care if you plan to go paddling or swimming. Waves, currents and riptides should all be considered before you jump in. So, watch what the locals are doing, study the water and follow guidance from the lifeguards. And children should be under constant supervision.
Our recommendations for the best family beaches on Kauai include the following:
Salt Pond (outside Hanapepe on the west of the island)
This is a favourite beach for locals so it can get busy. A lagoon blocks incoming waves and protects the sandy shoreline. There is a lifeguard station and an extra shallow section ideal for smaller swimmers.
Poipu Beach Park (a short distance from Lihue on the south shore)
Located near the town of Koloa, this is a great beach for snorkeling, surfing and sunbathing. There is a children’s playground and a great shallow area for children who want to paddle and check out the sealife.
Kalapaki Beach (just outside Lihue at Nawililwili harbor)
This bay is located beside a major port on the island, next to the Marriott hotel. There is not much current here but you can still do some body surfing or boogie boarding. If you fancy a snack, there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.
Anini (North Shore)
This quiet and beautiful beach has plenty of opportunities for sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling. An extensive two-mile reef protects the lagoon so it’s considered one of the safest on the island. Next door is a large grassy field for games and picnics if you don’t want sand in your sandwiches!
Lydgate Park (between Kapaa and Lihue)
This is a state park with a sheltered lagoon protected by a rock breakwater. It is ideal for snorkeling and swimming. There is also a great playground, picnic tables and restrooms.
Ke’e (end of the North Shore road)
This is only accessible in summer and is great when the water is calm. The beach marks the spot where two coasts meet and is the beginning of the Na Pali coast and Kalalau Trail. The beach is perfect of children with great snorkeling and swimming opportunities.
Please check with the reception team to make sure these beaches are open and safe to visit.
Depending on which source you ask, the island is between 533-562 mi² in size making it smaller than Hawaii, Oahu and Maui.
No, the recent eruptions from Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, have happened on Hawaii’s Big Island. Only a small area of that island has been affected, well away from key tourist areas.
While Kauai is a volcanic island, the last set of eruptions occurred between 1.41-1.43 million years ago.
Kauai is known as the Garden Isle because 97 per cent of the island is undeveloped with lush and fertile landscapes, mountain ranges, tumbling waterfalls and rain forests.
The island has only around 60,000 permanent residents, 43 miles of beach and building codes that prevent developments over four stories. So, it really is a Polynesian paradise without the high-rises of the other islands.
The green sea turtles or Honu can be spotted around the beaches of Kauai. They can swim at speeds of 35mph and live up to 80 years of age.
Now classed as threatened, the island has a great conservation program, which protects the remaining females as they lay their eggs. They lay over 100 eggs every two weeks from the end of May to September.
South Shore Kauai
Go to Brennecke Beach across from Nihi Kai Villas and watch them from the shore. Another place is above Whalers Cove and Turtle Bay. If you are snorkelling, you can see them in the ocean off Lawai Beach.
North Shore Kauai
You can snorkel in summer with turtles at famous Tunnels Beach.
Two other species of turtle, now classed as endangered, can also be spotted on the island. The Hawksbill and the Leatherback are now protected.
Swimmers and divers should be aware that riding sea turtles is illegal.
In the ocean stay 10-15 feet away from them so they have room to surface and breathe. When snorkelling, resist the temptation to follow turtles out too far from the shore.
Kauai is a vacation paradise whatever time of year you visit. With an average temperature of 78 degrees, the best time to go depends on your personal situation.
The most popular time is December thru to March as people escape colder climates elsewhere. It’s also busy during August as families hit the island for their annual vacation.
However, flights are cheaper, there’s fewer visitors and less rain during the spring and fall months of April to June and September to November.
Known as the Garden Isle, Kauai is “home to wildly verdant landscape, oxygen-rich air, and other serenity”, according to the Huffington Post. It is most famous for:
- Beaches
- Hiking
- Hanalei Bay
- Small town charm
- Natural history
- Waimea Canyon
- The Na Pali Coast
- Coffee
- Waterfalls
- Food
- Watersports
- Native plants and wildlife
You can find out more about Kauai here.
Kauai is packed with attractions and activities to keep everyone in your party entertained! There’s hiking, snorkelling, whale watching, golfing, arts and crafts, traditional dancing and local music. Your vacation will be filled with amazing adventures.
Of course, you may want to take it easy. So check out the beaches, spas, shops, galleries and historical places.
You can find out more about Kauai attractions and activities here.
While Kauai is the wettest of the Hawaiian Islands, tropical showers are usually short and sweet, lasting only a few minutes.
But if the rain is set in for the day, there’s still plenty to do in Kauai.
Things to do when it rains in Kauai
- Take a drive, as chances are it’s not raining where you’re heading;
- Go ziplining through a rainforest and get soaked;
- Head to the west of the island, which is the driest side of Kauai;
- Hit one of the island’s many museum like the Old Koloa Town Historical Center;
- Challenge yourselves at the Kauai Escape Room in Lihue;
- Indulge with a day in the spa;
- Learn a new skill from flower lei making to ukulele playing;
- Hike the Alaka’i Swamp in Kokee;
- Eat at one of the island’s amazing restaurants, food trucks and cafes; and
- Go shopping at Old Koloa Town, Poipu Shopping Center and The Shops at Kukuiula
You can find out more about Kauai attractions and activities here.
The best way to get to Kauai is a direct flight from the west or east coast hubs. If you can’t find a direct flight, then fly into Mauai or Honolulu International and take a quick internal flight.
The airlines who fly direct to Kauai include:
- United
- Hawaiian
- American
- Delta
- Alaska
- West Jet
We are expecting an announcement about another airline flying directly to Kauai. As soon as we have confirmation, we will update this list.
Kauai is an awesome place to take your family on vacation. So many exciting things besides the miles of gorgeous beaches to snorkel and boogie board. There are boat tours, train rides, horseback tours, mountain tubing and luaus, just to name a few.
It is pronounced like “cow eye” for mainlanders and “cow-ah-ee” for the locals.
Yes, highly recommended. You’d miss out on too much of the island if you rely on public transportation. Also, points of interest on the island are some distance from each other. You can collect a vehicle at Lihue Airport, although make sure you make arrangements well in advance and expect to wait to collect it.
Kauai is called the Garden Isle, and it is the oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain. It has everything from jagged cliffs and canyons to tropical forests and waterfalls. It has been influenced by many different cultures making Kauai unique and special.