Wow, it’s been one heck of a month! It’s been non-stop with our wedding, hosting 15 family members at our house, going to Kauai for a wedding exactly one week after ours, and then working in San Francisco a couple of days later. It’s been so long since I’ve written a blog post (I’ve been bad about it all year) so I want to finally catch you all up on what I’ve been up to! First up, here’s a recap of things to do and eat in Kauai!

Jeff and I have been to Hawaii four times now (including this trip) for four different destination weddings lol, but this was our first time in Kauai! I felt like I was transported to movie scenes in Jurassic Park, which were actually filmed on this island! We were only there from Wednesday through Sunday morning. We didn’t have a lot of time but we definitely made the most out of the trip! Here are the highlights of our things to do and eat in Kauai!

THINGS TO DO

Na Pali Coast

The Na Pali Coast is known as one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. It sits at the northwest shore of Kauai, rising 3,000 feet above the Pacific Oceans and spanning 11 miles of lush green valleys, pristine beaches and waterfalls, and rugged sea caves. It can only be accessed by boat, air, or a treacherous 11 mile hike (Kalalau Trail). Definitely a #1 item on the things to do and eat in Kauai, a vacation on this island wouldn’t be complete without seeing the Na Pali Coast!

We decided last minute to embark on a 5.5 hours Deluxe Napali Snorkel & Scuba morning tour with Blue Dolphins. They took us out to the water where we snorkeled and saw some fishes and even a sea turtle. To be honest, the snorkeling was not that great. It could have been due to the very choppy waters that day so it was hard to see. Besides this, the excursion was still worth it. It was a great way to see and experience the breathtaking Na Pali Coast. We got to see so many dolphins along the way, some were dancing and flipping for us! Blue Dolphins also fed us warm and tasty cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and we got to make our own sandwiches with really fresh and high quality ingredients. There’s even an open bar on the ride back! Pro tip: Wear a LOT of sunscreen and bring your sunglasses since you’ll be out in the sun all day. Also take motion sickness medicine since the waters can be extremely choppy.

Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon is dubbed as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The first photo is from the main Waimea Canyon Lookout. There are lots of tourists here but it offers direct sweeping views of the canyon. The drive up is windy but so fun and breathtaking! Pro tip: Rent a convertible to take full advantage of the drive’s views and be sure to fill up on gas before your journey.

Drive an additional 20 mins to the Pu’u O Kila Lookout (second photo). You’ll be rewarded with (in my opinion) a much better scenic view! Not only do you get to take in views of the canyon, you also get to see the Na Pali Coast from above. It was also way less crowded. Pro tip: Go on a clear day. I’ve heard that it often gets foggy/cloudy up here and you may have to wait it out to see anything.

If we had more time, we would’ve looked into hiking trails at Waimea Canyon. I’ve read that there are lots of great trails that offer beautiful views of the canyon!

Wailua Falls

This was definitely one of my favorite things to do in Kauai. Wailua Falls is a famous 173 feet waterfall that has been featured on Kauai’s post cards, print media, and was part of the opening scene of a show called Fantasy Island. You can drive up and view its magnificence from above.

But if you’re up for an adventure, hike down to Wailua Falls. It’s VERY steep (as you can tell in the second photo!), not recommended for kids and elders, and can be very dangerous on rainy days. We were lucky that we had dry weather. To start your journey, walk away from the parking lot. You’ll see a chain fence on the left – hop over the concrete ledge next to it to begin your hike. Wear tennis shoes and rely on the ropes and tree trunks and roots to support yourself as you make your way down. It’s only about a 15 minute hike and you get rewarded with this incredible view! Pro tip: Don’t forget to bring along your swimsuit to swim in the river! You can even swim to the waterfall if you’re a strong swimmer.

Poipu Beach

Poipu Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the island. Our hotel had oceanfront view of this beach so we got to enjoy it throughout our vacation. During the day, we rode the waves and even got to see a seal monk up close and personal! Isn’t it the cutest thing ever?! We were only a couple of feet away from it! This seal was just chillen on the beach like nobody’s business as people walked by (it was roped off). At night, we watched the insane sunsets here. Many of the sea turtles will swim up to shore at night. My friend spotted 20 one night! As a reminder, please don’t touch the turtles! We saw one couple do this and I’m so glad someone immediately said something to them.

Spouting Horn

Make a quick stop here to see the phenomenon of water spouting as high as 50 feet between lava tubes. I am bummed I only got a video of it, but forgot to take a photo! If you’re in the South Shore, it’s worth stopping by for a few minutes. Parking is abundant and free.

WHERE TO EAT

Mark’s Place

Mark’s Place was our first stop when we landed and only 12 minutes from the Lihue airport. We saw it on a list of top things to do and eat in Kauai and knew we had to grab lunch here. We got the Mark’s Famous Mixed Plate and it was a yummy welcome to the island! I would highly recommend coming here!

Da Crack

Literally a hole in the wall on the South Shore. There’s a small window you can order burritos and tacos from. Portions were large, everything was tasty, and service was quick! I forgot to take a photo of what we ate at Da Crack, but check out the photos on Yelp and you’ll be drooling in no time.

Waikomo

Waikomo is a tiny stand right next to the Da Crack. Shave ice was overall good in Kauai, but the biggest disappointment for me was that they don’t have the usual toppings like mochi and azuki beans. If you’re okay with that, check out Waikomo or Fresh Shave Ice which are both popular establishments on the island!

Koloa Fish Market

We went to Koloa Fish Market for their poke. It was fresh and tasty, but I wish the portions were bigger. While you’re here, explore Old Koloa Town. It’s a historical and charming little town with lots of local shops and eats.

Aloha Roastery

Aloha Roastery is such a cute coffee shop, also located in Old Koloa Town. We grabbed macadamia nut lattes here before our drive up to Waimea Canyon. I love their adorable, tropical cups!

Little Fish Coffee

Little Fish Coffee was located right across from our hotel. We walked over for a refreshing acai bowl snack. We loved sitting here and hanging out with the chickens roaming around. By the way, there are wild chickens roaming around everywhere in Kauai! lol

Porky’s Kauai

At the top of my list of things to do and eat in Kauai is Porky’s Kauai! We came here on the way back from Waimea Canyon. The grilled cheese was sooo bomb! This is where Fresh Shave Ice is as well – I heard that Porky’s and Fresh Shave Ice used to be separate food trucks and now they’re combined into one store.

Brennecke’s Beach Broiler

Food was decent at Brennecke’s, but since everything closes really early on the island, this may be your best bet for late night eats (open til 11pm). We spontaneously decided to go here with a group of 17 people after watching the sunset on Poipu Beach and had a great time! The best part was the live music. The singer killed it with his live singing of 90s music! During the day, you can take in views of Poipu Beach while enjoying your meal.

WHERE WE STAYED + WEDDING

We stayed at Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club on the South Shore to be close to the wedding venue. It’s an oceanfront resort right on Poipu Beach! We loved the pool area and how you can quickly transition from pool to beach. They also had fun activities throughout the day like ping pong tournaments, otter pop treats, fresh pineapple, and s’mores! It was also an easy breezy drive to Waimea Canyon and to the starting point location for the Na Pali Coast excursion. South Shore seems to be the more “touristy” area with beautiful beaches and many restaurants. It is also sunnier and drier in this region. Can’t decide where to stay? This article breaks down the pros and cons of staying at the different shores.
Our friends tied the knot at The Beach House with killer views of the ocean. The wedding was so intimate with Hawaiian vibes. We loved the tropical decor, sitting under the string lights, and watching young surfers ride the waves as the sun set. Their ceremony was beautiful and was performed by a Hawaiian officiant who mixed in Hawaiian traditions. How gorgeous does the bride look?

Other Things To Do and Eat in Kauai

I wish we had more time to explore Kauai. We hung out mostly in the Southern, Western, and Northwestern shores of the island. However, there were several big items we didn’t get to do on the North and East Shores. Here are other things to do and eat in Kauai we wish we had time for!

• Take an adventure helicopter ride to the center of Kauai “the wettest place on Earth” and see the Na Pali Coast from up in the air.
• Swim in Queen’s Bath, a natural tide pool with direct views of the ocean.
• Visit the Hanalei Beach and Hanalei Valley Lookout, which features waterfalls and fields of taro.
• Explore the Eastern Shore town called Kapaa. I hear there are lots of delicious food options on this side of the island!
• Go on hiking trails like the Kalalau Trail, Sleeping Giant, and trails along Waimea Canyon.