Hawaii's Top Places | Best Things to See & Do on Oahu, the Big Island, Maui & Kauai
Hawaii is spectacular each island offers something different there's so much to see and do this really is a dream vacation where do you go how long do you stay those are the questions first-time visitors always have take a look at the islands what to see and do how to manage time and how easy and efficient inner Island Travel can be first a little geography there are four Islands most tourists visit Hawaii Island often called the Big Island Maui Oahu and Kauai the big island is home to volcanoes extinct dormant and active including Kilauea one of the most active on Earth and Mauna Loa which erupted in 2022 after a 38-year Hiatus these volcanoes have given the island its size adding land as lava meets water and a stark otherworldly beauty that draws tourists to its Shores with two hundred thousand residents Hawaii island is ringed by spectacular beaches and colors found few other places black sand beach on its South Shore is easy to reach but the Trek to its Green Beach is an adventure all its own world-class snorkeling and hiking spectacular parks and the ever-present power of the ocean make this an ideal destination for nature lovers just 30 miles across the alley new ihaha channel is Maui the Valley Isle home to 170 000 people and a premier wedding destination for couples worldwide it's also known for its glorious beaches large luxurious resorts and top sunrises the road to Hana windsurfing snorkeling whale watching and ziplining to the Northwest is Kauai the garden aisle from rugged North Shore Beaches to South Shore sunsets from Beachside dining to daytime sailing along the Nepali Coast from Waimea Canyon hiking to waialua River kayaking there is so much to see and do here from the mainland there are direct flights to the Big Island Maui and Kauai but more than likely hnl the Honolulu airport will be your initial destination so let's start our in-depth look at the islands there on Oahu the Hawaiian word or Gathering Place [Music] the images you have of the 50th state come from this island Waikiki Beach Diamond Head Pearl Harbor surfing on the North Shore and of course Hawaii 5-0 more than a million people live on Oahu home to Honolulu the state's capital this thriving high-rise filled city is probably best known for world famous Waikiki Beach the almost entirely man-made Beach is a playground for tourists from around the world in the 1800s it was a retreat for Hawaiian royalty who served on early longboards surfboards between 9 and 12 feet long and still today it's calm Waters make it an ideal place to learn to serve bordered by beautifully historic hotels Waikiki Beach offers every level of accommodation from vacation rentals to high-rise hotels with expansive views of the beach Diamond Head and the Pacific like cities and towns on other Islands sidewalks in Honolulu aren't rolled up at sunset this vibrant City offers plenty of activities after dark [Music] Honolulu is on Oahu Southeast Shore with Pearl Harbor and H L centered to the West getting your rental car at h l is fairly easy they're located in the terminal 2 parking garage driving on all the islands is mostly stress-free but Oahu does have some rush hour traffic and perhaps surprisingly even some short though spectacular stretches of Interstate [Music] a short drive to the North Shore brings you to the Dole Plantation and a stop there for Dole Whip is a must the North Shore is home to Haleiwa it's loaded with old plantation Town character who trucks Galore and a surf shop or two the 30-mile drive from Honolulu to Hallie Eva takes about 45 minutes to Halle Eva's West is Kiana Point State Park it's a short drive that offers a bold change in scenery and a couple of hiking trails [Music] his world famous Waimea Bay in winter months thanks to massive storm generated waves it hosts some of the world's top surfing competitions thank you Waimea Bay is perhaps my favorite place in all of Hawaii big rocks crashing waves spectacular Beach [Music] a master class in certain [Music] and if you're lucky it'll be lifeguard training day the chance to see how the ocean is Tamed just across from Waimea Bay is Waimea Valley an area of religious and historic significance and a beautiful Botanical Garden that's home to a huge variety of plants from around the world including the largest collection of Polynesian plants [Music] make your way a bit less than a mile through the gardens to Waimea Falls never miss a chance for a waterfall swim and for that this place is special it's family friendly light vests are provided and required and it's lifeguard supervised The Gardens and waterfall are part of a non-profit organization there's an admission fee but once you see the flowers trees and falls and how history and tradition are presented you understand why east of Waimea Bay is Shark's Cove a large tidal pool that's great for snorkeling it's across the highway is the ultimate food truck Village [Music] if it's not there it's not worth eating if you're on Oahu between November and February there's a good chance big waves will be too in this Shark's Cove area is a great place to spot them as you continue East along the North Shore you'll see spectacular beaches huge waves and gravity to find Surfers it is the Hawaii of your dreams next up on the North Shore is Turtle Bay Resort home to a Waterfront Hotel vacation rentals a golf course and spectacular sunsets at the beach just to the left of the hotel is a marker and display board commemorating an early use of radar a missed opportunity and a bit of Pearl Harbor history oahu's windward side is jam-packed with must-see sights too heading down the highway from Turtle Bay first up is the Polynesian Cultural Center there's a lot to see and do here but the massive luau was the draw for me just 11 miles down the coast is the 4 000 acre kualoa ranch a working cattle ranch and private Nature Reserve that has been the backdrop for Blockbusters including Jurassic Park and Godzilla the ranch offers movie tours and a variety of activities it's about 32 miles from haleiiba and 24 from Honolulu about eight miles south of the ranch is the bioto Inn Temple this Buddhist temple commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants in Hawaii the temple a smaller scale replica of its 900 year old namesake in Japan is located in the Valley of the Temple's Park a large Cemetery with faith-based sections the architecture and surroundings are beautiful there's an admission charge but the temple is open to those of all faiths just four miles away in the bay his mokuolo Island also known as coconut Island also known as Gilligan's Island shots of the island were used in the 1960s era sitcom if the Castaways had only known how close they were to Honolulu is owned by the University of Hawaii it's a marine research facility on the Southeastern most point of Oahu is makapuu point home to the lighthouse with the largest lens in the United States built in 1909 by the Coast Guard the red-capped brick structure stands 46 feet tall with a 420 foot focal height its range is 17 nautical miles to see it up close you walk the wide paved makahupu Point Lighthouse Trail despite the built-in Comfort it can feel steep with an elevation gain of 505 feet bring sunscreen and water the 2.5 mile round trip provides incredible views of Oahu and the ocean and if you're there in season it's easy to spot whales at the end of the trail an elevated viewing platform provides a look down at the Lighthouse as well as expansive views of makapuu beach park and a nearby Island in islet both bird sanctuaries there's also a small path that offers a closer look at the Lighthouse just north of the trail is the makapuu lookout you'll get a better view of the beach park the bird sanctuaries in Sea Life Park Hawaii just beyond the beach [Music] as you head back south you'll pass the popular Sandy Beach foreign blowhole and Beach Cove this beach is also known as eternity Beach the site of one of Hollywood's most iconic kissing scenes between Bert Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in the 1953 oscar-winning movie From Here to Eternity Beyond helona Cove is Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve a marine life Conservation District and one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island its coral reef is home to 450 species of fish octopus crabs eels and green sea turtles suffering from over tourism the Bay now limits access there are admission and parking fees new visitors are required to watch an educational film before walking down or riding the tram to the Bay check out the bay website to plan your visit just over cocoa Head Park is Coco Marina it's a great place for all kinds of water sports from parasailing on the open ocean [Music] to water skiing in the protected Marina and for me as you can probably tell both are highlights of Oahu visits before you leave grab a drink or a bite Dockside at the Kona Brewing Company next up three craters that offer spectacular views of the island first up is nearby cocoa Head crater the hike up to the 1200 foot Summit is via the cocoa crater Trail it's a steep hike using abandoned railroad tracks that once connected a military station up top to the world below the view is incredible but so too is the hike they're more than a thousand railroad ties that serve as steps there are a couple of craters nearby that are a little easier to reach nearing Honolulu Diamond Head is next up and the seven tenths of a mile hike up including 200 steps is a much easier reach for those of us who are perhaps a little less active but it's a popular site and the climb up to the 670-foot summit is considered a moderate hike when you reach the top wait your turn for the most spectacular view Oahu has to offer [Music] the third crater punch bowl is a must-see and it's the easiest to get to a drive through a residential neighborhood quickly brings you to the summit of this 272-foot crater offering a close-up view of the city skyline the beautiful park-like setting is by Design Punchbowl is home to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific the piece you feel in this extraordinary place will stay with you long after you leave this beautiful Island any Pearl Harbor is the reason Hawaii is a bucket list destination their pilgrimage here isn't to a massive Naval Base it's to a sacred place with reverence they honor the 2403 who died after the Empire of Japan's surprise attack December 7th 1941 is a day that has lived in infamy the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visitor Center is free and open to the public daily from 7 A.M to 5 p.m the complex features exhibits a theater and a research and education center but the Arizona Memorial what you really must see requires a free ticket reservation there are limited seats for each day on the boats that go to the memorial plan ahead and secure your tickets as soon as possible the memorial straddles the hull of the USS Arizona where 1777 Sailors lost their lives 900 are still entombed in the ship the Battleship Missouri Memorial and the bowfin submarine are available for tours too they require paid tickets [Music] just to the west of Pearl Harbor is Alani the Disney Resort this leeward side of the island has beautiful beaches and a slower Pace in addition to the place is already mentioned Oahu is loaded with sites to see including other observation points like the poly Lookout and the Aloha Tower Royal sites like the Iolani Palace in the queen Emma Summer Palace museums like Bishop home of the world's largest collection of Polynesian artifacts secluded hikes far from tourist centers that lead to incredible waterfalls and of course the headquarters of Hawaii 5-0 choosing a place to stay in Honolulu really depends on preferences mainly rentals versus hotels which part of the beach you like most but that's something you won't know until you get here some people love the massive Hilton Hawaiian Village it's beachfront large Lagoon and Friday Night fireworks show on waikiki's West Side others prefer the grand old hotels or the Twin Towers of the Hyatt Regency for me it's Airbnb rentals overlooking the zoo and Diamond Head on the East End of Waikiki I like the beach in this area and the on-street parking I can often find around the zoo parking fees at large hotels are insanely High Honolulu can easily be seen without a car but you'll need one to explore the rest of the island the proximity of your favorite restaurants will help determine your favorite part of the beach for me Lulu's on the corner by the zoo pantiki's just a block away fit the bill I love the elevated open-air dining the atmosphere and the food both offer antiquis often has live music and the airbnbs I mentioned are just around the corner it won't take long for you to find a favorite area too you can find almost any kind of food in this city and it's guaranteed to be as varied and colorful as your surroundings there are plenty of dinner and drinking cruises too the Star of Honolulu departing the Aloha Tower Marketplace offers dinner and a show this two or three hour Cruise parallels Waikiki Beach your stay in Hawaii's Capital City can be anything you want it to be is it a big city or a resort town it's what you make it from a packed Beach to a spot with room to spread out from a surfboard to a catamaran from a room with a high-rise View to a place that's a bit more down to earth from dining at Honolulu Mainstays like Dukes to grabbing a bite at Burger King from exploring the city's mini parks and public places to browsing high-end shops ABC Stores our ukulele shops if Urban settings aren't for you Honolulu is sure to surprise and Oahu offers so many options sites to see places to stay and things to do but it's often the first stop for first-time visitors to Hawaii after Waikiki and Pearl Harbor most people mention volcanoes so let's get to the Big Island Hawaii Island inner Island flights are inexpensive and about the only way to get from Island to Island when planning a trip here the how many islands should I visit question is almost always first up my last trip I visited three over two weeks and that worked for me but I've been to each before it's really just a time management question even though flights between islands are less than an hour you still lose time checking in and out of a hotel or rental returning cars arriving early at the airport and going through security but if this is a first time long dreamed of trip I understand the urge to see as much as possible fearing you might never return I thought that too my first time the big island has two airports Kona on the west side and Hilo on the East with Volcanoes National Park kind of in between though closer to Hilo most cities offer a different feel the Kona side of the island gets more sun the Hilo side more rain but if volcanoes are why you came consider a Park hotel or a rental near the park big is a good name for this island drives are longer so plan accordingly [Music] my first time on the big island I only had two days to explore I saw a lot you can too so if you just have a few days on Oahu or another Island but really want to see a volcano you can do it and if you have a bit more time there's a lot more to see start your visit at Volcanoes National Park at The Visitor Center just past the gate Rangers will gladly help you plan your time at the park check the Park's website often for updates on eruptions and lava flows sometimes the show you've come to see can interrupt your well-planned visit the park is always open 24 hours a day year round the per vehicle cost for seven days is thirty dollars buy your digital pass before arrival at recreation.gov and
print it out I've been to the park numerous times and even when the lava isn't flowing or visible it doesn't disappoint you'll drive to all the sites the steam vents the lava tubes the Crater Rim and the Sea Arch via the 18.8 mile chain of craters Road there's day hiking and back country hiking too and their dining options at the Volcano House Lodge near the main gate how long you should stay at the park is up to you if lava is Flowing crowds will be too lots of people bring lots of traffic and sometimes that means closures there are a lot of rental units around the park but the closest I've stayed is that an Airbnb just south of Hilo the Standalone pool house was perfect for me a short hike through the adjacent jungle brought me to a secluded Waterfront spot that left me feeling like I was the only person on the island years later it's still one of my favorite spots on the big island this is where I am I feel like I'm again on Survivor uh but the ocean is out there so let's go take a look from Hilo the park is about 30 minutes away it takes two hours from Kona that's a long and lonely drive back so if possible split your stay somewhere near the park and somewhere on the Kona side of the island my last trip I stayed in the Captain Cook Area south of Kona in a Mountainside Airbnb a stand-alone unit built behind a house this place had two special features an orchard that made breakfast way too easy and an incredibly steep driveway that put a little thrill into every Journey just below the house is keala keikua Bay home of the world's best snorkeling or so they say and the Captain Cook Monument as I age I fail to realize that there are things I can no longer do or in this case the Captain Cook Monument Trail things I could never do it's a shame that didn't stop me this 3.7 mile hike nearly did me in it's all downhill until it's not at the bottom it's a beautiful setting for a monument commemorating the death of one of the world's most controversial explorers British Captain James Cook the European who discovered these islands was killed near this spot the scenic nature of this place belies its violent past the clear calm water is attractive to dolphins manta rays and extremely colorful fish their numerous snorkeling tours offered some by boat others buy kayak play it smart go with one of them and avoid the 1300 foot climb back up there is not enough water or protein bars to make that hike seem easy shoot if Hawaii doesn't kill you you keep coming back for more after an impossible hike the South Kono Fruit Stand is the perfect destination yes Incredible Smoothies but delicious sandwiches too just up from there Saint Benedict's Painted Church a small Catholic Church like no other you've seen spend a few minutes inside soaking up the calm and the charm this place offers explore the cemetery too the headstones provide a fascinating Glimpse at the Island's rich and diverse past not far from the church is a National Historic Park not to be missed though the name is a struggle to properly pronounce this 180 Acre Site was a place of sanctuary for Hawaiian law Breakers with a detailed map a self-guided walking tour opens up an ancient world with a 12 foot tall 18-foot thick Great Wall wooden gods shelters a sacred Temple and a black lava rock Shoreline that's fun to explore it's about impossible to shoot a bad photo here The Soaring Palms alone are worth the entry fee twenty dollars per car the parks open daily from 8 15 a.m
to 15 minutes past Sunset next to the park is two-step an extremely popular snorkeling site with abundant sea life and some healthy Coral plan your time here it's not a Sandy Beach but there's lots of rock to spread out on two-step may be short on Sand but the big island has lots of stunning beaches not that far away is the easy to reach black Beach just off Highway 11. unalu Beach is the place to feel black sand between your toes ocean currents make this beach less than ideal for swimming but there are restrooms and picnic areas and a chance to see sea turtles it's a beautiful spot and worth some valued vacation time but avoid the hot foot bring flip-flops black sand holds heat now what I said about easy to reach does not in any way apply to the big Island's Green Beach papakolejo getting there is half the fun so from Highway 11 you turn South between mile marker 69 and 70 towards South Point it's an eight mile drive to the parking lot that's where you'll make the decision hike 5.5 miles round trip or pay for a ride on one of the locals pickup trucks the ladder is unauthorized and discouraged by the powers of B but obviously allowed to continue the 20 to 25 dollar round-trip price gets you standing space on the back of a pickup truck if you're lucky you'll at least have a bar to hang on to it's a rough ride the ruts in the roads swallow trucks if safety and injury prevention are your thing this isn't a good idea it is an adventure though and despite the damage these trucks clearly do to the environment a choice you'll have to make knowing all this now I'd like to think I'd hike in next time once you arrive on foot or by truck make your way down the cliff to the beach keep in mind when they say green they don't mean Kermit green it's more of an olive color and best seen as the Sun hits it at an angle the coloration comes from Olivine a mineral containing iron and magnesium a common component of lava and thanks to its sparkling nature it's called Hawaiian diamond aside from the sand this Cove has a lot going on the constant wave action walled in by the surrounding Cliffs give way to a Non-Stop ocean Roar that adds to the sensory overload if you come by truck you've got about 30 minutes to an hour before you need to be back at your departure gate I'd like to tell you the ride back is smooth like butter I really would before hitting the main road drive to the end of Southpoint and take a look around at the southernmost point in the USA on the other side of the island you can see Sunset above the clouds and take star gazing to new heights at Mauna Kea an active volcano whose 13 800 foot Summit is home to 13 observatories funded by 11 countries if you're into space science or sci-fi it's a must for experienced Mountain drivers in 4x4s the drive up to the often snow-capped Summit might be doable if you're from a Southern state like me it is definitely not tours are offered departing Kona or Hilo but with travel time to and from they eat up lots of hours however you get there everyone must wait 30 minutes at the 9000 foot Visitor Center to acclimate to the altitude before ascending the summit a bit north and east along the windward side of Hawaii island is lapahoehoe Point Beach Park an area of outstanding Beauty where Nature's force is on display the name refers to the angular lava tip or Cape formed by smooth lava enjoy the Roar of the ocean and take a moment to remember the 20 school children and four teachers who died here in the 1946 April Fool's Day tsunami that claimed many more lives on the island today I was there a dog almost as large as my car really wanted to ride and an endangered Hawaiian monk seal just wanted to rest if you love pancakes and the old Diner field Ken's house of pancakes and Hilo is for you it's my big island go-to guilty pleasure on an earlier trip my Airbnb hosts in Hilo took me to a legendary social Gathering that I would never have known about or had access to it's called Uncle Roberts it's hard to describe but it's right up there with the most fun I've had in all of Hawaii set in the lava flow Zone an area covered in the hot stuff back in the day this makeshift complex hosts a night market live music delicious food and exceptionally large bar arts and crafts and odds and ends to buy but its main feature is friendly welcoming people just enjoying a midweek break together it's a prime example of what's great about Hawaii and Airbnb super news [Music] Hawaii is different in lots of ways airports are a prime example they have open-air walkways Gates and check-in areas agricultural inspections with x-ray machines and passengers pack a little differently here [Music] interisland flights are short from 40 minutes to an hour and travel is mostly stress free living up to its name the big island has two airports one in Hilo and one in Kona and they make inner Island Travel so easy and since they do let's head across the channel to the valley aisle Maui have had conventional and unconventional trips to this island I've driven the must-see Hana Highway and the Heart stopping kanekili Highway I've stayed in a condo on Malaya Bay good morning good afternoon and on the catamaran moored in it reachable only by kayak there's so much to do here however you see Maui it will be a beautiful Thrill Ride first a little geography by land size Maui is the second largest Hawaiian island it's 48 miles across you'll land at the Kahului airport in the Island's largest city around thirty thousand people home to Target and Costco and other things you might need Lahaina on Maui's West Coast its leeward side is where charm went to live historic beautiful Lahaina was destroyed by a wildfire in August 2023 that claimed more than 100 lives and left thousands homeless support a charity working to help and when it feels right visit Maui and support the islands tourism-based economy Maui is loaded with massive Resorts but if you're like me and that's not your thing there are plenty of smaller places in oceanfront condos to choose from Kihei in South Maui has lots of hotels and Rental options along beautiful Sugar Beach this area was the landing point for my kayak from the catamaran I was lucky enough to stay on several years ago it's not an option now but the experience was so wonderful that boat stays on Airbnb are my first search criteria anywhere in the world the Malaya Bay condo I stayed in is near the Aquarium the Coast Guard Station and lots of sailing snorkeling and biking Outfitters rental units in this area are well positioned for easy access to all parts of the island but the beach here is a bit less accessible since we're here now let's book a molokini crater snorkeling tour and find Nemo in one of the most spectacular settings imaginable inside the submerged volcanic caldera are hundreds of species of fish the above water Crescent wall protects snorklers and scuba and snooba divers from waves there are lots of tour options so take a good look around and find some that work for you the crater is just offshore from big beach and little beach the names are appropriately descriptive big beach is a wide expansive Beach or anywhere but especially on Maui the sand is soft but the shore break is very strong there are lifeguards on the beach but its powerful waves make swimming unwise for all but the strongest swimmers parking for both beaches can be problematic if you can get here early or later in the day when the crowd thins out and if you're lucky there'll be a food truck in the lot few things are better than a truck full of food at a beach it's time for the road to Hana the Hana Highway Maui's most popular tourist attraction the journey to the namesake town is a mere 52 miles if you make no stops along the way it will take you two and a half hours to drive this narrow Mountain Road through a lush tropical rainforest he'll pass over 46 one-lane Bridges and twist around 620 curves as a driver I was fine as a passenger I wouldn't have been if you get car sick take something from motion sickness so how do you get there from Kahului you hit Highway 36 which becomes Highway 360. along the way there
are plenty of reasons to stop waterfalls Botanical Gardens and other attractions get a detailed guide and plan to spend an entire day exploring as you go if you can stay overnight in Hana and avoid a drive back in the dark the return trip backtracking to kapalui Via the Hana Highway gives you a chance to see the sights you passed up on the way in there's another route back but rental car companies discourage its use the scary part of this Southwestern Road is just past keep a Hulu where the roadway hugs Cliff walls held in place by wire and netting you'll definitely question your good decision-making ability here if you go this route take it slow and watch out for others I had a car but it wasn't raining or muddy a 4x4 might be a safer bed as you make your way along State Road 31 and it straightens out you won't have traffic to deal with this is an isolated place if you want a bit of solitude on Maui you'll find it here you can also Circle the West Maui mountains on the Island's other side but I wouldn't recommend it out of an abundance of ignorance I found myself on the kanakili highway on the North Shore but Highway isn't the right word it's more like Mountain hugging golf cart path with narrow one-way snaking turns right next to sheer Cliffs it's a frightening drive that becomes absolutely horrifying when you encounter an oncoming car and have to back up until you find a pull out that allows both to pass as I later found out it's a legendarily dangerous road one of the most treacherous in the world it's 21 miles but your speedometer won't often get above five [Music] hohokipa beach park on Maui's North Shore offers so much if you're a pro Windsurfer it's a well-known destination beside a premier windsurfing competitions consistent winds powerful waves dangerous rip currents and a shallow Reef make it off limits to all but experienced Surfers this beautiful beach has lifeguards covered pavilions with picnic tables and grills restrooms freshwater showers and above all a lookout to catch the action and green sea turtles often visit too lifeguards say 2 to 4 pm is the best time to see them on this side of the island is North Shore zipline company I had a great time there can you tell beginners or experienced zip liners will too it's located at Camp Maui a World War II training camp there's a museum there that tells that story there are lots of places to zipline on Maui yeah and I'm sure they're just as much fun [Music] you can spot whales from any of the islands but the warm Waters in the channel between Maui Molokai and Lanai make it one of the best whale watching destinations in the world Quail launching season is November to May with peak season usually January to March sunrise and haleakala's 10 000 foot Peak is not to be missed and despite the early call it's the popular thing to do at this National Park so much so that separate car reservations are required for Park entry between 3 and 7 A.M you'll also need a regular park pass you can get both at recreation.gov sunsets in Haleakala aren't bad either Haleakala means House of the Sun before we move on to Kauai there's an island I haven't mentioned that you can also see Molokai the fifth most populated of Hawaii's eight major islands and Maui's nearby neighbor it's hard to get around on Mountain filled Molokai and it's not set up for tourism but its three thousand foot Sea Cliffs the tallest in the world are a spectacular sight to see the cost of a relatively short helicopter tour of the island is pretty spectacular too but I'm glad I did it flying by these massive towering Cliffs is one of my most Vivid lasting memories of all the Hawaiian Islands they are almost otherworldly in their beauty helicopter tours are available from the kapalui airport am I saving the best for last you be the judge let's get to Kauai the garden aisle it's called that because a tropical rainforest covers much of this fourth largest of the Hawaiian Islands a bit more than 70 thousand people call it home and once you visit you'll realize how fortunate they are first a little geography you'll arrive at the airport at Lihue from there it's a short drive to kapa'a centered between the North and South Coast it's often my Kauai home base this east side of the island known as the coconut Coast is a great place to catch sunrises and thanks to an abundance of roosters you won't miss one of them the North Shore has the Kilauea Lighthouse Princeville and a lifetime supply of beautiful beaches on the South Shore is the postcard perfect Old koloa Town food trucks Galore the eucalyptus tree tunnel Port Allen where you'll board boats cruising the Nepali Coast Surfer friendly beaches perfect for sunsets and Waimea Canyon the Northwest side of the island is home to the skyscraping Sea Cliffs of the Nepali Coast your car can't make it there but a coastal Cruise sure can there are lots of places to stay on Kauai Hotels large Resorts and rentals by now you know I like a good Airbnb a beachfront poolside condo at Aston Islander on the beach in Kapaa fits me just fine and it's just feet away from the Lava Lava Beach Club it's the kind of restaurant you'd think you'd find on islands around the world but you don't great food live music a warm welcoming atmosphere and as Beachside as you can get if I stay somewhere else on the island chances are I'll end up here for supper regardless you can't come to Kauai and not see the Nepali Coast there are lots of options most cruises depart from Port Allen on the South Shore I had an early morning call for my five hour Holo Holo Nepali Coast snorkel and sailing tour after Captain's briefing we walked to the dock to board Layla a 50-foot Kauai made catamaran first up we snorkel at a coral reef not far from the dock the company provides equipment and the crew outfits passengers with little wind and calm seas the sails stay down as we power up the Nepali Coast making good time we reach the end of the Sea Cliffs before turning back time for lunch sandwiches veggies a bit of pasta and drinks of your choice as we make our way back down the coast our Focus turns to Wales and on this near perfect day we spot a mother and calf in the distance and then more whales they give us a show I popped a few Dramamine the night before and the morning of this ocean outing a few people spent their day leaning over the back of the boat don't risk motion sickness on your Hawaiian vacation this is a wonderful way to spend the first half of a kawaii day the catamaran was sleek and fast the crew informative and fun the arrival Direction's clear just an all-around great time [Music] as you leave Port Allen drive through the eucalyptus tree tunnel and grab a bite at one of the two food truck villages in Charming historic Old koloa Town to visit Waimea Canyon you don't pass through or pay an entrance fee at a ranger station instead when you park in the canyon Lookout lot you buy a ticket from a machine put the receipt in the car window and you're good to go the lookout has an expansive two-level deck that allows you to take in the 10 mile long three thousand foot deep vibrantly colored Gorge Waimea Canyon was formed by the Waimea River as it carried rainfall from Mount wailei one of the wettest places on Earth you can spend a lot of time here hiking and exploring the canyon [Music] not far from the canyon is the martian-like beauty of Red Dirt Falls it's an oddly peaceful place with no Little Green Men in sight [Music] not far from there something as simple as tall grass in the afternoon sun becomes a top Roadside Attraction look around it's Kawaii even ordinary things are beautiful [Music] be sure to see at least one South Shore sunset hikaha Beach Park a wide treeless Beach is the perfect place to do that when surf is up and Surfers are out the pre-sunset show is spectacular too next up the Kilauea Lighthouse had killaway a point National Wildlife Refuge Lighthouse and refuge tours may be suspended or limited so check their websites as you plan your trip but open or not take the short drive from the highway to the Viewpoint it is a beautiful sight from high above you see the waves crashing onto the Rocks below as you look toward the lighthouse perched Atop The Point since 1913. see if you can spot a red-footed booby an albatross a Hawaiian monk seal a green sea turtle or a humpback whale you might also spot a Nae Nae known as the Hawaiian Goose it's the state bird seeing a flock of them has got to bring you good luck as you head back out on the highway and stop at kilauea's Community Park the Aloha sign shaped out of shrubs is certainly selfie Worthy as you head to larger beaches along the North Shore check out some of the smaller ones is a gulf coast Southerner shade trees on beaches fill me with Envy in Kauai has more than its share nearby the North Shore town of Princeville you'll pass two Hanalei Lookouts at the valley Lookout you'll see how fertile soil is formed and at the bay Lookout you'll have a great view of the mountains Valley and in the distance the bay as you explore you'll drive over the Hanalei bridge to the Hanalei Bay taking in the view at Hanalei Beach it's the largest bay on the North Shore with two miles of beach it's now 340 foot long pier was originally built in 1892 to help farmers move crops to Market in summer sailboats more in its warm Waters in Winter large waves bring Surfers as you make your way Westward stop at wainiha Bay Park a thin stretch of Rocky beach with great views the North Shore gets about 85 inches of rain yearly making it very Lush the winter months especially February aren't too friendly to swimmers or boaters but summer months are a different story you can spend days exploring kauai's North Shore but if you just have one day you can see a lot there are plenty of beaches to see on the North Shore none will disappoint make your way to Haina Beach Park it's a large Beach launched over by lifeguards with lava rocks to climb in front of lush mountains right across the highway is the massive though easy to miss the manini hollow dry cave with a Sandy floor and high ceiling that tapers down this cavernous Arena could host one of kauai's larger luaus at 300 feet deep it's a don't miss it's also a thing of Legend pick yours a secret Escape Route from the South Shore or home to a fish stealing evil spirit further down the coast are Haina State Park and Nepali Coast State Wilderness Park great for hiking and camping check permit requirements on their websites kealia Beach on the East side's coconut Coast is a large beach with strong Surf and even stronger Surfers the waialua river kayak and waterfall hike is a fantastic way to spend five hours on kauai's East Side lots of Outfitters offer this adventure I went with rainbow kayak tours and I had a fantastic time a great paddle yes a beautiful hike yes spectacular scenery yes it was an outstanding experience thanks to Zach our guy obviously the beginning solo travel has Benefits case in point you almost always get paired with the guy this time even paddling wasn't required the ultimate tour I'd do nothing I do nothing the waialua river is on the east side of the island between Kapaa and Lihue to get to and from Secret Falls requires several miles of paddling and a one mile hike you'll cross the river on foot hike through the tall elephant grass walk Riverside on a boardwalk and cross a couple of small Falls and then you'll see 120 foot tall secret Falls a quick lunch and then the king of the waialua makes his way behind the Falls something Brave or more likely foolish people do sometimes the water is beyond cold and it's hard to breathe when you're behind the Falls but it's the least a king can do for his subjects passed away with Tom Hanks our return trip Zach filled it with insight and more than a few dad jokes for a wild boar you use about be sure to see the free shows at Coconut Marketplace in Kapaa this centrally located Center has shops and restaurants a supermarket style ABC store and a fantastic Shave Ice place in what's Hawaii without an Elvis tune there's so much to see and do on Kauai just as there is on all the islands what I've shown you are my experiences my Hawaii yours will be different but I hope I've given you a better idea of where you can go and what you can do in this spectacular Pacific Paradise apologies for any mispronounced Hawaiian words it's a beautiful language I wish I spoke it better I love Hawaii the islands and its people and I hope this was apparent as you watched if you like the video please subscribe to my channel newsocracy I'm Jim Albritton thanks for watching [Music] foreign
2023-09-14 10:23
