If you do one thing while in Kauai, I highly recommend you explore the NaPali Coast. Either by hike or boat tour. This is by far one of the most beautiful places you will ever see and there is nothing quite like it. Why? The Napali Coast is the gem of the island, It’s truly breathtaking! Blue Dolphin offers a few different trips and packages, but the sunset cruise is the best. The sunsets on the west side of the island so it shines directly on the cliffs, so you can see every detail and valley. If you do a morning cruise, the sun is rising behind the cliffs, so you are looking directly into the sun when looking at the coastline. The Sunset cruise also allows you to watch the sunset from the westernmost point in the United States! Bonus: all you can drink - I highly recommend bikini blonde beers. The food is pretty good too!
Day-use visitors will include those visitors going to: Kēʻē Beach and other attractions in the area Hanakāpīʻai Beach (Approximately 2-miles away along the Kalalau Trail, 4-miles round trip) Hanakāpīʻai Falls (Approximately 2-miles up from Hanakāpīʻai Beach, 8-miles round trip) Day-use visitors at no time will be permitted to hike the Kalalau Trail past Hanakāpīʻai Beach. A Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park camping permit is required to hike past Hanakāpīʻai Beach whether or not you plan to camp.
These trails take you through the “Grand Canyon of Hawaii” - which is truly breathtaking. There are countless hikes through the canyon, which can be found here:
Our venue is an adventure hub for these activities! Schedule a fun excursion while seeing the beauty of Kauai!
This public beach has a 2-mile stretch of white sand beaches suitable for all levels of surfing, boogie boarding, stand up paddleboarding, and snorkeling
Drift down the beautiful rivers that encase the town of Hanalei
Permits are required to hike the full Kalalau Trail. Those with permits are not subject to the newly implemented Hāʻena State Park visitor limits & reservation system. Entrance into Hāʻena State Park will be granted with a Kalalau camping permit. Limited overnight parking is only available to overnight permit holders and must be reserved in advance. Without a parking reservation, permit holders will need to arrive by shuttle (www.kauaiNSshuttle.com) or arrange for private drop-off. The new shuttle service is taking reservations starting Friday, June 21, 2019. For more information about obtaining a reservation to visit Hāʻena State Park, go to the website and apply for a permit. It is 22 miles total. 11 in and 11 out with an overnight camp at the beach. It is known to be one of the most beautiful hikes in the world.
We are planning a pool and beach day after the wedding (See schedule), but here is the info if you would like to check this out! for a day hang (Marriott Beach in Lihue) Rent chairs Renting surfboards/stand up paddleboards (Da Boys) Marriott Bar Vball nets
Java Kai Cafe has great coffee and vibes. Kauai Juice Co is in the back behind “The Local”
Amazing bohemian, rocker, hippie, cool vibes. They have clothes, hats, and Homegoods. Owned by husband and wife.
Tons of wellness drinks like juices, kombucha, and healthy snacks. They have three locations on the island and they also sell their stuff in many of the grocery stores and ABC stores (more about ABC stores below) on the island.
Duke’s next to the Marriott on Kalapaki Bay. Your standard beach bar and restaurant. Great happy hour. Chill vibes, live music.
Close to the Marriott. Another live music bar!
Location of our after party in Hanalei. Classic Hawaiian live music bar… Reggae music and fruity drinks. In Hanalei and always crowded at night. One of the few bars that stays open past about 9-10pm.
If you are looking for the best greasy mexican food: “Da Crack” - beloved by locals and visitors alike. Located on the outside of Kuku’iula Local Market. Mexican food is pretty hard to come by here, but “Da Crack” is perfect for a greasy breakfast burrito of your dreams. Don’t be turned off by the fact that it’s an operation run out of the window of a grocery store. The line is usually pretty long too, and locals eat here, so you know it’s good! I also recommend the quesadilla.
If you are looking for some incredible fish tacos: You can’t go wrong anywhere you go….but here are a few of our faves Tropical Taco: The best fish tacos on the island, hands down. It is located in a tiny little strip mall going north towards Princeville. Stop and get some tacos - also, their salsa is pretty great.
Great fish tacos
If you’re looking for incredible sushi/poke/fish: You really can’t go wrong no matter where you go! But... The Dolphin in Hanalei: http://www.hanaleidolphin.com/index.htm. I believe there is one in Poipu now too! Great sushi and some of the best poke I’ve ever had.
If you’re looking for a fancy meal: The Beach House Restaurant: http://www.the-beach-house.com One of Kauai’s few truly fancier places. You must make a reservation and make it early enough to ensure that you can eat while the sun is setting. *Protip: Google what time the sun goes down the day of your reservation and make your reservation for an hour before sunset.
It’s up a mountain towards the center of the island near Kapaa, so you aren’t along the coast like some of the more popular hikes on the island. However, this means that there are less crowds and you can see the entire east side of the island from the lookout. It’s not my favorite hike on the island, as there are some better more scenic hikes that are a better use of time/energy.
The hike is inland so you don’t get the vistas, but you do get 2 dope waterfalls (one was used for a scene in Jurassic Park). The last waterfall ends in a refreshing spring pool and has a rope swing that is so FUN. The trail leads you along a river and the ground will be very muddy, which makes the hike that wouldn’t be too challenging, a bit more challenging. Great for people who don’t mind getting dirty. ….NATURE! Lol