2026/27 KAUA’I HOLIDAYS AND TOURS

Covered in tropical rainforest, the moniker of ‘The Garden Isle’ fails to do this leafy paradise justice, and Kaua’i is one of those places that needs to be seen to be believed. Leafy canopies shade the island’s few roads; unspoiled forests run with rivers and waterfalls; sheer sea cliffs give way to long, sandy beaches and turquoise waters surround the island’s pristine shores. With dramatic nature and a laidback vibe, Kaua’i feels miles away from the bustle of the state’s capital Honolulu – and it is.

Kaua’i is all about breathtaking nature, and a visit here is about its exploration – from the jaw-dropping pinnacles of the Nāpali Coast, seen in Hollywood classics like Jurassic Park to the idyllic beauty of Hanalei Bay and the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’, Waimea Canyon, the island is a nature-lovers dream.

Start with Kaua’i’s most famous feature, the Nāpali Coast. A sacred place to all Hawaiians merely by virtue of its outstanding natural beauty, this genuine geological wonder of deep valleys and sheer cliffs can only be seen by boat or helicopter as the landscape remains untouched by modern development. If you’re an experienced hiker, however, see Nāpali on foot by traversing the state park’s demanding 18km Kalalau Trail. You’ll be rewarded with the golden sands of the remote Kalalau Beach.

But that’s not all there is to do. Hikers and mountain bikers will marvel at the scenery and trails in Waimea Canyon, which measures no less than 10 miles long, 1 mile wide and more than 3,500 feet deep. Kaua’i is home to the only navigable rivers in Hawai’i, and a paddle along the Wailua River promises an unforgettable experience. And when it comes to swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing, nothing can beat Po’ipū Beach.

Charming towns are dotted around Kauai too. Hanapēpē is the island’s art capital with Friday night art walks and local galleries. Nearby Old Kōloa Town is a historic, plantation-era village with good restaurants, small shops and plenty of history about the island’s sugar cane industry, and on the north side of the island lies Hanalei, with its historic pier, picturesque bay and unique architecture.