Kauai is the most northwestern of Hawaii's major islands and is the 4th largest by size and population. Nicknamed the Garden Island, it is covered with lush greenery and tropical plants, watered regularly by abundant rainfall. As the oldest of the islands, it has been changed the most by the forces of erosion, and this has resulted in natural wonders such as Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast. As a consequence of its age, Kauai also has more miles of sandy coastline than the other Hawaiian islands.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
The major regions of Kauaʻi can be defined by their location on the island relative to the prevailing trade winds. The north and east sides of the island are on the "windward" side of the island, where the winds blow onto the shore. These parts of the island tend to get the most rain, and as a result, are the greenest and most tropical parts of the island.
Despite the island's relatively small size and the fact that most traffic and sites to visit are concentrated along one main highway, motorized private vehicles are the most common form of transportation on Kauai. If you don't mind traffic (especially in Lihue, Wailua and Kapa'a) and driving yourself, rental cars are a convenient way to visit the island. Most major rental car companies have offices at the Lihue airport or nearby by shuttle bus. Car rentals are available in a large variety of makes and models and provide travelers flexibility and freedom to explore the island and crowd the roads.
1 Lydgate State Park. On route 56, north of the airport. There's a park with a play area for kids with the usual swings, slides etc. There's an excellent swimming area for kids. The swimming area is separated by big rocks from the ocean, which helps break up the strong current. 2 Old Koloa town. On route 520 on the way to Poipu. The small, rustic town has a grocery store, ice cream parlor, and some souvenir shops. There's also a small museum about the lives of the Japanese immigrants who worked on Kauai's sugar plantations. In the field across from the grocery store there's a monument to them as well. 3 Huleia National Wildlife Refuge.
People come to Kauai primarily for one thing: the beaches with their great snorkeling, surfing, swimming, and sunning. But Kauai also boasts more navigable rivers than the other Hawaiian Islands making kayaking very popular as well as the cool, higher elevation of Koke'e. If the surf is calm you can even combine a river run with time paddling the bays and ocean shoreline. You'll find kayak rentals near the mouth of the most popular rivers. Many will also rent roof-top strap-on kayaks for travelers interested in trying one of the several smaller river runs. Kauai has great hiking and mountain biking trails as well.
Like the rest of Hawaii, the plate lunch is ubiquitous in Kauai (see the Eat section in the main Hawaii article for more information). However, many of Kauai's beaches and natural attractions (like Waimea Canyon) have no amenities nearby. Pack a lunch and bring enough water for the day - then stop at the restaurants for dinner. For a tasty snack, pick up some red lychees from a roadside stand or a farmer's market. Waimea Canyon visitors can drive a few miles further up the road to the Koke'e Lodge, located in the Koke'e State Park next to the museum.
A great place to watch the sun set behind Bali Hai at cocktail hour is the "Library" at the St. Regis Hotel, in the Princeville Resort on the North Shore. At the end of Ka Haku Road. Sunset from The Point bar at the Sheraton Poipu--sit on the patio and nosh some bar food, sip a Lilikoi Lemonade, and watch the sun set behind Niihau and Spounting Horn. 1 Nani Moon Meadery and Tasting Room, 4-939 Kuhio Hwy D, Kapaʻa,, ☏ +1 808 651-2453, nanimoonmeadinfo@gmail.com. W-Sa Noon-5PM. Hawaii's only meadery. Small-batch mead locally brewed from Kauai honey. A tasting of 6 types of mead is $10, light snacks are available along with some locally made chocolates.
Leptospirosis - a serious bacterial infection. The bacteria is spread by the waste of animals and is found in all fresh water outlets as well as the muddy trails. It is more common on Kauai than other islands, and should be treated promptly with antibiotics. Symptoms are flu-like, and mainland doctors may not recognize the disease as readily. It is very important to treat any water you gather while camping or backpacking with pills or a filter to ensure you kill all bacteria found in it, not just leptospirosis. Rip tides, currents, and high surf - Rip tides and ocean currents on Kauai can be treacherous.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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