The Ultimate Kauai Road Trip Is Right Here - And You’ll Definitely Want To Do It
By Megan Shute|Published December 05, 2016
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Known as the Garden Isle, Kauai is the fourth largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago measuring in at 562.3 square miles. It is also the oldest of Hawaii’s eight main islands and is full of incredible sites to behold – from enchanting caves and vast canyons to picturesque beaches and incredible gardens. This quintessential road trip takes you to ten of the Kauai’s greatest attractions and can be easily adapted to suit your preferences.
You’ll start at the northernmost accessible beach on Kauai’s north shore – Ke’e Beach – and travel around the perimeter of the island, making eight stops, each more incredible than the last, ending at the island’s westernmost accessible beach, the furthest you can travel via car on this beautiful island. The entire trip clocks in at 119 miles, with little more than four hours of drive time. In order to fully explore each of these incredible places, we suggest staying overnight, probably in Lihue.
Located in Haena State Park, Ke'e Beach marks the end of the Kuhio Highway, the furthest you can drive on Kauai's north shore. A protected reef makes this an idyllic spot for snorkeling and swimming during the summer.
Though Hanalei is located just north of the Princeville resort area, it feels like worlds away from the Hawaiian tourism scene. With a small one-lane bridge leading into town, and an unusual mix of shopping and dining options, the very small town – approximately 0.8 square miles – is full of old world charm. The beautiful town and neighboring Hanalei Bay have been featured in various films, including the 1958 musical classic, South Pacific.
Located in the town of Princeville on Kauai’s north shore is a unique tide pool known as Queen’s Bath once used as a bathing spot for Hawaiian royalty. A sinkhole surrounded by igneous rock, this incredible geological formation is not only a vibrant turquoise pool set in the striking black lava shoreline, but it is also a dangerous lava bench exposed to deadly high surf.
The first waterfall on our list may only be 151 feet tall, but it is one of Kauai’s most famous waterfalls, and is visible from the road, making it a popular tourist destination on Kuamoo Road between Lihue and Kapaa.
Also known as Menehune Fishpond, Alekoko, located near Lihue on the island of Kauai is a historic Hawaiian fishpond that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It is said that the Menehune – a mythical people who inhabited the islands before Hawaiians arrived – are responsible for the fishpond construction.
On the drive between Alekoko Fishpond and Makauwahi Cave is Maluhia Road, a stretch of highway covered in a canopy of eucalyptus trees you absolutely have to experience.
This relatively unknown archaeological site is home to Kauai’s largest limestone cave that was formed when the once fossilized sand dune collapsed. After you squeeze through the mouth of the cave, you will be rewarded with stunning views of a spacious open-air amphitheater.
Created and curated by Robert Allerton, this 80-acre garden sits on the southern shores of Kauai, and is transected by Lawai Stream. It is one of the five gardens that comprise the non-profit National Tropical Botanical Garden, and has been home to quite a few film productions.
Located in Hanapepe, near Port Allen Harbor, is this incredible beach covered with millions of sea glass pebbles in brilliant hues of aqua, blue and brown. The glass found at this beach was mainly from broken bottles and auto glass that was dumped years ago, and then smoothed by time and ocean tides. The beach is pretty difficult to find, but it is heaven for lovers of sea glass.
Often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," Waimea Canyon is certainly a thing of immense beauty. At ten miles long, a mile wide and approximately 3,600 feet deep, it is home to plants and trees of all shapes and sizes – giving it a more dynamic landscape than its more famous canyon cousin. For anyone planning to visit this natural wonder, we urge you to consider exploring the neighboring Koke’e State Park for some less interrupted views of the canyon.
At the end of a long dirt road off Kuamuali’I Highway, Polihale is the largest stretch of sand in Hawaii, and is often overlooked for more accessible Kauai beaches.
