A Guide to the Most Beautiful Natural Wonders of Kauai
Kauai Hawaii packs more natural beauty into 550 square miles than just about any place on earth.
Where else can you find a spectacular canyon, soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls and white-sand beaches? And best of all, they're all just a few hours drive from each other.
From Ke'e Beach, the gateway to the breathtaking Kalalau Trail to Polihale - at 17 miles, the island's longest beach - Kauai is a stunner just waiting to be explored.
Here's our list of the most beautiful places to visit on your Kauai vacation.
The Na Pali Coast isn't just one of the most breathtaking places in Hawaii, it's one of the most gorgeous places on earth.
Although it's accessible via a challenging, 11-mile hike along the Kalalau Trail, most people see Na Pali from above or below - by helicopter or boat.
The verdant cliffs here rise nearly 2,000 feet from the sea.
And the mist-enshrouded valleys and beach-front caves beg to be explored.
If you're here in summer and you're fit, take a kayak down the coast for an up-close look.
If you've never been to the Grand Canyon, or even if you have, don't miss Waimea Canyon.
It's ten miles long, two miles wide and 3,600 feet deep.
Waimea Canyon Drive takes you from sea level to the Pu'u o Kila Lookout at 4,000 feet, where you'll have unbelievable views of the Kalalau Valley.
Take a jacket because it's usually 10 -15 degrees cooler up there.
There are several turnouts for pictures along the way, so you should allow about 90 minutes for the roundtrip from Waimea town.
Another bonus: because it's on the sunny western side of the island, it's often clear here when it's raining on other parts of the island.
The northernmost point in the Hawaiian Islands, Kilauea Point is a great place to watch for humpback whales in winter.
The Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge here is home to albatross, shearwaters, frigate birds, and red-footed boobies, making it a must-visit for bird lovers.
The lighthouse here was built in 1913.
Take a stroll out to the end of the point and you'll be rewarded with views of Hanalei Bay, an off-shore island that is also a bird sanctuary, and waves crashing against the steep cliffs across the cove.
Hanalei Bay is a two-mile crescent of golden sand backed by plunging waterfalls and cloudy mountain peaks.
There are actually four beaches here and you can choose the one that best suits your style.
Whichever beach you visit, be sure to take a stroll out on the pier.
You'll get great photos looking back at the mountains and at the west end of the bay.
If the surf is calm, this is a fun place to rent a board and try your hand at surfing.
Polihale Beach is everyone's idea of the desert island you wouldn't mind being shipwrecked on.
Although it's only accessible in summer, and you'll need an all-wheel-drive vehicle to get very far, the 15 miles of white-sand beach ensure that you can find a spot where the only footprints are your own.
Huge sand dunes -- some over 100 feet high and 300 feet wide - are fun to run down.
Up, is another matter.
And the northern end of Polihale is where the Na Pali Coast begins.
Kauai has more waterfalls than they could name.
In fact, there's more than one "No Name Falls," on the island.
You can see several from the car, and if you're willing to hike or paddle for a bit, there are even more to choose from.
Not far from the town of Wailua, off Highway 56, Wailua Falls are best following a heavy rain.
There's a small parking lot just past the falls and you can walk back for photos of the 80-ft.
cascade.
Opaeka'a Falls is visible from Highway 580.
The twin falls here tumble 151 feet down basalt cliffs.
Come in the midmorning for the best photographs.
Hanakapi'ai Falls are a full-day hike from Ke'e Beach, but you can reward yourself for the effort by taking a plunge in the pool beneath the 100-ft.
falls.
You can also swim beneath at Secret Falls, which are reached by kayaking the Wailua River.
If you're planning a trip to Kauai, don't miss these natural wonders.
Where else can you find a spectacular canyon, soaring cliffs, cascading waterfalls and white-sand beaches? And best of all, they're all just a few hours drive from each other.
From Ke'e Beach, the gateway to the breathtaking Kalalau Trail to Polihale - at 17 miles, the island's longest beach - Kauai is a stunner just waiting to be explored.
Here's our list of the most beautiful places to visit on your Kauai vacation.
The Na Pali Coast isn't just one of the most breathtaking places in Hawaii, it's one of the most gorgeous places on earth.
Although it's accessible via a challenging, 11-mile hike along the Kalalau Trail, most people see Na Pali from above or below - by helicopter or boat.
The verdant cliffs here rise nearly 2,000 feet from the sea.
And the mist-enshrouded valleys and beach-front caves beg to be explored.
If you're here in summer and you're fit, take a kayak down the coast for an up-close look.
If you've never been to the Grand Canyon, or even if you have, don't miss Waimea Canyon.
It's ten miles long, two miles wide and 3,600 feet deep.
Waimea Canyon Drive takes you from sea level to the Pu'u o Kila Lookout at 4,000 feet, where you'll have unbelievable views of the Kalalau Valley.
Take a jacket because it's usually 10 -15 degrees cooler up there.
There are several turnouts for pictures along the way, so you should allow about 90 minutes for the roundtrip from Waimea town.
Another bonus: because it's on the sunny western side of the island, it's often clear here when it's raining on other parts of the island.
The northernmost point in the Hawaiian Islands, Kilauea Point is a great place to watch for humpback whales in winter.
The Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge here is home to albatross, shearwaters, frigate birds, and red-footed boobies, making it a must-visit for bird lovers.
The lighthouse here was built in 1913.
Take a stroll out to the end of the point and you'll be rewarded with views of Hanalei Bay, an off-shore island that is also a bird sanctuary, and waves crashing against the steep cliffs across the cove.
Hanalei Bay is a two-mile crescent of golden sand backed by plunging waterfalls and cloudy mountain peaks.
There are actually four beaches here and you can choose the one that best suits your style.
Whichever beach you visit, be sure to take a stroll out on the pier.
You'll get great photos looking back at the mountains and at the west end of the bay.
If the surf is calm, this is a fun place to rent a board and try your hand at surfing.
Polihale Beach is everyone's idea of the desert island you wouldn't mind being shipwrecked on.
Although it's only accessible in summer, and you'll need an all-wheel-drive vehicle to get very far, the 15 miles of white-sand beach ensure that you can find a spot where the only footprints are your own.
Huge sand dunes -- some over 100 feet high and 300 feet wide - are fun to run down.
Up, is another matter.
And the northern end of Polihale is where the Na Pali Coast begins.
Kauai has more waterfalls than they could name.
In fact, there's more than one "No Name Falls," on the island.
You can see several from the car, and if you're willing to hike or paddle for a bit, there are even more to choose from.
Not far from the town of Wailua, off Highway 56, Wailua Falls are best following a heavy rain.
There's a small parking lot just past the falls and you can walk back for photos of the 80-ft.
cascade.
Opaeka'a Falls is visible from Highway 580.
The twin falls here tumble 151 feet down basalt cliffs.
Come in the midmorning for the best photographs.
Hanakapi'ai Falls are a full-day hike from Ke'e Beach, but you can reward yourself for the effort by taking a plunge in the pool beneath the 100-ft.
falls.
You can also swim beneath at Secret Falls, which are reached by kayaking the Wailua River.
If you're planning a trip to Kauai, don't miss these natural wonders.