Things to do in Kauai
The unmissables
Kauai Zipline: Longest Lines & Waita Reservoir Views★ 4.96 (7,556) · 3h
Kauai Scenic Flight: Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon & Waterfalls★ 4.94 (2,388) · 1h 5m
Kauai: Na Pali Coast Airplane Tour & Waterfalls Window Seats★ 4.81 (2,099) · 1h 5m
Recommended (7)
Kauai Helicopter Tour: Na Pali Coast & Waimea Canyon★ 4.77 (2,065) · 50mUS$ 489View ›
NaPali Coast boat tour Kauai: Native-led catamaran with sea caves★ 4.89 (2,050) · 5hUS$ 227View ›
Kauai Doors Off Helicopter Tour: Napali Coast & Waterfalls★ 4.97 (1,786) · 1h 15mUS$ 425View ›
Kauai Na Pali Coast: Super Raft Snorkel & Sea Caves★ 4.81 (1,723) · 4h 30mUS$ 235View ›
Kauai: Secret Falls Kayak & Hike with River Paddle★ 4.78 (1,656) · 4h 30mUS$ 135View ›
Na Pali Raft Snorkel Adventure Kauai: Sea Caves & Waterfalls★ 4.78 (1,656) · 5h 30mUS$ 185View ›
Kauai Na Pali Snorkel Cruise: Catamaran with waterslide★ 4.74 (1,639) · 5h 30mUS$ 234View ›Top rated (10)
Kauai Na Pali Coast: Private Boat Charter & Sea Cave SnorkelYou board a narrow-hulled boat that actually fits inside Na Pali's sea caves, unlike the larger charters. The 4.5-hour private tour includes snorkel gear, fresh fruit, and drinks; you choose morning for calm water and dolphins or afternoon for thrills and golden light. The crew handles all the timing and route decisions, so you just show up 30 minutes early and bring sunscreen.Is it for me?Book this if you want to actually enter the sea caves instead of viewing them from a distance, and you'd rather have the crew handle navigation and timing so you can focus on the cliffs and the water.
Waterfall Rappel in Lihue, Kauai: Two Falls, 4 HoursRappel down two waterfalls—a 30-foot drop at Bamboo Falls and a 60-foot descent at Papakolea Falls—on Kauai's protected Hule'ia River, with certified instructors, safety briefing and practice wall included. The activity runs 4 hours and takes groups of fewer than a dozen. Part of every ticket supports conservation of the 241-acre National Wildlife Refuge where you rappel.Is it for me?You get two waterfall rappels and the knowledge that you're funding their protection—the small group size and certified guides make the adrenaline manageable, so the focus stays on the waterfalls and the watershed itself rather than the logistics of getting down them.
Poipu & Koloa: Guided E-Bike Tour with Local History StopsYou’ll feel Kaua’i wake up as you ride an e-bike through Poipu and Koloa with a local guide — stopping at Spouting Horn’s spray, touching history at Saint Raphael Church, hearing plantation stories in the breeze. Small group size keeps things personal; by the end you’ll remember more than just views.
Kauai: Waimea Canyon & South Side Private TourYou spend the day climbing into Waimea Canyon with a private guide, stopping at four main viewpoints and a nature trail, then descending to the south side for Spouting Horn and Poipu Beach wildlife watching. Lunch is included, as are park entry fees and hotel pickup for up to seven passengers. The full itinerary takes most of the day and covers both the island's dramatic interior and its coastal edges.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see both Kauai's canyon interior and south-side coast in one day without renting a car or coordinating multiple stops—the private format and included pickup mean you show up at your hotel and the logistics are handled.
Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Kokee Private Tour with Coffee TastingYou’ll stand above Waimea Canyon’s wild colors, sip fresh Kauai coffee among orchard trees, eat lunch where locals do in Koke’e State Park, and wander Hanapepe’s historic streets with time for sweet treats or rare books. The day moves at an easy pace with plenty of laughs and real local insight along the way.
Kauai: Waimea Canyon Private Tour & Spouting Horn SightsYou’ll ride up into Kauai’s Waimea Canyon with a local guide who knows every turn, feel cool breezes at Kalalau Lookout, watch monk seals nap on Poipu Beach, sip fresh coffee at Kauai Coffee Company, and hear Spouting Horn rumble while sea spray hits your face. It’s a day full of small surprises you’ll remember long after you’ve left.
Private Waterfall Hike in Dundee with Hawaiian GuideA private hiking tour in Dundee led by a Hawaiian guide who picks the route based on your fitness level and the weather, taking you through rainforest to a secluded waterfall and pool. The guide provides transportation in a private Jeep, bottled water, and safety equipment. The hike runs 4 to 6 hours and includes stops at ancient Hawaiian sites, wild fruit tastings when in season, and views of mountain peaks used in films.Is it for me?Book this if you want to hike alone with a guide—no group, no schedule set in stone, no other travelers. The private Jeep and the guide's willingness to pick the route based on your interests and fitness level mean the day stays yours, and the secluded waterfall stays uncrowded.
Kauai: Na Pali Raft & Nualolo Kai Beach Landing with SnorkelYou board a small raft at dawn and spend the day navigating the Na Pali Coast by water, ducking into sea caves and past waterfalls. The centerpiece is an exclusive beach landing at Nualolo Kai, an ancient fishing village accessible only with a special permit, where a guide walks you through the stone foundations and shares the history. You snorkel for 30–45 minutes (conditions permitting), eat breakfast on the boat, and return mid-afternoon. The crew handles safety and navigation; you bring fitness, a swimsuit, and the willingness to get soaked.Is it for me?Right for travelers in strong physical shape who want to see Na Pali from the water and land at a protected cultural site most tours cannot access. Expect a physically demanding day — you'll hold on in a moving raft, climb a ladder after snorkeling, and get soaked. That's what makes the exclusive landing and the small-group experience possible.
Kauai Na Pali Coast Boat Tour with Snorkeling: Includes lunch and equipmentA five-hour boat tour of Kauai's Na Pali Coast with snorkeling equipment and lunch included. The boat departs from the southwest side of the island, follows the coastal cliffs, enters sea caves and passes through waterfalls when conditions allow, then anchors at a safe snorkel site. Small shared groups of up to 20 guests travel with a live English-speaking guide.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see the Na Pali Coast from the water without renting a boat yourself, and you're comfortable with ocean swells and a small shared group. It's built for anyone from age 6 up who can handle a few hours on the water and wants snorkeling, lunch and the cliffs all in one morning or afternoon.
Kauai: Na Pali Coast Power Catamaran & SnorkelYou board a custom catamaran designed for the Na Pali Coast's sea caves and narrow passages, snorkel or swim depending on conditions, and watch for dolphins and turtles along a coastline with no roads. The tour includes snorkel gear, dry bags, fresh fruit, and iced beverages, with morning departures offering calmer seas and afternoon tours delivering more speed and spray. Arrive 30 minutes early and plan for a physical, full-day experience on the water.Is it for me?Right for travelers with good fitness and comfort in the water who want to see the Na Pali Coast up close, including sea caves and marine life. Plan for a full day on a moving boat with active water conditions — that's what lets the catamaran reach places larger tour boats can't go.
Lowest price (10)
Kauai Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: 280+ stops offlineA self-guided audio driving tour of Kauai with 280+ stops that play automatically based on your GPS location, covering Waimea Canyon, Na Pali Coast viewpoints, waterfalls and beaches. Download the app, load the tour offline, and drive at your own pace with suggested itineraries for half-day, full-day or multi-day trips. One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle and never expires.Is it for me?This tour suits anyone with a rental car or their own vehicle who wants to explore Kauai without a fixed schedule or a guide setting the pace. If you're staying in one location and don't have a car, you'll need to arrange a rental first—the tour itself is the audio commentary, not transportation.
Kauai Audio Driving Tour Bundle: GPS Guide & Flexible StopsYou’ll drive winding roads past taro fields and waterfalls with GPS audio stories guiding each turn. Pause for poke bowls by Hanalei Bay or linger at Waimea Canyon overlooks—no group schedule to follow. With lifetime access and offline maps included, Kauai’s landscapes become yours to explore at your own rhythm.
Lei Greeting at Lihue Airport, Kauai: Fresh Flower WelcomeA lei greeting at Kauai's Lihue Airport puts a fresh orchid lei or kukui nut lei around your neck the moment you clear arrivals, a 15-minute Hawaiian welcome that marks the start of your vacation. You receive the lei, get a souvenir photo taken with your own phone, and step into the island with a tangible piece of the aloha tradition. A guide in English meets you at the terminal.Is it for me?The guide speaks English, so the welcome is clear and unhurried no matter your familiarity with Hawaiian customs or how tired you are after your flight. This is the moment you transition from traveler to visitor—lei around your neck, island time beginning.
Kauai: Stand Up Paddle Rental Wailua River & Secret FallsYou arrive at the shop, get a lesson and map, load your SUP board onto your car, and paddle the Wailua River at your own pace to Secret Falls. The rental includes all gear—board, paddle, life vest, dry bag, straps—and takes 4 to 5 hours round trip. No experience necessary, and you're back before the afternoon gets away from you.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to explore the Wailua River without a guide or group—you get the gear, the knowledge, and the freedom to move at your own pace, which is what makes a 4-to-5-hour paddle feel like your own adventure instead of someone else's itinerary.
Kalapaki Beach: Outrigger Canoe Surfing with Small GroupYou’ll paddle out from Kalapaki Beach in a traditional outrigger canoe with local guides who know every current and joke on the water. Learn basic paddling skills during a quick safety talk, ride several waves as a team (expect some splashes), and return to shore buzzing from shared effort and salty air.
Po'ipu Surf Lesson Kauai: Learn to Ride WavesA 90-minute surf lesson on Kauai's Po'ipu Beach teaches you paddling, pop-ups and wave-catching from a professional instructor in a small group. All equipment is provided, and instruction happens both on land and in the water with real-time feedback. Children from age 8 are welcome; private lessons are available as an option.Is it for me?Book this lesson if you're arriving with a free afternoon and want to try surfing for the first time, or if you've surfed before and want to sharpen your technique with real-time coaching in the water. The small group size and land-based instruction mean you're not thrown into the ocean unprepared.
Kauai Lihue: Private Waterfalls Hike & Swim with Local GuideYou’ll hike muddy trails near Lihue to two private waterfalls—Bamboo Falls for photos and Papakolea Falls for swimming right under a 60-foot cascade. With a local guide sharing stories along the way and time to climb behind rushing water, this short adventure leaves you buzzing long after you towel off.
Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Spouting Horn Shore ExcursionYou get picked up at the port and driven through Kauai's west side history — whaling-era Waimea, Russian Fort Elizabeth, and the dramatic spray of Spouting Horn — before spending time at Waimea Canyon with its red cliffs and volcanic geology. The guide handles the route and timing, the vehicle is air-conditioned, and you're back at the ship on schedule; all you bring is comfortable walking shoes and a moderate fitness level for the canyon trails.Is it for me?Book this if you're docked in Kauai and want to see the island's most dramatic landscape without renting a car or navigating the roads yourself — the fixed schedule and guide handle the logistics, so you just show up with good shoes and step off the ship knowing you'll be back in time for dinner.
Kauai Wailua River & Fern Grotto cruise: 3.5 hours from the pierA 3.5-hour shore excursion from Nawiliwili Pier on Kauai takes you by air-conditioned vehicle to the Wailua River, where you board a boat for a two-mile cruise downstream to the Fern Grotto. The guide narrates the river's history as the sacred capital of ancient Kauai, you learn a hula lesson from a dancer on board, and the tour includes a stop at Opaekaa Falls overlook before returning to the ship. Port pickup and drop-off are included; children from age 3 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this if your cruise schedule needs a fixed return time—you'll be back by 6:00 pm with buffer before departure, and the boat-based format means you stay on the water the entire journey rather than splitting time between transport and the site.
Kauai Kalapaki Bay: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with CocktailsYou’ll step onto a Kauai catamaran as daylight fades over Kalapaki Bay, sipping cocktails while your guide shares stories about Menehune Fish Pond and Nawiliwili Harbor. Expect quiet moments along Huleia River, glimpses of native birds and laughter with locals as sunset colors spill across the water. It’s an easygoing evening that lingers long after you’re back on land.























