Highlight Photos
-
Resort Beach -
End of Polihale Beach -
Hanapepe Hanging Bridge -
View from Pihea Trail -
Kauai Elepaio -
Pihea Trail -
Waimea Canyon Lookout View -
Honu resting -
Hawaiian Monk Seal -
Kauai Sunset -
Kauai Museum -
Kauai East Coast Sunset -
Kalalau Trail View -
Kauai Waves -
Wedge-tailed Shearwater chick -
Great Frigatebird -
Laysan Albatross
Highlights Map
Travelers' Map is loading...
If you see this after your page is loaded completely, leafletJS files are missing.
Kauai has been a dream destination for us for some time and even though we had to push back our visit for a couple years due to Covid we were finally able to make this time. It is quite a special place with beautiful views, lots of birds and flowers, some tranquil beaches and even some tantalizing history.
To learn more click on the Links below or Markers on the map above to go directly to a specific part of our trip and follow our visit to Kauai.
- Arriving at Waimea Plantation Cottages
After arriving late the previous night at our accomodation we explore the beautiful grounds in the morning finding lots of exciting birds - Looking for birds at Kawai’ele Waterbird Sanctuary
The first stop after we exit the resort is at Kawai’ele Waterbird Sanctuary to explore the trails and find some native birds - Exploring the beaches of Polihale State Park
We end the day at Polihale State Park exploring the beaches and the cliffs at the end of the road and a nice dinner afterwards - A few hours in Waimea Town
In the morning we explore Waimea town near our resort buying a few souvenirs and exploring the historic Waimea Pier - Russian Fort Elizabeth
The next stop is Russian Fort Elizabeth established to provide a foothold for Russia in Hawaii at least for a short while - Sipping Coffee at Kauai Coffee estate
We could not resist a stop at Kauai Coffee to explore the plantation and buy some coffee for home - The gems of Glass Beach
We make a short stop at the Glass Beach to look for polished glass and colorful fish - Hanapepe, the art capital of Kauai
We spend a couple hours in Hanapepe, the art capital of Kauai, buying souvenirs, exploring the downtown area and crossing hanging bridges - Afternoon bath at Salt Pond Beach
We end a day with a beach and bath visit to Salt Pond Beach and then a dinner at a nearby complex - Pihea Trail – highlight of Kauai
One of the highlights of Kauai is the Pihea trail we explore today while trying to avoid rain and mud and failing miserably - Waimea Canyon State Park
Descending from Pihea Trailhead we stop at overlooks throughout Waimea State Park and outside it to enjoy the great views, flora and fauna - Shipwreck Beach
In the morning we explore Shipwreck Beach and the trails following the shore for some great views of turtles and the cliffs - Koloa Heritage Trail
After lunch we explore the Koloa Heritage Trail with sleepy towns and impressive blowholes - Paipu Beach, the place to see seals and turtles
We end the day at Paipu Beach enjoying the water and the wildlife including a turtle and a seal - Kauai Museum
While moving from hotel to hotel we stop to visit the interesting Kauai museum to better understand the history of this region - Kilohana, a plantation with a rum distillery
Another stop on the way to the new hotel is at Kilohana to visit the galleries and the shops and to buy some souvenir rum and chocolate - Evening in Wailua
We spend the evening exploring the beaches around our new hotel and the extensive dining options - Haena State Park
Haena State Park and especially Kalalau Trail are major attractions in Kauai with some great views and beaches if you hike far enough - Kilauea Point NWR, a birder’s paradise
Today we start with a birder’s paradise Kilauea Point NWR which is open by reservation only and worth a visit even if just to see albatrosses flying around you - Kealia beach and lunch in Kapaa
After a lot of birdwatching we fortify ourselves with juices and a food truck lunch while exploring beaches and shopping at pop up stores - Lydgate Beach Park and Coco Palms ruins
In the afternoon we take our last opportunity to snorkel and enjoy the water at Lydgate Beach Park - Poliahu Park after early lunch at the mall
After an early lunch at the mall we drive towards the arboretum stopping at Poliahu Park and Opaeka’a Falls on the way - Kauai Arboretum
Our exploration of the Arboretum is cut short by heavy rain which forces us back towards lower altitudes - Wailua River State Park
Escaping the rain we explore the Wailua River State Park with an interesting heiau and historic cemetery - Exploring Kapaa under the threat of rain
In the afternoon given the threat of rain we retreat to Kapaa to eat and explore shops where we can easily hide when the rain picks up