Kauai is a pristine paradise and one of the most captivating islands in the Hawaiian archipelago—from its jagged Na Pali coast to picture perfect Hanalei Bay to tumbling Wailua Falls. Kauai was the first Hawaiian island to rise from the Pacific Ocean millions of years ago, and travel to Kauai still evokes that prehistoric wilderness. (It’s no surprise that Steven Spielberg favored the island for his epics: Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Hook.) Fifty miles of immaculate, white sand beaches ring the island beckoning to surfers and sun-tanners alike. But not everything is wilderness--luxury resorts abound, as do world-class restaurants and golf courses with spectacular ocean views. Check out the Travel + Leisure Kauai travel guide to get the best hotels, restaurants and sights.
Things Not to Miss in Kauai
• Hike the sweeping Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast
• Take a helicopter ride over Waimea Canyon State Park
• Munch on a shave ice from one of the beachside food trucks
• Try surfing at Poipu Beach or Hanalei Bay
• Enjoy lunch in the charming old towns of Hanapepe and Koloa
• Swim at Wailua Falls
When to Go to Kauai
The weather in Kauai is pretty consistently hot and humid year-round with temperatures sitting between 70°F to 85°F. High tourist season is during the winter holidays from December to March. However, the driest and most pleasant seasons in Kauai are the spring and fall, when the tourists have gone home, and prices are cheaper. It’s best to visit Kauai during April-June or September-November.
-
Save 30% off Stays at an Oceanfront Resort in Kauai
T+L launched Operation Vacation to inspire workers to use their days off and get away, offering exclusive travel discounts as incentive. For the latest... Read More
-
These State Parks Have All the Beauty of National Parks — and None of the Crowds
Every year from Maine to Alaska, throngs pour into U.S. national parks and preserves to climb towering cliffs, hike through misty forests and capture... Read More
-
Visit the Real Locations Behind Jurassic Park for the Film’s 25th Anniversary
Hold onto your butts.In honor of Jurassic Park’s 25-year anniversary, you can explore the real-life places where the movie was filmed.Related: The New... Read More
-
Hawaii’s Kauai Island Is Recovering From Major Flooding
One of the worst floods in years on the Hawaiian island of Kauai stranded dozens of tourists earlier this week. The National Weather Service reported 28... Read More
-
This Is Where You Should Take Your Vacation in 2018, According to TripAdvisor (Video)
If you’re searching for your next vacation in 2018, other travelers are happy to give you plenty of suggestions.But if you want a truly spectacular... Read More
-
15 Warm-weather Getaways to Escape the Next Winter Blizzard
In December, snowy forecasts conjure images of twinkling lights in shop windows, ice skating children and hot chocolate by the fire. By the time the new... Read More
-
This Secret Volcanic Pool in Hawaii Is a Thrill-seeker's Paradise
You can bathe like a queen in this tide pool, if you’re brave enough to get there.The Queen’s Bath, located in Princeville, on the north shore of Kauai,... Read More
-
The $9,500 Hawaiian Honeymoon Splurge You Won’t Forget
When couples head to Hawaii on their honeymoon, they often book lavish excursions — say, surf lessons, hikes to cascading waterfalls, or even a... Read More
-
You Shouldn't Visit This Illegal Waterslide in Hawaii, Even Though You'll Want To
The best vacations are made with hidden gems.In the Waipio Valley in Hawaii, deep along a jungle path known as the White Road Hike tourists traverse to... Read More
-
The Top Trending Destinations for Families in 2017
When you're traveling with family, not any destination will do.While a quiet seaside resort could be the perfect getaway for two, it could prove too... Read More
-
Scientists Say We Need More Sun, So Let’s All Go to the Beach
Perhaps it’s our penchant for hyperbole, but following a study published in the Journal of Dermo-Endocrinology, we’re booking flights for sunnier cities... Read More
-
Weekly Travel Deals: Hawaii, St. Bart's, and 35% Off a Trip to Mexico
Hawaii Get 33 percent off from the St. Regis Princeville Resort, on the North Shore of the pristine island of Kauai. Highlights include the... Read More
-
Best Romantic Summer Getaways
Imagine sipping Argentina’s finest wines with the snowcapped Andes in the distance, sailing the fjords of Finland while the midnight sun shines down, or... Read More
-
The World’s Friendliest Islands 2015
As part of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards survey, readers were asked to evaluate islands around the world, ranking individual characteristics... Read More
-
The Best Beaches in Hawaii
One of the many reasons we love Hawaii—aside from an incredible mai tai, fresh seafood, and laid-back surf culture—is that it can easily lay claim to... Read More
