Kauai is a magnificent place full of lush gardens and forests, beautiful beaches, and amazing opportunities for sports and relaxation alike.
Of all the Hawaiian islands, it has the best combination of resort-like resources and peace and tranquility.
For newcomers to Kauai, however, all that opportunity can be a bit overwhelming.
How do you figure out what to do? Where do you start first? If this is a once in a lifetime trip, and every hour of every day you are there really counts, it is important to have a plan before you go so that you do not waste any time trying to learn about the things to do in Kauai while you are actually in Kauai.
A little bit of research before hand can go a long way to making your special once-in-a-lifetime vacation even more spectacular.
With that in mind, here is our list of the top five things to do in Kauai, gathered and assembled through years of experience in living on the island.
1.
A Day at the Beach: You need to make sure you give yourself a day at the beach, any beach, in Kauai.
Pick one close to where you are staying so that you do not feel stranded, but pack well.
Bring towels, umbrellas, sunscreen, food, drinks, frisbees and balls, extra clothes, books, chairs - anything and everything to make your day comfortable.
Bring gear to use in swimming in the water, and materials for relaxing on the beach.
Just make a day of it - soak in the sun and the sound of the surf.
This is a great activity to do in the middle of your week between more active days.
2.
An Active Day on Land: Plan a day to hike one of Kauai's many trails.
The island is called "The Garden Isle" for a reason.
It has fantastic plant life, and there is no better way to see it than on a hike.
Bring the appropriate clothes and supplies, and give yourself over to the fun of a physically active day.
Most of all - be sure to bring a camera! 3.
An Active Day on the Water: You can set aside a beach day, but be sure to give yourself time for an active day on the water: windsurf, jet ski, parasail, surf, water ski, boat - there are plenty of ways you can get out on the water and enjoy the view of the land and the shore and the excitement of riding the waves.
These activities can be a little pricey, however, so be sure to budget accordingly.
4.
A Day Underwater: Snorkeling and scuba diving in Kauai are a lot of fun, and there are opportunities to take courses in scuba if you don't have any training so that you can enjoy it while you are there.
Better yet - do a certification course before you come so that you can jump right into the water - literally! The most beautiful parts of Hawaii are underwater, and you can't really appreciate it until you see it.
Make sure you take some time to visit the underwater world while you are there, either by snorkeling on top or diving down below.
5.
A Day of Serendipity: You don't want to return from your vacation completely exhausted.
Be sure to schedule one day of rest and relaxation to do all those little things you see throughout the week that catch your eye.
One of the great joys of travel is taking the time to explore - this is the day to go back and visit that shop that looked intriguing, the restaurant that looked inviting, the trinket you wanted to buy.
Giving yourself the time and space to enjoy and process your vacation is a critical part of enjoying it - so don't feel like you are wasting a day by leaving it open.
You'll find things you want to do in that time throughout the week.
Of all the Hawaiian islands, it has the best combination of resort-like resources and peace and tranquility.
For newcomers to Kauai, however, all that opportunity can be a bit overwhelming.
How do you figure out what to do? Where do you start first? If this is a once in a lifetime trip, and every hour of every day you are there really counts, it is important to have a plan before you go so that you do not waste any time trying to learn about the things to do in Kauai while you are actually in Kauai.
A little bit of research before hand can go a long way to making your special once-in-a-lifetime vacation even more spectacular.
With that in mind, here is our list of the top five things to do in Kauai, gathered and assembled through years of experience in living on the island.
1.
A Day at the Beach: You need to make sure you give yourself a day at the beach, any beach, in Kauai.
Pick one close to where you are staying so that you do not feel stranded, but pack well.
Bring towels, umbrellas, sunscreen, food, drinks, frisbees and balls, extra clothes, books, chairs - anything and everything to make your day comfortable.
Bring gear to use in swimming in the water, and materials for relaxing on the beach.
Just make a day of it - soak in the sun and the sound of the surf.
This is a great activity to do in the middle of your week between more active days.
2.
An Active Day on Land: Plan a day to hike one of Kauai's many trails.
The island is called "The Garden Isle" for a reason.
It has fantastic plant life, and there is no better way to see it than on a hike.
Bring the appropriate clothes and supplies, and give yourself over to the fun of a physically active day.
Most of all - be sure to bring a camera! 3.
An Active Day on the Water: You can set aside a beach day, but be sure to give yourself time for an active day on the water: windsurf, jet ski, parasail, surf, water ski, boat - there are plenty of ways you can get out on the water and enjoy the view of the land and the shore and the excitement of riding the waves.
These activities can be a little pricey, however, so be sure to budget accordingly.
4.
A Day Underwater: Snorkeling and scuba diving in Kauai are a lot of fun, and there are opportunities to take courses in scuba if you don't have any training so that you can enjoy it while you are there.
Better yet - do a certification course before you come so that you can jump right into the water - literally! The most beautiful parts of Hawaii are underwater, and you can't really appreciate it until you see it.
Make sure you take some time to visit the underwater world while you are there, either by snorkeling on top or diving down below.
5.
A Day of Serendipity: You don't want to return from your vacation completely exhausted.
Be sure to schedule one day of rest and relaxation to do all those little things you see throughout the week that catch your eye.
One of the great joys of travel is taking the time to explore - this is the day to go back and visit that shop that looked intriguing, the restaurant that looked inviting, the trinket you wanted to buy.
Giving yourself the time and space to enjoy and process your vacation is a critical part of enjoying it - so don't feel like you are wasting a day by leaving it open.
You'll find things you want to do in that time throughout the week.