What to Do in North Kauai
The north shore of Kauai is just bursting with a variety of fun and thrilling activities along its 552 square miles of land. Kauai, the fourth largest island of the Hawaiian Islands, offers tremendously exhilarating adventures both in ground and in water, and even on air with its helicopter and plane tours. Be ready when you go to North Kauai for the surprisingly spectacular sights you’ll see in the region, from sandy beaches to exquisite landscapes, as well as the dynamic and energizing activities you can do here such as surfing, biking, boogie boarding, hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding. Here's a list of adventures you can experience in North Kauai and where you can experience them.
Sailing, snorkeling, rafting, and hiking at Napali Coast
Sail into the breezy yet calm waters of Napali Coast and let nature show you her true beauty. While onboard the boat, you can just laze around and soak some rays or chat with the captain and the crew for a more enriching experience. You can also try snorkeling after your sailing adventure so that you can see for yourself the various marine life that make Kauai a real tropical paradise. To make your vacation more unforgettable, join a rafting tour to Napali Coast. Explore sea caves and be amazed at the spectacular sights you'll see above and under the crystal clear blue waters of the Napali Coast. Make sure to book your rafting tours with reliable touring companies that offer high-quality inflatable rafts or zodiacs.
On land, another way to experience this part of North Kauai is through hiking. Known for its rugged landscapes and challenging terrain, the Napali Coast is the perfect spot for hikers and adventure-seekers. One of the most popular hiking trails in this area is the Hanakapi'ai Trail. This path leads to a sandy beach and lush greenery that'll make the entire trip worthwhile. Just be careful though as this trail gets more tricky during
Kayaking at Napali Coast
The island of Kauai is the only Hawaiian island that has traversable rivers fitting for all types of kayaking. It is very much safe especially that its volcanoes have long been considered dormant for about 5 million years. Kayaking is not just a popular water sport; it’s a truly mesmerizing and revitalizing experience that you shouldn’t miss. Whether you prefer river kayaking or ocean kayaking, kayaking tours or kayak eco-tours give you the same exact feeling of fulfillment. You can do kayaking in Kauai and join the Na Pali Coast kayaking tours, or go on kayaking trips through Kauai's rainforests and jungles or waterfalls by choosing the best kayak outfits in the area.
You may do ocean kayaking along Kauai’s spectacular Napali Coast, but this is only recommended for those above 16 and are physically fit to perform such an activity. The ocean kayaking tours on Napali coast are truly amazing wonders of nature. However, reserve your kayaking adventures for the calmer months when the giant surfs have already subsided. If you are not the extremely adventurous type of kayaker, go for the gentle flowing rivers that never lead to the rapids. Savor the experience of tying your own kayak at streams’ rims while going hiking to have a plunge into the bottom of the beautiful waterfalls.
Surfing adventures at Hanalei Bay
You may take surfing lessons at Hanalei Bay, a crescent beach with the sandy type of bottom, great for taking surfing lessons in Hawaii. It will surely be a safe and fun experience for you and your kids. And more importantly, they only employ surf instructors who are lifeguard certified to ensure safety of all surfing visitors. The instructor will also give lessons on line surf boards and leashes. Your instructors will make sure you have fun while you surf.
North Kauai eco-tours at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Be guided by eco-tourist guides who can share with you their knowledge about the history and wildlife species unique to the garden island of Kauai. Refuge tours will let you marvel at seabirds that make this part of Kauai their home. It's best to visit this place during the nesting season so that you can see the birds go on a hunt for a mate and feed their young ones.
A stroll at the Na `Aina Kai Botanical Gardens
Don’t forget to add to your list of places to visit one of the world’s most unique botanical gardens, the Na 'Aina Kai, or "Lands by the Sea." This is truly a plant lover's paradise, with more than 70 sculptures made of bronze, making it one of the biggest collections in the country. It is a 240-acre tropical paradise consisting of 13 different and overflowing gardens, a plantation featuring hardwoods, a majestic canyon covered with lush ferns and mosses, and a perfect sandy beach nestled by a meadow and the azure Pacific waters.
Bring the kids along and let them have fun at the "Under the Rainbow," a children's garden that features a beautiful sculpture capturing a scene from the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale. A kid-friendly pool awaits the keiki who want to have some fun under the sun. Aside from the pool, kids will surely love the covered wagon and the tropical jungle with is a mix of slides, tunnels, and bridges. Whether you're visiting the place for a family tour or are celebrating the birthday of a young one, this is the place to be if you want your kids to have a more memorable experience at North Kauai.
Zip line tours at the Princeville Ranch Adventures
Another very thrilling and very popular activity in Kauai is ziplining. Book your tour in advance as these tours easily get filled up fast. One North Shore facility that offers ziplining tours is the Princeville Ranch Adventures. Situated in the charming town of Hanalei, the Princeville Ranch Adventures offer a one-of-a-kind zipline tour across the tropical rainforests of Kauai and stunning waterfalls. The tour may also include a cooling dip at one of the waterfalls and a picnic to revitalize you and get you started on your next adventure. An adventure spot spanning a total of 2500 acres, you'll experience the best of North Shore with utmost privacy.
Dolphin watching at North Kauai's shores
Around Hawaii, there are four varieties of dolphins frequenting the waters. However, the two most popular species of dolphins located in Hawaiian waters are the bottlenose dolphins and the spinner dolphins. Until now, it is not known why the dolphins spin, but just watching the dolphins spin is really a great treat especially for your kids. Spinner dolphins are the smallest of Hawaii's common dolphins, about 5 to 6 ft. long. During the day, they break up into smaller groups and come near the shore to rest and play. The coasts of Napali is one of their favorite playgrounds. The amazing bottlenose dolphins are appreciated for their inshore habits, playfulness around vessels, and star performances at oceanariums.
It’s such a fulfilling experience to watch the dolphins happily play in their habitats since these creatures possess an impressive ability to learn and imitate people’s behaviors. Visitors who have watched say there’s no better animal encounter than with the very intelligent dolphins.
Truly, North Kauai has only to offer the best of everything that’s why it’s called a paradise in an island. This part of Kauai can boast of its world-class beaches, waterfalls, mountains, and and scenic coastal view points. So, plan your vacation details now and when you get to Kauai, just relax and have fun. Even if you have been to this island paradise before, you will surely keep coming back.