Check Out an Artsy Traveler Weekend Getaway in Seattle

August 23, 2023October 11, 2024Destinations, North America, United States Artsy Traveler Leave a Comment

Last updated on October 11th, 2024 at 05:53 am

A weekend getaway in Seattle yields plenty to do for the artsy minded traveler. I’ve lived in Vancouver all my life, which is just three hours north of Seattle, and yet I’ve only been to Seattle a handful of times, not counting stops at the airport en route to somewhere else. It’s just never a city I think of visiting when contemplating a weekend away. Well, my loss. A weekend away in Seattle is a fantastic Artsy Traveler option for this Vancouver-based gal.

My reason for a quick visit was to see a production of the musical Six which was not going to come to Vancouver. I’d seen Six in London the year before and knew my daughter Julia (check out her crochet art on Wayward Pineapple Creations!) would love it, so I suggested we take a weekend trip.

Here’s how it went!

Getting to Seattle

Although Seattle is only a three-hour drive from Vancouver, that number can easily double thanks to delays at the border and horrendous traffic around Seattle. I don’t fancy risking that much time behind the wheel, so we opt to take the train.

Taking the Train

Good call! The Amtrak train from Vancouver to Seattle takes just under four hours and costs about $60 return—a bargain by any stretch. The train goes all the way to Eugene in Oregon, stopping at several towns along the way, including Bellingham, Edmonds, Tacoma, and Portland. Much of the journey is very scenic.

View of Puget Sound at sunset from the train to Seattle — View from the train on the way to Seattle from Vancouver

We hop on the train in central Vancouver at 6 pm Friday evening and arrive at King Street Station in downtown Seattle at 11 pm. The seats are fairly comfortable and the views of the ocean after leaving the border at Blaine exceedingly lovely. Note that there is very little food available on board. If you’d like to eat well, pack a meal.

TIP: Check out the Amtrak website to buy tickets.

A taxi takes us swiftly through quiet downtown streets to the Paramount Hotel, a stone’s throw from the Paramount Theater where we’ll be seeing Six the next evening.

Orientation to Seattle

The map below includes the places mentioned in this post. Click a number to find out more information.

Trip map created using Wanderlog, for making itineraries on iOS and Android

Staying in Seattle

We stayed at the Paramount Hotel (#1) in Seattle, which is overpriced, but then so are all of the nicer downtown hotels in Seattle. Once you get over the sticker shock, it’s a good choice–comfortable with a friendly staff and an excellent breakfast. And its central location is a plus—steps from the monorail to take us to the Space Needle and Chihuly Gardens and a pleasant downhill walk to Pike’s Place Market.

Here are other accommodation options in Seattle.

Booking.com

Day 1 in Seattle: Exploring Seattle Center

On our one full day in Seattle, we’re up early, and after breakfast, off to find the monorail. Built in 1962 for the Seattle World’s Fair on the site of what is now Seattle Center, the monorail trundles dutifully between downtown and Seattle Center where we plan to spend the day. There’s a LOT to do there for the Artsy Traveler.

It’s a gloriously sunny day and so we decide that our first stop should be the Space Needle (#2). I have a vague memory of visiting Seattle when I was about seven years old in 1963, the year after the Seattle World’s Fair. I do remember standing at the base of the Space Needle and looking way, way up and thinking it was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen. It was so ultra-modern—just like The Jetsons, which was a favorite of my brother’s and mine in those innocent times.

Space needle in Seattle — The Space Needle still looks pretty cool to me

Going Up the Space Needle

We arrive at Seattle Center, a 74-acre complex in the heart of the city housing top attractions such as the Space Needle, International Fountain, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pacific Science Center, Museum of Pop Culture, and Seattle Children’s Museum. Although it’s still quite early in the day, crowds are already forming, particularly to go up the Space Needle.

We’re worried the wait may be too long, but the attendant assures us that the lines will get much longer as the day continues. He’s right, we discover later, when we descend the tower and find the line three times longer than it was when we went up. Fortunately, the line snakes past displays chronicling the building of the Space Needle and its opening on April 21, 1962.

Finally, we get to the elevator and are whisked to the top in a dizzying ascent. The attendant welcomes us and tells us about the Space Needle in an impressively timed spiel that lasts exactly 90 seconds. She does this about 25 times an hour all day long.

What’s Up Top at Seattle’s Space Needle

At the top of the Space Needle, the attraction is, well, a view, but what a view! The city of Seattle spreads below us and in the distance are the massive bulks of Mount Rainier and Mount Baker. We circle the viewing platform a few times and then head down one level to the much-vaunted glass-bottomed viewing area. It’s a little freaky to step out onto the glass and look straight down, particularly because the glass portion is rotating.

The view over Lake Union in Seattle particularly interests me. Lake Union Publishing (so named because it is located near Lake Union in Seattle) is the publisher of my first two historical novels: The Towers of Tuscany and A Woman of Note. So I have a bit of a soft spot for it. The view from so high up is pretty darned stunning.

View of Lake Union from the Space Needle in Seattle — View of Lake Union in Seattle

Someone kindly offers to take our picture. We settle onto one of the benches thoughtfully provided around the perimeter of the viewing platform.

Carol and Julia at the top of the space needle in Seattle — Julia & Carol at the top of the Space Needle overlooking a view of downtown Seattle

View of Mount Rainier and downtown Seattle from the Space Needle — Downtown Seattle with Mount Rainier in the distance

We finally descend to the earth and prepare for our next attraction—and the one I’m looking forward to most—Chihuly Garden and Glass.

Visiting Chihuly Garden and Glass

Ever since my first visit to Venice back in the 1990s, I’ve adored glass art so it’s no wonder that I’m a huge fan of Dale Chihuly, who is one of the world’s foremost glass artists. In a career spanning many decades, Chihuly really has put glass art on the map. His pieces sell for thousands, even millions for the really big ones, and he’s been the mastermind behind numerous massive installations in Venice, Jerusalem, Sweden, and more.

From the moment I step into the museum, the creativity and sheer gorgeousness of Chihuly’s work entrances me. A series of beautifully curated rooms display several of his most iconic series. Each room is more jaw-dropping than the one before.

Winter Brilliance

An explosion of sharp, white stars greets us when we enter the first room. Called Winter Brilliance, the stars were commissioned by Barneys New York in 2015 for its holiday window display. A quote from Chihuly accompanies the display: Ice is one of my favorite materials to work with because of the way it interacts with light. It inspired me to create the icicle form.

Sealife Room

The Sealife Room is dominated by the massive 15-foot Sealife Tower that takes its inspiration from the sea and Puget Sound. According to the plaque, The Towers evolved from Chihuly’s desire to present sculptures in places where ceiling structures could not withstand the weight of his Chandeliers (we see them later in the museum). This impressive piece gets even better when examined up close.

Chihuly Sea Garden sculpture at Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle — Sealife Tower

Close up of Chihuly Sea Garden sculpture at Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle — Close-up of the glass forms that make up the Sealife Tower

Around the perimeter of the Sealife room are several smaller sculptures of sea creatures. I am totally captivated by the whimsy and the detail. Chihuly truly is a master!

Here are just a few of my favorites.

Chihuly sculpture of small octupi — Chihuly’s sealife creatures – octopus, crab, tiny octopus, and turtle

Chihuly sculpture of a gold and black crab — Chihuly’s sealife creatures – octopus, crab, tiny octopus, and turtle

Persian Ceiling

Gasps abound and necks crane back as the crowd (which is considerable) moves into the next room to behold the Persian Ceiling. Chihuly began the pieces in the Persians series as pedestal compositions, then mounted larger forms to walls and suspended them as overhead compositions. The effect truly is immersive. I feel like I’m walking into a kaleidoscope and long to stand in the middle of the room and twirl myself, head thrown back.

Large Room Full of Glass!

I neglected to read the name of the next room because I was too busy swooning. I mean, honestly, the sheer inventiveness of the forms, the riot of color, the creative ways in which the pieces are displayed are simply breathtaking.

Chihuly bright and colorful sculptures with tall red fronds, flat shells, and large orbs — An endless riot of color and form

Chihuly bright and colorful sculptures with tall yellow fronds, flat shells, and large orbs — An endless riot of color and form

Chihuly’s Drawings

Chihuly also creates two-dimensional works that often form the basis for his 3-D glass sculptures. As the partner of a visual artist, I was fascinated by these pieces. He apparently began making these drawings after dislocating his shoulder and losing sight in his left eye. His Burned Drawings explore color and texture in new ways. He draws on heavyweight watercolor paper with acrylics, dry metallic pigment, charcoal and graphite, and even burns the paper surface with an acetylene torch.

I love the freedom of these drawings–the texture and the gestural nature of the forms. Chihuly states: Drawing really helps me to think about things. I’m able to draw and work with a lot of color and that inspires me.

Chihuly drawing - copper colored fronds — Drawings by Chihuly

Chihuly drawing - golden tendrils — Drawings by Chihuly

Ikebana and Float Boats

Just when I’m thinking the displays can’t get any more jaw-dropping, we walk into the next room to see the Ikebana and Niijima Float Boats. One of the wooden boats is filled with Ikebana elements–long, flower-like glass stems inspired by the Japanese art of Ikebana. The other contains Niijima Floats, inspired by Chihuly’s trip to the Japanese island of Niijima and by childhood memories of discovering Japanese fishing net floats along the beaches of Puget Sound (Chihuly is from the Seattle area).

The placement of the boats on a polished black floor produces pristine reflections that double the sensory pleasure of the installation. The orbs in particular look so inviting. They remind me of giant version of the marbles I played with as a child.

Chihuly Ikebana boat full of glass shapes — Ikebana boat (left) and Niijima Floats (right)

Niijima floats from an installation at Chihuly Garden & Glass in Seattle — Ikebana boat (left) and Niijima Floats (right)

Chandeliers

The next room bristles with Chihuly’s Chandeliers. Inspired by his interest in architectural settings and how art interacts in spaces, Chihuly has mounted various installations of the Chandeliers over the years. One of the most notable was the 1995-96 project called Chihuly Over Venice during which Chihuly had thirteen Chandeliers hung at outdoor sites throughout Venice. The current room includes five installations inspired by Chihuly Over Venice. Here are two of them.

Chihuly green glass chandelier — Two Chihuly Chandeliers

Chihuly's Chandeliers in Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle — Two Chihuly Chandeliers

Macchia Forest

I’m seriously starting to suffer from the Stendhal effect as we drift into yet another room full of treasures. The variety and depth of Chihuly’s creative output is staggering. I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite room, but the dizzying display in the Macchia Forest room is a strong contender. Chihuly began the Macchia series in 1981 with the desire to use all 300 colors available to him in the hotshop (where the glass is made). The word macchia means “spot” in Italian.

While devising the series, Chihuly realized that the color in glass panes in a stained glass window look more vibrant against a cloudy sky than a blue sky. As a result, he created these pieces by adding a white layer in between – like a “cloud”. Each of the works is speckled with color, which is the result of rolling the molten glass in small shards of colored glass during the blowing process. A lip wrap of a contrasting color is then added to complete the piece. I could have stayed in the Macchia Forest all day!

Chihuly macchia - purple and pink — Pieces in the Macchia Forest

Chihuly macchias - orange, purple and pink — Pieces in the Macchia Forest

Chihuly Films

The awesomeness of the Chihuly Garden and Glass doesn’t stop with the indoor displays. We crowd into a theater to watch five short documentaries about Chihuly’s work. It’s fascinating to find out how he oversaw his teams to produce huge installations all over the world, including Venice, Finland, and Jerusalem.

Room in Chihuly Garden and Glass showing a film of Chihuly blowing glass — The series of five documentaries provides fascinating insights into Chihuly’s work

Chihuly blowing glass — The series of five documentaries provides fascinating insights into Chihuly’s work

Glasshouse and Glasshouse Sculpture

By the time we make it to the massive atrium adorned with one of his largest works (and that’s saying something), I’m reeling. The massive glass sculpture suspended from the glass roof defies gravity and description. It is touted as the centerpiece of Chihuly Garden and Glass and is the result of Chihuly’s dream to create a glasshouse with artwork within it. The design draws inspiration from two of Chihuly’s favorite buildings: Sainte-Chappelle in Paris (no surprise there) and the Crystal Palace in London.

At 100 feet long and comprised of many individual elements, the Glasshouse Sculpture is also one of Chihuly’s largest suspended sculptures.

Massive glass sculpture in an atrium at Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle

Into the Gardens

I realize I’m gushing in this post about our visit to Chihuly Garden and Glass (#3), but I can’t help myself. The complex is one of the finest I’ve seen anywhere in the world. Not only is Chihuly’s work fabulous, but the way it’s displayed, with plenty of informative descriptions, is truly inspiring.

We float from the lovely air-conditioned museum into the hot garden. But who can think of heat with so much beauty all around? Plants combine with glass objects to produce a magical series of outdoor rooms, each more whimsical than the one before. I am in seventh heaven!

This is Artsy Travel at its finest.

Thin red glass tubes in the garden at Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle — The Garden at Chihuly Garden and Glass

Large lime green vertical sculpture in the garden at Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle — The Garden at Chihuly Garden and Glass

I defy anyone to visit Chihuly Garden and Glass and not smile. The whole place is a celebration of pure joy.

Visit Chihuly Garden and Glass seven days a week. It’s located in Seattle Center at the base of the Space Needle and steps from the monorail station.

Lunch at Seattle Center

After enjoying the gardens, we enter a very large indoor market with several food outlets. Julia opts for okay tacos and I make the mistake of ordering the seafood special at a fish and chips place. A massive mound of french fries vies for greasy supremacy with a large hunk of deep-fried fish, several deep-fried oysters, some deep-fried prawns, and maybe even a scallop or two. All fried. Heart attack in a basket. But, to be fair, it tastes amazing. My arteries will never be the same.

A Visit to MoPOP

Thus fortified, we go to MoPOP – AKA the Museum of Popular Culture (#5). Julia wants to see the special exhibition of the art of LAIKA, a stop-motion animation studio.

View of the rooftops of MOPOP from the Space Needle in Seattle — The roofs of MOPOP seen from the Space Needle

LAIKA redefined stop-motion animation with the instant classic Coraline back in 2009. Since then, LAIKA has been nominated for an Oscar five times. In the Hidden Worlds: The Films of LAIKA exhibition, we get a behind-the-scenes look at many of the company’s groundbreaking production techniques. Beautiful models plus several short films describe the techniques and make for a compelling exhibition, well worth the extra cost. I learn a lot about stop-motion animation and am impressed by the incredible patience required to make the various characters move.

Model of an elephant from the LAIKA special exhibition at MoPOP in Seattle — LAIKA characters displayed as part of the special exhibition

Model of a yeti from the LAIKA special exhibition at MoPOP in Seattle — LAIKA characters displayed as part of the special exhibition

Enjoying MoPOP

There’s a lot to enjoy at MoPOP, particularly for fans of popular music and genres such as science fiction and fantasy. Highlights include the massive guitar sculpture in the foyer and an exhibition of great figures in science fiction and fantasy that includes Mary Shelley.

Bust of Mary Shelley at MoPOP in Seattle — Mary Shelley & Guitars at MoPOP

Tower of guitars at MoPOP in Seattle — Mary Shelley & Guitars at MoPOP

As well, there are displays about films in three genres: science fiction, fantasy, and horror. I skip the horror display, but thoroughly enjoy the science fiction and fantasy displays.

If you’re into making music, MoPOP has several sound studios in which you can practice instruments and compose your own pieces. It really is a marvelous place, worthy of several hours.

Performance of Six

The sold-out performance of Six was raucous and loud (the audience) and well-performed (the six queens). It’s an enjoyable show with excellent singing and an entertaining premise. If you haven’t seen Six and you’re a fan of energetic singing with a sprinkling of Tudor history (Six refers to the six wives of Henry VIII), then get tickets when a production comes to your area.

Exterior of the Paramount Theater in Seattle — Paramount Theater in Seattle

Elaborate gold interior ceiling with chandeliers in the lobby of the Paramount Theater in Seattle — Paramount Theater in Seattle

Day 2 in Seattle: Exploring Pike’s Place Market & the Beach

We decide to spend the morning at Pike’s Place Market, a ten-minute walk from our hotel, and the afternoon with friends of Julia’s who take us on a drive to the beach. We could have opted to visit the Seattle Art Museum, but I’ll leave that for another trip.

Pike’s Place Market

On a hot and sunny Sunday morning, the market (#6) is hopping. We arrive around 10, just in time to join the hordes of cruise ship passengers from the three cruise ships currently docked in Seattle harbor. At times, it’s a struggle to make our way through the narrow aisles, but we enjoy checking out the many stalls.

Fish stall at Pike's Place Market in Seattle — Pike’s Place Public Market in Seattle

As an inveterate lover of souvenirs, I purchase a blue glass heart in memory of our Chihuly visit, a beautiful glass pendant, and about two pounds of soap. After picking out what I thought was a pound’s worth, the attendant tells me I’m at 14 ounces and if I get just a few more pieces, I’ll have a pound and then I can get an additional pound for free. Always a sucker for a bargain, I keep adding pieces of scented soap (patchouli, lavender, peppermint and more) until I have my two pounds. I now have enough soap to last a year but that’s okay. It’s not like I’ll ever not have a reason to use it.

On the Beach and Home Again

We spend the afternoon with Julia’s friends on a long stretch of sandy beach outside of Seattle and overlooking Puget Sound. The water is very cold and none too clean. I take a very quick dip just to say I have.

View of Puget Sound from the beach near Seattle — Afternoon on the beach

At 6 pm, we board the train at King Street station for the four-hour journey home. As a result of delays, the journey is more like seven hours, but I don’t mind. I still prefer the train to driving! Even if it’s not always faster, it’s much more relaxing.

Conclusion

Our weekend away in Seattle was packed full and fun, with the hands-down highlight being the Chihuly Garden and Glass. It’s a marvel that is well worth the price of admission–and then some.

Have you visited Seattle? Share your recommendations in the comments below.

And here are some more posts about destinations in North America:

What to See and Do on Kauai

April 19, 2022December 10, 2024Arts & Culture, Destinations, North America, United States Artsy Traveler 2 Comments

Last updated on December 10th, 2024 at 12:59 am

You’ve decided to travel to Kauai. Good choice!

Known as the Garden Isle (and you’ll quickly find out why when you start exploring!), Kauai has so much to offer the artsy traveler. For one thing, it’s absolutely, irresistibly, awesomely gorgeous. Like, jaw-dropping-at-practically-every-turn gorgeous.

I felt like I was traveling through a work of art—one that has taken about five million years to create.

What’s In This Post

In this post, I provide suggestions for areas to explore on Kauai and then share my recommendations about how long to stay and where.

For more on traveling on Kauai, check out Ten Tips for Traveling Solo on Kauai, and Six Highlights of a Kauai Vacation.

Map of Kauai

Use the map below to orientate yourself to the destinations mentioned in this post.

Map from Wanderlog, a trip planner app on iOS and Android

Exploring the East Shore

The East Shore is where most residents live and is quite busy and often traffic-clogged. However, its proximity to the airport, shopping, and some good beaches makes it a smart stop for a few days, particularly when you first arrive.

Stocking Up at Big Box Stores

On my first full day on Kauai’s East Shore, I drove to Costco and Walmart in the town of Lihue to buy vacation essentials at reasonable prices. At Costco, I picked up a case of water, a large bag of macadamia nuts that lasted me the entire trip, a few bags of snacks, a hunk of cheese, and a box of salad.

At Walmart, I bought a mask and snorkel, a pair of water shoes, and a nice big beach bag. You can rent snorkel equipment at various places on Kauai, but it’s cheaper (and more hygienic) to pick up the gear at a store like Walmart.

Town of Kapa‘a

The town of Kapa‘a (#1 on the map) is over 125 years old and was once the hub of a sugar-growing and then pineapple-growing area. The old canneries are closed now, and tourism is the main industry. Restaurants and gift shops line about two blocks on either side of the highway with some of the structures retaining the architecture of a frontier town.

I stopped a few times in Kapa‘a to buy lunch at the various food trucks parked in lots convenient to the road and once to treat myself to a cup of lychee and pineapple ice cream (creamy and very yummy!).

One evening, I ventured a block from where I had parked in the main part of town to the bike and walking path that hugs the coast for about 4.5 miles north from Kapa‘a. Another 2.5-mile section of the path leads from Lydgate Park to Wailua Beach Park south of Kapa‘a. The path is mostly flat and traverses an appealing coastal landscape.

Coconut palms swaying in the wind on the beach on the East Shore of Kauai — Coconut Palms along the bike and walking path near Ka’apa

Lydgate Beach Park

One of the safest beaches on the East Shore for swimming and snorkeling, particularly with children, is Lydgate Beach Park (#2), a few miles south of Kapa‘a and close to Wailua right off the main road.

A reef protects two pools from the ocean waves. When I was there, the high winds made even the relatively calm pools too choppy for comfort. But the park would be a must-go-to on a less blustery day. Here’s a video in which you can clearly hear the wind!

Anahola Beach

This gorgeous beach north of Ka’apa is a great place to hang out while enjoying a breakfast acai (ah-sigh-EE) bowl, which is what I did on my second morning on Kauai. I suggest driving first to Kalalea Juice Hale on the road going north toward Anahola (#3), getting your acai bowl, and then eating it on the beach.

What is an acai bowl? Cool, smooth, and very purple mashed acai berries are topped with granola, hemp seeds, chia seeds, banana, and then drizzled with peanut butter. It’s a filling breakfast, but definitely worth trying a few times during a Kauai vacation.

What Else to See on the East Shore

There are many beautiful places to visit on the East Shore. Here’s a sampling:

Opaeka’a Falls (#4)
Wailua Falls (#5)
Nounou East Trail – ‘Sleeping Giant’ (#6)
Fern Grotto (#7)
Kauai Museum (#8)

For details, check out The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook by Andrew Doughty. This definitive guide to Kauai is a must-buy, along with Doughty’s very informative and amusing driving app. Check my post on traveling solo in Kauai for details.

Exploring the North Shore

The North Shore is wetter than other regions of Kauai, but has wonderful beaches, a more old-world, laid-back atmosphere and incredibly breathtaking scenery. Seriously, there are not enough superlatives in the thesaurus to describe the area’s sparkling beaches, lush greenery, and breathtaking mountains.

Here are a few recommended activities and sites on the North Shore of Kauai.

The Drive to Ha’ena State Park

You require a permit to enter Ha’ena State Park (#9), so if you didn’t get one several weeks in advance of your trip, you’re out of luck. Check the Haena State Park website for details.

Even if you can’t enter the park, the drive to the park, which is as far as you can drive on the North Shore before running into the impassable cliffs of Nāpali, is absolutely lovely and very relaxing because it’s impossible to drive too fast.

Every few minutes, you must navigate a one-lane bridge. After crossing the first few bridges, you quickly become an old hand, stopping at the start of the bridge, checking ahead to see if any cars are already waiting on the other side to cross, waiting for them to cross, and then when the coast is clear, crossing yourself.

Bridge on the road to Hanalei on the North Shore of Kauai. — Typical one-lane bridge on the road to Ha’ena State Park on the North Shore of Kauai

It is a bit like a dance. The etiquette is to allow about five to seven cars across at a time. Not everyone knows that so sometimes the wait to cross can take longer than it should, but who cares? You’re in paradise!

Hanalei and Hanalei Bay

A highlight on the North Shore is the charming little town of Hanalei (#10) on the world-famous Hanalei Bay. This broad, curving scimitar of sand lapped by turquoise waves and bulwarked by the first set of dramatic cliffs marching along the Nāpali Coast is an absolute must-see.

Aerial view of Hanalei Bay on the North Shore of Kauai — Hanalei Bay on the North Shore of Kauai

The town of Hanalei meanders along the road with touristy shops on each side. I poked around a bit and enjoyed a Hawaiian grilled cheese sandwich at Pink’s Creamery, but I can’t say there was much to see. More interesting was driving a block or two to Hanalei Bay itself, where I parked and spent a few afternoons on the beach. I did some swimming, but the waves were fairly rough.

One memorable evening, I drove to Hanalei pier to watch the sunset.

View of Hanalei Bay at sunset. — Hanalei Bay at sunset

Sunset over the Pacific Ocean at Hanalei Bay

Kīlauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge

At the town of Kīlauea on the North Shore, follow signs to the Kīlauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge (#11). Pay the $10 entrance fee and take a breezy stroll along the clifftops to the lighthouse. You’ll revel in dazzling views of the ocean waves crashing into the cliffs below and feel glad to be alive in the wonderfully fresh air.

Cliffs near the Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge

View from the lighthouse at the Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge

Kilauea Lighthouse in Kilauea on Kauai's North Shore — Kilauea Lighthouse

Kilauea Town

On the way to Kilauea Lighthouse, you’ll pass a few small shopping areas in the charming town of Kilauea (#12). I liked this area much better for shopping than the busier and more touristy Princeville area. There are some good take-out places (I enjoyed the offerings at Kilauea Fish Market and Sushi Girl Kauai) and the vibe is a lot more laid-back.

On the way back to the main highway, stop at the Healthy Hut Market & Cafe. A favorite of locals, this wonderful old health food store is chock full of health foods and organic produce and includes an excellent juice bar. I recommend the Kaupea Sundown organic fresh juice–carrots, fresh-squeezed (and local) orange juice, turmeric, and aloe. Wow!

Exterior of the Healthy Hut Market and Cafe near Kilauea on Kauai's North Shore. — The Healthy Hut Market and Cafe–great place to stop near Kilauea

A cup full of the Kaupea Sundown juice--carrot, organge, tumeric, and aloe. — The Kaupea Sundown

Hanalei Valley Lookout

Just after passing the mall at Princeville, you’ll see a pullout for the Hanalei Valley Lookout (#13). I stopped at it every time I passed because the magnificent view over the Hanalei Valley never got old. It’s, like, so gorgeous!

View from the Hanalei lookout on the road from Princeville to Hanalei

One time, I was lucky enough to stop when a rainbow was arcing across the valley. From the viewpoint (one of the most photographed lookouts in all Hawaii) you see taro fields, soaring mountains, and waterfalls. It is a truly magical site.

Limahuli Botanical Gardens

A stop here for either a self-guided or guided tour is a highlight of your North Shore exploration. Located just before the road along the North Shore ends at Ha’ena State Park, the marvelous Limahuli Gardens (#14) is a cool respite from crowded beaches and busy towns.

Its setting at the base of the “Bali Hai” mountain (yes, it’s the same mountain that stood in for Bali Hai in the movie South Pacific) makes it feel very remote and Hawaiian.

View of mountains from a lookout at Limahuli Gardens

I opted for the self-guided tour which I’d booked in advance. For more about Limahuli Gardens see the post Six Highlights of a Kauai Vacation.

Exploring the South Shore

The South Shore is much drier and has great beaches but with a more “resorty” feel. The other main attractions of this area are the drive up to Waimea Canyon and the Kalalau lookouts and the Allerton and McBryde Gardens.

The area is compact, with plenty of resorts occupying much of the oceanfront real estate. You’ll also find some attractive shopping malls and many options for eating.

Walking Trail

I stayed at the Point at Poipu (more below) which is steps from a trail that runs from Shipwreck Beach through the amazing poolside areas of the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. Here are some shots taken along the pathway:

View of a portion of the swimming pool at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa showing palm trees. — Poolside at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

Sunset from the Point at Poipu on Kauai's South Shore — Sunset from the Point at Poipu

A longer “out and back” trail is the Mala’ulepu Heritage Trail that goes from the southeast corner of Shipwreck Beach along sand-dune cliffs to Punahoa Point.

Poipu Beach Park

Considered one of the most accessible and largest beaches in the area, Poipu Beach Park (#15) is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. There is a fair bit of parking, the swimming area is protected, and the snorkeling right from the beach is pretty good.

Wear water shoes when wading into the ocean. I was surprised to discover rocky shelves underfoot rather than sand. You may be lucky and see basking monk seals and sea turtles on the sands at Poipu Beach Park.

I highly recommend making reservations at Brennecke’s, right across the street from Poipu Beach Park. Dine on really tasty food while enjoying a view of the ocean. My seafood risotto was divine.

Spouting Horn

The astonishing Spouting Horn (#16) blow hole is a must-see when you’re driving along the South Shore on your way to the Allerton and McBryde Gardens. The blow hole is one of the most visited and photographed sites on the island. In fact, the only time during my trip that I saw a tour bus was at Spouting Horn.

Wander over to the railings and enjoy the spectacle. Every few seconds, the waves are forced up through a hole in the rocks in a fair imitation of Old Faithful but with sea water.

Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Lookouts

Take a few hours on a sunny day (make sure it’s sunny!) to drive up to enjoy out-of-this-world views of the Waimea Canyon (#17) and the Nāpali Coast. For more about the trip, see my post Six Highlights of a Kauai Vacation.

Overlooking Waimea canyon on Kauai — At the Waimea Canyon lookout

Tours of Allerton and McBryde Gardens

Make reservations to tour one or both of these gardens. The tours are educational and a feast for all the senses. A highlight is a visit to the giant wavy trees made famous in Jurassic Park. But remember to take mosquito repellent.

Huge tree with large wavy roots made famous in Jurassic Park — Wavy tree made famous in Jurassic Park

For more about touring the Allerton (#18) and McBryde Gardens, see my post Six Highlights of a Kauai Vacation.

How Long to Stay

If you have the time and the funds, I suggest staying on Kauai for about two weeks. I stayed for ten days, which wasn’t quite long enough for me to explore Kauai as thoroughly as I would have liked.

When on Kauai, divide your time between the three main regions. On my ten-day trip, I stayed for four nights on the East Shore (known as the Coconut Coast), four nights on the North Shore, and two nights on the South Shore.

View of ocean and trees on Kauai — Beach on Kauai’s East Shore

For a two-week vacation, I suggest staying two or at most three nights on the East Shore and then a full week on the North Shore and the remaining days on the South Shore. I wished I’d spent longer on the South Shore during my trip, but I’d booked late, and accommodation had become very scarce—or at least accommodation in my price range.

Tours & Tickets on Kauai

Here are some options for tours and tickets on Kauai with Tiqets.com

Where to Stay on Kauai

Kauai has a variety of accommodation options and most of them are not inexpensive. You can find some hostels and a handful of budget hotels, but most places are going to put a large dent in your wallet.

Kauai is not the best choice if you are on a limited budget. But if you have the funds, you’ll find some beautiful places to stay.

Here are my recommendations for the three areas of Kauai I stayed in: the East Shore, North Shore, and South Shore.

Staying on the East Shore–the Coconut Coast

The East Shore of Kauai is where most Kauai residents live, primarily in Kaa’pa and Lihue which are quite close to the airport. Lihue has its fair share of malls and big box stores (convenient for stocking up).

The area is nicknamed the Coconut Coast or Royal Coconut Coast because of the many coconut palms growing along the coast and highways. Also, most of the resorts in the area feature coconut palms on their grounds.

Kauai Beach Villas

My flight from Vancouver arrived at 9:30 PM when the tropical darkness had well and truly fallen. I didn’t want to drive a long distance in the dark and so I chose a place that was close to the airport but still on the beach.

The Kauai Beach Villas perfectly fit the bill.

It’s about a seven-minute drive due north of Lihue Airport and just off the main highway. Even without GPS, I would have had a hard time getting lost.

The Kauai Beach Villas shares its location with the Kauai Beach Resort & Spa. Driving into the long, tree-lined driveway from the main road, you come first to the cluster of two-story buildings that make up the Kauai Beach Villas.

At 10:30 PM, the front desk for the Kauai Beach Villas—which is more of a condo development than a traditional hotel—was still open, thankfully. I checked in (very friendly staff!) and was given a bracelet to use to access the parking area and my suite. Within minutes, I was walking into a spacious one-bedroom unit on the ground floor.

View of the dining room, living room, and lanai at the Kauai Beach Villas — Dining room, living room, and lanai at the Kauai Beach Villas

View of a kitchen with marble counter tops and pillars at the Kauai Beach Villas on Kauai — Kitchen at the Kauai Beach Villas

My Suite at the Kauai Beach Villas

I faced the lagoon and gardens. When I woke up before dawn on my first full day in Kauai, I strolled for about five minutes through charmingly landscaped grounds to a wide and sandy beach. While not good for swimming (way too rough), the beach faced east which meant I was about to experience my very first Kauai sunrise.

Several people were already gathered on the beach, cameras in hand, to await the arrival of the sun. Coming from a wet and chilly Vancouver, I felt like I’d been teleported to paradise as the warm winds swirled my skirts and the sound of the waves whooshed away jet lag.

Sunrise near Kauai Beach Villas on my first day on Kauai

I liked the Kauai Beach Villas because it was an easy drive from the airport, it was close to the beach and the adjacent resort had a restaurant, convenience store, and swimming pools.

My cosy unit was a great place to watch the only big rainstorm I experienced during my ten days on the island. It was on the first day and I was worried that rain was going to be a feature of my trip. Fortunately, I had pretty much clear skies for the rest of the trip. Here’s a video of the rainstorm taken from my lanai at the Kauai Beach Villas.

Other Accommodation Options on the East Shore

Several other accommodation options are located on the East Shore. Check the map below.

Booking.com

Staying on the North Shore

After my four nights at Kauai Beach Villas, I drove north to Princeville on Kauai’s North Shore.

Princeville itself is not really my cup of tea, to be honest. Basically, it’s a collection of resorts and vacation condos scattered atop the cliffs between Kīlauea Lighthouse and Hanalei Bay. The whole area, with its sleek developments, golf courses, and one touristy mall, feels very buffed and over-landscaped, kind of like a Pacific Palm Springs.

But Princeville makes an excellent home base for exploring the North Shore. Also, most of the accommodation options on the North Shore are in the area. Fortunately, a quick and achingly scenic drive north takes you down a winding road to gorgeous Hanalei Bay.

Sealodge F6 at Princeville

I stayed at Unit F6 at SeaLodge. Unit F6 was on the second floor of one of the many building in the 3-story SeaLodge condo development. Each unit is privately owned, either by individuals or by a vacation rental company. SeaLodge F6 is owned by Vancasa Vacation Rentals, and I booked it through booking.com (my go-to site for accommodations whenever I travel).

From the outside, the SeaLodge development is not particularly attractive with its brown, weathered shingles and boxy architecture. However, the one-bedroom unit that I stayed in was perfect. I had an outstanding view of the ocean from both the comfortable living room and the bedroom. Each night, I was lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves crashing onto the beach below the cliffs.

I’ve read some reviews stating that not all the units at SeaLodge are as nice as Unit F6 so make sure you search for reviews of the specific unit you’re considering before you book.

Other Accommodation Options on the North Shore

Find other accommodation options in Princeville and Hanalei:

Booking.com

Staying on the South Shore

My last stop was Kauai’s South Shore for two nights. I definitely recommend you stay longer on the South Shore. This is probably the most resort-heavy area of Kauai with a wide range of accommodation and restaurant options, great beaches, reliably sunny weather, and proximity to one of the world’s great drives up to Waimea Canyon and the Kalalau lookouts.

The Point at Poipu

I stayed in the Point at Poipu, a large resort consisting of two-bedroom units with either garden or ocean views. As a solo traveler, a two-bedroom unit was overkill, but that was all that was available at the time I booked.

To save a few pennies, I’d booked a unit with a garden view rather than an ocean view. But, lucky me, I was given a fabulous ground floor unit that had both ocean and garden views. Score!

View of Shipwreck Beach steps from my room at the Point at Poipu

The Point at Poipu also has a large swimming pool which I only swam in once. But one of the best things about the Point at Poipu is its proximity to the ocean as well as the very, very swishy Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa right next door.

On my first morning, I walked out to the shoreline path in the direction of the Hyatt. As the sun rose, I snapped a ridiculous number of pictures of the lush, tropical grounds, fancifully landscaped swimming pools, and ponds brimming with fat koi.

Close-up of a mass of swimming koi — A lot of koi

Exterior of the Grand Hyatt Kauai. — The Grand Hyatt Kauai

I treated myself to the buffet breakfast at the Ilima Terrace restaurant. Big mistake! Over-priced and with mediocre and tasteless food, the buffet was, needless to say, a disappointment. However, service was friendly and efficient, and the view was nice, so that was some compensation. Skip the buffet and pick up a coffee and pastry at the Seaview Terrace after wandering through the magnificent lobby and admiring the orchid garden.

Find more accommodation options on the South Shore on booking.com.

Booking.com

All three of my accommodation choices on Kauai were condo units with kitchens. Food prices, like all prices on Kauai, are very high. You can save a little bit by occasionally cooking or at least heating up take-out. Also, having more room to stretch out is, well, nice!

Conclusion

In this post, I’ve touched on what to see on the East Shore, North Shore and South Shore of Kauai, and shared my accommodation suggestions.

But I’ve just scratched the surface! On Kauai, you can enjoy so many cool activities, from hiking to snorkeling to helicopter rides. Here are two more posts about Kauai on Artsy Traveler:

Have you visited Kauai? Share your tips and recommendations in the Comments below.

Six Highlights of a Kauai Vacation

April 18, 2022December 10, 2024Arts & Culture, Destinations, North America, United States Artsy Traveler 2 Comments

Last updated on December 10th, 2024 at 12:59 am

My Kauai vacation highlights will get you going on exploring one of the most beautiful islands on Earth! Called the Garden Isle–and you’ll soon see why–Kauai is the perfect vacation destination if you’re looking for activity options in addition to great places to hang out and soak up the sunshine.

I visited Kauai for a ten-day solo trip during which I combined sightseeing and relaxing with working on my current novel. For tips on traveling solo on Kauai, checking out my post Ten Tips for Traveling Solo on Kauai. For an overview of traveling to and staying on Kauai, see What to See and Do on Kauai.

#1: Take a Helicopter Ride

Over three-quarters of Kauai is inaccessible by road, so if you want to see the island in its stunning entirety, shell out the big bucks for a helicopter ride. And I’m not going to lie—it’s expensive.

Andrew Doughty, author of the must-have Kauai Revealed Guidebook, includes a comprehensive evaluation of the various helicopter tour companies on Kauai and recommends Blue Hawaiian as the best. I can’t say whether that’s true, but I can say that I had an excellent experience with Blue Hawaiian. I paid extra to sit up front and had the most superb view imaginable.

A highlight of a Kauai vacation is a helicopter ride; picture here is a Blue Hawaiian helicopter coming in for a landing on Kauai — Blue Hawaiian helicopter coming in for a landing on Kauai

The Helicopter Ride Begins

The 50-minute ride took us up over the resorts south of Lihue and then inland. At take-off, the theme from Hawaii Five-O played over our headsets. Shortly after, at the request of the pilot, we introduced ourselves using a small microphone shared between two people. I found out that the other five passengers were a family from New York and Sweden.

Taking off from Lihue airport in a Blue Hawaiian helicopter and heading south over a view of sea and land--a highlight of a Kauai vacation. — Taking off from Lihue airport and flying south over the cruise ship port

The music switched to the theme from Jurassic Park as the pilot swooped over the falls made famous in the movie. A huge rainbow arced across the valley and falls—a remnant of the downpours from the day before.

In fact, I had been booked to fly the day after I arrived, but inclement weather had grounded the choppers. Fortunately, I was rebooked for the following day. Not everyone is so lucky, so a good piece of advice is to book your helicopter ride at the beginning of your trip. If it’s canceled because of weather, you’ll have time to rebook.

A rainbown arcing across green mountains on Kauai as seen from a helicopter flight over Kauai--a vacation highlight. — Rainbow arcing over the interior Kauai as we head west toward Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon from the Air

Soon, the helicopter was soaring into the Waimea Canyon, nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. I had already planned to drive up to the canyon, but it was wonderful to get a different perspective on the its multi-colored layers. They really did remind me of the other Grand Canyon.

Waimea Canyon as seen from a helicopter ride--one of the major highlights of a helicopter ride over the island of Kauai. — View of Waimea Canyon–the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” from a helicopter

In between stretches of appropriately-themed music, the pilot provided an informative commentary. He pointed out interesting locations, shared facts and stories about Kauai and its history, and kept us thoroughly entertained. The occasional bouts of turbulence added to the excitement, although the woman next to me started to look a bit green toward the end of the trip.

Flying up the Nāpali Coast

The helicopter flew lazily up the famed Nāpali Coast. For a good thirty minutes, we turned and hovered, then swept into and out of deep-cut valleys and over the blue blue ocean. The only way to see the entire Nāpali coast is from the air.

Napali coast viewed from a helicopter during a Blue Hawaiian helicopter ride over Kauai--a highlight of a Kauai vacation. — Napali coast

Close-up of the razor-sharp peaks and folds on Kauai's Napali coast as seen from a helicopter. — Close-up of cliffs on the Napali coast

An alternative for close-up views is to hike the famed Kalalau Trail. In some places, the trail is only about 18 inches wide with sheer drops into the ocean. Rated a 10 out of 10 on the scale of the world’s most difficult hikes, the two-day in-and-out trek along the Kalalau Trail isn’t for the faint of heart.

It certainly isn’t for this heart!

Every minute of the helicopter trip revealed a new and alluring vista. Cloaked in lush green vegetation, the impossibly slender spires and knife-edge folds of the cliffs tumbled below us like pleated napkins at a cosmic wedding. I’ve never seen a landscape like it, except in movies like South Pacific and Pirates of the Caribbean, parts of which were shot here.

The Napali coast panorama as seen from a helicopter ride over Kauai — Spectacular cliffs on the Napali coast of Kauai

All too soon, the music faded, and the rotors ceased.That was the fastest fifty minutes I’ve ever experienced!

Gently, John the pilot set the helicopter down on terra firma, and with shaking legs I clambered out.

View of deep blue water with sharp green cliffs in the foreground seen from a helicopter ride over Kauai — Looking out to sea on the Napali Coast

View of sandy beaches and turqoise water as seen from the air on a helicopter ride over Kauai — Beautiful beaches seen from the air in Kauai

Once back in the terminal, the pictures taken of the passengers before embarking were available along with a video of the entire journey. Although I’d snapped pictures almost non-stop throughout the trip, I knew they couldn’t compare with video shot from cameras mounted under the helicopter and accompanied by all the music and commentary.

So, of course, I plunked down the $60 to buy a memory stick containing the video. First, however, I confirmed that I could share it with readers on my website!

Video of My Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Ride

Here is the video of my entire Blue Hawaiian helicopter trip, divided into three parts:

Book a helicopter ride before you arrive on Kauai so that you can be sure of getting a flight. It will be the highlight of your trip.

And don’t worry about the weather. Blue Hawaiian checks the weather constantly before authorizing a flight. If the weather is inclement and you can’t be rebooked on a flight that works for your schedule, you’ll receive a full refund.

So, what have you got to lose? Book it!

#2: Take a Boat Ride

On Kauai, you can take boat trips along the Nāpali coast from Port Allen or Eleele on the South Shore or from Anini Beach on the North Shore. Most boat trips depart from the South Shore because the waters tend to be calmer year-round. However, much of the ride is spent looking at a rather uninteresting coastline. The tours of the North Shore reach the Nāpali coast very quickly, which is a huge bonus.

I chose Nāpali Sea Breeze Tours because their morning tour included snorkeling. Also, it was highly recommended by Andrew Doughty in his Kauai Revealed Guidebook.

Setting Off on the Boat Ride

We set off from Anini Beach (a great place for swimming and snorkeling) and cruised up the coast. Within minutes of leaving the beach, we approached the cliffs I’d seen a few days earlier from the air. The boat held 16 passengers and so was small enough to get very close to the many sea caves.

I was glad I’d chosen a small boat tour rather than the large 50-person catamaran tours that depart from the South Shore. They may be a bit more luxurious, but the Nāpali Sea Breeze Tour felt homier and more personalized.

View of the Napali coast from a boat tour with Napali Sea Breeze Tours--a highlight of a Kauai vacation. — Cruising along the Napali Coast

Back of a crew member on the Napali Sea Breeze Tours — One of the crew on the Napali Sea Breeze Tour

The captain and two crew members went out of their way to make the trip enjoyable, pointing out a pod of humpback whales and sharing stories about their lives on Kauai. The captain took the small boat very close to the sea caves gouged out of the cliffs all the way up the coast.

Sea cave along the Napali Coast in Kauai; a boat trip of the area is a highlight of a Kauai vacation. — Getting close to caves on the Napali coast

Waterfall plunging into a sea cave along the Napali Coast in Kauai; a boat trip of the area is a highlight of a Kauai vacation. — Waterfall cascading into the ocean seen from the Napali Sea Breeze boat tour

Snorkeling on the Napali Sea Breeze Tour

After cruising the coastline for about three hours, we stopped at Tunnels Beach for snorkeling. The reef there is so large it can be seen from space. Luckily, after several pretty windy days, the water within the reef was calm and clear. Fish glinted and glimmered below me along with several lazily swimming turtles.

Few things are more restful than floating above a tropical reef and watching the sea life swim by.

Sea turtle swimming above a reef. Swimming with sea turtles in Kauai was a highlight of a Kauai vacation. — Sea trutle swimming above a reef

Unfortunately, my boat trip didn’t end as well as it started for me. This is no reflection on the quality of the tour. I swallowed a bit too much sea water while snorkeling and was not feeling my best. As I climbed back on to the boat, the crew was setting out sandwiches and drinks and everyone was happily drying off and chowing down. I retreated to a seat at the back and looked resolutely out at the horizon in the hope that would settle my stomach.

On the way back, the ride got very bumpy with a whole lot of spray and roiling swells. The friendly couple next to me wanted to chat until finally I had to tell them I was feeling seasick and needed to stay very, very still. They were sympathetic!

But note to self (and to you!), take something for motion sickness before your boat trip, just in case.

Find Nāpali Sea Breeze Tours online. The 3-to-4-hour morning tour starts with a 7 AM shuttle bus ride to the boat at Anini Beach.

#3: Take a Garden Tour (or Two)

Kauai is home to several tropical gardens open to the public. I visited three of them—the Allerton Gardens and McBryde Gardens on the South Shore, and the Limahuli Gardens on the North Shore.

Allerton and McBryde Garden Tour

Located on the South Shore very close to the famous Spouting Horn blow hole, the Allerton and McBryde Gardens are part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden system that includes five gardens—Allerton and McBryde Gardens in the south and Limahuli Garden in the north, Kahanu Garden on Maui, and The Kampong in Coconut Grove, Florida.

I highly recommend the tour. You’ll learn a lot and see some amazing plants, and get to chat with fellow travelers and the guide during the many stops.

View of the beach and beautiful vegetation at the beginning of the "Best of Both Worlds" tour of the Allerton and McBryde Gardens on Kauai - A highlight of a Kauai vacation. — Setting off on the “Best of Both Worlds” Tour of the Allerton and McBryde Gardens on the South Shore of Kauai

The sixteen-seat minibus took seven of us through some of the most exquisite tropical gardens I’ve ever seen. I am a sucker for a well-designed garden, and the huge variety of plants on display did not disappoint.

Coolest tree ever seen on the “Best of Both Worlds” tour of the Allerton & McBryde Gardens on Kauai

Allerton Garden is named one of the ’50 Places of a Lifetime’ by National Geographic Traveler, while the McBryde Garden is an active conservation and research garden with Hawaiian cultural significance. It includes the world’s largest assemblage of native Hawaiian plants. Most of these plants grow only in Hawaii and many are threatened, endangered, or even extinct in the wild.

Together, the two gardens offered a comprehensive look at a fantastic array of trees, flowers, and fruits.

Large yellow fellow, called the "Cup of Gold" in Kauai. — Exotic flowers abound

Pink orchids growing wild in Kauai. — Orchids everywhere

What to See on the Best of Both Worlds Tour

Every so often, the driver stopped the bus and took us on a walking tour to view the plants up close. We saw familiar fruits such as pineapples, papayas and mangoes as well as new-to-me fruits such as breadfruit and a species of wild cherry that tasted wonderful. We also saw many species of orchid along with some truly remarkable trees and several birds.

The Atula plant is being grown at the McBryde Gardens in Kauai — Atula–possibly extinct in the wild, but being rehabilitated in the gardens

Lovely blue-feathered bird at the McBryde Gardens in Kauai. Touring the gardens was a highlight of a trip to Kauai. — This guy followed us throughout the orchard

View over the McBryde and Allerton Gardens in Kauai, a highlight of a trip to Kauai. — Gorgeous views over the gardens

A highlight was a stop at the “Jurassic Park Trees” where several scenes from the movie were filmed. The guide happened to have her own T Rex along with her for the ride.

The gardens also include several beautiful classically-inspired pools and sculptures in various “rooms”. Here are two of the pools I particularly liked. Notice how they are thoughtfully designed to reflect the surrounding trees and vegetation.

Classical-looking temple and an oval reflecting pool featured at the Allerton Gardens in Kauai. — Temple of Diana

Series of three reflecting pools with a large tree reflected in them at the Allerton Gardens in Kauai. — Series of pools

One note of warning if you are planning to take a guided tour—take mosquito repellent and a tube of After Bite. I did not follow this advice and paid dearly with a few pounds of my tasty flesh offered up to the mosquitoes. Voracious little blighters! I wondered why the guide was sensibly dressed in long pants and running shoes.

Limahuli Garden and Preserve

I visited the Limahuli Garden and Preserve when I was staying on the North Shore. Located not far before the road along the North Shore ends at Haena State Park, this marvelous site is a lovely, cool respite from crowded beaches and busy towns.

Its setting at the base of the “Bali Hai” mountain (yes, the same mountain that stood in for Bali Hai in South Pacific) makes it feel very remote and Hawaiian.

View of the mountains behind the Limahuli Gardens in Kauai--one of the highlights of a trip to Kauai. — Panoramic view over the Limahuli Gardens on the North Shore of Kauai

I opted for the self-guided tour which I’d booked in advance. With most if not all of the gardens on Kauai requiring advance reservations, make sure to book before you leave home.

Armed with a bottle of water and the booklet provided with my ticket, I set off from the tiny visitors’ center to explore. Many of the plants grown in the gardens are ones that are endangered or almost extinct. The mandate of the garden is to conserve, preserve and where possible propagate them.

Close-up of a vibrant pink hibiscus flower taken at Limahuli Gardens in Kauai; garden tours are a highlight of a Kauai vacation. — Gorgeous flower in Limahuli Gardens

Close-up of a vibrant yellow hibiscus flower taken at Limahuli Gardens in Kauai; garden tours are a highlight of a Kauai vacation. — LIke a drop of sunshine in Limahuli Gardens

I learned that the vast majority of the flowers, shrubs and trees that make Kauai so beautiful are actually invasive species that are choking out native Hawaiian species to the detriment of the ecosystem.

The area was home to ancient Hawaiians who planted “canoe gardens” containing plants brought in the large canoes that sailed from Polynesia over 1000 years ago.

Here’s a 360-degree view of Limahuli Gardens from a viewpoint overlooking the ocean in one direction and the “Bali Hai” mountains in the other direction.

I had the gardens almost to myself. It was lovely and peaceful and the views spectacular. I took my time and made use of the many shaded benches on the self-guided route to stop and read about the plants I was passing and admire the extensive conservation work being done.

Other Gardens on Kauai

So many gardens are worth visiting on Kauai! I wish I’d had time to visit them all. Here are some other notable gardens on Kauai.

Princeville Botanical Gardens

Located on the North Shore near Princeville, tours of these gardens include fruit and chocolate tastings (sounds good!). The gardens cultivate a diverse collection of native and “canoe” plants, medicinals, and rare and endangered flowers. Advance reservations for guided tours are required. Self-guided tours are not available.

Na’Aina Botanical Gardens & Sculpture Park

Also located on the North Shore, the Na’Aina Botanical Gardens and Sculpture Park is run by a not-for-profit organization dedicated to conservation and preservation. A variety of guided tours to the formal gardens, wild forest gardens and Kaluakai Beach are provided, along with a self-guided tour of the formal gardens. Reservations are required for all tours which run weekly on a limited schedule.

Smith’s Tropical Paradise

This lush 30-acre garden park on the East Shore is located within the Wailua Marina State Park and features over a mile of meandering pathways through tropical splendor that includes wandering peacocks and other birds. There are tropical orchards with over twenty types of fruit, bamboo and fruit forests, a Japanese-themed garden island, and replicas of Polynesian and Filipino huts.

#4: Drive to Waimea Canyon and Beyond

Set aside three to four hours to drive from the South Shore to Waimea Canyon (the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) then continue on to the lookouts over the Nāpali coast.

Two roads lead up to Waimea Canyon—the Waimea Canyon Road (Highway 550) that starts from Waimea Town and Kōkeʻe Road (Highway 552) that starts from Kekaha a few miles to the west. The two roads merge within Kōkeʻe State Park which leads to Waimea State Park.

Waimea Canyon

I drove up Highway 552 and had the wide, sweeping road all to myself. In fact, I was a bit worried I was on the wrong road because I knew that Waimea Canyon was a major tourist attraction. Fortunately, my GPS did not let me down and after a dizzying ascent, I pulled into the parking lot with the first and most panoramic view over the canyon.

I paid $15 for all-day access to all the parking lots in the park which include views over both the Waimea Canyon and the Napali Coast, then set off up the pathway to the railings to get my first glimpse of Waimea Canyon.

The author in front of Waimea Canyon. — In front of Waimea Canyon

The author in front of the Kalalau Valley Lookout on Kauai. A visit to this lookout is a highlight of a trip of Kauai. — In front of the Kalalau Valley Lookout

Oh yeah! I’d seen it already from the helicopter, but the view from the rim was different and somehow more expansive. Here’s a short video I shot of the canyon.

Back in the car and on to the Puʻu Hinahina Lookout at mile marker 13.5. From this lookout, the Waimea River winding through the canyon is visible. While not as expansive as the view from the first lookout, this view provides another, interesting perspective on the canyon.

After driving several more miles, I passed Kōkeʻe Lodge Cabins and Campground where, according to my trusty Kauai Revealed driving app, the only restaurant in the park was located. I vowed to return for lunch and pressed on.

For more about the Kauai Revealed driving app, check out my post on Ten Tips for Traveling Solo on Kauai.

Kalalau Valley Lookouts

The Kauai Revealed app advised me to drive right past the second-to last lookout at mile marker 18 and go straight across a tire-popping stretch of potholed road to Puʻu o-Kila at mile marker 19. This is the end of the road and the best place from which to view the Nāpali Coast and Kalalau Valley. By this point in my Kauai vacation, I’d seen the Nāpali coast from the sea and from the air. Seeing it from the road was just as awesome.

View of a green tropical valley and the blue Pacific Ocean beyond--the Kalalau Valley in Kauai. — Best view of the Kalalau Valley from the Puʻu o-Kila Lookout

I was fortunate that the view of the very blue Pacific far below was clear. Often, it’s shrouded in mist and clouds. While I was admiring the view, the clouds started rolling in and by the time I left, the view was definitely compromised.

Here’s a video of the view taken just moments before the clouds started rolling in.

I drove back to the Kalalau Lookout at mile marker 18 and then, feeling a trifle overwhelmed by amazing views, settled down for a pulled pork sandwich at the Kōkeʻe Lodge. It was one of the better lunches I enjoyed on Kauai.

I took the Waimea Canyon Road (Highway 550) back down to the coast, enjoying stupendous views of the ocean below me as I swept down the mountain. I wish I could have snapped a few pictures, but that would not have been a good idea while driving!

#5: Make Friends with the Chickens

Chickens, chicks, and roosters are everywhere on Kauai. You notice them as soon as you check in to your hotel. They strut and waddle around the gardens clucking and crowing and scrounging for food. But don’t feed them—there’s a $500 fine.

I grew very fond of the chickens on Kauai, even when the roosters woke me up every morning with their raucous cock-a-doodle-doos. But at least they got me out of bed in time to see the sunrise so how could I object?

A rooster crowing on Kauai. — A rooster crows

A mother hen with baby chicks poking out of her feathers. — Momma chicken with her chicks hitching a ride

The roosters in particular are very colorful and seem to be well aware of how cool they look. I spent many happy minutes watching them strut past. Equally fun to watch were the chickens with their chicks. Often the chicks hitched a ride tucked in mom’s feathers.

Why all the feral chickens? The early Hawaiians brought chickens to the island when they arrived about 1000 years ago. Then, subsequent waves of settlers brought their own chickens. When Hurricane Iwa hit in 1982 and then Hurricane Iniki in 1992, the coops blew open and the domesticated chickens escaped and bred with the feral chickens.

Sounds plausible!

#6: Catch all the Sunrises & Sunsets

Make time every day to see both the sunrise and the sunset. Being in the tropics, night and day are pretty much the same duration so it’s a good idea to get up early so you can enjoy the maximum amount of daylight. I rose at 6 AM on the first morning to catch the sunrise around 6:20 and never looked back.

Every day from then on, I set my alarm for 6, jumped out of bed, pulled on a dress and padded out to view the sunrise to the accompaniment of the always early-rising roosters.

Sunrise over the Pacific Ocean seen from the East Coast of Kauai. — Sunrise from the East Coast

Sunrise over the Pacific Ocean seen from the South Shore of Kauai. — Sunrise from the South Coast

And here’s sunrise from the North Shore:

You can enjoy both the sunrise and the sunset from pretty much anywhere on the island.

At the end of most days, I caught some spectacular sunsets. Here are a few.

Sunset over the Pacific Ocean from Hanalei Bay on the North Shore of Kauai. — Sunset from Hanalei Bay

Sunset over the Pacific Ocean seen from the South Shore of Kauai. — Sunset from the South Shore

Every sunrise and sunset was different and every one magnificent.

Hiking on Kauai

One activity that is a definite highlight of a trip to Kauai that I don’t mention is hiking. Kauai is a marvelous place for hiking, with miles and miles of world-class trails leading to jaw-dropping views.

However, since I was traveling solo, I chose not to go hiking on my own.

But if you’re into hiking, check out the suggestions in Andrew Doughty’s Kauai Revealed Guidebook.

Tours & Tickets on Kauai

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Conclusion

I could have used several more days on Kauai to explore other highlights such as the Wailua Falls, the three gardens I missed, Haena State Park, and even more beaches. I’d also like to visit the grounds of the Hindu Monastery and Himalayan Academy. Nestled on the banks of the Wailua River near the East Coast, the Hindu Monastery is set in gorgeous grounds that are open in the mornings but require reservations (which I failed to get in time).

One of the main things I loved about visiting Kauai was how easily I could divide my time between sightseeing, relaxing, and writing. Driving distances are relatively short so reaching any given site doesn’t take much time.

And there was always a beach to flop down on and watch the waves roll in.

Top Ten Tips for Traveling Solo on Awesome Kauai

April 17, 2022October 11, 2024Destinations, North America, United States Artsy Traveler 6 Comments

Last updated on October 11th, 2024 at 01:48 am

Traveling solo on Kauai is safe, easy, and convenient. The island is compact and very comfortable to drive around with nominal help from GPS. As a solo traveler, you’ll find plenty to see and do, good accommodation options, and friendly people.

Kauai is not a budget destination, so bear that in mind when planning to travel solo on Kauai. But if you have the funds, Kauai is an excellent choice. You’ll find a terrific opportunities to explore, with lots of options for sightseeing and relaxing.

I spent ten days on traveling solo on Kauai and had a marvelous time. So much variety. And the views! Kauai wins the Hawaii gorgeousness sweepstakes hands down. No wonder Kauai is known as the Garden Isle.

In this post, I share ten tips for traveling solo on Kauai. For more on Kauai, check out my other posts:

Ready for my ten tips on traveling solo on Kauai? Here goes!

Sunrise from the beach at Kauai Beach Villas on the East Coast of Kauai. — Sunrise from the beach at Kauai Beach Villas on the East Coast of Kauai

Tip 1: Stay the First Night or Two Close to the Airport

I flew direct from Vancouver, BC, on WestJet. Its once-daily flight arrived at 9:30 PM. By that time, darkness had well and truly settled over Kauai. If I hadn’t have booked accommodation close to the airport, I’d have been driving on dark, unfamiliar roads—many without streetlights. No thank you!

When traveling solo, I suggest you make accommodation and transportation decisions based on how you answer three questions:

Is it easy?
Is it safe?
Is it convenient?

For my solo trip to Kauai, my answers to these questions led me to book my first few nights at the Kauai Beach Villas. Located on a beach a seven-minute drive due north on the main road out of Lihue Airport, I couldn’t get lost if I tried.

Kauai Beach Villas Close to the Airport Perfect for Solo Travelers

Checking into the Kauai Beach Villas was easy. The front desk was still open when I arrived at 10:30 PM, the spacious one-bedroom condo felt very safe and secure, and the location steps from the beach could not have been more convenient.

Living room, dining room, and garden view lanai - the one-bedroom suite at Kauai Beach Villas, great choice for the solo traveler. — Living room, dining room, and garden view lanai – the one-bedroom suite at Kauai Beach Villas

Photo of the author Carol Cram traveling solo on the beach steps for Kauai Beach Villas — On the beach steps from Kauai Beach Villas

Even if you arrive on Kauai during the day, I suggest you book a few nights at a place like the Kauai Beach Villas on Kauai’s East Shore. Otherwise known as the Coconut Coast, the area is home to most of Kauai’s population and includes several big box stores convenient for stocking up on essentials at slightly less than eye-popping prices.

View of coconut palms on the East Coast of Kauai — Coconut palms are everywhere on Kauai’s East Coast

The Kauai Beach Villas are on the grounds of another resort (the Kauai Beach Resort and Spa) that has a restaurant, convenience store, and swimming pools.

The area also boasts some of Kauai’s nicest and most accessible beaches. And, even more useful, its proximity to Lihue Airport means you don’t have to drive far to enjoy the first of my highly recommended activities on Kauai—taking a helicopter ride (more on this later!).

Other Accommodation Options on the East Shore

Several other East Shore accommodation options are close to Lihue Airport:

A Note about Big Box Stores

Normally, I’m not a fan of stores like Costco and Walmart. But on Kauai, I spent a few hours on my first afternoon traipsing through both stores in search of vacation essentials at reasonable prices. In Costco, I picked up a case of water, a large bag of macadamia nuts that lasted me the entire trip eating a good handful a day (gosh, they’re tasty!), a Hawaiian shirt for my husband (a bargain at $20 and good quality too), a few bags of snacks, and a hunk of cheese.

I considered a tub of poke for $10 and realized I’d never finish it before it started walking on its own. Messing with raw fish is not a good idea when traveling solo.

I also visited Walmart to buy a mask and snorkel, a pair of water shoes, and a nice big beach bag to carry towels and other beachie things. You can rent snorkel equipment at various places on Kauai, but it’s cheaper (and more hygienic) to pick up the gear at a place like Walmart. You’ll then have it for your next trip to a tropical paradise.

Since I live on an island (albeit not a tropical one), I look forward to using my new snorkel gear on summer swims at the beaches near my home.

Tip 2: Rent a Car

You pretty much have to rent a car when visiting Kauai. I had hoped to get around on public transit or take taxis, but nope, not on Kauai. There are busses, but apparently they are unreliable and likely won’t go to all the places you want to explore. Services such as Lyft and Uber are not prevalent on Kauai and taxis are scarce.

The biggest problem with renting a car is the cost, as in, ouch! I’ve never paid so much for a ten-day car rental in my life. But it was either that or spend my vacation stuck in one place, and what would be the point of that?

So, adjust your budget upward (waaaay upward), and book your car well in advance. In recent years, rental cars have sometimes been hard to come by. You don’t want to arrive on Kauai and find no cars available. That would suck…a lot.

Car Rental from Thrifty

As a solo traveler, I rented the cheapest car in the budget category from Thrifty. The friendly agent at the Thrifty counter upgraded me at no extra charge from a hatchback to a closed trunk model because she said that was safer. She knew I was traveling on my own (because I told her!). I joked that I’d left my husband at home so I could enjoy ten days of blissful solitude. She laughed.

Getting to the car rental counter is very easy on Kauai. Walk out of the small Lihue airport, hang a left and within seconds, you’re at the bus stop for the car rental shuttles. I hopped on the Thrifty shuttle, waited about ten minutes in a short line, and ten minutes after that I was loading my suitcase into my silver Kia.

A silver Kia car the author drove all over Kauai. Compact and easy-to-drive, a good choice for the solo traveler. — My trusty silver Kia took me over 440 miles around Kauai in 10 days

Note that silver is a very popular color for rental cars in Kauai. In parking lots, I often saw dozens of silver and/or white cars. More than once, I tried getting into someone else’s car. Fortunately, they weren’t around to notice as I quickly realized my mistake and sheepishly moved on.

The smartest thing to do is to take a picture of your license plate and also memorize the number. You’ll avoid a lot of traipsing around parking lots dolefully clicking the remote and listening for the subtle beep above the whooshing of the trade winds.

Driving Solo on Kauai

I confess that I was a little bit worried about driving on unfamiliar roads. I’m not a nervous driver, but still! I usually rent cars with my husband and then I do the navigating rather than the driving. How would I manage on my own?

As it turned out, perfectly well. Driving is sooooooo easy on Kauai because the speed limits are generally very low. Limits of 40 mph, 35 mph, and even 15 mph are common. Even on the busiest roads near the airport, the speed limit never tops 50 mph. Also, I found that most Kauai drivers obey the speed limits and do not tailgate, even if you’re going slower than the posted speed.

Okay, once, a big black truck honked at me when I was going about 30 mph in a 40-mph zone for about three minutes. Sheesh!

I remember being terrified driving on Maui where the speed limits were much higher (at least they were a few years ago) and people drove like maniacs. Kauai is much more laid back. I loved driving there!

Tip 3: Download the Kauai Revealed Touring App

And speaking of driving, one of the smartest things you can do, whether traveling solo or not, is to download Andrew Doughty’s Kauai Revealed driving app. Andrew Doughty is the author of The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, the definitive guide to Kauai and a must-buy. If you didn’t pick up a copy before coming to Kauai, no worries. I saw it in virtually every gift shop I visited and at Walmart.

The app and the guidebook together provide you with just about all the information you need to enjoy a wonderful Kauai vacation. I followed many of Andrew’s recommendations, particularly when it came to which helicopter and boat tour companies to choose, and I was very glad I had.

What’s on the Kauai Revealed App?

Regarding Andrew’s app, it’s a hoot! Download it to your phone, click Driving Mode, plug it into your car so you hear Andrew’s commentary through the car’s sound system, and then hit the open road.

Every so often, Andrew’s voice shares some snippet of interesting information about Hawaiian history and culture, tells you where to turn to visit a cool beach, and makes all sorts of useful recommendations. As a solo traveler, I felt like I’d made a new friend.

Screen shot of the Kauai Revealed Drive Tour App, the perfect companion for the solo traveler. — Download the Kauai Revealed Drive Tour App to get the most out of driving around Kauai

Over time, I began to chat with Andrew as I drove, which sounds a bit creepy, but it was kinda fun and perhaps an occupational risk of solo travel. I can’t say I was ever lonely on my trip, but I did begin to appreciate having Andrew along for the ride as the days flew by.

For solo travelers who don’t have a companion to navigate, the driving app is a must-have. I’m a firm convert to driving apps now and hope I can find them for other places I plan to travel. Andrew also has apps and books for Maui, The Big Island, and Oahu.

Tip 4: Stay in At Least Two Areas on Kauai

As a solo traveler, I like to move around and get a feel for different areas in the country or region I’m visiting. On Kauai, some travelers settle in either the north or the south (sometimes the east, but not as often) for the duration of their trip and then take day trips to see the other parts of the island.

I don’t think that’s the best strategy. The North Shore and South Shore of Kauai are so different that each warrants at least a few days of dedicated sightseeing. After staying a few days at Kauai Beach Villas on the East Shore to get acclimatized, I drove an hour to the North Shore where I stayed for four nights.

Staying on the North Shore

The North Shore is the wetter and more tropical area accessible by road on Kauai and the scenery is absolutely spectacular. Seriously, there are not enough superlatives in the thesaurus to describe the area’s pristine beaches, tropical greenery, and sheer mountains.

For more about the North Shore, check my post What to See and Do on Kauai.

I stayed in the SeaLodge condo development in Princeville, which stretches along a clifftop about fifteen minutes east of Hanalei Bay. One of my intentions in traveling solo to Kauai was to work on my current WIP (Work in Progress aka my fifth novel). When I wasn’t out sightseeing, I spent several very productive hours writing while overlooking a view of palms and ocean accompanied by the constant sound of waves crashing against the beach below the cliff.

View of the Pacific Ocean with palm trees from the balcony of SeaLodge on Kauai's North Shore where the author stayed as a solo traveler. — View from my balcony

Exterior view of the SeaLodge condo development on Kauai's North Shore — Exterior of SeaLodge condo on Kauai’s North Shore

Talk about inspiring!

Staying on the South Shore

The South Shore is “resort central” with plenty to see and do, lots of great accommodation and restaurant options, and consistently sunny weather. I stayed at the Point at Poipu which was located right on the water and next door to the uber-luxurious Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa.

View of the Pacific Ocean with a laptop computer in the foreground from the author's suite at the Point at Poipu on Kauai's South Shore — My writing room on the lanai at the Point at the Point on Kauai’s South Shore

You’ll find lots to do on the South Shore—from touring the Allerton and McBryde Gardens to driving up to ogle Waimea Canyon and beyond that the fabled Nāpali coast.

For more about the South Shore, check my posts Six Highlights of a Kauai Vacation and What to See and Do on Kauai.

Tip 5: Take a Helicopter Ride

Okay, so I’ve mentioned taking a helicopter ride twice already and now I’ll tell you why.

Because it’s awesome!

Helicopter touching down in Kauai — A Blue Hawaiian helicopter comes in for a landing on Kauai

Over three-quarters of Kauai is inaccessible by road. So, if you want to see the island in its stunning entirety, shell out the big bucks for a helicopter ride.

And I’m not going to lie—it’s expensive. Like, forget-eating-for-a-week expensive. On my ride, the other five passengers were from one family. I shuddered as I did the math for what their trip cost!

Check out my detailed account of my helicopter ride with Blue Hawaiian in the post Six Highlights of a Kauai Vacation.

Tip 6: Take a Boat Ride that includes Snorkeling

I love snorkeling! But as a solo traveler, I was nervous about snorkeling on my own and leaving my stuff unattended on the beach (although the crime rate is reportedly low on Kauai). I also feared going too far out and being swept into the Pacific Ocean.

From past trips to tropical locales, I knew that taking a guided boat trip was the best and safest way for me to get my snorkeling hit.

My Kauai Revealed guidebook listed the many boat and snorkeling tour options and highly recommended Nāpali Sea Breeze Tours.

View of the Napali Coast from the deck of a boat — See the stunning Napali coast from a boat tour with Napali Sea Breeze Tours

From a solo travel perspective, spending four hours on a small boat with everyone pretty much cheek by jowl provides lots of opportunities to chat with new friends. When we came to the snorkeling place, we were asked to pair up, so I snorkeled for about 40 minutes with a friendly woman from California whose husband, fortunately for me, decided to stay on the boat.

For a description of my boat trip and snorkeling adventure see my post Six Highlights of a Kauai Vacation.

For now, trust me when I say that the Nāpali Sea Breeze Tour from Anini Beach in the north of Kauai was fabulous and again, worth every penny.

Tip 7: Go on a Garden Tour

As a solo traveler, I find that taking the occasional guided tour is a smart way to see maximum territory with minimum effort. Before I left home, I booked the three-hour “Best of Both Worlds” tour of the Allerton and McBryde Gardens in the south of Kauai.

Strange twisted tree trunks taken at the Allerton and McBryde Gardens on the South Shore of Kauai — See some seriously amazing plants and trees on a tour of the Allerton and McBryde Gardens on South Shore of Kauai

I was so glad I did. The tour was informative and beautiful. If you love plants (and even if you’re so-so about them), take the tour. You can choose from several tours (see the website), but I’m glad I chose the “Best of Both Worlds” tour to get an overview of these two fabulous gardens.

I also enjoyed a solo walking tour of Limahuli Gardens on the North Shore.

For a description of both garden tours, see my post Six Highlights of a Kauai Vacation.

Tip 8: Participate in a Local Fitness Class

One of my favorite things to do when I travel solo is to drop in to a Nia class. Nia is a dance-fitness practice that I’ve been involved with both as a teacher and a student for nearly 15 years. It’s a worldwide practice with teachers on all seven continents. Before I leave home, I always check the Nianow.com website to find the location of classes near where I’m staying.

On Kauai, I took two Nia classes at the Golden Lotus Studio in Kapa’a on the East Shore, about a ten-minute drive from the Kauai Beach Villas. The teacher and other students were so warm and welcoming. I loved the opportunity not only to dance with them but also to chat afterwards and learn something about their lives as locals living on Kauai (lucky them!).

The author, Carol Cram, pictured next to Nia teacher Isabelle Fisher before a Nia class in Kauai. — Me with Nia teacher Isabelle Winninger Fisher before Nia class on Kauai

Even if dancing Nia isn’t your thing, consider checking out a yoga or other type of fitness class at a facility on Kauai. The Golden Lotus Studio offers several kinds of classes each week (check the website) and I’m sure it’s not the only venue.

Attending a class with locals is a wonderful way to enrich your Kauai experience and take you off the beaten tourist path.

Tip 9: Choose Food Trucks and Take-Out

Restaurants are Kauai are expensive. Very expensive. And eating alone is not much fun, particularly in crowded tourist areas. When I’m at home, I often dine alone in restaurants. But for some reason when I’m in a vacation area, I feel a bit out of place when the vast majority of other patrons are couples or families.

So, for me, the best meal options while traveling in Kauai were food trucks and take-out.

Food Trucks

Kauai is famous—and justly so—for its food trucks. Stop and enjoy a scrumptious breakfast or lunch. However, many, if not most, of the food trucks close about 3 PM, so they are not an option for dinner.

I sampled the fare at a few food trucks during my trip, although not as many as I would have liked. Either they were closed when I was driving by, or I wasn’t hungry when they were open. But for a reliable and relatively inexpensive lunch, the food trucks of Kauai are definitely a good choice.

For a comprehensive look at Kauai food trucks, check out this post.

Here are two highlights:

Kalalea Juice Hale

This spot is located on the road going north toward Anahola. I sampled my first acai (ah-sigh-EE) bowl here and was captivated! Cool, smooth, very purple mashed acai berries are topped with granola, hemp seeds, chia seeds, banana, and a few other things I can’t remember and then drizzled with peanut butter. I know, it sounds like overkill but trust me, it was divine.

Acai bowl piled high with granola, chia seeds, bananas, and drizzled with peanut butter — My first acai bowl from Kalalea Juice Hale near Anahola Beach on the East Shore of Kauai

While I was eating it at a picnic table, the heavens opened. I ran to my car and drove to Anahola Beach to finish my bowl. Anahola Beach is a worthwhile stop for dreamy views, but not for swimming, at least not on the day I was there.

View of gorgeous Anahola Beach on the East Shore of Kauai — I ate my acai bowl while enjoying this view from Anahola Beach

Indian Food

The prawn curry I enjoyed at the Indian food truck in a parking lot in Kapa’a contained a plethora of plump, meaty prawns swimming in a spicy, rich coconut-flavored sauce. A highlight was the chunky, flavorful mango lassi that accompanied my curry. Very refreshing!

Take-out container filled with creamy coconut curry next to a cup of mango lassi — Prawn curry – rich and delicious with a mango lassi from a Ka’paa food truck

Other Food Truck Favorites

So many of the food truck serve tacos of every description—pork, chicken, prawns, seafood and even tofu. Kauai seems to have more taco joints than Mexico!

Other food truck staples are shaved ice and puka dogs. Alas, I didn’t get the chance to sample either. However, I did try another Kauai specialty—a Hawaiian grilled cheese sandwich containing pulled Kalua pork, Muenster cheese, and sweet pineapple at Pink’s Creamery in Hanalei Bay. Yes, it sounds a bit odd, but it was amazing!

Take-out

In Kauai, every restaurant I poked my nose into was hopping busy. I didn’t like taking up a whole table when groups were waiting and so usually I ordered take-out and ate it it in solitary splendor back on my lanai.

Unfortunately, take-out was rather hit-or-miss. The food was usually quite flavorful, but by the time I got it home, it was also usually cold. Fortunately, every place I stayed in had a microwave, but it’s not the same, let’s face it! And don’t think you’ll save money by getting take-out. The prices are the same for take-out and dine-in so the only thing you might save on is drinks.

I bought wine from local grocery stores to accompany my take-out meals. Once, I went to the bar at the Kauai Beach Resort to have a Mai Tai. After sipping the over-sweet concoction that cost over $20, I decided to forgo the tropical drinks.

Overall, I can’t say that my culinary experiences on Kauai lived up to the island’s reputation as a place to get great food. I think staff shortages may be one culprit. Almost every place I went, from a food truck to a nice restaurant, I saw Help Wanted signs. The lack of staff coupled with the crowds did not make for relaxing dining options, particularly for a single.

Shout-out to Brennekes

However, I must give a shout-out to Brennekes, a justifiably famous eatery on the South Shore overlooking Poipu Beach Park. I splurged on a sit-down meal there (my only one of the trip) and enjoyed a swoon-worthy plate of seafood risotto. Creamy, rich, and chock-a-block with scallops, prawns, fish chunks, and mushrooms, the risotto will stand as one of my all-time great meals.

Seafood risotto - creamy and studded with scallops, prawns, and fish — Creamy, rich seafood risotto was the best meal of my trip at Brenneckes on Kauai’s South Shore

Tip 10: Choose the Safest Beaches

Kauai has some of the best beaches in the Hawaiian Islands—long sandy stretches, turquoise waters, swaying palm trees—the whole tropical nine yards. However, the beaches can also be death traps, particularly for the solo traveler.

People drown every year on Kauai as a result of being caught in rip tides or swept out to sea by rogue waves. If you’re on your own, who will be watching out for you if you get into trouble? Hopefully, there will be a lifeguard close by, but I wasn’t about to take any chances.

Sign listing the guidelines for safe swimming from a Kauai beach — Take warnings like this seriously!

Almost every day I was on Kauai, the water at most beaches was too rough for swimming. I found only two places where I could consistently swim, and even they could get quite choppy.

Swimming on the North Shore

My favorite safe beach on the North Shore was Anini Beach. The lagoon is ringed by a reef and so safe enough even for children (and solo travelers like me!). I went there a few times to bob around.

View of Anini Beach on the North Shore of Kauai — Anini Beach on Kauai’s North Shore

Also on the North Shore is Tunnels Beach which, like Anini Beach, is reputed to be safe for swimming most of the time. The day I drove there, I couldn’t find parking so only got to see it the day I swam from the boat during the Nāpali Sea Breeze tour. Oh well!

Swimming on the South Shore

On the South Shore, Poipu Beach at Poipu Beach Park is ranked as one of the best beaches in the world. That is a bit of a stretch since the bottom is not very sandy (water shoes are a must!). However, the location is certainly delightful and the snorkeling good.

View of Poipu Beach on the South Shore of Kauai — Poipu Beach on Kauai’s South Shore

On the East Shore, Lydgate Beach Park is usually safe for swimming but the day I was there, the wind was whipping the waves into a white-capped frenzy so, um, no.

The safest way to swim on Kauai is to hop into the pool at your hotel or condo. Sure, it’s not as exciting as swimming in the ocean, but it’s refreshing, generally uncrowded, and your chances of waving goodbye to this life while being swept out to sea are pretty much nil.

Tours on Kauai

Here are some GetYourGuide tours on Kauai.

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Conclusion

I loved traveling solo around Kauai. The pace was relaxed, the weather glorious (even if occasionally windy), the roads easy to drive, the service people uniformly helpful and friendly, and the scenery to die for.

If you’re craving a bit of “me time” away from your regular life, consider taking a solo trip to Kauai.

Aloha!

Have you traveled solo on Kauai? Share your recommendations in the Comments below.

Here are two more posts on Kauai: