How to See Kauai, Hawaii

Introduction
Kauai, Hawaii is known as the Garden Isle—and for good reason. It has a lush interior made all the more so by hundreds of inches of rainfall every year. It’s also the smallest and least populated of the main Hawaiian Islands, so if you’re looking for a relaxing Hawaiian getaway that doesn’t include huge crowds and the wackiness of Waikiki Beach, I recommend Kauai.

Steps
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Decide when you want to go—which pretty much can be year ’round since the climate is temperate. I went in September and a friend recently went in October. In the winter (November through March), the surf can be strong and so ocean activities can be tricky.
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Step Two
Consider where to stay: Kauai has high-end places like the Hyatt Regency but it also has condos (that’s where my group stayed, which cut down on the lodging cost) and a few quaint places, too. There are camping spots on Kauai as well (contact the County of Kauai at (808) 241-6660 for more info and where to get permits). An advantage of condo living or camping is you can cook your own food. Since Hawaii is isolated, they have to import much of their food—and dining out can be expensive.
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Step Three
Rent a car, it's tough getting around without one. And once you have your car, tie a ribbon or some other defining item to the car’s antenna. I was in a group of a dozen people with six cars among us—and every single one of them was an identical white sedan.
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Step Four
Go snorkeling. Kauai has some great beaches with clear bathtub-warm water. You can rent a mask and fins on the island, no need to drag them from home in your luggage. We went at Po’ipu Beach on the south side of the island. I’m told Tunnels Reef on the north shore has some great reefs. Purchase a bag of frozen peas from a local grocery store to attract the fish. And bring an underwater camera (you can buy a disposable one). The fish show up better in direct sunlight, so snap your picture as they swim by in the sunbeams.
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Step Five
See the Na Pali Coastline. This is one of Kauai’s most famous attractions—and it’s breathtaking. I managed to see it three different ways: hiking on foot, riding in a Zodiac boat, and flying in a helicopter!
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Step Six
Go for a hike. There are easy and moderate ones like the 1.75 Nounou Mt. Trail, which took us to the chest of the “Sleeping Giant” landmark and 360 degree views. I also did a more difficult hike along the Na Pali Coast’s Trail. Because it’s so wet and lush in Kauai (with ripe fruit falling on the trail!), hiking the Na Pali can be a muddy, sloggy affair. Be prepared to have your shoes (or boots) and legs be slathered in mud by the time you're done. Bring a hiking stick or pole to help you on the slippery parts. The cool part, though: it was a hike filled with views of waterfalls and rainbows!
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Step Seven
Take a Zodiac boat ride. This is another way to see the rugged Na Pali Coast. A Zodiac boat is a very large rubber boat with a motor on it—it’s sturdy but small enough to get into some cool “cave” type formations along the coast. We also went snorkeling off the boat as well.
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Step Eight
Take a helicopter ride. Ninety percent of Kauai is inaccessible, so this is the perfect way to see what the island really looks like—and by the way, the helicopter tour was my tip-top favorite activity in Kauai. We put on headphones playing majestic music and were airlifted over the stark beauty of Waimea Canyon (with resembles the Grand Canyon of Arizona!), the jagged Na Pali Coastline and the ancient crater of Mt. Wai'ale'ale. It rains nearly 400 inches a year on the top of the crater’s mountain, making it one of the wettest spots on earth—and everywhere we looked: waterfalls.
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Step Nine
Stop by the roadside stand selling smoothies—it became an afternoon treat during several of the days we were there. Check out Jo Jo’s Clubhouse for the shaved ice treats, too.
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Step Ten
Hang out at the beach, there are many to choose from. If you’re up for it, try the secluded Secret Beach (aka Kauapea Beach). It’s accessible via a 10-minute, steep hike, but offers a long golden-sand beach with a small waterfall plus calm waters — often filled with dolphin — during the summer.
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Step Eleven
This is only a short list on how to see Kauai—there are many other activities I didn’t have time for but I know they’re out there—SCUBA diving, kayaking, hiking Waimea Canyon—enjoy! But most of all, relax. Let the warm ocean breezes and sound of the waves lull you into happiness in this garden paradise.
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