"Kauai is what Hawaii looked like before the rest of the world arrived."
Kauai is the oldest and most geologically dramatic of the Hawaiian Islands — a place of extraordinary natural beauty that has been largely protected from the overdevelopment that has transformed parts of Maui and Oahu. The Nā Pali Coast is one of the most dramatic landscapes on earth; Waimea Canyon is the Grand Canyon of the Pacific; and Hanalei Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in the world. The island has no building taller than a coconut palm, and the pace of life reflects that restraint.
"The Nā Pali Coast by boat at sunset — sixteen miles of sea cliffs, and a silence that is absolute."
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At a Glance
What Not to Miss
The Nā Pali Coast
Sixteen miles of fluted green sea cliffs rising 4,000 feet above the Pacific — accessible only by boat, helicopter, or the 11-mile Kalalau Trail. The Nā Pali Coast is one of the most dramatic landscapes on earth, and the boat tour from Hanalei Bay at sunset is one of the great travel experiences in the United States.
Waimea Canyon
The "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" — a 10-mile-long, 3,600-foot-deep canyon carved by the Waimea River, with colours that shift from red to purple to green depending on the light. The Kalalau Lookout at the top of the canyon road offers one of the most extraordinary views in Hawaii.
Hanalei Bay
A two-mile crescent of white sand on the North Shore, backed by taro fields and the Hanalei Valley — one of the most beautiful bays in the world. The town of Hanalei has excellent restaurants, surf shops, and a pace of life that is entirely its own.
Poipu Beach
The finest beach on the South Shore — a double crescent of golden sand with calm water on one side and surf on the other. The Hawaiian monk seals that haul out on the beach are a regular sight. The Grand Hyatt Kauai and the Koloa Landing Resort are both excellent bases.
Helicopter Tour
A helicopter tour of Kauai — over the Nā Pali Coast, into Waimea Canyon, and over the Mānoa Falls — is the finest way to understand the island's extraordinary topography. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is the operator of choice.
Snorkelling at Tunnels Beach
Tunnels Beach on the North Shore has some of the finest snorkelling in Hawaii — a large reef system with extraordinary coral formations and an abundance of tropical fish. The best conditions are in summer, when the North Shore swells subside.
Where to Stay
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Luxury ResortThe finest resort on the South Shore — 50 acres of gardens, a saltwater lagoon, multiple pools, and a spa that is among the best in Hawaii. The beach access is exceptional.
Hanalei Colony Resort
BoutiqueThe only resort on the North Shore — a collection of two-bedroom condominiums directly on the beach, with no TVs, no phones, and no distractions. The most authentic Kauai experience.
Timbers Kauai
Ultra-LuxuryA new ultra-luxury resort on the East Side, with private residences, a world-class spa, and a location that offers easy access to both the North Shore and the South Shore.
The Verdict
Hawaii's most beautiful island — take the helicopter, hike the Kalalau, and never leave Hanalei Bay.