Kaua’i, also known as “the Garden Island,” is renowned as the most dramatic and greenest of Hawaii’s islands. It boasts pristine, lush landscapes and countless hiking opportunities. I almost decided to skip it when I realized how expensive it is, but in the end, I realized I would regret not visiting this remarkable island while I’m here.
From Big Island to Kauai
There were actually no direct connections between these two islands, so I had to hop first back to Honolulu and from there to Kauai. The whole thing still took less than 2 hours and costed about 100 €.
Getting around Kauai
Just like on the Big Island, there is basically no public transport here. I rented another car for 3 days, which cost just under 300 USD. Luckily, the island is rather small, so I managed with only one tank.
Accomodations on Kauai
There is not a single hostel on this island. The cheapest accommodations I could find were somewhat mediocre motels at the bargain price of 200 USD per night. I simply couldn’t. With a budget of 100 USD per day, which has been constantly challenged since Australia, I decided to spend the first night in my Kia and repeated this on the second night as well. After two nights like this, I craved nothing more than a shower and a comfortable bed, so I gave in and paid for the third and final night on Kauai. It was quite the adventure and an amazingly beautiful place to be. See below!
The main things to do on Kauai
- Kalalau Trail (Nā Pali Coast) – A challenging but iconic 35 km round-trip hike with stunning coastal views (permits required for the full trail).
- Canyon Trail (Waimea Canyon) – A 6.5 km hike offering views of Waimea Canyon and Waipo’o Falls.
- Sleeping Giant Trail (Nounou Mountain) – A moderate 6.5 km hike with panoramic views from the summit.
- Hanakāpī‘ai Falls Trail – A 13 km hike (round trip) to a breathtaking waterfall, starting on the Kalalau Trail.
- Nā Pali Coast Boat Tours: – Explore sea cliffs, caves, and marine life (great alternative if you can’t hike).
- Jurassic Helicopter Tours – Visit some of the Jurassic Park Filming locations that can only be reached by helcopter. Sadly, I had to skip this one.
- Beaches: Visit Tunnels Beach for snorkeling or Polihale Beach for sunset.
- Waimea Canyon Drive: Scenic overlooks and short trails into “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”
Enjoy the greenest of Hawaii’s islands :
