Kauai Ramblings: A Week of Exploration and Delicious Discoveries
I just spent a week on Kauai. I want to share some of the things I did and places I ate. Many people look for recommendations, so I hope this helps. I packed this trip quite full. I wanted to distract myself from usual routines. I didn’t get much beach relaxation time. The length of this post shows that!
Everything was wonderful. It rained a lot for the first few days. We live in Southern California, so rain is rare. It was quite cool to experience. Kauai is a tropical island, after all. Rain is expected.
I split my time evenly between the North and South. This allowed me to see more of the island. I experienced its different micro-climates and communities. I had many things planned. However, the rain changed some plans. My morning Na Pali coast boat tour was canceled. The pineapple tour at Sugarloaf was also canceled. I thought about rescheduling the boat tour. But I decided to save it for another trip.
Next time, I might not split the trip. It’s nice to stay in one place. Moving takes time and effort.
Finding a Place to Stay
In the North, I stayed at the Club Wyndham Bali Hai Villas. I used points, so it was free. It’s in Princeville. This is a nice community. But it can be inconvenient for driving around the island. The units are fine, but a bit old. I found some ants in the bathroom. Not all units have air conditioning. I suggest asking for a second-floor unit. This way, you won’t hear people above you. The bed was not comfortable at all. There are many nene geese and chickens on the property. They start crowing early, sometimes before dawn. A white noise app could be very helpful.
For the South, I splurged on the Grand Hyatt a few nights. I booked through Costco. I highly recommend doing this. It was only a couple hundred dollars more than booking directly. But it included a rental car. It also covered hotel breakfast and resort fees. Plus, I got a $300 hotel credit. I used the credit at the spa. The hotel was beautiful. The grounds were stunning. It had an adults-only pool area. Everyone working there was friendly. I would stay there again. But I would need to use points or have someone else pay.
Things to Do and See
Kauai Backcountry Adventures tubing was incredibly fun. It’s a unique experience. Wear a rash guard. Be careful if you have any back or joint issues. We spun around and bumped into rocky walls a lot. This would be super fun with kids. There are many tunnels. I sometimes get claustrophobic, needing medication for flights or MRIs. But I was totally fine during the tubing.
Kilauea Mini Golf was a spontaneous stop. Our boat trip was canceled. It rained while we played. I don’t really recommend playing in the rain. But it’s a unique and beautiful mini golf course. It’s also a small botanical garden. It offers information about plants and Hawaiian history. This was great for us, as we enjoy learning. It was also my first time beating my partner at mini golf! There is a farmers market next door on Saturdays.
The Lydgate Chocolate Farm tour is a bit pricey. But if you love chocolate or learning, it’s a must-do. The farm is gorgeous. You get to eat raw cacao fruit. They offer many chocolates to taste. If you just want to taste chocolate, visit their location in Kapa‘a. It’s free there! This was probably my partner’s and my favorite activity.
I visited the Kauai Humane Society. I took a dog, Ms. Snuffy, out for a field trip. We had a blast. If you like dogs and want to help the local community, please consider it. We went on a hike to the cliff at Shipwrecks. It was quite a cool spot.
Waimea Canyon was breathtaking. I drove up as far as possible. I stopped at every viewpoint. You can hike there if you like. Or you can just enjoy the drive, if you’re not into strenuous activity. There’s also a small natural history museum there, which is interesting.
The Kauai Coffee Company offers a cute self-guided walk. It goes through part of the plantation. There’s a free coffee tasting too. I bought some whole beans they only sell there. They were a bit pricey. Shirley at the coffee tasting station was very friendly and helpful!
Don’t miss the farmers markets. There’s at least one somewhere on the island every day. Go and try new things. Buy from local vendors. Get some sugarcane juice with lime. Have you heard of eggfruit? I hadn’t, and it’s absolutely delicious!
A Culinary Journey: What I Ate
I love food. I ate a lot. I don’t think I had a single bad meal. I know I missed many things. I wanted to visit more bakeries. But I didn’t have enough time or stomach space. Here’s everywhere I went.
Aloha Roasters in Lihue was my first stop. I got coffee after landing. I would definitely recommend it.
The Musubi Truck has multiple locations. I visited the one in Kapa‘a. It was super tasty. They offer a selection of musubi and some poke. But I got Da Bomb and some tater tots. Honestly, they might have been the best tater tots I’ve ever had.
Do not overlook Foodland. Their hot bar is great. So is their deli counter, poke, and sushi. Especially if you’re in Princeville, Foodland is a good option. Many restaurants in Hanalei close by 8:30 PM. You can get a really good poke bowl for about $9. It’s also a lively place at night. Everyone heads there when other places are closed. The sushi at Kilauea market is the same as Foodland’s. I also got my essential butter mochi there. The ube flavor did not disappoint.
At Kilauea Bakery, not everything I tried was amazing. But the malasada and Danish were solid. I suspect I didn’t choose the best items.
By the time I reached Kilauea Fish Market, there was only one type of poke left. But it was good. The mac salad was also pretty tasty. The spicy pork was super flavorful.
Familee Korean Shave Ice in Kapa‘a was incredible. I admit, I sometimes miss obvious things. I didn’t realize they shave milk, not ice. That’s why it tasted so incredibly good. It’s less sweet than traditional Hawaiian shave ice. The selection is a bit limited. I would 1000% go back and try everything.
Wake Up Delicious in Hanalei has limited options. But the food is tasty. The burritos are huge. The pork with cabbage was excellent.
Holey Grail Donuts, found in Hanalei and other spots, are delicious when fresh. I highly recommend them. But if you wait an hour, the texture changes a lot. Try the fruity ones! The iced chai latte was also very good.
I ate at Bar Acuda in Hanalei. I used a Resy credit from my Amex. It’s the only Resy restaurant on the island. Everything I had was delicious. It’s a bit pricey for what it is. But it is a nice restaurant on Kauai, so that’s to be expected.
Silver Cloud Eatery in Kilauea served incredible breakfast burritos. The couple who run it are among the nicest people I’ve met. The Kalua pork was delicious. But I preferred the Cubano. I added some breadfruit “potatoes” to it. Make sure to get them smothered in sauce. You’ll thank me.
I heard great things about Smiley’s in Lihue for a mixed plate. I heard correctly. Their chicken katsu was fantastic. The pumpkin crunch was also tasty. Everything was good. They’ve been around for a long time; they know their stuff.
Jojo’s Shave Ice in Waimea has other locations too. This was by far the best traditional shave ice I’ve ever had. Maybe it was the macadamia nut ice cream at the bottom. The syrups aren’t too sweet. They are packed with flavor. It looked like a huge portion. I thought I wouldn’t finish half. But I ate the whole thing and wanted more.
Sushi Station in Lihue, across from Costco, is the place for sushi. Nigiri, maki, American-style rolls – they have it all. The fish is so fresh. The rice is perfect. The presentation is beautiful. I regretted not eating here sooner. I would have come back. It’s a 100/10 experience.
At Porky’s in Koloa, the Kalua pork was tasty. But it was too salty on its own. However, in the grilled cheese and other dishes, with the other ingredients, it was delicious!
I tried the ice cream at Koloa Mill Ice Cream & Coffee. It was really tasty! I got the Kona mud pie.
The hotel food at the Grand Hyatt was fine. I’ve had better breakfast buffets. But it was pretty good. There was a decent variety. The service was excellent. I don’t know what they put in the French toast. I could eat it all day. I ordered room service once on my last day. It was fine, nothing special. I would definitely choose off-campus meals next time.
Final Thoughts on Kauai
Everyone on the island was incredibly friendly. Kauai itself is beyond beautiful. The humidity eventually got to me, but I didn’t want to leave. I hope I was a good guest. Kauai was an excellent host.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Kauai
What are some unique activities to do on Kauai?
Consider tubing with Kauai Backcountry Adventures for a unique experience. Or, try miniature golf at Kilauea Mini Golf, which doubles as a botanical garden. The Lydgate Chocolate Farm tour offers a deep dive into chocolate making. You can also take a dog from the Kauai Humane Society out for a day trip.
Where are the best places to find good local food on Kauai?
For quick, tasty bites, check out Musubi Truck and the hot bar at Foodland. For shave ice, Familee Korean Shave Ice offers a unique milky texture. Jojo’s Shave Ice is praised for its traditional offerings. Sushi Station in Lihue is highly recommended for fresh sushi. For a truly local mixed plate, Smiley’s in Lihue is a great choice.
Are there good options for lodging on both the North and South shores?
On the North Shore, Club Wyndham Bali Hai Villas are available, but consider unit features like AC and floor level. For the South Shore, the Grand Hyatt, especially when booked through Costco, offers a luxurious stay with good value-added benefits like a rental car and breakfast credit.
What should I know about driving and getting around Kauai?
Staying in Princeville in the North can mean longer drives for island exploration. Splitting your trip between the North and South Shores allows you to experience different parts of the island. Be prepared for occasional rain, especially at the start of your trip.
What are some tips for dining out or finding food on Kauai?
Many restaurants, especially in areas like Hanalei, close early. Foodland can be a great option for late-night meals or affordable poke bowls. Farmers markets are a fantastic way to try local produce and support local vendors. For bakeries, Kilauea Bakery offers solid malasadas and Danes.
What type of weather can I expect on Kauai?
Kauai is a tropical island, so rain is common, especially in certain seasons. Be prepared for some humidity. The island experiences various micro-climates, meaning weather can differ from one area to another.
References
This article is based on personal travel experiences and observations from a recent trip to Kauai. Information regarding specific businesses, activities, and lodging is gathered from direct visits and interactions during the trip.
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