Our experience of the "Garden Island": when nature remains untouched
When you think of Hawaii and which island to visit, Oahu or Maui will probably come up first. Both are perfectly good choices, but have you considered Kauai? As the fourth most visited island of Hawaii per the 2020 Annual Visitor Research Report, there is plenty to do and see.
"Kauai is Hawaii's fourth largest island and is sometimes called the "Garden Island,"... The oldest and northernmost island in the Hawaiian chain is draped in emerald valleys, sharp mountain spires and jagged cliffs aged by time and the elements. Centuries of growth have formed tropical rainforests, forking rivers and cascading waterfalls!" - Go Hawaii
You'll find that a lot of the island is only accessible by sea or air, which means a lot of unique activities, like helicopter tours and mountain tubing. We booked a six day trip, which we found to be ample enough time to pack in some of these experiences and also suntan on the beach. Read on to see what we did and what we thought!
Things To Do
Helicopter Tour ($$$)
A must-do! As mentioned before, a lot of Kauai can only be seen by sea or air because so much of the island remains untouched. Taking a tour via air is truly one of the only ways to really see the whole island. It is on the pricier side, but it is well worth it. 100% tour with the doors off! We went with Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours and it was about $300/person for a private tour. Unlike Jack Harter, you're guaranteed a window seat so nothing obstructs your view. FYI - it does get pretty windy up in the skies, so definitely bring a jacket.
ATV Tour ($$)
Mountain Tubing ($$)
Botanical Gardens ($)
Snorkeling (free!)
Horseback Riding ($$)
Tips
We highly recommend purchasing water shoes— the beaches are gorgeous but the sharp rocks beneath the waters have no mercy
Bring a little bit of cash in a secured pocket/ bag to tip your guides
Rent a car! Things are more spread apart (it takes about an hour to get from the northern part of the island to the southern), so it’ll make getting around the island way easier
In short, if you love Hawaii's gorgeous beaches, lush mountains and rich culture, but maybe not so much the endless hoard of tourists, Kauai is perfect for you. Regardless of your or your group‘s age or risk-taking comfort level, there's bound to be something for everyone.
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