Kauai

And that’s why they filed Jurassic Park here. © The Real Destinations 2022

The oldest major island in the Hawaiian chain, Kauai is almost the opposite of Oahu. It has the fewest visitors overall, compared to Maui or even the Big Island, with almost none of the large resorts. It’s probably the least developed overall of the 4 main islands, and the locals prefer it that way. You still frequently see wild (or feral) chickens roaming about here.

The star attraction is the breathtaking Na Pali coast. The other islands have their share of steep drops from former volcanos into the ocean, but none compare to what eons of erosion did here. What remains of the ancient volcano peak has one face that’s basically plunging straight into the Pacific. It’s one of the more memorable sights anywhere on planet Earth.

Another unique attraction here is the Kalalau Trail, a big deal if you’re into hiking. It’s considered one of the most scenic in the US, and you’ll see why. It’s like the hiking equivalent of the road to Hana, perched right over the ocean most of the way, mountains and jungle on one side, the crystal waters of the Pacific on the other. Hairpin turns and constant changes in elevation on this one-way trail means the 11 miles basically requires camping overnight.

United, American, Southwest, and Delta: All fly direct to the Big Island from select US mainland cities. Everyone else will have to connect through Honolulu or one of the US cities that fly direct. Personally, if you’re going to connect, I’d break up the long flight in the middle rather than at the end in Honolulu.

The least developed major island. © The Real Destinations 2022

The Good:

The coastal views from a boat, hiking trails, and secluded beaches are the main highlights here, to a degree that’s even better than the other islands.
This is the island where you can best get away from reminders that Hawaii is a premier global tourism hotspot, with the fewest people on simple vacations that they probably could’ve taken closer to home.
Gets enough visitors that you can still fly direct here from select mainland airports, but small enough to drive around well within a day.

The Bad:

Less developed + fewer tourists = less accommodations for visitors, so it’s still expensive. You’re probably better off with Airbnb on this island.
Similar to Maui, you’re not going to find a lot of food options, but less overpriced stuff targeted only to visitors at least.
If this is your first time to Hawaii, the other islands are just too tempting.

the Summary:

Kauai is where you go for the least touristy side of Hawaii. You won’t see big resorts or shopping centers here. The roads are two lanes, the buildings are low, and the crowds are nonexistent. But what you do find here is a wild coastline that you’ll definitely want to see from all angles, from hiking its edge to seeing it from the ocean.

Like the other Hawaiian islands, the main road basically circles the island, but it never fully connects to form a circle. (With the exception of Maui, but even that’s not paved.) In Kauai, the break in the circle is the star attraction: The Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon. Here’s where you find the natural scenery that really stands out on this island.

For the Na Pali Coast, you’ll need to go on a boat tour or charter one yourself. You have to see this from the ocean to really take in just how far it plunges from the misty peaks into the ocean.

For the Kalalau Trail, some planning is required. You’ll need to drive to the very end of the coastal road into the state park, where there’s plenty of stops to distract you along the way. Then, it’s a 11 mile hike hugging the edge of the cliff in most spots, with constant elevation changes. That ends in the valley, where you’ll need to pitch a tent before returning the next day.

They say a challenge with this hike is balancing the weight of overnight camp with the constant uphill/downhill demands from the terrain. Otherwise, you can turn around after the first secluded beach, which is only 1-2 miles from the end of the road.