Every main island in Hawaii has a unique appeal and flavor, but I think Kauai stands out. This is Hawaii’s oldest island, meaning it’s been eroded for a long time. Therefore, it tends to have the best and most extensive sandy beaches. This is a place filled with some magnificent marvels like the Napali coast.
Kauai is indeed extraordinary. However, it still has some flaws, which this article attempts to decipher. It’s also an opportunity to educate travelers with some Kauai travel tips that come in handy during their time here.
What you need to know
Vacationing can be stressful since you are out of your usual surroundings. It’s also a time when a lot of money is spent, and logistics need to be addressed. Regardless of whom you travel with, you may be stressed out, especially after you realize things aren’t going as you imagined. Here are some tips for traveling to Kauai that should prepare you mentally for this amazing destination:
Be ready for stressful traffic situations
Most people living in Kauai or visiting it would probably tell you that traffic is one of the most stressful things you will encounter. If you see the destination, be ready for crazy traffic situations.
You need to note that navigating the island all the way around is impossible. This is because the highway only covers about three-quarters of Kauai. This means that a quarter of the island doesn’t have a road, and it’s where Napali Coast State Wilderness Park is situated. To experience this short stretch, you must participate in the Niihau or Napali Coast boat tours. You can’t claim to have genuinely experienced Kauai unless you’ve been to the Napali coast.
Kapaa area is the most notorious as far as traffic is concerned. This daily jam is referred to as the Kapaa Crawl” by the locals. The bottleneck traffic happens every day even though there is a bypass. The best thing is to traverse Kapaa late or very early. Try to keep trips to those parts of Kauai minimal. Avoid Kaumauli’s highway in the late afternoons since traffic can be pretty slow.
To be fair, traffic delays are likely to happen anywhere on the island, but they tend to be worse in Kapa. Exercise patience and take things easy. Always allocate enough time to travel to everyone you need to be somewhere. Stay hydrated and have some snacks at all times.
High cost of living
The cost of living in Kauai keeps going up with time. While this is evident in many parts of the world, Kauai seems to be on the next level. Anyone from a big city may not be fazed by the prices here. However, it is possible to experience some shock from other places.
Things in Kauai are quite expensive, so you should be ready to avoid being stressed or surprised. It’s essential to plan to prevent this. One incredible thing about Kauai is that the beaches and parks are primarily free. The exceptions here are Ha’ena State Park, Napali Coast State Wilderness Park, and Waimea Canyon State Park, where you must pay an entrance fee if you are a non-resident and a parking fee. You must make advance parking and entry reservations to go to Ha’ena State Park.
High demand for goods and services
This is among the important Kauai Hawaii travel tips to bear in mind. Even though it’s a small island, the demand is high. With a resident population of 73,000 and around 100,000-140,000 visitors a month, there is quite a high demand for resources. The pandemic worsened the situation mainly because the economy is principally based on tourism. The destination is still getting back on its feet.
The main thing here is to book things and activities in advance due to the constant high demand. Some activities are sold out months or weeks in advance, especially during summer, spring break, and holidays. These are the peak seasons.
The trick here is to conduct research, pick the activities that interest you, and book them in advance. You can then plan diligently, making the most of your time. Consider combining your attractions and activities to cover more ground. You’ll be able to make good use of time in this way.
Have a pre-planned itinerary to act as a trip guide. This makes things more enjoyable than relying on last-minute arrangements. The latter wastes your time and leaves you frustrated.
Having a plan helps you deviate from it, especially if an opportunity arises or you are inspired in another way. It’s one of the best ways to let things unfold naturally or organically.
Be ready for rain
Most people expect a vacation in Hawaii to be all sunshine. However, this is not always true in Kauai, especially when visiting the north shore. This is where the Hanalei River is located, and it can flood sometimes. This has led to Hanalei Bridge’s closure, which happens several times a year. Sometimes, the bridge has to be closed for hours, but it may remain closed for a couple of days if circumstances are extreme. This causes delays on either side of the bridge.
Depending on phone settings and phone carrier you are using. You may get or fail to get the flash flood alerts. If you spot such an alert, it’s essential to take it seriously, get over the bridge, and be where you should be before the flooding starts.
If you spot torrential rains, dial local stations like the KONG FM to be in the know. The station reports conditions on the general traffic, road, and bridge closures, and flash flooding alerts.
Don’t expect any nightlife
This is among the tips to travel to Kauai that you should keep in mind. If you are a night owl and plan to enjoy some time in Kauai, please note that there is no nightlife. There wasn’t much for nightlife before the pandemic. After it hit, everything froze. After 10pm, there isn’t much going on in this destination.
Best times to visit Kauai
Among the travel tips for Kauai Hawaii is to pick the best time to visit. This destination attracts many family travelers, meaning summer is crowded, and many tourists are here. This translates to higher rates for car rentals and hotels. This makes the peak season an expensive time to be in the area.
Visiting Kauai in the shoulder season means fantastic excursions, rentals, and accommodation deals. This is generally from August to October or April to June. The month of May can be termed as the best month to visit the destination because of the great weather. Things are less busy when compared to other times of the year.
You can schedule a trip within the mentioned shoulder Windows. However, it’s important to note that there is no bad time to visit the destination. Even in the December rainy season, you are still bound to have a fantastic time.
Search and book accommodation in good time
As stated earlier, making plans before you travel makes a big difference. Consider it a vital tip for anyone visiting Kauai for the first time. To make the trip memorable, choose the best accommodation. Select the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa if this is your target. It is in Pooipu, southern side. If you are targeting the north shore, then Hotel Hanalei Bay is a brilliant choice.
Hanalei Bay Hotel is one of the best in luxury design and fills the gap for those who want a boutique-style hotel. However, it is more of a resort as well. Many other accommodation options are available, and you can book depending on the area that interests you or your budget.
Make early car rental bookings
A car rental is necessary when traveling to Kauai. Public transport is not reliable in this destination. When you get a vehicle, you can control your time and the places you visit. Taking detours is much easier this way as well. Jeeps are great here because of the rugged terrain. It is also great for the sunny, warm days when you want the top down.
While you don’t really need a jeep, they are the perfect choice for island driving, muddy conditions, and gravel roads. This means they sell out quite fast. There is a future vehicle stock on the island, so if you are sure about the time you want to visit, make sure you make your bookings early enough.
Last-minute searches can be hectic, and you may not find a car within your budget. If you find it hard to find a car rental, try Turo. This is a marketplace where you can get rentals and rides from locals. This way, you can skip the car rental booking process. It shouldn’t replace the regular rental, but it is a worthy alternative or backup.
Split time between different parts of the island
There is much to do in Kauai, and you may not cover much ground, mainly when you have limited time. In case of this, you may stick to either Princeville or Poip. However, if you want to do more within that short time, switch up the accommodation to sample other parts of the island. Don’t book a whole week in one resort to pull this off. You could also make bookings to other areas and plan it so everything flows smoothly.
If you have more time, break up the trip to different rentals or hotels in other parts of the island. Only in this way can all unique sides be embraced and sampled. This allows you to explore closer to where you are at a time. This is one of the best travel tips for Kauai.
Take time to explore the food scene
One of the travel tips for Kauai is to enjoy the food. Food trucks, poke stands, and fine dining locations are all over the island. Don’t miss the fresh seafood while in this region. There is a wide variety of food to enjoy, so don’t miss these. The poke shops and food trucks are a great option when you want to snack. The finer places are great for romantic dinners, but you must book at places like The Beach House a month in advance.
F.A.Q
How many days do we need in Kauai?
The number of days spent in Kauai mainly depends on your time. For the best experience, one week would suffice. This is adequate time to:
- Get over the jet lag
- Visit the Napali coast
- Relax and enjoy time at the beach
- Enjoy the various activities in different parts of the island
- Explore several attractions
What is the best month to travel to Kauai?
The best time to tour Kauai is a personal thing because it depends on the kind of experience you need. You can consider the following travel Kauai hawaii tips:
- Weather: Visit in May and April if you are targeting good weather with fewer crowds. June is an excellent time, too, when it’s not so muggy as during the hurricane season.
- April, May, September, and October are less crowded. These months are not so popular with tourists. June is also a good time because there are fewer kids.
- For a snorkeling trip, summer is the best time. Most snorkeling spots are in great condition during this time.
What side of Kauai is best to stay on?
The side you pick depends on the different features you are targeting.
- The south shore is the sunny side with restaurants, shops, beaches, and other amenities within a short distance. You enjoy shopping, wildlife, and food here. The weather is mainly hot and dry.
- West Shore: It’s a great spot if you love outdoor activities.
- North Shore: It’s the most authentic, with variable weather especially in winter and stunning scenery. It is the windward side, which is generally moist and cooler.
When not to go to Kauai?
If you can, avoid the rainy season, mainly from November to March. The wettest months are January and December; the island gets 10 inches of rain each month. While you can still visit during the wet season, you should come prepared with weather-specific clothes to tackle it.
Conclusion
Kauai is definitely one of the best places to tour. The Kauai Hawaii travel tips above should help you prepare for an enjoyable holiday. They also sharpen you on what to expect and things you should keep an eye out for. As mentioned, there is only one road here, so there are times when you will have to hike to get to some spots. Alternatively, you can opt for a helicopter flight. As with any other destination, planning a vacation can make a huge difference in how things turn out. Understand the area and do your due diligence before traveling.
