katelynn louise: Guide to KAUAI!

My top tips //

1.) Rent a car. The island is spread out with little means of transportation.

2.) If you are the camping type, buy a cheapo tent (we found ours on sale for 40$ at the K-mart by the airport) and check out the campsite listed below.It is the only campsite I would recommend. The other campsites we checked out or heard about were sketchy and definitely not as nice.

3.) If you do the entire 8-mile hike to the falls that we did, you won't be taking home the shoes you wear. Ideally, bring your old running shoes or old hiking boots. You need to be able to hike some crazy terrain thru wet clay and mud so be sure they are comfy. Pack a couple pair of dry socks to wear on the hike back and be sure to bring a good amount of healthy food, lots of water and bug spray on the hike. Check out the post I shared below for more helpful info!

Recommended places //

Snorkeling gear rental and best snorkeling beach: Boss Frogs (There are a few different Boss Frogs locations, but this one is right on the best snorkeling beach on the island!)

5022 Lawai Road - At the Beach House Restaurant

Camping: Haena Beach Park Kuhio Highway (Hwy 560), Haena HI 96714

Resort: Kauai Beach Resort 4331 Kauai Beach Drive Lihue, HI 96766

Hike: Hanakapiai Falls

Kalalau Trail, Na Pali Coast, Kauai, THIS POST has extremely helpful information about what to expect on the hike if you scroll down the page a bit to the "The Route In Detail" section. Read more about our time on this hike here.

Restaurants: THE FOOD! I NEVER expected one of my very favorite things about this island would be the food, but it was AMAZING! We ate crazy amounts of sushi, acai bowls, fresh fruit, more sushi, fish tacos and drank tons of coconut water and smoothies.

The places below are some I will never forget!

Cafe Coco delicious vegan food and AMAZING healthy smoothies!

4-369 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, HI 96746

Rainbow Cafe "Casual cafe specializing in locally grown, organic, vegan & gluten-free fare, with raw food classes."

4-1384 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, HI 96746

Tiki Tacos - JUST THE BEST FISH TACOS EVER. Seemed like more of a little local joint with nothing but tacos made with fresh and quality ingredients.

4-971 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, HI 96746

Kintaro Japanese Restaurant - Best sushi I have ever had and the green tea ice cream cake is to die for. Not the best atmosphere, but the food makes up for it.

4-370 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa, HI 96746