Know Before You Go, North Shore Kauai Driving Tour

Know Before You Go, Shaka Guide's North Shore Kauai Driving Tour

January 02, 2025

Shaka Guide

Start Planning!

You’re about to go on an awesome adventure through the North Shore of Kaua'i and beyond, but there are a few things you should know about the tour before you get started.

The tour can be started in Kapa’a or Princeville and is completed in a loop, ending where you began.
Entrance to Ha’ena State Park is limited. You must reserve your entry and parking or shuttle in advance. It costs is $5 per person to enter and $10 to park (parking is extremely limited). You can also take a shuttle from a park-and-ride near Hanalei if you cannot get a parking reservation. The shuttle costs $35 round trip. Entrance for Hawai'i residents is free. Make your reservation up to 30 days in advance here: www.gohaena.com.
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is open Wednesday-Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Advanced reservations are now required at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Entrance is $11 for adults and free for children under 16. America the Beautiful pass holders pay a $1 reservation fee. Parking is free. Make reservations here.
Limahuli Botanical Garden is open Tuesday-Saturday from 8:30 am - 4 pm. There is a $30 entry fee for adults; it’s free for children under 13. Reservations are highly recommended as parking is limited. In addition, the garden offers a special discount for shuttle riders who show their passes when checking in. Book here.
Anini Beach and Tunnels Beach are great snorkel spots. Pack your own gear or rent some in Princeville or Hanalei (respectively).

What to Expect!

To Get An Early Start

Depending on when your reservation time slot is, we recommend starting the tour before 9:00 a.m.

If you’re planning on hiking some of the Kalalau Trail, you’ll need to do that in the daylight. This is one of the last stops on the tour, so plan ahead and make sure you have time to finish your hike before the park closes or you need to catch the shuttle.

To Spend 6-8 Hours Exploring

This tour only takes about a half-day - 4-6 hours - to complete, but you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the beaches, hikes, and garden.

To Be Active

There are only two hiking trails on this tour, but one, the Kalalau Trail, is one of the most adventurous in Hawai'i. There’s no way you could hike the whole thing on your tour with us (it’s 11 miles!), but we highly recommend you hike to the first viewpoint of the Na Pali Coast. That's about a two-mile round trip when you leave from the parking lot. You can also extend your hike to Hanakapi'ai Beach for a total of four miles round trip.

To Beach Hop and Snorkel

This tour features eight beaches! We’ll take you to some remote spots where you might have the beach entirely to yourself. These are really special spots, and we’re excited to share them with you! Not to mention, there are two beautiful beaches (Anini and Tunnels) that are perfect for snorkeling.

Try Local Food

There aren’t too many food spots on this tour, but you'll find a few options in Hanalei.

To Learn

Sure, we’ll share the stories of the places you’re visiting, but on the entire return trip, we’ll tell you the tales of King Kamehameha the Great and his attempts to conquer Kauai’s King Kaumuali'i--and how he was finally able to unite the Hawaiian Islands.

Budgeting

How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route, but here’s a breakdown of some costs:

$15.00 per person: Lunch
$5.00 per person: Local snack
$10.00 per vehicle plus $5.00 per person entrance to Haena State Park (past Hanalei) if driving.
$35 per person if taking the shuttle to Ha'ena State Park (past Hanalei). This includes the park entrance fee.
$11 per adult, free for 16 and under: Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. $1 with America the Beautiful pass. (Free parking)
$30 per adult for the Limahuli Garden Self-guided Tour. Free for children under 13.

Start Packing!

Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day.

Sneakers
Hiking Clothes
Water Bottle
Bug Spray
Towel
Bathing Suit
Snorkel Gear (pick up at ABC store)
Sandals
Reef-safe Sunscreen
Sun Glasses and/or Hat
Snacks
Cash
Car Charger *Very Important*
Phone Mount

Malama 'Aina

In Hawaiian the word malama means “to take care” and the word 'aina means “land.”

When you’re in Hawai'i, we ask that you practice this and pick up your trash; respect the marine life, plants, and animals; and avoid spots that are unsafe.

Hawaii’s natural resources are precious. It’s up to all of us to help preserve these resources for generations by respecting the land and culture when you visit.

And remember... when visiting Hawaii, always be sure to be a responsible and safe tourist! Here are 10 Ways to be a Safe and Responsible Traveler in Hawaii.

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We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more help planning your day check out our North Shore Kauai Driving Tour suggested itinerary.