Kauai is known as the Garden Isle, and once you step foot on this lush, green island, you'll see why! No matter what part of the island you explore, you'll find no shortage of natural beauty--from spectacular white sand beaches to deep canyons, jaw-dropping coastal cliffs, and misty rainforest valleys. In this guide, we'll share the key differences between our Kauai tours to help you decide which is best for your trip!
| North Shore Kauai | Wailua Valley & Waterfalls | Waimea & Na Pali | Poipu & Koloa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | Explore Kauai's stunning North Shore. Visit secluded beaches, the charming towns of Princeville and Hanalei, and the stunning Na Pali Coast. | Do you love waterfalls? On this tour you'll get the chance to see three waterfalls, go on multiple hikes, and check out the quaint seaside town of Kapa'a. | Explore the Grand Canyon of the Pacific - Waimea Canyon - and its stunning scenic spots and hikes. | The towns of Poipu and Koloa are quaint stops with history to learn! On this tour, we'll take you to a gorgous beach, a seaside hike, and an ancient fishpond. |
| Number of Stops | 18 | 19 | 19 | 15 |
| Approx. Time to Complete | 6-8 hours, full day | 6-8 hours, full day | 6-8 hours, full day | 4-6 hours, half-day |
| Tour Starting Point(s) | Kapa'a and Princeville | Lihue and Kapa'a | Lawai | Poipu and Lihue |
| Tour End Point(s) | Where you began | Where you began | Where you began | Where you began |
| Tour Direction | Counterclockwise | Counterclockwise | Counterclockwise | Counterclockwise |
Now that you know the basics, we’ve looked at each tour to determine which would be the best for your trip, based on your interests. Check out our recommendations below!
If you like…
Beaches
North Shore Kauai Tour
Our North Shore Kauai Tour has a total of eight beaches! Yep - eight. Many of these are secluded spots that line the island’s north shore. You can take your pick as you travel at your own pace with Shaka Guide.
Second Place: Poipu and Koloa
While the North Shore Tour might have the most beaches, we’ll give our Poipu and Koloa Tour an honorable mention. This excursion visits some beautiful beaches, such as Poipu Beach, which is great for snorkeling. One of our favorites, Shipwreck Beach, is a great place to watch surfers catching waves or go on a scenic coastal hike.
Food
Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour
If you’re a foodie, you have to check out our Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour. Kapa'a has some terrific local eateries where you can try popular Hawaii foods like poke, plate lunches, and shave ice!
History and Culture
North Shore Kauai
Every Shaka Guide tour shares a bit about the history and culture of the islands. But on the North Shore Kauai Driving Tour, you’ll hear tales of King Kamehameha and his attempts to overthrow Kauai. Learn about his favorite wife, Queen Ka’ahumanu, and her dedication to Kamehameha and a unified Hawaii Kingdom. In addition to history, you’ll hear fun facts about the island. Did you know the first season of Gilligan’s Island was filmed on Kauai? We’ll take you to that beach and more on this 6-8 hour tour!
Hiking
Waimea and Na Pali
Love to hike? Then we highly recommend you check out our Waimea and Na Pali driving tour. You’ll visit Waimea Canyon - the Grand Canyon of the Pacific - where we’ll guide you to spectacular three hikes. Our favorite? Canyon Trail for it’s epic views of this geologic wonder.
Second Place: Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour
We’d also like to give our Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour an honorable mention. On this day trip, you’ll have the opportunity to try three hikes, including a family-friendly hike to beautiful Ho'opi'i Falls.
Scenery
The answer to this is totally based on preference.
- For rainforest and jungle vibes, we recommend our Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour.
- For beautiful beaches and seaside towns, you can't go wrong with the North Shore Kauai Tour or our Poipu and Koloa Driving Tour.
- And for jaw-dropping views of deep canyons, sheer cliffs, and lush valleys, you'll definitely want to check out our Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Tour.
No matter which tour you choose, you'll find beautiful scenery around every bend!
Snorkeling
North Shore Kauai
As we mentioned, this is the best tour for beach lovers. It’s also our top pick for snorkelers! Among the eight beaches you can visit, two have great snorkel spots - Anini Beach and Tunnels. Here, you’ll see a variety of tropical fish and take in all the beauty of Kauai's shores.
You’re Short on Time
Poipu and Koloa Tour
Our Poipu and Koloa Tour takes about four hours to complete, but there’s no shortage of fun. You’ll visit the resort town of Poipu where you can stop at the beach for some snorkeling. Explore Shipwreck Beach, an expansive white-sand beach where you can swim, watch surfers, and even go on a short hike. And, stop at an ancient fishpond where you’ll learn about Hawaiian fishing practices that date back thousands of years.
If you’re staying in …
Poipu and Koloa
Poipu is a popular resort area, and if you happen to be staying here, there are two great tours that you can take that start nearby. The Poipu and Koloa Tour explores these two tourist towns and shares their fascinating history. If you’re looking to venture out of town, check out our Waimea and Na Pali Tour. It starts in Lawai, which is about ten minutes from Poipu by car.
Hanalei or Princeville
If you’re staying in the seaside towns of Hanalei or Princeville, check out our North Shore Kauai Tour. There’s a starting point right in Princeville, and it will take you along the coast to beaches, a nature preserve, and scenic hikes.
Lihue or Kapa’a
Lihue and Kapa’a are both conveniently located near Kauai’s single airport and are both great centralized locations to base your stay. If your accommodations are in either of these spots, you can do ANY of Shaka Guide's Kauai tours without having to drive too far. However, we’ll give shout outs to our Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour and North Shore Kauai Tours because both have starting points in Kapa’a, and the Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour also has a starting point right in Lihue.
FAQ
1. Can I do multiple tours in one day?
Yes, if you'd like to combine tours, you can mix the Wailua Valley & Waterfalls Tour and the North Shore Kauai Tour. It will be a jam-packed day, but it's possible. If so, we recommend starting early - by 8 a.m. so you can make the most of your day. Also, remember you'll need a Ha'ena State Park entry and parking reservation to visit Ke'e Beach or to hike the Kalalau Trail. Pay attention to your reservation time, whether you're combining tours or not!
2. What should I pack?
Great question. You’ve probably seen that our tours have a bit of everything - hiking, beaches, attractions. Depending on what activities you want to do and how much room you have in your luggage, we recommend packing:
- sturdy shoes for hiking
- a swimsuit, towel, and sandals/flip flops for the beach
- a extra set of clothes to change into after you swim
- sun glasses and/or hat
- cash (some places only accept cash)
- phone mount (optional, but helpful)
- reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellant, plus
- water bottles and snacks
3. Where do the tours go?
Check out our itineraries below:
4. I have questions about the app.
No problem! Check out our app FAQs. And, if you still have questions don’t hesitate to email us at aloha@shakaguide.com.
Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Kauai Tours!
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