Hawaii

NORTH SHORE KAUAI DRIVING TOUR

DurationDuration 4-6 hrs
DirectionTour Directions 2
tour Tour Stops 16
$19.99

Description

Kauai's North Shore is filled with beautiful beaches, scenic hiking trails and picturesque resort towns. On this tour, you can snorkel at a beach surrounded by a vibrant coral reef, visit a scenic waterfall, check out a lighthouse and bird sanctuary, or explore a historic garden.

Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!

•⁠ Snorkel at Anini or Tunnels Beach (past Hanalei)
•⁠ Visit the resort towns of Princeville and Hanalei
•⁠ Explore Limahuli Gardens
•⁠ Hike Okolehao Trail
•⁠ Hike the Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast (past Hanalei)

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Recommended Start Time: 11:00 a.m.
Tour Starting Point(s): Kapa’a and Princeville
Direction: Loop, ending where you began

*VERY IMPORTANT* Entry to Haena State Park is limited and advanced reservations for all vehicles, walk-in entries, and shuttle riders are required. You can make reservations up to 30 days in advance at www.gohaena.com. PLEASE NOTE: you will NOT be able to drive past Hanelei without an advance reservation. Parking and shuttle reservations are also required and available on the same site.

Even without a reservation, there is still a lot to see on this tour!

All Shaka Guide tours come with customer support and a satisfaction guarantee. Tours never expire.

Tour Stops

Preview Audio

Intro to Tour Kapaa
King Kong - Hole in Mountain
Turn for view of King Kong
GILLIGAN'S ISLAND

Tour Route

Important Travel Info

Safety & Etiquette
Budgeting, Fees & Reservations
Time & Schedule
Suggested Packing List

In Hawaiian the word malama means “to take care” and the word aina means “land.” When you’re in Hawaii, 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.

Please Note: 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 nearby park if you cannot get a parking reservation. The shuttle costs $35 round trip.  Entrance for Hawaii residents is free. Without a reservation the road is closed passed Hanalei. Make your reservation up to 30 days in advance here.
  • Advanced reservations are now required at Kilauea Lighthouse. Entrance is $11 for adults and free for children under 16. Make reservations here.
  • Limahuli Botanical Garden has a $25 entry fee for adults; it’s free for children under 17. Advance reservations are recommended. Book here.
  • $10 per vehicle or $35 per person: parking OR shuttle to Haena State Park (past Hanalei)
  • $5 per person: entrance to Haena State Park (reservations required - see above)
  • $11 per adult, free for 16 and under: Kilauea Lighthouse 
  • Kilauea Lighthouse is open Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.mm - 4 p.m.
  • Limahuli Botanical Garden is open Tuesday-Saturday and closes at 3 p.m.
  • Depending on when your voucher time slot is if you're visiting Ha'ena State Park, we recommend starting the tour before 10:00 a.m. If you’re planning on hiking the first two miles of the Kalalau Trail, you’ll need to do that in daylight. This is one of the last stops on the tour. Otherwise just plan to hike the first half mile for a great view of the Na Pali coast.
  • Very Important: Car Charger
  • Sneakers 
  • Hiking Clothes 
  • Water Bottle 
  • Bug Spray 
  • Towel 
  • Bathing Suit 
  • Snorkel Gear (pick up at ABC store)
  • Sandals 
  • Sunscreen 
  • Sun Glasses and/or Hat 
  • Snacks 
  • Cash 
  • Phone Mount 

Tour FAQs

The North Shore Kauai Driving Tour has two starting points, one in Kapaa, the other in Princeville and travels in a loop, ending where you began. No matter where you start you’ll still visit all the same spots.

VERY IMPORTANT

Do to a recent landslide, the road past Princeville towards Hanalei and Haena State Park has limited access. Please expect long delays and check this access schedule here to see what time the road is open. Plan accordingly based on the access schedule. 

In addition, entry to Haena State Park is limited and advanced reservations for all vehicles, walk-in entries, and shuttle riders are required. You can make reservations up to 30-days in advance at www.gohaena.com.

PLEASE NOTE: you will NOT be able to drive past Hanelei without an advance reservation. Entry costs $5.00 per person. In addition, if you are parking the cost is $10.00 per car and the shuttle costs $30 per person (round trip). You can book shuttle, parking and entry reservations at www.gohaena.com.

  • Sneakers & hiking clothes

  • Water

  • Bug spray

  • Towel

  • Bathing Suit & sandals 

  • Sunscreen 

  • Sun Glasses and/or Hat

  • Snacks

  • Car Charger

  • Camera

  • Cash (see budget below)

How much you spend really depends on the activities you choose to do along the tour route, but here’s a breakdown of some costs. 

  • $14.99: Shaka Guide’s North Shore Kauai Tour

  • $15.00 per person: Lunch

  • $10.00 per person: Kilauea Lighthouse

  • $20.00 per person: Limahuli Botanical Garden

  • $5.00 per person: Local snack

  • $1 for walkers; $5 to park; $15 shuttle reservations (includes entrance fee): Haena State Park Entrance

Please pay attention to all parking signs. Parking illegally on the Road to Hana can not only result in a ticket, it is extremely disrespectful to people who need to use this road everyday. The traffic on the road greatly impacts their lives, so you can help do your part by parking legally and adhering to all signs. We’ll advise you on where to park during the tour, and if there are no spots available, just wait for a spot to open up.

Yes! Feel free to join the tour along the route. Just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting from.  If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.

No, this tour travels west along the north shore of Kauai. 



Do you have other questions that we didn’t list here? 

Feel free to message us through the in-app chat box, Facebook Messenger, our emailor give us a call at 1-888-250-2261. We will be glad to help and answer your questions as soon as possible!


Mahalo,

Shaka Guide

Purchase BundlePurchase Bundle & Save

Kauai Tour Bundle

$29.99
$59.9850% off

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Hawaii Tour Bundle Collection

$79.99
$159.98 50% off

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Tours never expire
Tours never expire
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Customer Reviews

Maui

So helpful to people who want to see the sights and see things we never would have known about!!

McNeal Family

What an excellent way to enjoy the Road to Hana. Excellent tips and details of history to enjoy and explore. This was extremely helpful!

Great app

My mom and I used this on our trip to Maui and we loved it. The guid was fun to listen too and we liked the music.

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