Tour stop
North Shore Kauai Driving Tour
About The Tour
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)
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)
About the tour
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)
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)
STARTING POINTS
-Kapa’a-Princeville
RECOMMENDED START TIME: 11:00 a.m.
OUR SHAKA PROMISE
• Reliable customer support
• Tours crafted by real people
• Satisfaction guaranteed
• Tours never expire
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Now Playing
1. Welcome to North Shore Kauai Tour Preview
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2. King Kong - Hole in the Mountain
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3. Parking at Moloa'a Beach
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4. Kahili Beach Intro
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5. Kilauea Lighthouse and Refuge
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6. Kauapea or Secret Beach
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7. Snorkeling at Anini Beach
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8. Turn Right for Princeville Shopping Center
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9. Turn Left for Okolehau Hike
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10. Hanalei Pier History & Parking
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11. I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair
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12. Lumaha'i Beach
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13. The History of Ha'ena
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14. Tunnels Beach Parking #1
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15. Limahuli Garden & Hiking the Kalalau Trail
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North Shore Kauai Driving Tour Map
Explore Tour Map
North Shore Kauai Driving Tour Stops
Things to do on the Tour Include:
Tour stop
Hanalei Town
Tour stop
Kahalahala Beach
Tour stop
Kahili Beach (Rock Quarries)
Tour stop
Hanalei Valley Overlook
Tour stop
Hanalei Pier
Tour stop
Kilauea Lighthouse
Tour stop
King Kong - Hole in Mountain
Meet the Creators
Gray Gleason
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Creators behind the North Shore Kauai Driving Tour
Gray Gleason
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Andrew Fowers
Writer/Editor
“I started this business because I believe that when you connect a story to a place, it transforms your journey. It allows you to step beyond being just a tourist and become an informed traveler, fully present in the moment. Our hope is that you come for the guide, but stay for the stories that bring these destination to life.” - Andrew Fowers
Rita Fowers
Writer/Editor
Favorite Quote:
"What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him." - Viktor Frankl
Robin Montgomery
Writer
Favorite Quote:
“The mountains are calling, and I must go.” - John Muir.
Andrew Shults
Producer & Data Team Manager
Favorite Quote:
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” - Douglas Adams
Purchase Options
1.
North Shore Kauai Driving Tour
$ 19.99
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Gift the joy of travel! During checkout, select "Gift this Purchase" to schedule your delivery and write your personalized message.
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North Shore Kauai Driving Tour FAQS
Information
Conditions can change fast. Please check these links for closures, alerts and local conditions before your trip. Stay informed so you can ensure a smooth ride for your trip.
Important Update!
Aloha Shaka Guiders!
Hāʻena State Park is reopening October 15, bringing Kēʻē Beach and day-use hiking to Hanakāpīʻai Beach and Falls back into reach. Pair a reserved Hāʻena visit with Hanalei’s pier, town and valley overlook for a rewarding 4–6-hour North Shore day.
Advance Hāʻena reservations are required for out-of-state visitors; choose reserved parking or the official shuttle. Overnight camping and hiking past Hanakāpīʻai on the Kalalau Trail remain closed. HDOT still lists Kūhiō Highway from Hanalei to Kēʻē Beach as local access only, so follow your reservation instructions and posted restrictions rather than planning unconfirmed roadside stops.
Review the official reopening details, book Hāʻena access and check highway conditions before departure. Welcome back to this beautiful corner of Kauaʻi!
Amy
Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions:
- More than a map and directions — your tour, fully guided
- Audio storytelling that plays as you drive
- Music and immersive sound to upgrade your drive
- Human-created, professionally narrated tours
- Pre-planned route with turn-by-turn directions
- Itinerary mapped out with must-see stops
- Expert travel tips
- Offline access – works without data or wifi
- Flexible, self-paced experience
- One purchase per vehicle (not per person)
- Lifetime access (tours never expire)
- Reliable customer support
Exclusions:
- Private transportation (use your own or rental vehicle)
- Meals
- Attraction admission or park entrance fees
- Parking fees
- Live tour guide or in-person services
- Trip planning or booking services
- Fully customizable navigation like Google or Apple Maps
- On-demand route planning or custom directions
- Open-ended navigation tools
Tour FAQs
1. Where does the North Shore Kauai Driving Tour go?
The North Shore Kauai Driving Tour has two starting points: Kapaʻa and Princeville.
This is a there-and-back route, so you’ll travel along Kauai’s North Shore, visit stops along the way, and then return toward your starting area.
Popular stops include:
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Hanalei Town
Hanalei Valley Lookout
Limahuli Garden & Preserve
Hāʻena State Park
Beaches and scenic overlooks along the North Shore
Hāʻena State Park is currently closed while recovery work continues, and Go Hāʻena shuttle service is suspended until further notice. When the park reopens, non-Hawaii residents will need an advance reservation for entry or parking.
Check the latest Hāʻena State Park and Go Hāʻena updates before starting your tour, as access conditions can change.
For help planning your day, check out our North Shore Kauai suggested itinerary, and here's everything you need to know before you go.
This is a there-and-back route, so you’ll travel along Kauai’s North Shore, visit stops along the way, and then return toward your starting area.
Popular stops include:
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Hanalei Town
Hanalei Valley Lookout
Limahuli Garden & Preserve
Hāʻena State Park
Beaches and scenic overlooks along the North Shore
Hāʻena State Park is currently closed while recovery work continues, and Go Hāʻena shuttle service is suspended until further notice. When the park reopens, non-Hawaii residents will need an advance reservation for entry or parking.
Check the latest Hāʻena State Park and Go Hāʻena updates before starting your tour, as access conditions can change.
For help planning your day, check out our North Shore Kauai suggested itinerary, and here's everything you need to know before you go.
2. What should I pack and budget for the North Shore Kauai tour?
We recommend bringing:
Comfortable walking shoes
Swimsuit and towel
Water
Sunscreen
Hat and sunglasses
Rain jacket or light layer
Snacks
Phone charger or power bank
How much you spend depends on the stops and activities you choose, but here are some costs to plan for:
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge: Normal admission is $11 per adult ages 16 and older. The refuge is currently closed for repairs, so check the official refuge website before visiting.
Limahuli Garden & Preserve: Normal self-guided admission is $30 per adult; children 12 and under are free. The garden is currently temporarily closed, so check the official Limahuli Garden website for updates.
Hāʻena State Park: Advance reservations are required for non-Hawaii residents when the park is open. Entry, parking, and shuttle fees vary depending on the option you choose. Check Go Hāʻena for current availability and pricing.
We also recommend budgeting extra for meals, drinks, snacks, parking, and optional purchases along the route.
Prices, reservations, and operating conditions can change, so check each attraction’s official website before your visit.
Comfortable walking shoes
Swimsuit and towel
Water
Sunscreen
Hat and sunglasses
Rain jacket or light layer
Snacks
Phone charger or power bank
How much you spend depends on the stops and activities you choose, but here are some costs to plan for:
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge: Normal admission is $11 per adult ages 16 and older. The refuge is currently closed for repairs, so check the official refuge website before visiting.
Limahuli Garden & Preserve: Normal self-guided admission is $30 per adult; children 12 and under are free. The garden is currently temporarily closed, so check the official Limahuli Garden website for updates.
Hāʻena State Park: Advance reservations are required for non-Hawaii residents when the park is open. Entry, parking, and shuttle fees vary depending on the option you choose. Check Go Hāʻena for current availability and pricing.
We also recommend budgeting extra for meals, drinks, snacks, parking, and optional purchases along the route.
Prices, reservations, and operating conditions can change, so check each attraction’s official website before your visit.
3. Where can I get a voucher to drive past Hanalei?
Advance reservations are required for non-Hawaii residents to enter Hāʻena State Park when the park is open.
You can book entry, parking, or shuttle reservations through Go Hāʻena.
Availability, pricing, and access conditions can change, so check the Go Hāʻena website before your visit for the latest updates.
You can book entry, parking, or shuttle reservations through Go Hāʻena.
Availability, pricing, and access conditions can change, so check the Go Hāʻena website before your visit for the latest updates.
4. Can I join the North Shore Kauai Driving Tour along the route?
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.
5. Can I take the tour in the opposite direction?
Yes. This tour has two starting points: Kapaʻa and Princeville.
Choose the starting point that works best for you, then follow the route shown in the Shaka Guide app. The tour is designed as a there-and-back route, so the stories, directions, and stops will play in the correct order based on where you begin.
Choose the starting point that works best for you, then follow the route shown in the Shaka Guide app. The tour is designed as a there-and-back route, so the stories, directions, and stops will play in the correct order based on where you begin.
6. How is Shaka Guide Different from Other Navigation Apps?
Shaka Guide isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s like having a local tour guide in your pocket.
As you walk, the app shares stories, history, local insights, and directions based on where you are. We’ve planned the route for you, but you can still explore at your own pace, pause the tour, skip stops, or spend more time wherever you like.
It’s not just about getting there—it’s about discovering the stories behind the places you’re visiting.
As you walk, the app shares stories, history, local insights, and directions based on where you are. We’ve planned the route for you, but you can still explore at your own pace, pause the tour, skip stops, or spend more time wherever you like.
It’s not just about getting there—it’s about discovering the stories behind the places you’re visiting.
7. Other Questions? Contact Us!
Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.
What is an Audio Tour Guide?
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.