Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Kauai

As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route(s) to match your interests and schedule. Or you can use our trip planners for our suggestions on half, full or multi day itineraries. Some of the many highlights are listed below;

Ha'ena State Park is essentially the end of the road as you drive around the north shore of Kauai. The three most popular things to see and do at the end of the Kuhio Highway is to visit Ke'e Beach, or Tunnels Beach which is also called Ha'ena Beach Park, and to walk the Kalalau Trail. This is also the trailhead for overnight hikers and campers heading to the Na Pali Coast. Due to the extremely limited parking availability, you must either reserve a parking space or use the shuttle service to access the park.

There are several excellent beaches to explore between Kapa'a and Princeville and Anini Beach is one of the best, with a sandy shoreline and the water is almost always calm. There are shady trees to help you enjoy a longer day at the beach too.

Hanalei is a gentle crescent shaped bay with a beach nearly two miles long, surrounded by lush mountains and taro farms. A great and safe place to swim.

A charming town filled with preserved historic plantation style buildings and a strong artist community. One of the best places to pick up a local souvenir is from the art galleries and shops featuring Niihau shell jewelry. Or take a walk across the Hapapepe Swinging Bridge.

The town has a relaxed surfer vibe with trendy cafes and stores. You will want to take a photo of the pier on the main beach with the rain-sculpted face of Namolokama in the background.

Along the path and just north of Kapa'a is Kealia Beach, which is good for swimming in protected areas, so long as the surf isn't too rough. But this can also be a good beach to watch surfers if the swell is running. Or give in to relaxation and find a shady tree overlooking Kapa'a Beach to take a nap!

Kapa'a is just about the liveliest town on the eastern side of Kauai. There are many places to enjoy a meal or an authentic Hawaiian snack and to wander the stores, or our favorite - grab a shave ice. If you're feeling slightly more energetic - rent a bike and ride the Kauai multi-use path which covers 8 miles of coastline and isn't at all strenuous.

The Kilauea Lighthouse is also a wildlife refuge, and you will see a range of seabirds in the area. The refuge and Lighthouse are closed Sundays and Mondays, but you can still enjoys the views even if you cannot access the main facilities. Reservations are now required to visit Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, where the Kilauea Lighthouse is located.

Extend your drive beyond Waimea Canyon to enter Koke'e State Park and complete the journey to the end of the road. The Kalalau Lookout is the most famous, and if the clouds are kind, you'll have a superb view all the way down a scenic Na Pali valley down to the ocean. The very last viewpoint is Pu'u O Kila, and also has magnificent views, though it offers different aspects. The Koke'e Natural Museum is a small rustic facility that holds treasures from the region and also displays about the natural environment. Worth a stop and snacks available here.

A restored, white, century-old lighthouse sitting on cliffs above the Pacific Ocean make this a superb viewing location and a place to take awesome photos. It is also a wildlife refuge, and you will see a range of seabirds in the area. The refuge and Lighthouse are closed Sundays and Mondays, but you can still enjoys the views even if you cannot access the main facilities.

Different cultures across the world refer to them as 'dogs of the sea' and the Hawaiian translation loosely reflects that for native Hawaiian monk seals. Kauai is the best of the islands to see them. Poipu Beach and the coves along the North Shore near place like Tunnels are common places to spot them. Seals drag themselves up onto the beach to rest after feeding and to avoid predators in the water. As a protected and endangered species it's important to give them space and obey any signage.

Some of the most spectacular scenery starts at the end of the road on the North West end of the island at the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park. You cannot drive onto the Na Pali Coast, but it can be accessed by challenging hiking, kayaking or viewed from above with helicopter tours. Note: If you are entering via Ha'ena State Park on the Kuhio Highway (past Princeville), please note reservations are now required to be booked in advance for the limited car parking stalls, shuttles for day visitors and overnight hikers.

Poipu is the most popular resort area on Kauai's south shore, partly because its location dodges most of the wet weather that is generated by the island. But also, there are three of the island's best sandy beaches all side by side: Kiahuna Beach, Poipu Beach Park and Shipwrecks Beach. Climb onto the headland of Makahuena Point for the views. Or continue westwards along the beaches for Spouting Horn blowhole. Poipu also has excellent dining and shopping options.

Princeville is the largest resort area on the northern shore of Kauai and sits on a headland overlooking Hanalei Bay. It's home to some of the region's best hotel properties, restaurants and golf. Hideaway Beach is a nice little cove to explore, but the path is steep and tricky, and be very careful of the ocean conditions. Princeville acts as a base for exploring the rest of the North Shore.

Kauai's most historical area and center of commercial activity is Lihue and Nawiliwili. These are great places to experience authentic Hawaiian history and some uniquely Kauaian food. There is a family-friendly, calm public beach called Kalapaki, in front of the Marriott. Follow the tour and continue past the cruise ship terminal to visit the Menehune Fish Pond, built by legendary ancient Hawaiians.

500 Eucalyptus trees create an impressive gateway to Kauai's South Shore. You'll drive though the Tree Tunnel as you approach the town of Koloa, on the way to Poipu. Originally gifted to the community in 1911 by pineapple plantation owner Walter McBryde, they even survived Hurricane Iniki's (1992) highest winds of 145 mph.

Located just an easy 10 minute drive from the heart of Lihue is the most recognized waterfall in Kauai. Two streams of water drop dramatically over a 80 foot drop. There's no need to hike, the best view is right from the parking area. Photo Tip: Arrive early in the morning to capture rainbows beaming out of the waterfall mist.

Waimea Canyon has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, well deserved for its magnificent setting. The story of the canyon is one of volcanoes, earthquakes, caldera collapses and the relentless rain that has carved and sculpted the canyon of striking red earth. There are four must-stop views on the road that explores Waimea Canyon, and other places where you may enjoy to pull over and enjoy your own private view. Tip: It is common for clouds to form on Kauai's mountains in the afternoons, so visiting in the morning can increase your chances of perfect views.

Follow the shoreline for a few minutes west from Poipu to visit Kauai's best known blowhole. Watch Spouting Horn shoot a tower of water up to 50 feet into the air through a natural lava tube. There is is a large carpark and viewpoint to the blowhole or perhaps catch sight of humpback whales during December - May.