- Both overseas and interisland flights land at Kauai's Lihuʻe Airport (LIH; www.hawaii.gov/dot/airports/kauai/lih). Car rental companies abound at the airport and taxis are generally available, while a limited public bus system links most towns. Only 10 percent of the island is connected by roads, which comes as good news regarding the island's off-road exploration potential, but bad news for its transportation situation. To reach out-of-the-way tourist spots like Kilauea Point, taking private cars and organizing trips through tour operators are your main options.
- For a small island, Kauai has a diversity of landscapes and attractions, geographically broken into five regions to be aware of when planning a vacation. The North Shore has dramatic mountain scenery, 4,000-foot cliffs rising out of the ocean and the quaint beaches and towns like historic Hanalei. The West Side boasts white beaches and dense rain-forests as well as the famous Waimea Canyon, known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." The South Shore has snorkeling and diving spots, the congressionally chartered National Tropical Botanical Garden, historic sites and lava tube formations. Along the Eastern shore are the transport hubs, beaches and cultural hot spots of Lihue/Kalapaki and the Coconut Coast.
- Kauai, like other Hawaiian islands, is literally surrounded with exciting offshore activities. While simply strolling its beaches can understandably hog your attention, other water activities abound. Windsurf in the blue waters of Anini Beach Park, Kalapaki Beach or Poipu Beach, scuba dive in the clear and colorful submarine communities along the southern shoreline, surf the legendary winter waves of Hanalei Bay or fish for marlin, ahi or aku off the southern and eastern coasts. For a good list of water activities and tour operators, check the link in Resources below.
- This northern Hawaiian island boasts a picturesque expanse of lush greenery filled with potential for outdoor exploration. Check out one of its many trails on foot, bike or horseback to reach the Hanalei Valley, Mahaulepu Beach or the stunning Waimea Canyon. Some of the island's best trails for hiking, trekking and camping include the Kukul Trail, the Kuilau Ridge Trail and the Kalalau Trail. For a more relaxed approach, enjoy a traditional luau with Hawaiian entertainment, dancing and cuisine, or golf on one of Kauai's resort or public golf courses while enjoying the ocean breeze and stunning backdrops made of mountains and sea.
- Kauai offers a range of accommodations from top-end hotels to budget hostels, with many options in between, including comfortable bed and breakfasts and guesthouses. Its five major clusters of accommodations line up with the island's five regions, and can be found in Lihue/Kalapaki (near the airport), along the Royal Coconut Coast, on the West Side in Waimea's towns, or along the Southern and Northern shores' beaches.
