There’s just something about lush, overgrown landscapes and lost in time, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them towns that make me weak in the knees.

I fell hard and fast for Isla de Ometepe in Nicaragua, and again for Palomino in Colombia, Ston in Croatia, and Tepoztlan in Mexico. All of these teeny towns were surrounded by such incredible natural beauty, and just far enough off the well-trodden path to instantly capture my heart.

What can I say? I’ve always been drawn to wild, untamed natural landscapes; sleepy, rural towns and villages; and microcosmic cultures that make you feel as if you’ve wandered into a new and untouched little world.

Perhaps that’s why I immediately felt so connected to the Hawaiian island of Kauai, which has been oh-so appropriately nicknamed “The Garden Island.”

With nearly 97% of its land remaining undeveloped, Kauai is Hawaii as you imagined it 50 years ago. It’s retro, rustic and romantic all at once; nothing but dense jungle, rugged peaks, secret surf spots, and oldschool towns with tight-knit communities.

Derek and I spent six nights on the island, and even though we got unlucky with Kauai’s infamous rains, our time there couldn’t have been any more enchanting. From the moment our plane touched down in Lihue’s little airport, I knew that we had arrived somewhere special.

…The Garden Island already had me under its spell.

We decided to base ourselves on Kauai’s North Shore, near the charming little historic town of Hanalei. Even in the early stages of planning our trip, this remote side of the island seemed to promise everything that I hoped to discover in Kauai…and from day one, I knew that it would deliver.

Why Visit Kauai

I imagine Kauai represents something different for every person, but for me, it’s a little like this:

Kauai is waking up before the sun to the sound of roosters crowing and red-crested cardinals singing in the trees. It’s sitting on a lanai, watching from a distance as multiple waterfalls cascade down the face of a mist-shrouded cliff.

Kauai is hopping in a bright red Jeep and swerving down winding coastal roads, snaking across one-lane bridges in search of new undiscovered spots. It’s chatting with the guy who works behind the counter at the ice cream shack, listening to his tale of how he visited the island on a whim and simply never left.

Kauai is trudging down muddy trails, the salty sea breeze whipping across your face and the thick foliage shielding you from the tropical sun. It’s staring out towards the ocean, hypnotized by the waves, as you sip mai tais and watch the sun sink below the horizon.

Kauai is overflowing acai bowls, fresh ahi poke caught earlier that same day, and Hawaiian plate lunches from a food truck. It’s coconut coffee, mango ice cream, and dragon fruit limeade.

Kauai is tiny frozen-in-time towns, quaint historic churches, roadside fruit stands, and kitschy tiki lounges. It’s tropical downpours, taro fields, secret waterfalls, empty beaches, and scenic overlooks.

Kauai is bare feet, a fresh face and windblown hair, with nowhere to be and no schedule to keep. It’s island time, falling asleep when the stars come out and waking up to the light patter of early morning rain.

Simply put, Kauai is the remote, end-of-the-earth paradise I’ve always dreamed of.

Of course, the truly wonderful thing about Kauai is that anyone can carve out their own little version of paradise simply by choosing the right region to base themselves on the island. Because although Kauai is a small island, each side offers visitors a completely different type of experience.

Whether you’re in search of dreamy Jurassic Park-esque landscapes or sunny sandy beaches, you can find it on Kauai. There are four main regions on the island, and they each offer their own little type of magic. Here’s what you need to know:

Which Area to Stay on Kauai:

• North Shore:
  • Your quintessential jungle paradise: lush valleys, dense foliage, and rugged mountains streaked with countless waterfalls
  • Moody, unpredictable weather; it’s often rainy and overcast here
  • Home to the timeless town of Hanalei and the resort community of Princeville
  • Closest region to the dramatic Na Pali Coast
• East Shore: 
  • The main hub; as centrally located as you can get, with the downside being that it’s the most heavily trafficked area of the island
  • Nicknamed “the Coconut Coast” for its palm-fringed beaches
  • Includes the towns of Kapaa, Wailua, and Lihue, all popular among visitors for their many restaurants and shops
  • Good jumping off point for kayaking, tubing, and other outdoor activities
• South Shore:
  • The best spot on Kauai for a classic beach getaway
  • Weather here tends to be warm, sunny, and pleasant
  • Pristine beaches, plentiful resorts and condos, and a variety of sights and activities (like snorkeling) make it the most popular region for visitors
  • Home to the charming plantation-era town of Koloa and the sunny resort town of Poipu
• West Shore:
  • Arid, rugged, and remote are the best ways to describe this unique area of Kauai
  • Nearly always sunny, dry, and warm
  • Sparsely populated overall, but home to the quaint historic towns of Waimea and Hanapepe (which was supposedly the inspiration for the town in Lilo & Stitch)
  • Known for the awe-inspiring Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”

Although it’s a relatively small place, circumnavigating the entire island by car – from one far end to the other – can take up to 2.5 or 3 hours one-way. Which means that while it’s certainly doable to see it all via day trips, you’ll still want to choose your home base wisely, since you’ll likely be spending the bulk of your time there.

Hanalei and the North Shore ended up being the perfect spot for me and Derek, with the only downside being the overcast, rainy weather. One a future trip I’d be open to giving the South Shore a try, although I think the North Shore will always hold the biggest piece of my heart.

What to Do on Kauai:

It’s no exaggeration when I say that there are endless adventures to be had on Kauai.

Below, I’ve highlighted 30 things to do on Kauai, from hikes to beaches to cultural attractions. We spent five full days and six nights on the island, and didn’t come anywhere close to crossing everything off this list!

• Must-Do’s
  • Waimea Canyon
  • Na Pali Coast (by helicopter, by boat, or by foot via the Kalalau Trail)
• Nature & Outdoors
  • Wailua Falls
  • Opaekaa Falls
  • Limahuli Garden & Preserve
  • Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens
  • Spouting Horn
  • Queen’s Bath
• Hiking
  • Maha’ulepu Coastal Trail
  • Sleeping Giant
  • Kuilau Ridge Trail
  • Waialeale Back Wall Trail
  • Pihea Trail
•  Beaches
  • Hanalei Bay
  • Secret Beach
  • Tunnels Beach
  • Poipu Beach
  • Haena Beach
  • Shipwreck Beach
  • Kalapaki Beach
•  Activites
  • ATV Tour at Kipu Ranch
  • River Tubing at Lihue Plantation
  • Kayak the Wailua River
  • Snorkeling
• History & Culture
  • Waioli Huiia Church
  • Kilauea Lighthouse
  • Rum Tasting at Koloa Rum Company
  • Plantation Tour at Kauai Coffee Company
  • Kilohana Estate
  • Kauai Museum

For me, Kauai was one of those destinations – like so many others – that truly made it hard to say goodbye. The landscapes, towns, and culture were so unlike anywhere else I’ve ever traveled, yet felt so instantly welcoming, comforting, and familiar at the same time.

And like all of those remote, off-the-beaten-path wonderlands that have come before it, Kauai is one of those destinations where I can safely and happily promise that I’ll return to someday. Until then, please don’t change one bit Kauai; you’re perfect just the way you are.

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Have you ever traveled to Hawaii? If so, which islands have you been to, and which are your favorites? If not, have you ever traveled anywhere that reminds you of Kauai?

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