If this is your first trip to Kauai, you don't really have to visit all the pretty places on Kauai. Generally speaking, for 2-day weekend trip, I will recommend to spend one day in the west side, and then leave the north shore for the second day. Let's start your trip by focusing on the west side (west of Lihue airport) ...
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Starting your day, just heading west and driving up to Waimea Canyon, ...
Rim overlooks of one of the State's scenic treasures - the deep, colorful gorge of Waimea Canyon. Viewpoint of Ni‘ihau Island; wildland picnicking and short nature trail. Adjacent forest reserve with long, strenuous hike into and out of the canyon. Seasonal trout fishing. Pig and seasonal goat hunting nearby.
After visited Waimea Canyon, continue on to the higher point, ...
This is one of the most photographed and well recognized valleys in all of Hawai'i. This is primarily because the valley and surrounding coast have served as the backdrop for countless films including King Kong (the original), Mighty Joe Young, Jurassic Park, and Six Days Seven Nights. Kalalau Lookout is also the highest elevation most people reach in Kaua'i by road, 4,000 feet. As we mentioned before, here you will find one of the greatest views in all of Hawai'i. Kalalau Valley is the largest valley on the island at two miles wide. Amazingly, it was inhabited up until 1919.
You may want to take a break after Kalalau lookout.
After coming down from Waimea Canyon, you may choose to continue to the west side of the island. Palihale is not suitable for snorkeling, but the white sand beach is just too gorgeous.
After coming down from the mountain, and get your wetsuit ready. Snorkel at Lawai Beach is popular and an easy spot to access. Oh, it has lots of fish to see, because of the protecting reef off this beach it can be a good beginner spot as long as the south swell is not high. It is the 5-star snorkeling spot.
If you have time, you may want to check it out the Kalaheo Botannica Garden. Jurassic Park was filmed here.
The Na Pali Coast is a very special place. The pali, or cliffs, provide a rugged grandeur of deep, narrow valleys ending abruptly at the sea. Waterfalls and swift flowing streams continue to cut these narrow valleys while the sea carves cliffs at their mouths. Extensive stone walled terraces can still be found on the valley bottoms where Hawaiians once lived and cultivated taro. This picture was taken from the boat. It is simply gorgeous. This place has been selected to include in many Hollywood movies, for instance, "King Kong", "Six Days and Seven Nights", "Jurassic Park", "Pirates of the Caribbean 5", etc.
Should make a quick stop while you are on your way to the north shore. Kilauea Lighthouse began lighting the way for mariners in 1913. It served as a pivotal navigation aid for ships sailing on the Orient run.
The historic light station consists of a concrete lighthouse, three field stone keepers' quarters, a fuel oil shed, cisterns, and a supply landing platform. It is one of the nations most intact historic light stations.
This is also the location of the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for seabirds. During December through May, you may even catch a glimpse of humpback whales.
One of Kauai snorkeling nirvanas. This superb beach has a wide-fringing reef that is so large it can be seen from space. This is popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving, but a lack of street parking keeps the numbers relatively low. Parking is very tricky here, and best bet is to park at Ha'ena beach Park and then walk to the right. Just remember the 8-mile marker.
It is one of the best spot for snorkeling especially during the summer time. The water can be a bit crazy in the winter. Scenic wildland park. This park lies at the “end of the road” on Kaua‘i's north shore, and is an extremely popular destination for both visitors and locals.
At 2 miles (3.2 km) long, Hanalei Bay (see more photos, view panorama) is the largest bay on Kauai. Hanalei means “crescent bay” in Hawaiian. It is a long half moon of golden sand backed by 4,000-foot-high (1,219 m) green mountains. Look closely and you may be able to spot several waterfalls. The bay is so beautiful that the enamored Japanese author Haruki Murakami wrote a short story about it titled Hanalei Bay.