I loved Kauai, but I vaguely felt like it was trying to kill me at any given time.

Some activities I liked while we were there:
Catamaran up the Napali Coast. It can get choppy and seasickness can be an issue, but I've rarely seen so many beautiful things in one day. The cliffs, flying fish, etc. etc.

The street fair in Hanapepe (every Friday, I believe.) The town has America's Westernmost bookstore!

Went and saw the Kilauea Lighthouse.

The Hammura Saimin restaurant in Lihue.

Had a fire on the beach (this might be technically illegal but we weren't the only ones). Can't remember the beach name, but I believe it wasn't too far east/south of Kilauea.

Botanical garden on the south shore (McBryde?)

Kayak trip up the Wailua to Uluwehi Falls.

Boogie boarding at Hanalei.

We stayed in Princeville at a rental house. We had two families together, so it suited our purposes. But that area is definitely sleepy with a golf-community vibe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do teens enjoy Kauai? It doesn’t sound fun if you can’t get in the water safely. Hikes would get old pretty quickly. How’s the food situation there?

Food was great for us. Our hotel had the most amazing pools and lagoons (Grand Hyatt) - like the nicest I have seen. But I think the more swimmable beaches are in the north shore.

We also visited Maui and it’s true the beach swimming was better there.

+1 Maui beaches are outstanding. Kauai beaches are more untamed and the sand is rocky. Ouch!

Anonymous wrote:Hanalei Bay! It's so fun with teens, because they can hang out in the town on their own at night and everywhere is walkable to the beach. IMHO, it's much better than Princeville because it has that true island vibe, vs. manicured streets and golf courses. It's also great for getting to other places.

Hanalei Bay is the answer. Definitely not Princeville. Kauai is sleepy and rural, I don’t think there’s any part that is particularly commercial like Maui.

OP here. Open to changing islands. DH and I have been to Oahu and Maui but both seemed like places the kids would like. I know Lahaina has not been fully rebuilt so DH was actually leaning against Maui. We can do two or three. Will be there 8-10 days in August.

Anonymous wrote:Do teens enjoy Kauai? It doesn’t sound fun if you can’t get in the water safely. Hikes would get old pretty quickly. How’s the food situation there?

Food was great for us. Our hotel had the most amazing pools and lagoons (Grand Hyatt) - like the nicest I have seen. But I think the more swimmable beaches are in the north shore.

We also visited Maui and it’s true the beach swimming was better there.

Do teens enjoy Kauai? It doesn’t sound fun if you can’t get in the water safely. Hikes would get old pretty quickly. How’s the food situation there?

Anonymous wrote:North in summer. South in winter. But Big Island is better.

But Big Island has very few beaches, right?

North in summer. South in winter. But Big Island is better.

We stayed at the Grand Hyatt on the south shore and it was THE nicest hotel I’ve ever been to in my life. But it’s pretty quiet down there - I got the impression the north shore had more going on.

As for the Napali Coast boat. It is not for the faint of heart (stomach.) Take them seriously on the Dramamine - they aren’t playing. We dosed 4 hours ahead and again when we boarded and were still slightly queasy. Others on the boat vomited for 4 hours straight. And this was in the summer when the water is “calmer.”

The Napali coast hike is spectacular but closed a lot for flooding.

You can do a short out abd back hike to the Hanakapaia beach and waterfall without a permit and I would recommend it if it's open. Don't expect to swim there, it's tio hazardous. Go early, the parking fills up and they DO ticket people who park on the side of the road: https://www.kauai.com/hanakapiai-trail

Waimea valley is as spectacular as they say

Kauai is quite small so you can visit the whole island pretty easily.

Hanalei Bay! It's so fun with teens, because they can hang out in the town on their own at night and everywhere is walkable to the beach. IMHO, it's much better than Princeville because it has that true island vibe, vs. manicured streets and golf courses. It's also great for getting to other places.

We stayed on the north side near the Princeville resort and Hanalei beach. We rented an Airbnb next to the golf course. We snorkeled at Tunnels beach - lots to see even in waist high water. Consider taking your own snorkeling gear or picking up some at Walmart in Lihue.

You can access the Na Pali coast from the north side. Watch the movie "The Descendants" for views of that area.

There's one main road that goes 3/4 of the way around the island.

Do a boat trip on Nepali Coast. Hike in national park. We stayed walking distance to Poipu and Brenneke Beaches. Meant the kids could hang out at the beach independently. But few shops/restaurants near beach. We were with giant sea turtles at Brenneke Beach. This was August.

Check the seasons. The waves and riptides differ from north to south depending on the season.

Going to Hawaii with our two teens. Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. DH and I have already been to the Oahu and Maui so we are good there, but looking for advice on where to stay/what to do on Kauai. Will be there four days.