Most of the hotels on the island are located in the towns of Wailua and Kapaa on the east coast. In this area there are very nice beaches, but swimming is not possible here because of the strong current.

Popular and beautiful beaches, where you can also swim safely, can be found in Poipu in the south and Hanalei in the north of the volcanic island. At Shipwreck Beach in Poipu, I was even lucky enough to see a Hawaiian monk seal napping in the warm sand.

The Napali Coast is truly spectacular and can only be reached on foot, by air or by sea. Along the trail there are two places where you can pitch your tent. However, please keep in mind that this is a nature reserve that is not regularly monitored and maintained. Very important: Please take your garbage back with you when you hike here.

2. The most beautiful beach of the island is at Hanalei

Hanalei is a sleepy village. In the 1970's this town was famous for its hippie colony. Even today, there is a particularly relaxed atmosphere here. The tranquil life here is only disturbed from time to time by Hollywood filmmakers (most famous examples: 50 First Dates or The Descendants).

In the center of the town there are small galleries and stores where you can buy carvings and other handicrafts made of local wood. If you're hungry, you'll also find some quaint cafes and food trucks.

Hanalei Bay offers one of the most beautiful beaches of the Hawaiian Islands. The landmark of the bay is the pier, which is a very popular photo motif, especially at sunset.

3. Princeville luxury resort overlooking Hanalei Bay

On the way to Princeville, you'll pass large taro fields that look a bit like rice paddies. Taro (Hawaiian: Kalo) was the staple food of the indigenous people. The root is starchy and is made into a paste called poi. For a Haole (stranger) this looks but rather like wallpaper paste and tastes somehow also so. Nevertheless, you should definitely try it once during your visit to Hawaii. Since poi is served at every luau, you're bound to get a chance.

Princeville is a collection of houses and actually consists more or less of hotels with a small shopping center. Worth mentioning here is the St.Regis Princeville Resort, a spectacular hotel building nestled close to the cliffs. From many rooms you have a fantastic view over the Hanalei Bay. If you want to treat yourself to something very special, you should stay here.

You can also visit a ranch here and experience real adventures while ziplining, in addition to horseback riding in the area.

4. Kilauea and its lighthouse

On our drive along the north coast of Kauai we come to a beautifully located lighthouse in Kilauea. High on the cliffs you have a great view of the seemingly endless Pacific Ocean. In addition to the lighthouse, there is also a bird sanctuary with a nature trail that will teach you a lot of interesting facts about the sea birds that live here and the flora of the cliffs.

If you continue towards Kapaa, you will pass through many green hills. Soon you will see a mountain in the distance, which is also called "The Sleeping Giant" because of its shape. The peak rises in the shape of a nose over a long ridge and is an impressive sight. Kapaa itself is a small town with a few hotels. As mentioned earlier, there is a beach here, but swimming in the ocean is not advisable due to strong currents.

Kauai's south - plantations, rum and beaches

In the east of the island are the towns of Kapaa and Wailua with a large selection of hotels. The main attraction of this region is the Wailua River State Park.

1. On the way to the south: the only navigable river

Not really in the south, but rather in the middle of the east, Wailua is located at the river of the same name. Among other things, canoe tours are offered here. Even beginners can participate here, as they are not too strenuous. The trip goes across the river through dense rainforest, which is located in the Wailua River State Park and also offers some hiking trails.

Upstream, you'll first pass Kamokila Hawaiian Village, a replica Native American village that can be visited on guided tours. Worth a walk are the Secret Falls of Wailua, hidden in the forest. You can also paddle to Fern Grotto, a cave where ferns grow from the ceiling down.

You can also go to this grotto on a larger boat. During the tour, the hula will be explained to you with the help of a Hawaiian folk song. This traditional dance tells stories through the movements, so you don't even have to understand the words.

On the southern outskirts of Lihue, the Huleia River empties into the sea at Nawiliwili Bay. Here is the port where the cruise ships also dock. Apart from the weekly visits of the Pride of America, there are not too many. If you follow the Huleia upstream, you will come to Menehune Fishpond.

2. By train over the Kilohana Plantation

Continuing your journey towards the south coast, you will come to Kilohana Plantation. The name means something like "unsurpassable". I would not call this former plantation that spectacular, but it is worth a visit. The highlight is a ride in an old train over the plantation area, during which life on the plantation is brought closer to you.

You can also see the manor house of the former owners. In the courtyard is Gaylord's, considered one of the best restaurants on Kauai. You can also sample Hawaiian rum at the Koloa Rum Company. That would make a fancy souvenir, wouldn't it?

Through the Tree Tunnel, a stretch of road covered by old eucalyptus trees, you'll arrive in Koloa Town, where plantation workers used to live. In 1835, Kauai's first sugar mill was started here. Today the wooden houses house many galleries and snack bars.

3. Poipu in the south of the island: shopping, beach and recreation

Only a few minutes drive further you will reach the spacious Poipu. If you want to stay longer on the island, I recommend the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation. On the one hand, the apartments are very spacious and on the other hand, there is a beautiful orchid and succulent garden on the grounds.

Two shopping centers invite you to stroll around. The Poipu Shopping Village offers many stores, free entertainment and a small selection of restaurants. The stores in Kukuiula also offer special events on some days. Especially worth mentioning is the Kauai Culinary Market. At a live cooking show, you can get inspired by a chef who changes weekly.

Poipu offers beautiful beaches, even if they are often not very large. The most famous is Shipwreck Beach, which is very popular with surfers. It was named after a wreck, but the wood of the ship has long since rotted away. For snorkeling you should go to Lawai Beach, while you can also swim at Brennecke's Beach due to an offshore reef.

A little further west you can observe a natural spectacle that can often be seen in Hawaii. In Spouting Horn Park there are impressive fountains that shoot up from the waves through holes in the lava rock.

If you continue your tour towards Ele'ele or Hanapepe, you will first drive through coffee plantations, because coffee cultivation has a long tradition in Hawaii. The volcanic soils give it a very balanced acidity.

4. Ele'ele: Starting point for boat tours

In Ele'ele there is a small harbor from where the boat tours along the Napali Coast start. The Napali Coast is one of the most beautiful coasts I know and, apart from the Kalalau Trail, is only accessible from the water or from the air.

I recommend you a snorkeling tour in the early morning, even if you have to get out of bed very early for it. Why? Because especially in the early morning hours the chance is highest that your boat will be accompanied by dolphins, which willingly perform their tricks. This show leaves no one cold.

During the five-hour tour, you will first sail along the entire Napali coast and then see the island of Ni'ihau (also called the Forbidden Island) in the distance, which can only be entered by invitation of the inhabitants.

The crew will entertain you on the way with interesting stories and legends of the Polynesian natives. Before you head back, the ship will stop in one of the many bays and you can swim or snorkel in the sea. Whether you will see the Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (the Hawaiian state fish), I can't promise you, but many other colorful fish and also a few turtles cavort here off the coast.

What is so special about this coast? High cliffs rise out of the sea, interrupted by a few valleys and small bays with romantic beaches. And in Hawaii, of course, one or the other waterfall must not be missing. Believe me, you have to see it once.

5. Pure romance in Waimea

Our round trip leads us to Waimea. This little town is actually only worth mentioning for two reasons. The romantics among you, who don't necessarily need big luxury, will find here with the Waimea Plantation Cottages one of the most romantic hotels I know. A former plantation has been converted into a hotel here. The small cottages used to house the employees. A small beach directly in front of the door is of course not missing - this is pure Hawaii!

The second reason why I mention Waimea is the fact that here the road branches off into the mountains inland. At the end of it, you'll be standing in front of Kauai's most famous attraction, Waimea Canyon. It is the second largest canyon in the U.S., which is why it is also called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. The difference to the real Grand Canyon is that this one is not so dry and is home to many plants and animals.

The best way to see this natural wonder is to take a helicopter ride. They are not really cheap, but especially on Kauai such a flight is really spectacular. The more athletic among you can hike to the bottom of the canyon via the Kukui Trail. Less strenuous is the Iliau Nature Loop, which leads along the edge of the caynon and offers spectacular views into the depths.

Since large parts of the island are protected, our tour ends here. Unfortunately, a complete circumnavigation is not possible, in fact only about 10% of the island is accessible by car.

Our tip: If you want to explore Kauai on your own, you should definitely book a rental car.