I’m so used to seeing Hawaiian cliches, that I didn’t once think of what Hawai’i would be like without them.
Having been to Oahu and Big Island (Hawai’i) before, I thought Kauai would be more of the same, but I was so wrong.
Far from the tourist-packed luaus and tiki bars; Kauai was filled with a different type of inhabitant. WILD CHICKENS. Like, free roaming. Actually wild.
They were literally everywhere. On beaches, in car parks, by the roadside, EVERYWHERE. Like.. how random and adorable is that?!
And if you know Ryan and I, you know how much we LOVE chickens. We have 7 bantams in our yard (here are a few faves in the picture below) so it was cool to see hundreds of these little guys just exploring on their own, scratching around wherever they pleased.
The island being overrun by wildlife shouldn’t have been a shock to us though, considering it’s the most ecologically developed and oldest surviving island of the remaining Hawaiian islands.
For that reason, the locals believe it has the most “aloha” and spiritual significance.
A Native Hawaiian I had met, warned me before going that I should watch where I’m at emotionally – because everything becomes heightened in Kauai. This really intrigued me. I suppose I must have felt pretty peaceful and happy, because the whole trip was sooooo serene.
Kauai was just so.. real. It’s how I imagine all the islands would have been in their early days. Less touristy and more.. well.. Hawaiian.
Here’s a list of our fave hotspots and experiences on the island.
Hike the Kalalau Trail
Kauai is home to hundreds of walking trails, but the standout is the World famous Kalalau trail, refered to by Huffington Post as the most incredible hike in America
If you’re in Kauai, this is an absolute must-do. I would highly recommend walking only the first few miles up to the first beach like we did earlier this year; it is worth it for views of the Na Pali coast, the river crossings and the crazy beach at the end.
Picnic & Chill on Tunnels Beach
If your dream, like mine, is to find an entire beach to yourself.. well.. shhh we found one! It is so serene, hardly populated and easily the best white sand beach on the whole island.
But don’t expect to find it easily! There’s no direct road to it, nor public parking supporting visitors to it – but these are all blessings in disguise.
Dee’s tip: Also, Hanalei Bay is another jaw-droppingly beautiful beach with insane views of surrounding mountains. It feels like a scene from LOST (wrong island for that though, you can find that one on Oahu!) Although it rates as #1 on many people’s lists, it is completely overrun with tourists. For us, that kinda ruined it. Tunnels was more of a private, coupley experience.
Experience the Na Pali coast
Whether you choose to fly, sail or hike – the Na Pali coast won’t disappoint.
Being pregnant, hiking seemed the best option for us. And if there’s one way to get amongst those infamous ridges, it’s walking the Awa’awapuhi trail.
Now I gotta be honest here, this is probably the sh*#&iest most boring trail I’ve ever been on in my life. And when you’re on it, you’ll be questioning why you’re even alive.. but just wait for the trail end. There my friends, you will be closer to those glowing amber ridges than any sunset cruise could get you.
We found out about this trail on Unreal Hawaii and had to feed our curiosity. It was well worth it. If you have a drone or any kind of photography fancy-pants equipment, take it along or you’ll live to regret it.
Dee’s tips: I found many tour operators didn’t cater for pregnant women for insurance purposes, particularly the riskier activities. Before booking, make sure you double check – you wouldn’t want to arrive with your baby bump and have them leave you at the dock.
Swim with the fishies at Lydgate State Park
You know that fish tank scene in Romeo and Juliet where they’re looking at eachother adoringly between those exotic fish? It can be brought to life at Lydgate, where you can swim with your other half surrounded by colourful fish, some found only on this island.
We didn’t have a waterproof camera so couldn’t capture that magical swim (wheres the romance in that, anyway). Though I did find this awesome little YouTube clip so you can see what I mean..
Camp where the Wild things are
There’s nothing more romantic than a campfire under the stars and Kauai has some of the best camping spots in the world.
Whether you’re looking for 4WD access only, beachfront camps or like the idea of a night in the jungle, have a read of this mini guide and pick your faves: http://travelthisearth.com/kauai-camping/
Dee’s tip: Don’t forget to purchase your permits in advance. We couldn’t figure out how to purchase on arrival (thought there’d be an office or something, like in Australia) and we got kicked out by an inspector in the middle of the night!
Try Kauai’s local cuisine and famous superfoods
Through blogger circles I’ve been told that Kauai, drawing in the hippie crowds, has become a hotspot for acai bowls, island-brewed kombucha and vegetarian / vegan cuisine.
The Perfect Acai
I didn’t even know what an acai bowl was until I came here, but since being back home in Australia, I’m telling you I have searched from Chelsea to St Kilda and have yet to find one that comes close, even with almost identical ingredients. I think it comes down to the fresh produce found on the island that just can’t be matched.
Island-brewed Kombucha
They are so into it, you can buy local brew at most supermarkets. They even have a bar dedicated to the stuff; which was my complete and utter FANTASY as it’s been my go-to drink for my entire pregnancy.
Potions serve delish vegetarian food (mostly Indian cuisine) and their own house-made booch on tap! The bar staff gave us a sampling of all 4 taps and we loved them all. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a kombucha float with a scoop of vegan ice cream!
Bathe in the Queen’s Bath
Bathe like royalty in the naturally formed tide pools of the North. Hawaiian royals used to go there to wash away the stress. Located in the private town of Princeville, there is parking right outside the walking trail. There were flash flood warnings while we were there, so no swimming for us, but we enjoyed the trail so much we went back a few times.
Dee’s tip: Bring shoes with good grip, the path to get there after a rainy day can get a bit slippery!
Have you experienced the magic of Kauai? Any wild experiences you’d recommend? Please feel free to share in the comments below
Danielle Steller | DanielleSteller.com
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So amazing guys!. I have always wanted to visit Hawaii. I just love that place and I am also an outdoor enthusiast.Kauai is definitely a place I must visit once in Hawaii. I can see you both had a lot of fun there.
Ohhh gosh yeah, if you love the outdoors Hawaii is where its at. Such tropical jungles and best part.. no deadly snakes! Australia of course.. not so lucky haha