Kauai’s Best Photo Spots

Those with a keen eye may recognize Wailua Falls from the opening sequence of the ‘70s and ‘80s hit show Fantasy Island. It was the perfect bit of scenery to represent the mythical isle where fantasy became reality, as nothing quite epitomizes tropical paradise like these dramatic 80-plus foot tall falls. What’s more, you don’t even have to hike through the dense jungle to see Wailua as they’re clearly, ...

With its dangling chandeliers of lush, leafy ferns and its natural acoustics, this lava rock grotto is certainly a feast for the senses. In order to see the grotto (once only accessible by Hawaiian royalty), you’ll need to hop on a boat and sail along the Wailua River to the east side of Kauai—an awesome experience in and of itself. Taking advantage of the haunting natural amplification of sound as it re...

Venture deep into the dark recesses of this eerie sand-bottomed cave and you’ll understand how local lore could have sprung up about its origin and history. Depending on who you ask, this cave was dug on orders of Maniniholo, head fisherman of the Menehune people (Kauai’s legendary first inhabitants), who was in search of an akua (a magical beast) suspected of stealing their hard-earned fish. Another ver...

The photo op of photo ops. Where else can you get a view of the lush and majestic Namolokama mountain range bedecked with several sparkling waterfalls, all behind a patchwork quilt of gloriously green, water-fillled “kalo” (taro-root) fields? Get out your cameras and capture the splendor of the Hanalei Valley from this perfectly positioned vantage point. Then afterwards, grab a bite to eat and do some sh...

Though this is not Hawaii’s original “Queen’s Bath” (the first was located on the Big Island, but was destroyed by lava flow in 1987), this natural swimming pool on the north shore of Kauai has since become the reigning “Queen’s Bath.” This tide pool was formed from an igneous rock sinkhole and, like the first Queen’s Bath, the waters were considered sacred and accessible only to Hawaiian royalty—hence t...

Opaeka'a, strangely enough, translates into “rolling shrimp”—a seemingly odd name for these majestic 151-foot tall twin falls (which combine into one during heavy rains) in Wailua River State Park. The falls get their name from the native freshwater shrimp that, at one time, were so plentiful in the river that they could be seen tumbling down the waterfall and plunging into the waters below to continue t...

Believe it or not, in order to build a lighthouse on the northernmost point of Hawaii’s inhabited islands, the U.S. purchased 31 acres of gorgeous coastal land in Kilauea in 1909 for a mere dollar. You read that right—one single dollar. The Kilauea Point Lighthouse was completed in 1913 and operators used it to guide commercial ships (heavy with treasures from the far east) safely to harbor for over 60 y...

When you think of surfing in Kauai, you think of Hanalei Point. One of the world’s premiere surfing destinations, Hanalei not only boasts incredible, rideable waves but sparkling white sands and a majestic mountain range for a backdrop. For beginning surfers, the waves near Hanalei Pier are more novice-friendly. Just make sure to ask the lifeguards on duty for advice if you’re iffy about where to surf fo...

This lookout provides visitors with a stunning view of the ancient Menehuna fishponds built approximately 1000 years ago. Like the Menehune Ditch, these fishponds were purported to have been miraculously built overnight by the legendary Menehuna people (leprechaun-like beings), thought to be the first inhabitants of the island. Supposedly, the Menehuna formed a human chain 25-miles long, passing stones f...

Na’Pali translates into “high cliffs”—and its these stunningly striated, jagged-edged cliff faces and rugged mountain peaks that give the Na’Pali coast its characteristic, picturesque beauty. Get a glimpse of these vibrant rocks reflecting brilliant hues of red and green towering above a deep cerulean blue ocean, and it’s hard to picture a more beautiful location. The Na’Pali Coast State park is the perf...

The original Hawaiian name for Spouting Horn was “puhi,” meaning blowhole, and the water being forced upwards by strong ocean currents through this small opening within the lava rock can reach up to 50 feet in height. However, when waters are calm, the spout may not be as impressive as some larger ones found in Maui. However, what makes Spouting Horn entirely unique is the hissing/groaning sound it emits...

Waimea Canyon has been referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” because of its vastness (it’s the largest canyon in the Pacific) and its brilliant cliff faces with brightly colored layers of red, orange, and brown rock. Waimea, although smaller in size than its American Southwest counterpart, is more verdant, with patches of lush greenery among the rust-colored crags. The massive canyon is a mile...

Curious as to how a perfect hot cup of joe is made—from beans to mug? The super friendly folks at Kauai Coffee Company are not only purveyors of some of the finest Hawaiian coffee around, but they also offer coffee enthusiasts, or simply the coffee curious, an insiders glimpse into the operations at their Koloa Estate Coffee Plantation. Here, you’ll get to sample Kauai’s exclusive line of flavorful coffe...

Formed after decades of shipwrecks, industrial garbage, and people littering the ocean with glass bottles and jars, this beach is a rare find in Hawaii. It also goes to show that mere trash can sometimes be treasures. Although many of the best pieces have been scavenged by visitors, the colorful, rounded pebbles make a beautiful loose mosaic on the shore.

One of two wet caves in the area, Waikanaloa is the more easily accessible for its convenient location near the road. The murky, stagnant waters of this cave were once clean and clear, and it was regularly used as a swimming hole. Unfortunately, swimming today is prohibited and the cloudy waters are not all too inviting anyway. Still, it’s an eerily beautiful sight, and legend has it that Pele, the godde...

Located in Waimea Canyon (a.k.a. the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”), this little waterway with small falls cuts its path through Waimea’s renowned red dirt hills, with the water itself taking on a burnt sienna hue. Over time, the dark, iron-rich basalt rock strata turned various shades of rusty red from oxidation, giving the canyon its characteristic bands of color which causes many to draw comparisons t...