Shaved Ice And Fish Tacos Food Truck Heaven
Heres lots of fabulous food in Kauai my favourite were the fish tacos and Emmie love the pork. We would just pull up and order our food and enjoy. We also loved our juices from the Kauai Juice Company and I had the best sushi from Sushi Girl. And if you want a fabulous burger stop at the service station at Princeville North Shore General they make awesome burgers and other fab food too.
Yummo! Shave ice is a must in Kauai
Best Luxury Hotel In Kauai: Aqua Kauai Beach Resort
This hotel is in one of Kauais best neighborhoods if you want to be close to the beach. It offers water slides, a Jacuzzi, a sauna, outdoor pool, and several dining options as well as a lounge bar. Each room has a private balcony and fridge as well as clean, elegant furnishings.
There are also some stunning beach houses and epic VRBOs in Kauai for a comfortable and homely stay.
Koloa Landing Resort At Poipu
Koloa Landing At Poipu Beach is the best family hotel in Kauai for those who love beach life. It features resort-style pools where your kids can play around. The suites come with a fully equipped kitchen. On the ground level, youll find a beautiful garden and a pond. A delicious breakfast is available every morning. While the kids are playing, enjoy the spa wellness packages to relax and refresh.
The suites and villas include floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious balconies. Here, you have views of the ocean. Many travelers say this is one of the best family hotels in Kauai. Additionally, the rooms come with Wi-Fi.
This hotel even claimed that they have the best pool in America. This fact is backed by its Best Resort in Kauai award. As one of the finest family friendly hotels in Kauai, they have everything to enhance your stay. The resort has three lagoon pools, including what they call the best pool in America.
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Why We Went To Kauai
We had originally planned to spend a whole month in Kauai, but our month-long rental fell through the week after we booked our plane tickets, and we couldnt find another good place to stay in Kauai. After much deliberation, we decided to book a short stay in Kauai and then spend the rest of the month in Oahu, where cheaper monthly rentals were more abundant. As a result, we only got a small taste of Kauai, enough for us to know we want to come back.
View of Waimea Canyon from Waimea Canyon Drive. The second largest canyon in the United States besides the Grand Canyon. January 2022
Sunscreen And Bugspray Are A Must
Its hot, and there are lots of bugs. Welcome to island life.
While being here, we havent really encountered the big, tropical mosquitoes that were used to in equatorial climates. But that does not mean we havent been bit! The bugs here are small, stealthy, and can get you all up and down your leg without you noticing.
Some areas are worse than others, and it will depend on the weather. Bring along spray or wipes every evening just in case!
This is my favorite sunscreen for babies. Its a mineral-based sunscreen, so it goes on kind of thick, meaning it takes an extra minute to rub in, but it protects significantly better than any spray Ive ever used. I also think it feels and smells way better once it is rubbed in.
And most importantly, my babies have never been burned while wearing it, and it has never stung either of their eyes. Its also safe if it ends up in babys mouth , and it is reef-safe.
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More Kauai Travel Tips With Kids
Ready to plan your trip to Kauai with kids? Here are a few more tips to help you prepare!
- Rent a car. Everything you want to see in Kauai is far from the airport. If you dont rent a car, youll likely end up spending a lot of money on cabs and Ubers. With a car, you can explore the island at your own pace.
- Stop to buy groceries and snacks. Before you leave the airport area, stop at Wal-Mart or Costco to stock up on snacks and water. Your room will most likely have a fridge, and you can save a ton of money on basic food and sundries. These are also great places to buy souvenirs before you fly home.
- Make high season reservations ASAP. If youre traveling anytime kids are out of school, especially during Christmas or Spring Break, make your hotel reservations ASAP. Once thats done, youll want to start making dinner reservations if there are specific restaurants you want to visit.
- The same thing goes for excursions. Tours can fill up quickly on the island, so if you plan to do any ziplining, snorkeling or boat tours, make sure you book them in advance.
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Kauai Hikes Walks + Strolls
Kauai is absolutely stunning and its best experienced by walking around and exploring.
If you dont want to go back to your hotel for nap time, try putting them in a stroller or baby carrier while you go for a walk. Its a great way to maximize your time on Kauai with avoiding overly tired kids!
Couple at the base of a Moreton Bay fig tree at the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai. Photo credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority / Tor Johnson
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Poipu Where To Stay In Kauai First Time
Poipu is located on the South Shore of Kauai and is a little quieter than other areas. Its also more atmospheric, with a beauty and relaxing atmosphere thats difficult to match. Poipu is one of the primary attractions on the South Shore and has been called one of the best coastlines in the country. Its the best neighborhood to stay in Kauai if you want to enjoy the beach without the crowds.
Eddy Galeotti
Poipu offers lots of water activities like paddle-boarding, sailing, and snorkeling in its warm, turquoise water. The beaches are seemingly endless stretches of white sand and the main beach, Poipu beach park, also has picnic areas, lifeguards, and showers just to make your visit better. And the collection of shops and restaurants in the area mean that Poipu is a good choice whether youre deciding where to stay in Kauai for one night, or for a longer visit.
Staying On The South Side
Including Koloa, Lawai, and Poipu
The Southern Shore of Kauai is where youll find the best weather, as its both drier and has more sun along this part of the island. This makes this part of the island especially popular with visitors, so youll also discover an abundance of great shopping and dining options here in addition to the many resorts. Just also expect there to be more crowds here too.
The South Shore makes for a great location to explore all of the sights and attractions on the western part of the island or to explore along the eastern coconut coast, but the drive can be a bit far to visit the attractions along the north shore.
The beaches along this part of the island are certainly bustling more than other beaches on Kauai, but theres a nice variety of beaches to select from – one of our personal favorites is Shipwreck Beach.
A few of the more popular properties in South Kauai are the Grand Hyatt Kauai, the Sheraton Kauai Resort, the Koa Kea Hotel & Resort, the Koloa Landing at Poipu Beach, and the .
- Sunny and dry almost year round
- Good selection of beaches available
- Many good restaurant and dining options
- Beaches are more crowded than on the North Shore
Kauai is home to many beautiful places to stay.
Queen’s Bath, North Kauai
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Which Are The Best Resorts In Kauai Hawaii For Families
No Kauai hotel list would be complete without the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. This hotel is located on the south side of Kauai and its perfect for your Kauai family vacation. Check latest rates and more information.
This resort tops our list of places to stay in Kauai and features the best pools in Kauai, beautiful gardens, as well as eleven restaurants.
Some of the dining areas offer ocean views, and the resort hosts the relaxing Anara Spa as well as golfing options.
The on-site golfing area is named Poipu Bay Golf and is a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed course featuring daily lessons, golf carts, and unique merchandise.
Keeping it more traditional, the hotels lobby is populated by artisans and craftsmen celebrating Hawaiian culturedaily. The resort also offers hula, ukulele, and lei making lessons each week!
They also have a kids club available, which is fun for kids and gives grown ups a bit of a break.
Finally, the resort offers a Blue Hawaiian Activities Concierge service, that can help you plan anything from restaurant reservations to surfing lessons and helicopter tours.
You can reach out to the concierge service after you arrive, or even while youre planning your trip! Sometimes, what you really need is an expert to help you out instead of hours of falling down internet pathways.
This is definitely one of the top kid friendly resorts in Kauai worth checking out. You can read my full Grand Hyatt Kauai review HERE.
Hire A Babysitter And Enjoy The Romance Of Kauai
This has made such a difference for our enjoyment of this trip! There are a lot of different ways to find childcare when youre traveling, and I highly recommend that you find a little time away with just your partner or yourself! while on vacation.
While there are many things to do on Kauai with baby, there are also amazing things that are just for adults.
We researched babysitting services here on the island before we came, and decided on ChildCare Kauai. They set us up with a fabulous sitter for 4 different occasions for our stay.
We were so glad to have the same sitter each time, and our 2-year-old started asking for her by name! This gave us time to do some adult things that we wouldnt otherwise be able to: take a helicopter tour, a ukulele class, eat a fancy dinner, and have a drunken bicycle ride along the coast in Kapaa!
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Hanalei Best Area To Stay In Kauai For Nightlife
Hanalei is on the North Shore and is probably the most popular area for tourists on the island. Youll find a huge variety of travelers in this area, from families to surfers, and people looking for a luxury experience. This is the ideal place when youre trying to decide where to stay in Kauai for nightlife, as its filled with restaurants, bars, and the kind of travelers who want to party.
But that isnt all that this destination has to offer. Its also good for families, solo travelers, and people who want to experience Kauais local culture too. There are several important historic sites in the town as well as local art galleries and interesting, unique shops. And the town offers a range of accommodation options, so youll be able to find somewhere to stay that suits you whether youre looking for a hotel or a hostel in Kauai.
Choosing The Best Resort In Kauai For Families
Kauai is one of my favorite islands to visit in Hawaii and was the first one I ever visited. Ive now been back to the island more than 30 times!
If youre looking for outdoor adventures and a taste of real Hawaiian nature, this is the island for you.
Whether youre looking for access to the great Hanalei beach on the North Shore or wanting to combine easy airport access with a waterfall tour, our hotel picks above have you covered.
You might even want to stay at a few options for a few nights each to enjoy every part of the island.
No matter the age or size of your family, theres something on The Garden Island for you.
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Best Airbnb In Hanalei: Hanalei Garden Surf Cottage
Located in the best neighborhood in Kauai to stay in if you want to be close to everything, this cottage offers a clean, reasonably priced place to stay in the heart of Hanalei. Its small but contains everything youll need during your stay and is only one block from the beach. Youll get the entire historic building to yourself, which includes a lanai and kitchen.
Best Instagram Spots In Kauai
I think its impossible to take a bad photo in Kauai. With stunning scenery in every direction, dont forget your camera! Heres some of our favorite photo opps in Kauai.
- Anything that includes chickens! Feral chickens are quintessential Kauai, so dont miss the chance to photograph a few.
- Waimea Canyon
- RAINBOWS!!
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Tips For Choosing Where To Stay On Kauai
When you choose where to stay in Kauai, its good to know what kind of experience you are looking for. The island of Kauai is divided into five main regions. The main regions of Kauai are Lihue, the East Side , the North Shore, the South Shore and the West Side
Scattered throughout the regions of Kauai are the incredible towns and villages that make this island such an incredible destination. However, certain areas such as the Na Pali Cpast are very mountainous and difficult to access. You wont find many places to stay in Kauai within the interior either as much of this area is rough terrain and difficult to build on.
Spend Lots Of Time At The Beach
There are so many beautiful beaches out on the island, but some are more kid-friendly than others. Lydgate Beach Park features a sheltered swimming area, perfect for toddlers and new swimmers. Picnic tables and a playground amp up the family-friendly factor.
If you are looking for a nice beach within walking distance of food and drink, Kalapaki Beach is a great option. The water is generally calm and great for beginner surfers and paddle boarders.
Shacks next to the beach offer lessons and equipment rental. Several restaurants are near the beach, including the Dukes and the grab-and-go Kalapaki Beach Hut.
Hanalei Beach is my favorite beach on the island. The views are remarkable, the sand is powdery soft, and the beach is never crowded. While the surf can kick up during the winter months, the water is typically flat and ideal for swimming in summer.
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Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa By Outrigger In East Kauai
This resort is located a bit farther out from Lihue airport compared to Marriotts Kauai Lagoons but is still a great choice on the east side of the island by the Wailua River State Park.
This resort is condo-style, with each bedroom unit hosting at least two bathrooms. Thats why its a huge hit with families. Check latest rates and more information.
Theres also a lazy river pool with water slides to enjoy, with two acres of green grounds to explore as you float. The pool here is beautiful, with waterfalls and lava rock decorations.
The Oasis Beach restaurant nearby is a great spot for island-inspired food and beautiful views.
This resort is located between the towns of Kapaa and Wailua with beachfront access.
Learn A Few Hawaiian Words
Youre not going to encounter anyone who doesnt speak English, but that doesnt mean that you wont hear a few Hawaiian words! You need to know these to really get along:
wainakeiki
- Keiki = kids. Youll want to ask for the Keiki menu!
- Aloha = essentially hello and goodbye. The true meaning of Aloha is more nuanced, though, and means love, compassion, etc.
- Mahalo = thank you. Try mahalo nui loa to really impress.
- Ohana = family. An important word in Hawaii!
- Shaka = a hand gesture signaling approval, solidarity, or good intentions. Its a fist with the thumb and pinky finger out, and then a light shake. Think hang loose.
So thats it! Everything I can think of that you should know before visiting Kauai with a baby or toddler. To me, having been to several of the islands, I truly think that Kauai is the best Hawaiian island to visit with a baby, because it is just so easy and low-key just what a parent traveling to Hawaii with an infant needs most. I cant think of many places that I would rather be right now!
Have you been to Kauai? Did you love it as much as I do? Let me know in the comments!
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Dani Ward
EXCLUSIVELY FOCUSED ON TRAVEL WITH BABIES AND TODDLERS.
Im Dani.
I want to help you prepare to have the best trip ever, because of not in spite of bringing the baby. read more
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Kayak To The Fern Grotto Or Combine It With The Smiths Garden Luau
Kauai is the only Hawaiian Island that has a navigable river. And what a river it is! The Wailua river snakes through the interior of the island and has helped support the indigenous people as well as shape some of the most spectacular landscapes of Kauai. Much of this is now protected by the Wailua State Park.
The Fern Grotto is a picture-perfect lava cave decked in ferns and other plant life with a sprinkling waterfall that pours steadily over the entrance from the cliffs above. The Fern Grotto has become a popular place for weddings, engagements, and special occasions due to its near-perfect tropical paradise vibe. However, be warned.
Many of the photos you see of the Kauai Fern Grotto show people exploring the cave and walking among the ferns. This is no longer possible. Hurricane Iwa and the closing of a nearby sugar plant have caused some deterioration of the attraction and now it can only be viewed from a platform below.
There are two ways to visit the Fern Grotto, the first is to rent kayaks at Kayak Kauai near the mouth of the river and make your way up the river stopping at waterfalls and taking in the stunning scenery along the way. The second is to join Smiths Motorboat Tours or the Smiths Island Luau. We knew that wed be very tired after our first day in Kauai, so we opted to skip the Luau and just do the motorboat tour. In retrospect,