7 Things to Do in Kauai (Other Than Go to the Beach)

You’ve heard plenty of advice on the best beaches in Hawaii. But make sure not to miss all the other amazing sights and tastes Kauai has to offer.

The Hawaiian island of Kauai really doesn’t have to try too hard. There’s no strain to fabricate the perfect paradise for resort-stayers, and there’s no beach music thumping late into the night. Kauai simply is what it is. And what it happens to be is the incarnation of tranquil, rugged, untouched beauty.

Kauai is the oldest of its Hawaiian sisters and you can almost feel that unbothered maturity when you step ashore. Time feels infinite. The lush rainforest whispers, the clear waves undulate and the chickens strut about just as they’ve done since the island emerged from the sea 5 million years ago (okay, well the wild chicken population actually proliferated in the 1980s– but the sea and forest are both truly ancient).

An island vacation to such a paradise invites a large allocation of time to be spent lounging in the Polynesian sun with a ‘lava flow’ cocktail in hand. And rightfully so. Kauai is nothing if not a reminder to slow down and savour nature. However, we would be remiss not to mention the sights and tastes of Kauai that exist beyond the relaxation of the beach.

1. Nāpali Coast tour and snorkeling

Visiting Kauai without seeing the Nāpali Coast would be like visiting Paris without catching sight of the Eiffel Tower. This coastline of stunning clifftops, long stretches of coastline and dense rainforest is like something out of a movie. Which it is. Nāpali is the iconic introductory island shot in Jurassic Park.

There are several ways of viewing this 27-kilometre-long island – from a kayak to a helicopter. But we suggest taking a snorkeling boat tour for up-close views of the scenery and marine life. Local companies, like Captain Andy’s or Blue Dolphin Charters, lead fantastic tours.

The Napali Coast is like something out of a movie

2. Queen’s Bath

Queen’s Bath is one of those unreal places you are usually only able to view on the Instagram feed of that travel influencer you’re insanely jealous of. This swimmable tide pool filled with clear, blue water on the north shore of Kauai is safe to visit on days the swell is less than 1.2 metres, so make sure to check the surf report.

The short, 15-minute hike to the natural pool is pleasant in its own right and features a beautiful waterfall. Find more detailed directions here.

3. Hanapepe Art Night

Since its inception in 1997, Hanapepe Art Nights have brought a buzz of music, open art galleries and street vendors of all kinds to the demure streets of southern Kauaian town Hanapepe. Held every Friday from 5 pm to 9 pm, Hanapepe Art Night provides an authentic peek into the local Kauai experience and a great night out.

Hanapepe Art Night provides an authentic peek into the local Kauai experience

4. Waimea Canyon. And stop for shaved ice.

While most of Kauai’s main attractions and towns reside on the coast, don’t miss this scenic marvel at the centre of the island. Known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific", the stretching steep gorges of Wailea Canyon are spectacular to behold.

There are several beautiful lookout points that are fairly intuitive to find. Just drive along Waimea Canyon Road and keep an eye out for lookout spots, such as Waimea Canyon Lookout. Pro tip: stop by Kauai’s favorite snow cone shack, JoJo’s Shave Ice in Waimea, for a frozen treat after a day of exploring in the sun.

The stretching steep gorges of Wailea Canyon are spectacular

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5. ATV through the historic Kipu Ranch

ATVing is the perfect dose of action to spice up your beach trip. There are plenty of great ATV tours to choose from, but Kipu’s is special because of the exclusive stunning views and access to some Hollywood blockbuster backdrops. Whether you knew it or not, you’ve already seen some of Kipu’s views in scenes of Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Carribean or The Descendants.

In addition to the breathtaking sights and a photo-op swinging on the famous Indiana Jones “vine," you’ll leave the tour with more knowledge about both the island and the historic, 1,214-hectre ranch built in 1872.

6. Kauai Coffee Estate

Kauai Coffee is much more than a cosy coffee shop. It’s the largest coffee farm in the U.S. and it offers free walking tours of the property four times a day. If you’re a coffee lover (or know a coffee lover that could use a caffeine-inspired gift), stop by to sample a variety of coffees, learn more about how coffee is grown and harvested and even catch a live coffee roasting demonstration.

7. Step into a Hemingway novel at Art Cafe Hemingway

It’s hard to dive into an Ernest Hemingway novel, with all of its sumptuous food descriptors, and escape without some serious cravings. Now you can finally step into the world of Hemingway and leave with a satisfied stomach.

This farm-to-table cafe brings the food of Hemingway’s world to life with menu items inspired by and named after the author’s books. This spot on the eastern side of the island is in an endearingly rickety building with good vibes and curated art lining the walls.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

7 things to do in Kauai (other than go to the beach)