The most pristine, laid-back part of Kauai, the North Shore stretches from Kilauea all the way to the “end of the road” where the highway ends and the Na Pali Coast begins.

The North Shore has largely been preserved from development as many wealthy real estate tycoons and celebrities have bought large tracts of land here. Princeville is the lone resort cluster on the North Shore. The rest of the area is natural, beautiful, and isolated. As a result, some of the best places on the North Shore are also the hardest to access.

Kilauea

Kilauea Lighthouse is located in the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. It has outstanding views of the coast and the many bird species protected by the refuge. $5 entrance fee. It won’t take long and is definitely worth the visit.

Kong Lung shopping center is home to one of three Banana Patch Studios on the island, great for gifts, art, and home goods. Kilauea Bakery, located inside the shopping center, is a great stop if you’re in need of lunch or a snack.

Na 'Aina Kai is a beautifully maintained botanical garden located just outside Kilauea. The expansive grounds feature a variety of impressive — and sometimes surprising — trees, foliage and art. The garden was originally a private estate, but is now run by a nonprofit foundation that offers various types of tours for both walkers and riders. 

Kalihiwai

Kalihiwai Beach is in a nice big bay with sizeable but usually manageable waves. It’s never too busy here, and incredibly beautiful. Approach the beach from the east in order to find parking.

Long, lazy, and beautiful, the drive down Anini Road is right on the water with fantastic, secluded beaches all along it, the largest being Anini Beach. 

Princeville

Home to most of the condos and vacation rentals on the North Shore, Princeville definitely feels like a resort community, with its local Foodland grocery store, shopping center, and golf courses. While decidedly touristy, it makes for a great base of operations on the North Shore.

• Tiki Iniki is one of the few places open late. Good for drinks until midnight.
• Also located at the shopping center, make sure to get some ice cream at Lappert's after a long day of sight-seeing.

Queen’s Bath* is a beautiful spot incredibly unique to Kauai. Along the rocky coast, there are two tide pools and a number of other features that make for great sightseeing. The more adventurous travelers choose to swim in the tide pools, while others are content to explore the rocky coastline and look for sea turtles swimming along the shore.

• The only access is from an 8-car parking lot and it’s a bit of a hike to get there, so be careful,  especially if you’re trekking back up after sunset.

Watch the sunset at the St. Regis Hotel. The St. Regis is very expensive — if you’re a celebrity staying on the North Shore, you’re probably staying there. However, the hotel makes it very easy to come have a drink on their “lanai” and watch the sunset. Make sure to arrive early, as it does get crowded. There is no self-parking, you will need to valet your car (it’s free and they are very nice).

Hanalei

The last town before the end of the road, Hanalei is a great stop for tourists looking to shop, eat, or relax. Park once and then walk around the whole town. 

For coffee, Hanalei Coffee Roasters is the best game in town. 

Tahiti Nui* is the best restaurant on the North Shore, now quite popular since George Clooney ate there in the movie, “The Descendants.” 

For quick delicious local fare earlier in the day, stop by Village Snack Shop and Bakery.

And you must, must, must go to Puka Dog* and get their tropical hot dog covered in lilikoi mustard and tropical fruit relish — it will change your life. (Remember — there's a Puka Dog in Poipu too!)

Finally, try to catch the Hanalei Taro and Juice Co. lunch wagon, open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They serve traditional Hawaiian plate lunch and taro smoothies. Taro is like a potato, but it’s purple, tropical, and delicious.

Hanalei Bay is an iconic beach featured in many movies. There are two parking lots for beach parking.

The End of the Road

The road past Hanalei is slow, curvy, beautiful, and full of turn-offs and small beaches to stop at. Definitely take your time exploring this stretch, it’s one of the island’s treasures. 

The road ends at Ke’e Beach*, the beginning of the Na Pali Coast. Ke’e is a fantastic beach for wading, sunbathing, and snorkeling. There is a 50 percent chance you will see a honu (sea turtle) during your time there. Bring your slippers, the sand gets HOT.

The Kalalau Trail at the end of the road. Famous as the trail through the Na Pali Coast, you can walk as far as you’d like. Twenty minutes will deliver amazing views of the coastline and Ke’e Beach. A day hike to Hanakapiai Falls (8 miles round trip) will be one of the most memorable of your life.

• Ke’e and Kalalau Trail are huge tourist destinations and parking is extremely limited. The best way to do Ke’e is get there early (before 8 a.m.), go for a hike along the Na Pali coast, relax at Ke’e Beach and then take the leisurely drive back to civilization. If you’re not doing the hike and just want to see the beach, then take it easy in the morning and head over to the beach in the late afternoon. All the hikers have left by then and there should be parking.