East Side
🌺 Things to do
4 curated experiences
Sleeping Giant Trail (Nounou Ridge)
Kapaʻa
The best accessible ridge hike on the east side of Kauai — a 4km round trip trail to the ridge of the mountain profile that, from the coast, resembles a giant sleeping on his back. The summit viewpoint delivers 360° panoramas: Wailua River and coast below, Ha'upu Ridge behind, and Hanalei Bay direction in the distance on a clear day. A steady climb rather than strenuous; well-maintained and well-shaded. An excellent morning activity from a Kapaa base before heading north or south.
Kapaa Coastal Bike Path
Kapaʻa
The most enjoyable cycling on Kauai — a flat, paved coastal path with beautiful white sand beaches on one side and tropical vegetation on the other, virtually no cars. Unlike most of Kauai which requires a vehicle, this can be done entirely without one. The path passes multiple beaches ideal for a spontaneous swim, and the ocean views are unobstructed throughout. A 90-minute easy ride; strong cyclists can extend it significantly. One of the best-value activities on the island.
Wailua River Kayak to Uluwehi Falls
Wailua
Kauai's only navigable river — kayak 2 miles upstream, hike 1.5 miles through dense jungle, arrive at a 120-foot waterfall with a pristine pool. The most accessible backcountry waterfall experience in Hawaii.
Wailua Falls
Wailua
A spectacular 27m double waterfall on the Wailua River — one of the most photographed waterfalls in Hawaii and famously used in the opening sequence of the old Fantasy Island TV series. The viewpoint parking area is right at the edge: no hike required, total time commitment 20 minutes. The cascade is at its most dramatic after rain when the Wailua River is running high. Combine with a Wailua River kayak day or as a quick stop on the way from Kapaa to the south shore.
🥾 Hikes
1 trail
🏨 Where to stay
3 vetted properties
Kauai Shores Hotel
Kapaʻa
Simple oceanfront property in Kapaa on the east side. Best budget option with direct beach access. Pacific sunrise views are the selling point. Central location for north and south shore day trips.
Hotel Coral Reef
Kapaʻa
Small family-run beachfront hotel in Kapaa — one of the last truly local budget options on Kauai. Rooms are dated but clean; beachfront location is unbeatable at this price.
Plantation Hale Suites
Kapaʻa
One-bedroom condo suites in Kapaʻa on the east side, across from the Coconut Marketplace and a short walk to the beach path; units E3 and J8. Three pools; the value stay between the two shores.
🍽️ Where to eat
2 places our scouts eat
JO2 by Chef Jean-Marie Josselin
Kapaʻa
JO2 by Chef Jean-Marie Josselin (Kapaa, on Kuhio Hwy) — the best restaurant on the east side and one of the finest on the island. French-trained chef using Kauai farm ingredients in creative fusion plates. Significantly better than anything in Poipu resort corridor at a more reasonable price. Reserve at least a week ahead for dinner.
Wailua Shave Ice
Kapaʻa
Wailua Shave Ice (Kapaa, on Kuhio Hwy) — the best shave ice on Kauai. The machine shaves ice paper-thin; syrups are made from fresh fruit. Order with a macadamia ice cream base underneath. Get lilikoi (passion fruit) as one of your flavors.
📅 Events
16 on the calendar
2026-01-03
Quadrantid meteor shower (peak)
The Quadrantids are one of the year's strongest meteor showers, with a brief, sharp peak in early January that can produce 40 or more meteors per hour under dark skies. Because Hawaiʻi has some of the clearest, darkest skies in the U.S., the islands are a superb place to watch. Look in the hours before dawn, away from town lights — a high-elevation spot or a dark leeward beach is ideal. No telescope needed; just let your eyes adjust for 20 minutes.
2026-02-21
2026 Waimea Town Celebration
2026-02-21
Na Heihei A Ola - Waimea Town Celebration Fun Run
2026-04-22
Lyrid meteor shower (peak)
The Lyrids are an annual April meteor shower, active for about a week and peaking around April 22 with roughly 15–20 fast, bright meteors per hour and the occasional fireball. From Hawaiʻi, the best viewing is after midnight into the pre-dawn hours, away from city lights. Find a dark, open sky — upcountry or a leeward shore — and give your eyes time to adjust.
2026-05-06
Eta Aquariid meteor shower (peak)
The Eta Aquariids are debris from Halley's Comet, peaking in early May. Hawaiʻi's low latitude makes it one of the best places in the United States to watch this shower — from the tropics it can deliver 40+ swift meteors per hour, many leaving glowing trains. Look toward the eastern sky in the hours before dawn from a dark location. A standout event for island stargazers.
2026-08-12
Perseid meteor shower (peak)
The Perseids are the most popular meteor shower of the year, peaking in mid-August with up to 60 bright, fast meteors per hour and frequent fireballs, all on warm summer nights. Debris from Comet Swift-Tuttle, they are easy to enjoy from Hawaiʻi under dark skies. Watch after midnight, away from town lights, from a high-elevation site or a dark beach; no equipment needed.
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