North Shore Kauai Vacation Rentals
Kauai, or better known as the “Garden Isle”, is home to the most breathtaking beaches, picturesque sunsets, and serene estates. Perfect for family vacations, honeymoons, or a weekend getaway to recharge, you’re sure to find the perfect fit as there is a wide range of Kauai vacation rentals including lavish oceanfront villas, cozy cottages, private estates, and luxurious condos.
Before choosing a vacation rental on Kauai, it’s important to first understand the layout of the island. Kauai’s North Shore is filled with white sandy beaches, remote hiking trails, peaceful waterfalls, and the postcard-perfect turquoise-waters of Hanalei Bay. The South Shore is sunny year-round and features Poipu Beach, which has been rated the Best Beach in America. Featuring some of the islands best restaurants, Kauai’s South Shore is a popular destination to book luxury vacation rentals or private estates on the ocean.
Most Popular Kauai Locations
Anini Beach is an idyllic location on the North Shore featuring a laid-back vacation vibe, white sandy beaches, calm waters, and lots of outdoor adventures. Bring snorkeling gear and get ready for incredible views of the large coral reef that rings the island. Find the perfect vacation rental on Anini Beach Kauai.
Hanalei is a quaint town on the North Shore of Kauai that boasts beautiful sunsets on the Hanalei Bay with sprawling mountain views. Once named the "Hippest Town in Kauai" by Vogue, the town showcases its local boutiques, food trucks, cascading waterfalls, and surf breaks.
Hide in Haena Kauai and soak up the sun for your next vacation. Located on Kauai's North Shore, it's often filmed as a backdrop to movies due to its tropical beauty, picturesque scenery, and white sandy beaches. Haena offers many oceanfront vacation rentals and beachfront villas.
Princeville is located at the North Shore Kauai and features championship golf courses, luxurious home rentals, high-end condos, and a large selection of fine dining. Princeville has an abundance of cliffside views overlooking the ocean, local markets, and plenty of outdoor activities for the entire family.
Kapaa is a small town at the bottom of Nounou Mountain, also known as "The Sleeping Giant". Kapaa is a tourist-friendly location with many small shops, outdoor activities, and restaurants. Make sure to see the Sleeping Giant Trail, Haena Beach Park, and the Ho'olalaea Waterfall.
Kilauea is a picturesque town with breathtaking views of rolling bluffs, sweeping sandy white beaches, volcanic mountains, and a historic lighthouse.
Poipu is located on the South Shore Kauai and boasts beautiful sunsets, centralized shopping, and Poipu Beach, which offers a great opportunity to see tropical fish, turtles, and sea lions. Poipu is a great location for families and has a large variety of home and condo rentals.
Kalihiwai can be described as a tropical paradise filled with the Kalihiwai River, lush green rain forests, and white sandy beaches, including Secret Beach Kauai. Kalihiwai Beach has a crescent-shaped beach framed by lava rocks and cliffs that enclose the beach on one side.
Things to Do on Kauai
Kauai is filled with the most beautiful beaches, laid-back locals, scenic hiking trails, and smoldering volcanic mountains you’ll find anywhere in the world. A quick drive around the island is sure to leave you in awe of the tropical rainforest covered valleys and hidden beaches with waves that break just right. But we’ll warn you, spend a few afternoons exploring the island and it might even convince you to leave the mainland behind.
Here are a few landmarks to include in your island itinerary:
Na Pali Coast
The Na Pali Coast truly is a national treasure as it is untouched and serene while displaying the jagged cliffs, secluded beaches, and bright green rainforest. Accessing the coastline by land is difficult – a challenging 11-mile Kalalau Trail trek – so plan on a boat ride or sightseeing flight or helicopter tour to truly take in the beauty of the Na Pali Coast.
Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, is located in West Kauai and offers spectacular scenic views of red cliffsides filled with evergreen rainforest. Waterfalls and distant rivers spill to the bottom of the 3,600-mile-deep canyon. There are multiple lookout points just off of Koke’s Road including Waimea Canyon and Puu Hinahina; however, others choose to Koke’e State Park.
Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay is the largest bay on the north shore. Known as a favorite surf location during the winter, the soft, white sandy beach is accented by distant mountains on one side and sailboats enjoying the rolling waves on the other. Stop by a local market on your way, as Hanalei Beach is ideal for picnics, swimming, and paddle boarding.
Kalalau Trail
For an adventure off the beaten path, Kalalau Trail is a popular 11-mile hiking trail for avid hikers that leads to the secluded Kalalau Beach. It provides jaw-dropping views as you make the long, rugged trek. The reward, a beautiful waterfall, and a great beach.
Wailua Falls
There are many ways to see the beauty of Wailua Falls. It boasts a spectacular 173-foot waterfall that feeds into the Wailua River. Most visitors choose one of the overlooks, however, to see them up close you can kayak or hike as the twin falls pour into a lake at the bottom.
Check Availability
