Almost everything about this island is pure magnificence. The oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands—shaped over 5 million years—Kauaʻi is rightfully called The Garden Isle for its lush greenery and dramatic landscapes. Emerald valleys spill into sheer cliffs, waterfalls cascade from mist-covered peaks, and life moves at a slower, gentler rhythm. Words can barely capture the beauty and spirit of this place. Without a doubt, Kauaʻi is a true haven for nature lovers.

We chose the ” Best of Kauai: Waimea Canyon, Wailua River & Fern Grotto” which was an 8-hour excursion. One of the highlights of this excursion was seeing ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls, a 151-foot cascade tucked into Wailua River State Park on Kauaʻi’s eastern side. We admired it from a roadside lookout along Kuamoʻo Road (Route 580), where the falls spilled gracefully down the cliffside into a lush valley. Just a short walk uphill and across the road, another viewpoint opened up to a sweeping view of the Wailua River Valley and the river itself—our cruising route later that day. The falls and the Wailua were unforgettable, but the rugged landscapes we passed along the way were equally spectacular. Honestly, I ran out of synonyms for “wow” and “beautiful”—everywhere we looked was pure, jaw-dropping natural beauty.

After taking in the scenery along the Wailua Heritage Trail, particularly admiring the beauty of ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls, we continued on a river cruise operated by Smith’s Kauai. It is a no-frills cruise; however, a descendant of the Smith Family gives a great narration of history and stories along the way. The rest of the Smith Family also entertained us with Hawaiian songs and dances during the boat ride.

The lush tropical flora that lined the path to the Fern Grotto

After enjoying our river cruise and the beauty of the Fern Grotto, we then traveled to see another attraction of Kauai, the Spouting Horn. It is located at Spouting Horn Beach Park on Lawai Road in Kōloa, on the south shore of Kauai ( https://www.kauai.com/spouting-horn ). Spouting Horn is a natural blowhole on Kauai, Hawaii, where waves force water through a lava tube and erupt as a high spout, sometimes reaching 50 feet into the air. This phenomenon is best seen during high tide. We did not see the water erupt that high because it was low tide when we were there. The site is also steeped in Hawaiian legend, which says the roar is the breath of a giant mo’o (lizard) trapped in the lava tube. 

From Spouting Horn Beach Park, we continued our journey westward and then inland to Waimea Canyon, located on the western side of Kauai. Often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, Waimea Canyon (https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/kauai/waimea-canyon-state-park/) stretches about 14 miles long, one mile wide, and more than 3,600 feet deep. Its dramatic landscape is carved by the Waimea River and centuries of erosion, showcasing a tapestry of red, brown, and green hues, along with cascading waterfalls and lush vegetation. The scenic drive up to the canyon offers breathtaking lookout points, each revealing a new perspective of this natural wonder.

We passed by “Kauai’s biggest little town”, Hanapepe! It is also the town that inspired the fictional town of Kokaua in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch.