North Shore of Kauai
We took a peaceful trip to the North Shore of Kauai in January of 2026 for some R&R. A slow pace was our focus – good books, toes in the sand, great food and drinks, and plenty of sleep for the perfect reset. We’re already planning for our next trip back!
The Sound of the Ocean
While in Kauai, we stayed in a little bungalow right on the ocean. Falling asleep to the sound of the waves every night was pretty much perfection. Plus when I wanted to do a little work on the blog, it didn’t feel like actual work. We slowed way down and soaked up the kind of calm that only Kauai can deliver.
While not a swimming beach, the area right outside of our place was a beautiful sandy strip with rough ocean waves and plenty of friendly dogs that occasionally stopped by to say hello. Gotta love the beach dogs! We loved reading and resting in this area since it was right outside our door.
So. Many. Books.
Our reading list was all over the map in the best way, ranging from Parable of the Sower to Bad Summer People to A Head Full of Ghosts. From thought-provoking to dark and creepy to downright entertaining, it felt like the perfect mix for long, quiet days by the ocean.
Here are some of the books we read (though we didn’t both read them all).
- Parable of the Talents by Octavia E Butler
- Before We Were Strangers by Renee Carlino
- A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
- 1984 by George Orwell
- Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham
- American War by Omar El Akkad
- A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
- Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum
- The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
- Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan
- Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
THE Tree
We’ve stayed at this spot in Kauai before and always love using this big, beautiful tree as the backdrop for photos. With a little creativity and the iPhone self-timer, voilà – pictures filled with memories we’ll always treasure, especially the bloopers that you don’t see here!
Biking the North Shore
After our first night on the island, Mike had two town bikes delivered to our bungalow. They were a bit battered and rickety, but that didn’t stop us from hopping on and exploring the nearby beaches – Hāʻena, Tunnels, and my personal favorite, Ke’e Beach.
On the way to the beaches, there’s always a stretch of road flooded by a stream flowing into the ocean. Naturally, I had to lift my legs high – Wicked Witch of the West style – while crossing it. Mike sneakily snapped a few (live) photos, and I still giggle every time I see them. Sometimes it’s the little moments like these that are the most fun!
Hiking the Kahala Trail
Mike did the “family friendly part of the Kahala Trail, which is four miles round trip to Hanakapi Beach. We’ve done this section as a family back in 2017 and Mike has hiked it another couple of times since then.
The Kahala Trail winds over slippery rocks and rolling streams, with lush greenery all around. Along the way, you get sweeping views of the rugged coastline that make the hike truly special. I can still see it in my mind!
The hike can be extended to Hanakāpīʻai Falls for roughly eight miles round-trip, adding a scenic inland trek to a waterfall. More experienced hikers can continue along the full Kalalau Trail to Kalalau Beach, which is 11 miles one way and requires a permit. This longer route is steep, narrow in places, and best suited for serious, well-prepared hikers.
Small Adventures
Ke’e Beach is a stunning spot tucked at the end of the North Shore, where golden sand meets clear, turquoise water with a dramatic mountain view in the background. We pedaled here twice – once (seen below) on a cloudy, misty day and another, on a picture-perfect sunny day. Don’t ask me why I didn’t photograph the second day, LOL.
The beach is perfect for a swim because a natural reef-protected lagoon keeps the water calm and gentle, especially for kids or casual swimmers. The shallow, clear water makes it easy to wade in and enjoy without worrying about strong waves. We rotated between napping and swimming, and of course, people watching.
Note: The beach is inside the Hāʻena State Park so you’ll need a pass for access (you can get it 30 days in advance).
Limahuli Cold Pond is a natural cold‑water spot near the Nā Pali State Park area that many people visit after hiking the North Shore. This a cool freshwater swimming hole is right off the road near Hā‘ena State Park. We tried to visit here every day for our “cold plunge” and it was especially refreshing after walks, hikes, and bike riding!
In between hiking, biking, and beaching, we enjoyed many coffee stops at The Haven – the ONLY place close enough to get a coffee and head back to our bungalow. We were thankful to have it handy as the trip to town is close to 20 minutes or so (via one lane bridges and windy roads). Good thing I brought our Toddy cold brew coffee maker because we’ve also enjoyed many cups made at “home”.
Y’all probably know we’re Mumu and Gramps now – one precious granddaughter and another on the way! So naturally, a big chunk of my vacation shopping was at children’s shops – it’s way more fun than shopping for myself. I did sneak in a “salty” shirt for me, though, because a little sass never hurts, LOL.
Beauty Everywhere
I must say that Kauai is the most beautiful island out of the ones we’ve visited (Kauai, Oahu, The Big Island, and Maui). We especially love the north shore because it’s got epic beaches, lush mountains, and chill vibes that make you never want to leave. We also love the small town of Hanalei – a charming little spot with colorful shops, great food, and that laid-back aloha energy you can feel the moment you arrive.
The main downside of staying on the North Shore of Kauai is the weather, especially in winter and spring as it tends to be rainier and cloudier than other parts of the island, which can limit beach and outdoor activities. Roads and trails can also get muddy or slippery, and some areas are more remote, meaning fewer restaurants, shops, and services compared to towns like Lihue or Poipu.
While we did have more drizzly, rainy days than we’d like, we made good use out of them by reading and resting. Admittedly, we were thrilled to get several sunny days at the end of our time in Kauai and got plenty of beach time.
Mai Tai Testing in Hanalei
Hanalei is basically a Mai Tai lover’s playground, and we took our taste-testing very seriously. From fruity and sweet to dangerously smooth, we sampled enough to declare ourselves the unofficial cocktail connoisseurs of the North Shore.
Here is our breakdown:
- Tahiti Nui – This recipe is considered famous in Hanalei and is made from a long‑standing family recipe that’s been served there since the 1960s (as old as we are!).
- Hanalei Gourmet – These came in second place, not even close to first!
- The Dolphin – These are pretty strong but not as fruity as I’d like. Hmmm, maybe I should try them one more time, LOL.
- AMA – A distant last place but still drinkable! We had them on New Year’s Eve in celebration of kicking 2025 to the curb.
If you are interested in making Mai Tais at home, try our Hawaiian Mai Tai Recipe. It’s delish and gets rave reviews from family and friends.
Local Food Scene
While we love hitting up food trucks on the north shore of Oahu, the north shore of Kauai is more restaurant focused for us. We made several reservations and enjoyed most of the meals we ate there (all in the town of Hanalei).
- AMA – is a casual, flavorful spot focused on fresh, delicious ramen and other noodle dishes with a modern twist. We enjoyed both pork and ahi ramen bowls along with a mai tai, of course.
- The Dolphin – a long‑loved spot on Kauai’s North Shore serving everything from hand‑cut fish and sushi rolls to classic island dishes, plus there’s a fish market attached if you want to take fresh catch (or sushi rolls) home with you.
- Tahiti Nui – a lively, colorful spot serving tropical drinks (our favorite mai tai!) and Hawaiian plate meals, with live music that keeps the aloha vibes flowing.
- Bar Acuda – a cozy, farm‑to‑table restaurant serving creative small plates, local ingredients, and great wine in a warm, laid‑back setting. (our favorite restaurant on the north shore)
- The Hanalei Gourmet – local favorite for fresh made‑to‑order fish and chips, sandwiches, salads, and deli eats perfect for picnics or beach days.
Our Favorite Coffee Spots (plus smoothies and shave ice)
Our favorite coffee spot was hands-down our Toddy cold brew made in the comfort of our vacation rental. We even made “coffee cubes” which are essential in the humid air of Hawaii. We also enjoyed coffee from The Haven (can you see the cat in the background) and from The Wishing Well in Hanalei (made in jars for sustainability – plus you get a discount if you bring your jar back).
We also enjoyed delicious smoothies at The Wishing Well and shave ice at JoJo’s. Here is a little rundown of some of our fave spots.
- The Haven – local coffee shop
- Aloha Juice Bar – a juice, smoothie, and Acia bowl spot in Hanalei
- Hanalei Bread Company – great coffee and breakfast spot (plus loaves of bread to go)
- JoJo’s Shave Ice – a great spot in town for shave ice
- Wishing Well Coffee – coffee, smoothies, and small breakfast items (plus they have a cool clothing shop next door)
If you want a peek at some of our other Hawaiian travel, see our Beautiful Oahu post, The Big Island of Hawaii, and our Family Trip to Kauai.
Mahalo Kauai! We’ll be back! 🌺 🏝️
