Hawaii at a glance
With 1431 square kilometres (about one and a half times the area of Berlin), Kauai is the fourth largest Hawaiian island. The main island is Hawaii (The Big Island) with an area of over 10,000 square kilometres.
It is followed by Maui (The Valley Isle) and Oʻahu (The Gathering Place). But believe me: on no other island will you feel such a Hawaiian flair as on Kauai, one of the most spectacular places in the world. If you are on holiday in Hawaii, you should plan at least five days for a side trip to Kauai. You'll love the island and its many sights.
You can find even more Hawaii tips from Simone on her KULTravel blog.
On Kauai, breathtaking landscapes and magical places like this await you. By the way, the photo was taken at Salt Pond Park on the southwest side of the island. Here you can also camp directly on the beach. 1. a sightseeing flight over Kauai by helicopter
A helicopter flight over Kauai is a must and an absolute highlight on a trip to the volcanic island. From the air you can see the rugged mountains and deep valleys, where maybe even some dinosaurs still live (at least that's what they say in "Jurassic Park").
A helicopter tour of Kauai is an unforgettable experience. It's best to book a private flight without other passengers. This makes the Kauai experience even more intense. For a real thrill, book a helicopter with the doors removed. Then the wind whistles around your nose and every now and then raindrops spray in your face. In addition, you have a clear "field of view" with the camera without disturbing reflections in the glass.
The diary entry of our Kauai trip (2014): "Julia, our pilot, comes from Germany, but emigrated years ago with a green card and is now living her dream in the USA. Julia shows us breathtaking places like the Waimea Crater, the Nā Pali Coast and the impressive Manawaiopuna Falls - Jurassic Park was filmed here - in the helicopter with the extended doors. There couldn't have been a better location. Looking out of the helicopter, you inevitably feel transported back to a time when dinosaurs still ruled the earth. Our little helicopter is shaken up and the wind blows with hurricane force as soon as you stick a finger out of the door. We get caught in some rain showers that seem like a downpour. The hour with Julia goes by far too quickly - the 550 dollars for the private flight was definitely worth it. This flight was an unforgettable highlight."
Tip 1 for photographers: make sure all passengers wear dark clothing - this will reduce distracting reflections in the windows (unless you book a helicopter flight with the doors removed).
Tip 2 for photographers: To take photos from the helicopter, you need very short exposure times. You should also activate the image stabiliser.
Tip 3 for photographers: Midday light is always difficult. If possible, book an early evening flight (preferably the last flight of the day). Here are more tips for taking breathtaking landscape photos.
Exploring Kauai by helicopter is a bit of an adventure and an unforgettable experience. 
It's possible that dinosaurs still live on Kauai, right? 2 Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon is one of the top sights on Kauai. The impressive canyon is 16 kilometres long, up to 900 metres deep and is also called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
Parts of the canyon form the Waimea Canyon State Park, which you must visit. There are several spectacular viewpoints in the state park that you can reach directly by car. Of course, hikers also get their money's worth in Waimea Canyon State Park.
Waimea Canyon in the light of the rising sun. The canyon is extremely impressive and for us one of the top sights on Kauai.
A particularly beautiful hike leads into the Alakai Swamp. The tour starts at the end of Kokee Road, which leads from Waimea Canyon State Park to the neighbouring Kōkeʻe State Park, just before Pu'u O Kila Lookout.
You first follow the Pihea Trail, from which the Alakai Swamp Trail branches off for a good two miles. The trail is extremely slippery and muddy in parts. The Alakai Swamp Trail leads through a huge high moor at an altitude of about 1300 metres. Wooden footbridges prevent the trail from sinking into the swampy ground. The Alakai Swamp Trail takes you to Kilohana Lookout.
An early start is a must. You are in one of the rainiest places in the world, and as the day progresses, dense clouds come in, bringing downpours.
Here you look at Waiʻaleʻale, a shield volcano and the second highest mountain on Kauai after Kawaikini at 1569 metres. The name means "rippling" or "overflowing water" in the Hawaiian language and comes from the fact that the summit is actually always covered in clouds and it is constantly raining 
In the afternoon it usually closes in. Then it gets mystical on the Alakai Swamp Trail. 3. 3 The Kalalau Trail
High on our list of top sights on Kauai is the Kalalau Trail. The 18-kilometre-long trail is considered one of the most beautiful, but also most dangerous trekking trails in Hawaii and leads along the impressive Nā Pali Coast (which you may have already explored by helicopter).
Even the first part to Hanakapiai Beach is beautiful. The advantage: this part of the trail is not particularly difficult or dangerous. Many visitors therefore limit themselves to this section of the Kalalau Trail. Hanakapiai Beach is fantastically beautiful. Unfortunately, bathing on the beach is possible because of the strong currents. The situation is different at the start of the hike on the Kalalau Trail: at Ke'e Beach - where the Kalalau Trail begins - you can comfortably swim in the sea.
By the way: Ke'e Beach is not only populated by bathers, but also by countless hens and roosters. When hurricane "Iniki" swept over the volcanic island in 1992, the animals were set free. Today, thousands of wild chickens live on the island and rob the inhabitants of their sleep. If you are woken up at five in the morning by loud crowing roosters, you know what we mean.
⭐ Important info: If you want to explore the Kalalau Trail behind Hanakapiai Beach, you need a camping permit (go to the permit website). It doesn't matter if you want to camp or not. Access behind Hanakapiai Beach is limited to 60 people per day. Permits cost $20 per person per night and are usually only available a few weeks in advance. During the high season, permits are often taken a year in advance!
After about two miles on the well-known Kalalau Trail, you reach the beautiful Hanakapiai Beach. 
Hanakapiai Beach is beautiful. However, you should not swim here because of the strong currents. Travel guide for your trip to Kauai
We've already given you some tips and great sights for your trip to Kauai. If you are going to be on the island for a longer period of time, you should definitely get a printed travel guide.
4 Polihale State Park
Polihale State Park is a remote and wild beach on the west side of the island and is also one of the most beautiful sights on Kauai. A seemingly endless sandy beach awaits you. You reach Polihale State Park via a rough gravel road.
If you don't have an off-road vehicle at your disposal, you should park somewhere between the trees and walk a bit along the beach, which is about twelve kilometres long. There is even a campsite at the end of the road. However, an off-road vehicle is definitely recommended for the route there. The waves are huge and the surf has an enormous undertow. Swimming is absolutely taboo when the waves are high!
A good tip is to wear woollen socks: You can use them to explore the sand dunes, which can be up to 30 metres high, without burning your feet. The sand is really hot and it is quite difficult to walk with shoes on.
An endless sandy beach awaits you in Polihale State Park. It goes without saying that this place should not be missing from our list of top sights. 
Where the beach ends, the imposing mountains of the Nā Pali Coast rise into the sky. 5. 5 Shipwreck's Beach
Shipwreck's Beach in Koloa in the far south of the island(Google Maps) is a paradise beach and is also one of our top sights on Kauai. Fine white sand, high waves, palm trees - and hardly a soul. Yet the beach is right outside the doors of the Grand Hyatt Resort.
Maybe that's because the luxury hotel has a huge pool area and the guests prefer the pool. That's fine with us: When do you have such a beautiful beach more or less to yourself?
Entertainment at Shipwreck's Beach is provided by the surfers, who are constantly waiting for the next giant wave. And daredevils jump into the sea from the cliff opposite. But accidents do happen time and again.
Shipwreck's Beach is a great photo opportunity in the evening. 6 Anahola Beach
Anahola Beach in the town of the same name on the east coast of the island is one of the most beautiful beaches on Kauai and thus one of the biggest attractions for us. Fine sandy beach, clear water and palm trees - what more could you want? Photographers will love Anahola Beach because of the many stones in the water.
Tip for campers: Anahola Beach is the perfect place to pitch your tent right on the beach (website). There is even a shower, but unfortunately only with cold water. But you have the sea at your doorstep anyway. You can find more great campsites on Kauai at the end of the article.
When you get out of your tent in the morning and see this sunrise on the beach. The picture was taken at Anahola Beach 7. the Wailua Falls
The Wailua Falls are an incredibly beautiful photo motif and another famous attraction. And best of all, you don't have to hike far to visit this great place. A road leads right up to Wailua Falls.
To get the best shot of the waterfall, a tripod is a must (find the best travel tripods for photographers here). It would be a shame not to bring home some great pictures of this uniquely beautiful place, wouldn't it?
Wailua Falls is easily accessible by car and a top sight on Kauai. 8 The Ho'opi'i Falls
The Ho'opi'i Falls near Kapaʻa in northeast Kauai(Google Maps) are something of an insider tip. The waterfall is not directly on the road and can be reached via a muddy hiking trail. A good mosquito repellent is highly recommended on the short hike through the jungle.
There is also Ho'opi'i Falls II, also a very beautiful waterfall a little further on(Google Maps). After heavy rainfall, the water of the falls is unfortunately brown - like during our visit. But you also have the chance to see beautiful clear water.
The Ho'opi'i Falls are still a kind of insider tip on Kauai. 9 & 10 Rock Quarry Beach and the Pools of Mokolea
Rock Quarry Beach (also known as Kihili Beach) is located in the northeast of the island and is also very beautiful. The locals like to come here to surf. But it is something else that makes this beach so special. From Rock Quarry Beach you can easily reach the Pools of Mokolea - one of the most impressive sights on the island. Provided the water is not too high.
To get from the beach to the Pools of Mokolea, you have to cross the Kilauea River. Depending on the water level, this is possible - or not (at high tide, the water rises sharply!).
What are the Pools of Mokolea? They are tide pools in the lava rock directly at the sea, which fill up with water with every wave. No, the pools are not for swimming! But the Pools of Mokolea are definitely a great photo motif - especially at dusk (unfortunately we didn't make it to the pools at dusk).
You can also reach the Pools of Mokolea by land. Park on Kahili Quarry Rd (Kilauea, HI 96754) and hike the mostly muddy trail to the ocean and tide pools. Then you don't have to cross the Kilauea River.
Our hotel tip: Kiahuna Plantation & The Beach Bungalows
After a week in a tent, we treated ourselves to some luxury on the last evening of our trip and stayed at the Kiahuna Plantation & The Beach Bungalows ( check prices here*). The complex is fantastically beautiful and situated directly on the sea. Even the smallest bungalow, as we had booked, is huge. The accommodation is not cheap, but highly recommended.
The beach directly in front of the Kiahuna Plantation & the Beach Bungalows is beautiful and invites you to swim. The most beautiful campsites on Kauai
There are many great hotels on Kauai. But the Pacific island is also the ideal place for an adventure with tent and sleeping bag. If you're looking for a good tent for your trip, here's our tent guide. And here are some of the best campsites on Kauai:
At Anahola Beach on the east coast, you can pitch your tent right on the beach (website; Google Maps). If you want more comfort, you'll find Kumu Camp Beach Retreat In Anahola nearby. Here you can stay in a yurt (website).
You can also find a great campsite right by the sea on the southwest side at Salt Pond Park (website; Google Maps).
On the north coast, you can pitch your tent right on the beach at Anini Beach Park (website; Google Maps).
Another great campsite on the north coast is Haena Beach Park (website; Google Maps).
At the end of the eleven-mile Kalalau Trail, Kalalau Beach awaits as a reward for your efforts. You can camp nearby. But there is also a place to stay on the Kalalau Trail (about halfway along after six miles). You will need a camping permit (maximum five nights; website). Access is limited to 60 people per day. Permits cost $20 per person/night. During the high season, permits are often booked a year in advance!
A very simple but scenic campground is Koke'e State Park Campground in Koke'e State Park(website; Google Maps), adjacent to Waimea Canyon State Park. Due to the location, rain showers and cool temperatures are nothing out of the ordinary here.
Camping right by the sea: D that's no problem on Kauai 
Sunrise at Salt Pond Park: Here you can pitch your tent right by the sea - an unforgettable experience.