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With some of the heaviest waves on Earth to its credit, the surfing is always incredible in Kauai. However, the ideal place on the island to catch waves often varies with each season. Ocean shifts can be radical with the daily weather and even vary by the hour! Changing tides and local winds have an effect on the swell, but there are always waves available to beginners and surfing virtuosos alike.

From May through October, Poipu Beach on the south side of the island offers slow waves ideal for newbies. Kalapaki Beach at the Nawiliwili Harbor on the southeastern shoreline has shallow sandbar breaks for novices and bodyboarders, with the outside area popular with skilled riders. Kealia Beach on the east coast is another good spot for both bodyboarders and surfers, and the west side’s Pakala offers a long, left point break. These are just a few suggestions for surfers—Kauai is filled with miles of beaches and prime surfing spots year-round.

Located at the base of Kauai’s Sleeping Giant Mountain, Kapaa also provides stunning natural scenery, warm and friendly locals, and a small-town vibe that visitors find relaxing. Kick back on the beach with a bottle of Nani Moon Mead or explore the shops of the Kinipopo Shopping Village in this charming and picturesque village.

Want to learn more about the local flora and fauna? Visit Smith’s Tropical Paradise and see everything as it should be in its natural habitat. A visit to the Kadavul Hindu Temple can renew worn and weary spirits, as can the sublime beauty of the Ho'olalaea Waterfall. Finally, if you’re up to something a bit more strenuous, a stunning, 360-degree view of the Island’s east side can be seen while hiking the Sleeping Giant Trail, or you can indulge yourself with kayaking, surfing the waters just off the island, paddle-boarding, or other exhilarating water sports—all right here in Kauai.

Along with stunning natural beauty, natural attractions and landmarks, Kauai also offers an abundance of fun and fascinating events and activities. With that in mind, check out the list below for a few suggestions for February activities.

Waimea Town Celebration

An outrigger canoe regatta, crafts, rodeo, vendors, live entertainment, food, and a beer garden will all be a part of the Waimea Town Celebration. From February 15-23, this nine-day event becomes one huge party. Honoring both Hawaiian heritage as well as multi-ethnicities, the event plays host to thousands annually.

Hanapepe Friday Night Festival & Art Walk

Happening every Friday, Old Town Hanapepe offers an evening of fun for the entire family. You’ll find art galleries and loads of additional shopping, including the work of local crafters. You’ll also find restaurants, classic cars, stilt walkers, and live entertainment.

Kaua’i Quilt Show 2020

Head over to the Kauai Society of Arts Gallery on February 25 for this impressive annual display of fabric art. You’ll find over 70 quilts on display, and many will be for sale. Also, smaller, hand-crafted items will also be up for grabs.

Located on the south side of the island, the Kauai Coffee Company’s four million-plus trees are spread across 3,100 acres and grown in the island’s rich volcanic soil. The company makes about 60% of the state’s total coffee crop and has a rich, 200-year-old history that they enjoy sharing with visitors.

Learn all about how they produce your favorite morning brew, from seed to cup—and don’t miss a stop at the complimentary coffee bar. Here, you can sample as many different coffees (along with sugar and assorted creamers) as you want. A variety of tours are available, including a simple and self-guided walking tour, an open-air truck journey, and fun and exciting, but teams-only, scavenger hunt. After touring and sampling, include a stop at the museum and gift shop for souvenirs and more Kauai Coffee to take home.

Instead of “White Christmas,” you’ll be singing “Mele Kalikimaka” as you celebrate the holidays with the fabulous Kauai traditions listed here. First, head over to Hanapepe at Old Town on December 6 for the Hanapepe Friday Night Festival & Art Walk. Browse art galleries and handmade crafts as you enjoy live music and entertainment. Also on December 6, join us for the Lights on Rice Christmas Parade. One of Kauai’s most popular annual events, this is a family-friendly must-see event. On December 7, shop the NTBG Holiday Craft Fair.

You’ll find an eclectic selection of Kauai-made items, clothing, and jewelry, along with food trucks, live entertainment, and tours of the gardens. And, don’t miss Elizabeth Freeman’s award-winning Festival of Lights. From December 6 – 28, this fascinating collection of holiday art features thousands of lights and Kauai-inspired artwork made from reclaimed and recycled materials. Featuring such whimsical holiday themes as the SPAM Can Tree and Aloha Recycled Treasures, the Festival will provide trained docents to greet guests and discuss the event’s history and the decorations.

Matilda, the Musical

Hawaii Children’s Theatre is proud to present Roald Dahl’s famous story in the form of a musical. Matilda the Musical tells the tale of a special little girl with a extraordinary imagination who makes things happen in the most amazing way. After opening on November 15, the show will run on three consecutive weekends through December 1, including a special performance on November 17 to benefit the Kauai Food Banks.

Kaua‘i Old Time Gathering

Join us at Koke‘e State Park from November 21-24 for music, workshops, food, and fun while we honor our cultural heritage with activities from old time days. There’ll be singing, ukulele, steel guitar and washtub bass playing, dancers, and mountain campfires. Learn about hula, basket weaving, or bring your own instruments and jam – all skill levels are welcome! This year’s featured artists include Louisiana’s The Magnolia Sisters, whose Cajun-French musical stylings are renowned throughout the nation.

Eo e Emalani I Alaka‘i – October 12

This annual commemoration of Queen Emma’s 1871 visit to West Kauai is set among the dazzling scenic beauty of the Kōkeʻe State Park. The Queen will arrive at 11 am, accompanied by authentic Hawaiian music. During the event, attendees can browse the crafts and exhibits, bid on items in a silent auction, and feast on some of the island’s tastiest culinary offerings.

Hammers N’ Ales Oktoberfest – October 12

Join us at the Poipu Beach Athletic Club for this third annual fundraiser in support of affordable housing. This event will offer craft beer from both Hawaii and the mainland, delicious food from some of our best local eateries, Oktoberfest contests, and live music from Homestead and Cruz Control.

Kauai Chocolate and Coffee Festival – October 18-19

Come out to historic Hanapepe Town and indulge your chocolate and coffee cravings with vendors offering coffee and chocolate products from around the state. You’ll also find live entertainment, presentations, and Keiki activities.

This week-long celebration of Hawaiian culture will include the traditional church service to kick off the event on Sunday, September 22, a flowerless lei contest, and the Kauai Composers Concert and Contest at the Waimea Theatre, which fosters new music compositions in a variety of categories.

There will also be a singing competition by students in the immersion school programs. Additionally, programs and demonstrations will be given on such events as the making of natural dyes and a cultural workshop that showcases the coconut and its multiple uses. A solo hula competition features the art of Kahiko, the ancient style of the dance, along with a sprinkling of Kauai. Lastly, don’t miss the grand finale of the group hula competition that features Auana, or modern hula.

First, head over to Vidinha Stadium from August 15-18 for the ever-popular Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair. You’ll find fabulous island food, fantastic entertainment, and loads of fun. Don’t miss the fascinating floral and cooking demos, along with a petting zoo, carnival rides, a hula halau exhibition, fruit and veggie competitions, a Keiki talent showcase, and more!

This four-day community-wide event concentrates its focus on the island’s agriculture, with proceeds going to 4-H, and other agricultural hobbyist and commodity groups. Next, join us at the National Tropical Botanical Garden at the McBryde Garden on August 17 for the Annual Moonlight & Music fundraiser. Sponsored by the Koloa Rum Company, this magnificent gala will offer a silent auction featuring unique, garden-themed items, and benefits plant research, critical plant conservation, and educational efforts. Come out to imbibe delicious cocktails, enjoy a meal of culinary brilliance, and dance the night away under a starry sky.

Happening July 19-28, this event honors the plantation heritage of Koloa and Poipu along with the Hawaiian culture and the diversity of ethnic peoples who immigrated and settled here. The festivities feature an abundant array of activities, beginning with the opening Sunset Ho'olaulea, and continues with a bang with bull-riding, championship roping, and additional events during the 20^th Annual Plantation Days Rodeo.

Other activities include a guided walk on the historic Hapa Trail, Keiki Fishing at Waita, a miniature golf tournament, Polynesian fire dancing, traditional Hawaiian games, a ukulele competition, a historic Sugar exhibit, storytelling, tours of the McBryde Garden and the National Tropical Botanical Garden, a craft fair, and loads of music, food, and fun. One of the most eagerly-anticipated culminating events is the spectacular parade that runs through Old Koloa Town and includes cowboys, hula dancers, and many other colorful characters. Most events are free or low-cost.

Dad will be delighted by Kauai’s dazzling white sand, sparkling waters, and lush tropical gardens. The island is chock-full of fun activities and events, and he’ll find that there is something for all interests and tastes. Both Hanalei Bay Beach and Poipu Beach are at the top of USA Today’s Best Hawaiian Beach list, and the island offers some of the world’s best hiking trails too.

It’s almost always “surf’s up” here as well as an ideal time to go kayaking, scuba diving, swimming, and partake in an array of other water sports. Take a walking tour of the Kauai Coffee Plantation and sample a variety of java while learning more about the harvest and roasting process. Or, explore the National Tropical Botanical Garden’s flora and fauna and learn about the rare species they are working to preserve. Join them every week at the South Shore Visitor’s Center in Poipu for a traditional hula show and don’t miss their monthly Twilight Tour on June 17. We’re betting that Dad will have such a terrific time that you’ll want to make reservations at Plantation Hale again for next June!

No matter your desired activity or level of interest and experience, we offer something for everyone. You and that special someone can plan your days as you wish, whether it's surfing, touring a coffee plantation, hiking, exploring lush tropical gardens, or just lying on the beach with a tropical drink in hand.

Start by exploring the island at your own pace – stroll leisurely, hike, rent a bike, or splurge on a helicopter tour to see breathtaking views that are otherwise inaccessible. One of the most romantic ways to view the stunning Na Pali coastline is with a sunset catamaran cruise, or by renting a couple of kayaks and going off on your own. We also offer snorkeling, zip-lining, surfing, and even whale watching, depending on the season. Be sure to check out the famous Spouting Horn, the Kauai Coffee Plantation, the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, and the many additional activities offered on Kauai.

First, don’t miss the dazzling beauty of the Na Pali Coast. The Coast offers an abundance of beaches ideal for snorkeling, snuba, or scuba diving. Kayakers will have a blast on the Hanalei River or kayaking up the Wailua River for a fabulous view of the Secret Sacred Falls. For more water adventures, go surfing or mountain tubing.

Not into water sports? No problem—go ziplining at a variety of locations around the island, or get in a few holes of golf at any of our signature courses. Explore more of the island via hiking, biking, ATV tours, or horseback rides. Of course, it wouldn’t be a genuine Hawaiian vacation without an evening at a traditional luau accompanied by a spectacular Polynesian dance show! No matter your age, preferences, or budget, a fabulous getaway awaits you right here in Kauai.

Situated at the base of Sleeping Giant Mountain on the island of Kauai, Kapaa offers their visitors and guests a plethora of entertaining options for their consideration, no matter their age or interests. For those seeking to create some epic endorphins while enjoying a magnificent, 360-degree view of the Island’s east side, we suggest a hike on Sleeping Giant Trail or immerse yourself in the sublime beauty of the Ho'olalaea Waterfall.

A myriad of water sports are available here, such as kayaking, paddle-boarding, or surfing. For a gentler pace of exploration, browse the shops of the Kinipopo Shopping Village, or visit Kauai’s Hindu monastery, the Kadavul Hindu Temple. For close-up observation of lush tropical plants, birds, and more of the Island’s flora and fauna in their natural habitat, head over to Smith’s Tropical Paradise. Finally, enjoy a refreshing taste of Kauai with a bottle of Nani Moon Mead while relaxing on the beach.

For your consideration, a few of our favorites are listed here. First, don’t miss the Kauai Community Player’s presentation of The Shadow Box from February 14 - March 3 at the Puhi Theatrical Warehouse. The Pulitzer-Prize-winning drama is directed by Jo Grande. Next, come out and show your support for the Hawaii Children’s Theatre at their Annual Whale Watch Fundraiser on February 24. Board Captain Andy’s Trimaran, and set sail for adventure, while enjoying complimentary food and drinks. All proceeds will benefit the Children’s Theatre.

And, feed your inner chocolate gremlin with the Build-A-Bar Workshops for Chocolate at Wild Kauai Chocolate. Experiment with your own unique, gourmet, bean to bar creation! Lastly, join us on February 16-24 for the Waimea Town Celebration: Heritage of Aloha. An annual nine-day, epic party on the island’s west side, this event celebrates both the Hawaiian and multi-ethnic heritage of the town. Thousands will come out for the fun, food, crafts, rodeo, games, vendors, entertainment, and beer garden.

First, learn more about the island’s history with a Waimea Historic Walking Tour. This tour is available each Monday and provides participants a two-and-one-half journey back in time – to the place of Captain Cook’s landing. You’ll hear of the missionaries who came to the island, the last king of Kauai, and other notable islanders during this memorable and entertaining tour.

Next, check out Kauai’s Sunshine Markets at different locations during the week. You’ll find the freshest local produce, fruits, flowers, and more at each and every island location. Lastly, don’t miss the Kauai Community Players’ performance of “Arsenic and Old Lace” on January 17^th. The beloved and hilarious tale of the Brewster family has been a stage and film favorite for generations. For more information, call (808) 245-7700.