The best way to see Kauai is along its roads where vistas, lookout points, beaches and cliffs beckon.
Check-In
As we arrive one early evening, Frank welcomes us to Kauai and takes us to the office a few minutes away in the shuttle. The attendant Maria is friendly and seamlessly gets the paper work done for the rental vehicle so that we could quickly drive off.
Mileage
Traversing the garden isle in our SUV from Hertz Kauai we drive 604 miles and make the loop of this almost circular island.
Vehicle
With luggage, cameras and snorkeling gear stored in the trunk, we had ample room in our 2016 Dodge Journey SUV. It was the perfect size vehicle for driving around the island’s varying terrain.
Not to Miss
With plenty of clearly market lookout points and well maintained roads, Kauai beckons to be discovered from the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, the taro fields of Hanalei, and the quaint town of Koloa, to world-class hiking trails and a few secret beaches.
What to Eat, See and Do in Kauai
We travelled around the island sampling delicious bites at Living Foods Market, Pizetta Kauai and Plantation Gardens. We got a bird’s eye view of the landscape from Island Helicopters and went snorkeling (and inadvertently whale watching) with Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures & Raft Expeditions. For some unique offerings from Kauai we toured Koloa Rum Company and the National Tropical Botanical Garden. For the complete list of what to do, eat, see and where to stay see CSL’s guide to Kauai.
Want more Kauai? This original travel article first appeared in the Summer 2016 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.