Kapaa Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Kapaa showing a cascade, forest scenes and mountains
Explore the scenic nature trails and busy shops of this pleasant town that lies in the shadow of the Sleeping Giant.

Kapaa is a small commune with an excellent shopping district and watersports offerings. Its nature trails meander through dense tropical forests and its pristine beaches decorate the island’s eastern coast. Explore the parks and waterfalls that make up the scenic, eclectic terrain around this town, whose name is Hawaiian for “Solid.”

Wander through the town center and explore the shops for souvenir items, such as aloha shirts, vintage maps and jewelry. Kinipopo Shopping Village and the Wailua Shopping Plaza are among the best malls. The latter holds an intriguing antique shop and several restaurants.

Get to know the surrounding countryside with a trek along the Sleeping Giant Trailhead, which runs through the forests of its namesake mountain. Enjoy the views of the ocean and the town of Kapaa from the summit. A little southwest is Wailua Falls, a double waterfall that flows over a mossy cliff. Swim in the pool and see a rainbow in the falls on a sunny day. Visit the nearby Opaekaa Falls, which tumbles into a secluded pool surrounded by dense vegetation.

Head east to take advantage of the year-round hot, sunny weather on the wonderful sandy bays. Join the surfers and body boarders on Kealia Beach, which is near the Spalding Monument that honors a former plantation owner and offers spectacular views and trails. Farther south is Lydgate Beach Park. Bring your family here for its calm water, picnic tables and shady areas

For a sense of local culture, spend an evening at the Smith Family Garden Luau. Enjoy a traditional meal and listen to live Hawaiian music on this scenic retreat. Admire the upside-down ferns in the Fern Grotto.

Find the town in eastern Kauai. Drive north for about 8 minutes from Wailua to get here. Arrive at Lihue Airport and travel north for 7 miles (11 kilometers).

With its malls, trails and waterfalls, Kapaa is an eclectic shopping hub and nature retreat.

Where to stay in Kapaa

Kamokila Hawaiian Village showing a park and signage

Wailua Homesteads

You'll enjoy the waterfalls and riverfront in Wailua Homesteads. You might want to make time for a stop at Kadavul Hindu Temple or Kaua'i's Hindu Monastery.

Wailua Homesteads
Sleeping Giant Trailhead showing general coastal views

Wailua House Lots

If you're spending some time in Wailua House Lots, Lae Nani Beach and Sleeping Giant Trailhead are top sights worth seeing.

Wailua House Lots
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Kawaihau

If you're spending some time in Kawaihau, Kealia Forest Reserve and Kapahi Park are top sights worth seeing.

Kawaihau
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Kapahi

When in Kapahi, you can plan a visit to Kealia Forest Reserve and Kadavul Hindu Temple, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Kapahi
Hotel Coral Reef
Hotel Coral Reef
2.5 out of 5
4-1516 Kuhio Highway, Kapaa, HI
The price is ₹13,278 per night from 22 May to 23 May
₹13,278
per night
22 May - 23 May
Stay at this beach hotel in Kapaa. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale and free bicycles on-site. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Basic accommodations in a central area of Kapaa makes a good home base for your Kauai adventure. Friendly, family owned feel. Free chairs and beach equipment. Affordable prices!"

Reviewed on 3 May 2024

Hotel Coral Reef
Kauai Shores Hotel
Kauai Shores Hotel
3.5 out of 5
420 Papaloa Rd, Kapaa, HI
The price is ₹21,626 per night from 12 May to 13 May
₹21,626
per night
12 May - 13 May
Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews.
9/10 Wonderful! (1,048 reviews)
"Nice place. They are upgrading so a lot of construction."

Reviewed on 2 May 2024

Kauai Shores Hotel
Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort
Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort
4 out of 5
650 Aleka Loop, Kapaa, HI
The price is ₹26,810 per night from 17 May to 18 May
₹26,810
per night
17 May - 18 May
Stay at this beach hotel in Kapaa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (646 reviews)
My Go-To Hotel on Kauai
"Had another amazing stay at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach. This is my 5th stay and not my last. Prob my fave accommodations on the island due to the amenities, location & service. Mahalo nui loa!"

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Plantation Hale Suites
Plantation Hale Suites
3 out of 5
525 Aleka Loop, Kapaa, HI
Stay at this family-friendly aparthotel in Kapaa. Enjoy 3 outdoor pools, 2 hot tubs and WiFi. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,456 reviews)
Beautiful Kauai
"Friendly & responsive staff, strong Aloha spirit. However, the place is dated, ie still popcorn ceilings. Need pest control (roaches), asked us to take shoes off but floor carpet felt uncomfortably moist, couldn’t really decide the cleanness of carpet due to color, bathroom smells odd, slippery bathtub, ..."

Reviewed on 30 Apr 2024

Plantation Hale Suites
Fern Grotto Inn
Fern Grotto Inn
3.5 out of 5
4561 Kuamoo Road, Kapaa, HI
Stay at this cottage in Kapaa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and free bicycles on-site. Popular attractions Kalapaki Beach and Nawiliwili Bay are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (37 reviews)
"Beautiful and peaceful cottage on the river and 5 minutes from the beach. Very comfortable bed and woke up to a palm tree breeze every morning along with a rooster reminding us it was time to get up 😊"

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Fern Grotto Inn
Lae Nani Kauai
Lae Nani Kauai
3 out of 5
410 Papaloa Rd, Kapaa, HI
Stay at this beach condo in Kapaa. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale and a garden. Popular attractions Lae Nani Beach and Coconut Marketplace are located ...
7.6/10 Good! (95 reviews)
"Nice place for the price"

Reviewed on 10 Apr 2024

Lae Nani Kauai
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Kapaa

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
" "5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
30 Sep 2019

Very busy road going through Kapaa so subject to traffic congestion

Cities near Kapaa