The North Shore is our favorite part of Kauai. After nearly 20 years of annual visits, staying on every shore in every season, we keep coming back to this one. The scenery is simply unmatched: deeply fluted green mountains dropping to the sea, the Na Pali cliffs beginning at the end of the road, Hanalei Bay stretching for two miles in front of you on a calm summer morning. There is nowhere else on earth quite like it.
The North Shore is best visited in summer (May through September) when the ocean is calm and the beaches are fully accessible. Winter swells from the North Pacific make many North Shore beaches dangerous or inaccessible from roughly October through April. If you’re visiting in winter, the South Shore is a better base. See our when to visit guide for the full seasonal breakdown.
Quick Links
- The Towns: Kilauea, Princeville, and Hanalei
- Top Things to Do on the North Shore
- North Shore Beaches
- Where to Stay on the North Shore
- Where to Eat on the North Shore
- North Shore at a Glance
- FAQs
The Towns: Kilauea, Princeville, and Hanalei
The North Shore has three distinct communities, each with its own character.
Kilauea is the first town you reach heading north from Lihue, sitting at the eastern edge of the North Shore about 23 miles from the airport. It’s the most residential and least touristy of the three, home to the Kilauea Lighthouse and Point National Wildlife Refuge (one of the island’s best wildlife viewing spots), the Kilauea Farmers Market, and a small town center with a handful of cafes and shops. Kilauea is a good base for visitors who want North Shore access without resort prices.
Princeville sits on a plateau above Hanalei Bay with dramatic ocean views from nearly every vantage point. It’s a planned resort community with wide roads, resort properties, vacation rentals, and the clifftop 1 Hanalei hotel (formerly the Princeville Hotel) perched above the bay. The Walina Terrace at 1 Hanalei is our favorite sunset spot on the island. Princeville is walkable to the Princeville Lookout and the start of several coastal trails, and is only about 5 minutes from Hanalei town.
Hanalei is the heart of the North Shore, a genuine small town at the base of Hanalei Bay with food trucks, local restaurants, surf shops, art galleries, and an energy that feels authentically alive rather than tourist-facing. The single-lane bridge at the entrance to Hanalei is one of the island’s defining features, slowing everything down to a pace that feels right. Staying in Hanalei itself puts you walking distance from the beach, the food trucks, and Pedal n Paddle for gear rentals.
Top Things to Do on the North Shore
Hike the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai Beach
This is the best hike on the island and our single top recommendation for any Kauai trip. The trail begins at Ke’e Beach at the end of the North Shore road and follows the Na Pali cliffs for two miles to Hanakapi’ai Beach, a remote and stunning cove accessible only on foot. The views begin almost immediately and don’t let up. Requires a parking permit booked 30 days in advance through gohaena.com. See our best hikes guide for full logistics and trail details.
Snorkel at Tunnels Beach
On a calm summer morning, Tunnels Beach offers some of the best snorkeling in all of Hawaii. The reef system is among the largest and most diverse on the island, with tunnels and channels through the coral hosting sea turtles, moray eels, parrotfish, and dozens of other species. Summer only (roughly May through September). Parking is very limited roadside; arrive before 8am. See our snorkeling guide for full details.
Kayak the Hanalei River
On days when you want a break from the beach, the Hanalei River offers one of the most relaxing and scenic paddle experiences on the island. The river runs through the heart of the Hanalei Valley, one of the most beautiful landscapes on Kauai, with the dramatic fluted mountains of the North Shore rising on all sides and traditional taro fields lining the banks.
You have two directions to choose from. Paddle toward the mountains and you’ll follow the river inland through a corridor of lush tropical vegetation, with the green peaks of the Hanalei Valley ahead of you getting closer with every stroke. Paddle toward the ocean and the river opens up as you approach Hanalei Bay, with the pier and the sweep of the bay coming into view. Both directions are worth doing, and a round trip covering both takes only a few hours at a relaxed pace.
The river is calm and suitable for all experience levels, especially in summer when the current is gentle. One thing to know if you’re heading toward the ocean: you may encounter headwinds on the approach to the bay, which can make the return paddle work a bit harder. The current helps in that direction, but plan your timing accordingly and don’t go too far out if conditions are breezy.
Renting a kayak or paddleboard is straightforward in Hanalei town. We use Kayak Hanalei, who can launch you directly from their private dock onto the river. Kayaks rent for $50 (single) or $75 (double) for the day, with discounts available after 1pm. SUPs rent for $55 per day.
Watch the Sunset from the Walina Terrace or Princeville Lookout
The North Shore in summer offers the best sunset views on the island, with the sun dropping over Hanalei Bay and Makana (Bali Hai) turning gold in the evening light. The Walina Terrace at 1 Hanalei is our all-time favorite spot: a clifftop terrace overlooking the bay, open to the public, with cocktails at about $20. The Princeville Lookout on Ka Haku Road is a free alternative with nearly identical views. See our best sunset spots guide for both in detail.
Visit Queen’s Bath
A natural tidal pool carved into the lava rock shelf in Princeville, Queen’s Bath is extraordinary on a calm summer day: deep, clear, full of fish, with dramatic ocean views. Summer only and only on calm days with no surf advisories. The path scrambles steeply down a cliffside; wear proper shoes. See our must-see sights guide for the full safety briefing and directions.
Explore Hanalei Town
Hanalei town rewards wandering. The shops along the main street are genuinely good for local goods and souvenirs. The food trucks in the parking area serve some of the best and most affordable food on the island. Stop at Wishing Well for shave ice, browse the Hanalei Surf Co. or Pedal n Paddle for gear, and walk out to the pier for the classic Hanalei Bay photograph. See our best shave ice guide for Wishing Well’s top flavor recommendations.
Stop at the Kilauea Lighthouse
A worthwhile 30-minute stop on any North Shore day, the Kilauea Lighthouse sits on the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian islands with sweeping coastal views. The adjacent wildlife refuge is home to nesting seabirds including red-footed boobies and Laysan albatross. Entrance fee $10/vehicle, Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm. See our must-see sights guide for details.
North Shore Beaches
The North Shore has the best beaches on Kauai, with the important caveat that they’re mostly accessible in summer only.
Hanalei Bay is our overall favorite beach on the island: a two-mile arc of golden sand backed by dramatic green mountains, with the Hanalei Pier at the eastern end and Makana rising in the distance to the west. Three connected beaches span the bay (Black Pot, Hanalei Beach Park, and Wai’oli/Pine Trees), each with its own character. Black Pot near the pier is the most accessible and social; Pine Trees is where the surfers go. See our best beaches guide for the full breakdown.
Tunnels Beach (Makua Beach) ranks as our top snorkeling beach on the island in summer, with one of the most extensive reef systems in Hawaii. The views of Makana rising behind the beach are extraordinary. Limited parking; go early.
Anini Beach is protected by an offshore reef that keeps the water exceptionally calm, making it the best spot on the island for families with young children and beginning snorkelers. Sea turtle sightings are common. One of Kauai’s most underrated beaches.
Ke’e Beach sits at the very end of the road, framed by the first Na Pali cliffs with the Kalalau Trail starting directly from the beach. The snorkeling on the reef just offshore is very good. Access requires a parking permit through gohaena.com.
Where to Stay on the North Shore
The North Shore has accommodation options ranging from the island’s most luxurious resort to affordable timeshare rentals.
1 Hanalei (formerly the Princeville Hotel) is the premier luxury hotel on the island, perched on the cliffs above Hanalei Bay with breathtaking views. Rates start around $800 to $1,000 per night. For a special occasion, it’s extraordinary. The Walina Terrace is accessible to non-guests on foot from anywhere in Princeville.
Hanalei Bay Resort is a condo-style resort on the Princeville cliffs with a range of unit sizes and more moderate pricing than 1 Hanalei, typically $300 to $500 per night.
Club Wyndham Bali Hai Villas in Princeville is available through RedWeek.com from about $164 per night (roughly $1,275 for a full week in a 2-bedroom unit sleeping 6). This is what we’d book for a summer family trip on a budget: full kitchen, resort pools, and Princeville views at a fraction of hotel prices.
Club Wyndham Ka’Eo Kai, also in Princeville, is available through RedWeek from about $200 per night for a 1-bedroom sleeping 4.
Vacation rentals in Hanalei town and along the road toward Ha’ena offer some of the most atmospheric North Shore stays, with local character that resort properties can’t match. VRBO and Airbnb both have strong inventory here.
For the complete North Shore accommodation breakdown, see our where to stay guide.
Where to Eat on the North Shore
The North Shore has excellent dining concentrated primarily in Hanalei town, with options ranging from cheap food trucks to genuinely good sit-down restaurants.
Our top picks:
Tahiti Nui is our top dinner recommendation on the North Shore and one of the most important bars on the island. Founded in 1963, it has live music almost every night, an authentic local atmosphere, and the second-best mai tai in Hanalei. The wood-fired pizzas are among the best deals in town. See our best mai tais guide for the full Tahiti Nui story.
Kalypso sits on the main corner in Hanalei with a large open-air patio and one of the best happy hours on the island: daily 3 to 5:30pm (all day Wednesday), with $9 mai tais and discounted food. Our top recommendation for a pre-dinner drink. See our best mai tais guide for how Kalypso’s cocktails stack up.
The food truck park in Hanalei is the most affordable and often most satisfying lunch option on the North Shore, with multiple vendors and outdoor seating in the Ching Young Village parking area.
Chicken in a Barrel in Hanalei serves burgers and barbecue at prices well below the sit-down restaurants. Good for a casual lunch after a beach morning.
Wishing Well serves our second-ranked shave ice on the island, made with organic natural syrups, along with acai bowls and cold-pressed juices. Has changing rooms. See our best shave ice guide for top flavor picks.
Tiki Iniki in the Princeville Center is Mike’s top-ranked mai tai on the entire island: a classic, rum-forward version served in a chilled stone tiki glass. Don’t miss it if you’re based in Princeville. See our best mai tais guide for the full story.
1 Hanalei / Walina Terrace for a special occasion dinner or sunset cocktails. Pricey but worth it for the setting.
North Shore at a Glance
| North Shore | |
|---|---|
| Main towns | Kilauea, Princeville, Hanalei |
| Best season | Summer (May through September) |
| Weather | Windward; more rain than South Shore, usually overnight and late afternoon |
| Beaches | Best on the island (summer) |
| Snorkeling | World-class at Tunnels (summer) |
| Drive to Waimea Canyon | About 90 minutes |
| Drive to Lihue airport | About 45 to 60 minutes |
| Drive to Ke’e Beach trailhead | About 20 minutes from Hanalei |
| Best for | Summer visitors, nature lovers, hikers, snorkelers, families |
| Accommodation cost | Highest on the island |
Frequently Asked Questions: North Shore Kauai
Is the North Shore the best part of Kauai?
It’s our personal favorite, and we think it’s the most spectacular part of the island in summer. The combination of Hanalei Bay, Tunnels Beach, the Kalalau Trail, and the Na Pali Coast views makes it unmatched for natural beauty and outdoor adventure. That said, it’s a summer shore: winter visitors are better served by the South Shore. See our Top 5 Reasons to Visit Kauai for more on what makes Kauai exceptional overall.
When is the best time to visit the North Shore?
May through September. Summer brings calm ocean conditions that open the North Shore beaches and snorkeling to their full potential. Winter swells from the North Pacific make beaches like Tunnels, Anini, and Ke’e dangerous or inaccessible from roughly October through April. See our when to visit guide for the complete seasonal breakdown.
Is it worth staying on the North Shore vs. South Shore?
If you’re visiting in summer, yes, absolutely. The North Shore puts you minutes from the island’s best beaches, snorkeling, and hiking. If you’re visiting in winter, the South Shore is the better call: its beaches stay swimmable year-round and you avoid the risk of North Shore swells closing the activities you came for. See our where to stay guide for the full comparison.
Where should I stay on the North Shore: Princeville or Hanalei?
Both are excellent. Princeville is quieter, with better views from the plateau and easy walking access to the Princeville Lookout and Walina Terrace. Hanalei is more lively, with restaurants, shops, and food trucks walkable from the beach. Staying in Hanalei can add at least 25 percent or more to your lodging cost. If you can afford to, we recommend staying in Hanalei as it enables you to get to the beaches further up Kuhio Hwy faster, avoid the bridge traffic into and out of Hanalei each day, and enable you to walk to the beaches and restaurants. If you’re budget conscious, stays in Princeville are fantastic. You get access to the best sunset views, in our opinion, and you can enjoy daily peaceful walks or bike rides along the plateau, taking in the Hanalei mountains on one side or the Pacific on the other.
Do I need a car on the North Shore?
Yes, without exception. The North Shore’s attractions are spread across 20+ miles of coastline and the single-lane bridge into Hanalei means driving is the only practical option. Rideshare from Hanalei to the Kalalau trailhead, for example, would cost $40 to $60 each way. Rent a car for your entire stay. See our vacation hacks guide for car rental savings tips.
Is the North Shore rainy?
More so than the South Shore, but less than you might fear. The North Shore is on the windward side of the island and receives more rainfall than the leeward shores. In our experience, rain on the North Shore tends to fall overnight and in the late afternoon, leaving mornings and mid-days clear for beach and hiking activities. Summer is significantly drier than winter. It’s also worth noting that the North Shore’s lushness is a direct result of this rainfall: the dramatically green mountains behind Hanalei Bay look the way they do because of the rain.
For more on planning your North Shore visit, see our one-week Kauai itinerary, best hikes guide, best beaches guide, and island orientation guide for the full picture on how the North Shore fits into a Kauai trip.
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