Hawaii had been on our bucket list for forever and seemed so far away.
I’m still blown away by all the things we get to experience as a family with points and miles; it just doesn’t feel real!
Kauai, also sometimes known as the Garden Isle, is a stunning paradise for travelers looking for all the beauty nature has to offer. (Did you know Jurassic Park was filmed there?!…it’s THAT beautiful!)
If you’ve been able to book your very own dream trip to Kauai and want to save some money, here are 14 totally free things to do in Kauai.
- Walk the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge
- Explore Old Koloa Town
- Hike the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail
- Visit Spouting Horn
- Relax at Shipwreck Beach
- Double feature: Ōpaekaʻa Falls and Wailua Falls
- Catch the Sunset at Hanalei Bay Pier
- Discover the Beauty of Tunnels Beach
- Stop at Lydgate State Park
- Wander Through The Shops at Kukui‘ula
- See the Sea Turtles at Poipu Beach
- Visit Anini Beach
- Explore Downtown Hanalei
- Venture into the Maniniholo Dry Cave
Walk the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge
One of Hanapepe’s most popular attractions, this charming suspension bridge can be great if your kids feel a little more adventurous or want to feel like a dare devil.
It’s not dangerous or scary, but it does rock back and forth a bit which can be fun for a little bit older kids (or younger at heart adults 😉)
If you stay in town on a Friday night, there are local artists who sell their art which may be a great chance for you to get a souvenir art piece to take back home as a gorgeous momento.
Explore Old Koloa Town
This charming town is filled with family, totally free fun!
Great for window shopping, the little boutiques in Old Koloa Town offer local and unique items that you can’t find in the more touristy areas.
Plus there are some really cool art galleries we enjoyed exploring, as well as some super cute souvenir shops.
Hike the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail
This is a really easy and accessible trail on Kauai’s South shore. My oldest daughter and I actually did this at sunrise and I can’t tell you how magical it was there! Sunset I imagine would be just as great.
You can access the trail just a few steps to the left of The Grand Hyatt Kauai, so it is also a perfect mini adventure if you also stay there for FREE like we did!
So if you’re looking for a scenic and peaceful hike, this one is perfect. My only caution would be if you have little ones who tend to wander from you; it does have a cliff-like edge and you’ll want to make sure to keep your eyes on them.
Visit Spouting Horn
If you’re looking for something quick to do, this is it!
As a cautionary tale, in winter, the waves can actually be pretty dangerous, so I may skip this if you’re going in winter, but any other season is really cool to see.
Regardless, this is a 10 minute quick trip to see the really cool sprays and then be on your way. The kids did get a kick out of the spouting waves though! See our FULL round-up of 35 best things to do in Kauai with kids HERE!
Relax at Shipwreck Beach
Shipwreck Beach is a great family friendly beach, perfect for a laid-back day of play and soaking up the sun.
It’s not overcrowded and is a great place to stop if you’re hiking Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail.
I will say that Poipu Beach is a little more calm, but these waves don’t feel scary or dangerous at all. Plus if you’re staying at the Grand Hyatt like we did, it’s right in front of the hotel! Win win!
Chase points transfer to Hyatt to be able to book the Grand Hyatt Kauai for 25-35,000 points/night…instead of paying the $1,000 in cash it usually goes for!
If you are just dipping your toe in wanting to save thousands on travel with points, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (typically, the bonus on this card is around 60,000 points, which should be enough to fly a family of 4 to Hawaii) is hands down the best place to start!
Double feature: Ōpaekaʻa Falls and Wailua Falls
No trip to Kauai is complete without visiting its iconic waterfalls.
We stopped at these waterfalls when were driving from the South to the North shore and did not disappoint! Both are very accessible and you can essentially drive straight up to the falls with a parking lot near by.
Kauai has a ton of gorgeous waterfalls if you’re a more experienced hiker, but if you’re not or if you’re traveling with kids, some options may be harder to see.
So instead, stop by ÅŒpaekaÊ»a Falls and Wailua Falls for awe-inspiring views of these stunning natural wonders, again both very easily accessible by car….no expert hiking needed!
Catch the Sunset at Hanalei Bay Pier
Anyone who has been to Hawaii can agree – it’s a SHOW STOPPER at night.
Head to Hanalei Bay Pier to witness one of Kauai’s spectacular sunsets. There is easy and free parking right in front of the beach and it is just truly moving how beautiful this area is! (Bonus points if you grab a pizza on the way and have a picnic sunset on the beach!)
The pier offers fantastic views of the bay and surrounding mountains, making it a perfect spot for evening relaxation.
Discover the Beauty of Tunnels Beach
Tunnels Beach is hands our favorite beach in Kauai! The majestic scenery of Bali Hai (Mount Makana) adds to the beach’s gorgeous charm.
If you are looking for those stunning mountain backdrops…this is it.
Pro tip: The earlier you can get there the better for sure because parking can be a bit tricky.
To get to Tunnels Beach, make your way to Highway 560 until you reach the 8 mile marker for beach access with the best snorkeling opportunities. You can enter at one of two access points: one 0.4 miles past the mile marker and one a bit further down the road at 0.6 miles past the marker…when you see an alley way looking path with a line of cars, you’ve found it 🙂
Stop at Lydgate State Park
Okay, I’ll say it – this is absolutely not the most gorgeous beach in Kauai, BUTTTT the kids loved it here!
There’s a giant wooden playground the kids loved RIGHT across the street and, as you guessed it, of course totally free to play!
On the beach itself, there is driftwood everywhere and it makes for great fort building or pretend play! So definitely beautiful in it’s own way, but the kids really loved playing here! 🙂
For a full run down of ALL the best beaches in Kauai, don’t miss our other post here!
Wander Through The Shops at Kukui‘ula
If you want to feel a bit more bougie, The Shops at Kukui’ula are a great option for more upscale shopping and dining.
While you’re strolling through the streets of this charming town, make sure to stop in to Lappert’s for some extra delicious ice cream. No, it’s not technically free, but I can promise you it’s well worth the price. Their flavors are SO unique and delicious!
Even if you don’t buy anything, just window shopping through Shops at Kukui’ula is a really fun afternoon or cloudy day activity.
See the Sea Turtles at Poipu Beach
Head to Poipu Beach to watch these guys in the late afternoon/early evening…truly one of our FAVORITE parts of our entire trip to Kauai.
You won’t be able to get super close because they have them roped off, as you can’t touch them since they’re endangered. Hawaii takes preservation of both it’s land and animals VERY seriously (as it should!), so if you go to see the turtles just ensure you respect the boundaries!
When we were there we saw about 8-10, but a local told us there’s normally pre-Covid there were almost FOUR times as many!
All the turtles come up to the short right around sunset, and it is just so magical to see these massive creates all along the shore!
Not free (but VERY low cost for Hawaii meal standards!), grab hotdogs at Puka Dog right after and have a picnic dinner while you let the kids run around and play. PERFECT Hawaii night!
Visit Anini Beach
Speaking of sea turtles, on Kauai’s North shore, Anini Beach is famous for its calm waters, thanks to the surrounding reef. Even the harsh winds that make the beach dangerous at Spouting Horn won’t be a problem here!
Spend the day snorkeling, paddleboarding, or simply lounging on the sands of this tranquil beach.
And if you’re extra lucky, you may spot some more of those sea turtles make their way close to the shore!
Explore Downtown Hanalei
This quaint little town is all your laid back Hawaii beach town vibes come true!
This is perfectly Hawaiian life if I’ve ever seen it. Full of great restaurants, food trucks and shopping, a stroll through downtown Hanalei is a great way to experience the heart of Kauai’s north shore.
As the kids would say, the vibes here are VIBING. The perfect, iconic free activity to do in Kauai!
Venture into the Maniniholo Dry Cave
I shared a bit about the legend behind this cave in my post about my favorite things to do in Kauai with kids, but this is a great option for another free thing to do in Kauai regardless of age!
It’s easily accessible by car and gorgeous and will make you feel SO SMALL!…and best of all FREE!
So there you have it—14 unforgettable experiences in Kauai that won’t cost you a penny. And if you’re able to book this amazing, bucket list worthy trip for next to nothing thanks to points + miles, you can make your trip even less expensive by enjoying alllll the free things!
