Kauai Bucket List: 5 Adventures You Have to Experience

Kauai isn't just pretty. It's wild. More than 70% of the island is inaccessible by road — which means the best stuff requires a little effort to reach. Sea cliffs, hidden waterfalls, canyon trails, big waves. If you're the type who'd rather paddle than lounge, this is your island. Here are five ways to get your adrenaline fix at and around OUTRIGGER Kaua'i Beach Resort & Spa.

1. Explore sea caves on a Na Pali snorkel expedition

Forget the leisurely cruise — a Zodiac-style raft expedition along the Na Pali Coast gets you closer to the action. Bounce across waves, duck into sea caves, and snorkel in remote coves teeming with tropical fish and sea turtles. The 3,000-foot cliffs towering above make for a dramatic backdrop. This is Kaua'i at its most majestic.

Explore the Na Pali Coast

2. Soar above the rainforest on a zipline tour

Strap in and fly over Kaua'i's lush valleys on a zipline course that delivers adrenaline and aerial views in equal measure. Multiple lines let you experience the rush again and again as you traverse from platform to platform. Some courses add suspension bridges or rappelling for extra adventure.

Soar above the treelines with a Zipline Tour

3. Hike the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapiai Beach

The first four miles of the legendary Kalalau Trail offer one of the most exhilarating hikes in Hawai'i. The path is steep, narrow, and often muddy, with sheer drop-offs and jaw-dropping views of the Na Pali Coast. Your reward: Hanakāpīʻai Beach, a remote stretch of sand accessible only on foot. Note: Swimming is extremely dangerous here — come for the hike, not the dip.

Find your new favorite hiking trail

4. Give back with a self-guided beach cleanup

Adventure and purpose can go hand in hand. Grab a cleanup kit from your room — complete with gloves and sifter bags — and head to Nukolii Beach for a self-guided beach cleanup. It's a simple, meaningful way to care for the 'aina (land) during your stay, and many guests find it surprisingly rewarding. Think of it as active recovery with a cause.

Help keep our oceans clean with our beach cleanup kits

5. See it all from the air on a helicopter tour

The Kauai Eco Adventure is a 50-minute helicopter flight over terrain you can't reach any other way — Waimea Canyon, the Na Pali Coast, and (weather permitting) the mist-shrouded crater of Mt. Waialeale, one of the wettest places on Earth. It's the ultimate way to grasp the scale and drama of the Garden Isle.

Marvel at the lush Garden Isle from the air

Why Adventure Seekers Choose OUTRIGGER Kaua'i Beach Resort

Located on Kaua'i's Coconut Coast, this resort puts you within reach of the island's most dramatic terrain — from the Na Pali Coast to Waimea Canyon. After a day of hiking, paddling, or flying over waterfalls, come back to comfortable rooms, good food, and the energy to do it all again tomorrow. It's your basecamp for adventure — and where you Come Be Here.

Book your next Kauai adventure