10 Best Towns and Resorts in Kauai

Poipu is known for its reliable sunshine and warm weather. It sits on the balmy southern side of Kauai, occupying a perch above the Pacific Ocean and a stretch of about 3.5 miles of coastline that includes black-rock coves and golden beaches alike.

The piece de resistance of the resort has to be the namesake Poipu Beach Park. It's been called the most family-friendly location in the whole of the Aloha State, thanks to its protected little swimming lagoon, where younger ones often go to splash around. There's also a sandbar there that cuts through a nature reserve where monk seals and rare sea turtles are present.

Princeville is one of Hawaii's jet-setter haunts. You can find its chic villas and upscale country clubs on the northern coast of Kauai, wedged beneath the lush peaks at the end of the Na Pali Coast and a series of black-hued cliffs that rise against the ocean.

It's a gorgeous place to hit for a week or 2 – budget allowing, of course. Activities in Princeville include rounds at the acclaimed Princeville Makai Golf Club, shopping for artisan souvenirs at the Princeville Center, and lazing on lovely Anini Beach. This is also a great jump-off point for helicopter flyovers of Na Pali and Kauai's striking inland mountains.

Hanalei beckons history buffs and culture vultures with its array of unique heritage attractions. It's also in a gorgeous looking spot, sat just to the west of Princeville at the base of sinewy Aloha mountains and by the side of the wide inlet of Hanalei Bay.

You'll want to see the old-school pier, which was raised way back in 1892. It's a fishing hotspot and has wonderful lookouts across to the peaks in distance. A stop at the Waipa Farmer Market means meeting the locals and shopping for local goodies, and there's usually a chance to see a homegrown ukulele band rocking at the Hanalei Community Center, too.

Kilauea shouldn't be confused with the active volcano of the same name that's over on Big Island. Thankfully, this northern town of Kauai ditches the spurting magma flows and ash plumes for something altogether more relaxed. It's actually not located on the coast, but just off the main Kuhio Highway.

Don't worry, jaw-dropping Kauapea Beach is easy to get to – it’s just down a lovely hiking path beset by tickseed blooms and hibiscus plants. There's also the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, where you can witness waves smashing into huge volcanic cliffs and spot some of Hawaii's rarest seabirds.

Koloa welcomes guests with one of Hawaii's most iconic stretches of road: the Tree Tunnel, which breaks off the Kaumualii Hwy to run south in a series of high eucalyptus trees covered in jungle vines.

Old Koloa Town is at the heart of the community. Due to its many timber-faced boutiques and door-slapping saloons, you could be forgiven for thinking that you were in the Wild West. The town was built alongside the first profitable sugarcane plantation in the state, which you can still see at the Old Sugar Mill of Koloa, a site that's now on the US National Register of Historic Places.

Lihue is little more than a transport hub for many a traveller. It's right on the south-eastern cusp of Kauai, with Lihue Airport occupying most of its coastline. From here, you'll get access to the feral Coconut Coast to the north but also the resort of Poipu, and remote beaches like Kipu Kai.

Wherever you chose to head next, linger a while and you'll find a bustling commercial hub that's packed with shopping strips and convenience stores. There's also one of the island's most eclectic mixes of eateries – think Japanese and all-American fast food – alongside adventure companies offering waterfall hikes further inland.

Kapaa hardly feels like it, but it's actually the most populous town on Kauai. It's smack dab in the middle of the eastern shoreline, a region known as the Coconut Coast for the way that rows and rows of lanky coconut palms string along the reefs.

The vibe is chilled here, and the residents are a good mix of hippy folk, retirees, and born-and-bred Hawaiians that seem to get on famously. You'll see them gathering on the breezy cycling promenade by the ocean or sipping coffees in the bustling Wailua Shopping Plaza. The beaches are decent, too, especially Kealia Beach to the north of the centre.

Anahola marks the point where the Coconut Coast starts bending westwards and into the rugged runs of northern Kauai. It's a small place, clutching the courses of the main Kuhio Highway in the shadow of a few graphite-coloured mountains.

Anahola isn't usually on the tourist menu, but it does strike a great balance between adventure travel and beach life. You can hit the Moloa'a Beach Trail to walk paths overlooked by gigantic eucalyptus trees. Or you can laze all day in the Anahola Beach Park, which offers a serviced strand with a high-season lifeguard and protecting reef close to the middle of the town.

Ele'ele was once a hotspot for Hawaii's sugarcane production, but coffee plantations have since taken over. Yep, you'll almost be able to smell the beans in the air here, especially if you choose the so-called Coffee Highway route into town, where the Kauai Coffee Company sits plum on the side of the 540 roadway.

Coffee is not the only thing going for Ele'ele. Check out Glass Beach to be wowed by the array of glinting sea glasses. Then, there's Salt Pond Beach Park, a well-protected beach to the west, where you can spot whales in winter or hop tide pools in search of crabs and sea cucumbers with the little ones.

Hanamaulu kickstarts your adventure in Kauai by offering lush nature reserves and protected areas just a stone's throw from the airport. Under 10 minutes' driving from the arrival hall, this little town has established itself as a bit of an outdoorsy mecca.

You can choose expeditions into the Wailua River State Park to hike trails up to dank Fern Grotto, a deep cave blanked in lush jungle flora. Maybe you prefer to explore the water? If so, hop in a kayak to traverse the Wailua River, the only navigable river on the island. On top of that, you've got ziplining, coasteering, and tubing opportunities in Hanamaulu.