Free Family Activities in Kauai

The natural wonders of Kauai are not limited to beautiful beaches and majestic mountains. Some of the most interesting things to see are creations of water, like the wet and dry caves that time and nature hollowed from the limestone, and the spouting geyser that is created by the force of the waves entering a long-unused underwater lava tube.

Quick Tips:

First of all, manage your expectations. This isn't Disneyland, this is nature at her best, so if you are expecting dancing dolphins and roller coasters you're going to be disappointed.

Second, bring a flashlight for the dry cave.

Third, don't try to go swimming in the wet caves! That water has been sitting around for decades without a single pool cleaner with a net to skim off the gunk on top.

Best Way To Get Around:

All the adventures in this journal require a rental car. Public transportation is nonexistent in Kauai, so unless your hotel offers tours, you're going to have to get there in a rental car.

Once you get to the attractions, you will do fine on foot - there isn't much walking.

Maniniholo Dry Cave
Across the street from the Haena State Park parking lot is a most unlikely sight – the dark, yawning maw of an imposing cave. Limp strands of greenery hang from its upper lip like a long, slimy, disheveled beard. Drops of milky water drip haphazardly from the ceiling onto unsuspecting visitors. Enter if you dare... If you are really brave, or have someone with you to impress, venture further inside and see how quickly the feeble rays of light are swallowed up by the darkness that lurks just beyond your eyesight.

Or, bring a flashlight! You can walk back about 75 yards, but this ancient lava tube extends back for hundreds of yards deep into the lava cliff behind.

Waikapala’e and Waikanaloa Wet Caves
Once upon a time the volcano goddess Pele decided to build a home. Twice she started to dig a foundation but twice she struck water and had to give up. This is the legend of Waikapala’e and Waikanaloa, two watering holes whose water is no longer clean enough to swim in, but which take great photographs. Waikapala’e is located about five minutes walk from the highway (the trail starts at a small parking area) while Waikanaloa is right next to the highway.

Once upon a time, a lava tube flowed underground to the sea near what is now Prince Kuhio Park, where it spit fiery hot rocks into the ocean. That lava flow has long since dried up, but the tube remains open, with surprising effects. Bystanders leaning over the railing watching the ocean are surprised to see sudden spouts of water go shooting straight up out of nowhere.

The size of the spout depends on the timing and direction of the wave that is breaking on the shore. Part of the water is forced into the tube, where it erupts violently into the air and creates the namesake "Spouting Horn".

This is a fun break from the sunbathing and swimming at nearby Poipu Beach, or a pre-dinner photo opportunity if you're having dinner in the Poipu area.