Home Activities USA Kauai North Shore Kauai Self-Guided Audio Tour

Activity Kauai, USA

North Shore Kauai Self-Guided Audio Tour

4.7 (14 reviews) 2 days Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

14 reviews

4.7

North Shore Kauai Self-Guided Audio Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

North Shore Kauai Self-Guided Audio Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Explore Kauai's scenic north shore with Shaka Guide and visit the beautiful beaches, gorgeous hiking trails and even a hidden waterfall. You will love the gripping stories we tell of this unique island.

Skip the tour bus and explore Kauai at your own pace for a fraction of the cost. Shaka Guide's North Shore Kauai Tour uses GPS to give you turn-by-turn directions to the best spots!

Shaka Guide is the #1-rated app for Kauai with over 2K reviews on the App Store and Google Play Store!

WHY SHAKA GUIDE:

✅ Tours never expire.

✅ Tour work offline. No data needed.

✅ Reliable GPS directions.

✅ A guided tour for a fraction of the price.

✅ Save time planning! We’ve done the work for you.

✅ Your vacation, your terms — freedom to stop and go as you please.

✅ The #1-rated travel app for Maui.

✅ Listen to interesting stories and Hawaiian music!

*Download the Shaka Guide app to access your purchased tours.*

Overnight Tours Multi-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Cultural Tours Historical Tours

At a glance

Duration: 2 days
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Written guide: English
Operated by: Shaka Guide Apps

What is included

Included

Included: Take the tour when you want
Included: Tours NEVER expire
Included: Freedom to explore at your own pace
Included: Tour Start is Customizable
Included: Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
Included: Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
Included: Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
Included: Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
Included: Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive

Not included

Not included: Parking fees
Not included: Meals
Not included: Car rental

Itinerary

Day 1 · North Shore Kauai GPS Driving Tour

Stop 1

5 min

Before we get started visiting the picture-perfect beaches on this tour, pull over for a look at the Kalalea Mountain Range.
Moloa'a Beach

20 min

Remember the 1963 show Gilligan’s Island? Well, this picturesque beach is where the first season was filmed!

Take a stroll on the beach where Gilligan and his crew started it all.
Stop 3

20 min

Kahili Beach is also known as Rock Quarry Beach because of a former rock quarry nearby. This is a remote rural beach with no facilities, just lots of beauty.

If you have time, wade through the stream if it is low enough and check out the far left side of the beach. There is a huge rock to climb on for an epic view of the bay.
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

30 min Admission not included

Located at the end of a scenic peninsula, the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is home to a variety of local seabirds. Depending on the season there seem to be thousands of birds on the cliffs or in the skies. In the waters below, look out for spinner dolphins and monk seals in their natural habitat.
Stop 5

30 min

Take a short, 15-minute hike to the shore where you’ll find a beautiful and secluded white sand beach. Why is it a secret, you ask?

This spot was relatively unknown in the past making it a popular nudist beach for hippies. But it’s not so secret anymore.

Today, the beach goes by its Hawaiian name, Kauapea, and is better known for its breathtaking beauty.
Anini Beach

one hour

Time to take out that snorkel gear! Anini Beach boasts the largest coral reef in Hawai'i and is considered one of the best snorkel spots in Kaua'i.
Hanalei Valley Lookout

5 min

As you drive to Hanalei, on your right you’ll see a little shopping center for Princeville and to your left a scenic viewpoint.

Pull over for a breathtaking view of Hanalei Valley with a patchwork of taro fields below and the lush mountains in the background.
Stop 8

30 min

The Okolehau Hike is a challenging 5-mile hike with some serious elevation gain.

But if you just want to get out of the car for a quick walk, hike the first half mile of the trail until you reach an electric pole.

There you will find an overlook of the Hanalei Valley.
Hanalei

45 min

Hanalei is a charming seaside town with a famous pier, restaurants, and shopping.

While you’re here, it’s a great spot to grab some lunch or pick up picnic supplies for lunch on the pier.
Stop 10

15 min

Just past Hanalei is a small beach called Kahalahala. The trail will go down into a forested area before emerging in front of a beautiful pristine beach.

This is where Nellie Forebrush sang the song “I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair” in the musical South Pacific.
Lumaha'i Beach

15 min

This picturesque, huge, white sand beach is one of Kauai's most gorgeous. However, the steep sand slope creates a strong undertow and powerful waves that break directly on the sand.
Tunnels Beach

one hour

Tunnels is the quintessential snorkeling and diving beach. There's plenty to explore here with underwater lava tubes with an abundance of sea life.

In fact, Tunnels is consistently listed as one of the best snorkel spots on the island.
Haena Beach Park

15 min Admission not included

Strong ocean currents make Ha’ena Beach not so great for casual swimming. In fact, you may even see surfers out in the water cutting it up on the waves.
Maniniholo Dry Cave

Passing by

There is a cave called Maniniholo. It’s the remains of an old lava tube, evidence of Kauai’s fiery volcanic past!
Limahuli Garden and Preserve

45 min Admission not included

If you are not feeling up to a hike, perhaps you can consider a stroll in the Limahuli Botanical Garden, located next to Ha'ena State Park.

The garden is home to dozens of endangered plants and showcases native Hawaiian flora and fauna.
Ha'ena State Park

Passing by

Ha'ena State Park is located at the end of the road.

The popular state park features beautiful Ke'e Beach and the Kalalau Trail--one of the most ambitious hikes in Hawai'i. The 11-mile trail takes you along the steep cliffs of the Na Pali Coast.
Hanalei

20 min

Now, we’ll start making our way back to Kapa’a with two stops along the way. First, you’ll head back to Hanalei to visit the historic pier.
Hanalei Pier

15 min

Hanalei Pier dates back to the late 1800’s. This picturesque pier stretches into Hanalei Bay and has been featured in a handful of movies, like Beachheads, South Pacific, and, more recently George Clooney’s The Descendants.
Stop 19

15 min

This farm-to-table fruit stand serves up awesome tropical smoothies, fresh juices, and other delicious frozen treats. They also offer a neat variety of local fruits and vegetables.
Stop 20

40 min

After your refreshing treat, you’ll begin making your way back to Kapa’a.

On the return drive, you'll hear stories about King Kamehameha and his attempts to invade Kaua'i.

Day 2 · North Shore Kauai Audio Driving Tour

Stop 1

15 min Admission not included

Pull over here for a view of the mountain side which has a curiously familiar face

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Tour starting points in Princeville too!

End point

Tour starting points in Princeville too!

Using your ticket

HOW TO REDEEM YOUR TOUR:

Before you start your adventure, you'll need to redeem and download the tour in the Shaka Guide app. Follow the instructions below:

*Please Note: The redeem code is the 10-digit booking reference number on your ticket (located under the barcode).

1. Download the Shaka Guide App in the App Store or Google Play Store (or use the link at the bottom of this email)

2. Open the app and sign in/create your account

3. Go to Support → Retrieve Purchases

4. Tap on Redeem Purchases

5. Enter your Redeem Code (10-digit booking reference number on your ticket located under the barcode)

6. Tap on Redeem Purchases

7. Download your tour(s)

Once you've redeemed your tour, you'll find it under "My Stuff" in the app.

For a smooth ride, download the tour with wifi before you go.

Should you need further assistance or have other questions, email us at [email protected] or call (808) 201-8138

DOWNLOAD THE APP HERE: www.shakaguide.com/download

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The tour can be started in Kapa’a or Princeville and is completed in a loop, ending where you began.
Entrance to Ha’ena State Park is limited. You must reserve your entry and parking or shuttle in advance. It costs is $5 per person to enter and $10 to park (parking is extremely limited). You can also take a shuttle from a park-and-ride near Hanalei if you cannot get a parking reservation. The shuttle costs $35 round trip.
Make your reservation up to 30 days in advance
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is open Wednesday-Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Advanced reservations are now required at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Entrance is $11 for adults and free for children under 16. America the Beautiful pass holders pay a $1 reservation fee.
Limahuli Botanical Garden is open Tuesday-Saturday from 8:30 am - 4 pm. There is a $30 entry fee for adults; it’s free for children under 13. Reservations are highly recommended as parking is limited. In addition, the garden offers a special discount for shuttle riders who show their passes when checking in.
Anini Beach and Tunnels Beach are great snorkel spots. Pack your own gear or rent some in Princeville or Hanalei (respectively).
Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting