What to Do In Kauai At Night
With its breathtaking beaches, scenery and waterfalls, Kauai is a beautiful island to visit. In comparison to other large Hawaiian islands, Kauai offers the most diverse range of vegetation, as well as plenty of opportunities to explore impressive mountains, dramatic coastlines, miles of white sandy beaches and rugged cliff edges.
From relaxing on one of its serene beaches to taking a hike through the tropical rainforest, Kauai has a range of activities suited to everyone. But whether you’re staying on the island for a blissful few weeks or trying to pack it all into a few days, you’ll have at least a couple of nights where you’ll want to plan something to keep you occupied.
Before we launch into our list of recommendations, we first need to highlight that Kauai is not a location that has a lot going for it in terms of nightlight. This is a place where people come to relax, disconnect and enjoy a laid-back island lifestyle, and most of the activities that we're going to recommend will still have you home and tucked up in bed by 9 pm.
If you are looking for suggestions on how to fill your evenings on the island, here are our top recommendations for the best things to do at night in Kauai.
Enjoy a Beachfront Stroll
Kauai’s beaches have been voted among some of the best stretches of coastline on the planet. With breathtaking tropical backgrounds, stunning turquoise waters and secluded white sandy coasts, it’s very obvious as to why.
But you don’t have to visit in the daytime to embrace the beauty that Kauai’s beaches have to offer. With the moon reflecting off the water and turning the sand silver, an evening stroll on the beach can be a great way to spend your nights on the island.
Kauai has many beaches to choose from, so you can mix up your nighttime walks by choosing a different one each night. By nighttime, the beaches in Kauai are also generally much quieter, so you may even be able to enjoy the long sandy stretch of beach alone, all while listening to the tranquil sound of the waves crashing against the shore.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to spend an evening, Haena Beach Park is well-known for its incredible sunsets. Combined with the stunning Mount Makana Mountain backdrop, you’ve got the perfect environment for a Kauai nighttime stroll.
Brush Up Your Skills at the Kauai Bowling Centre
Bowling is a great way to spend an evening getting competitive and honing your skills at knocking over pins. This is a particularly great option for families, groups of friends, or even couples who enjoy a bit of healthy competition.
With food, bowling, and a bar all on-site, Kauai Bowl provides the perfect venue for nighttime bowling fun. Renovations have recently taken place, so with a swanky new bar and brand new decor in place, as well as a lively atmosphere, 10 pin bowling, music, food and drinks, it’s one of the most popular places on the island to spend the evening.
Enjoy Musical Performances at Anaina Hou Community Center
The Anaina Hou Community Park in Kilauea on the north shore is a place dedicated to preserving the values, history and culture of the diverse community on Kauai. As well as outdoor attractions such as a mini-golf course, playground and regular markets, the community center also hosts regular performances from a range of local and international musicians, which is a great way to spend an evening if you like music.
A calendar of events and tickets for these performances are available on the Anaina Hou website. The community park also hosts a weekly Ahi Lele Fire Show, offering visitors a chance to watch a traditional Polynesian dance and music performance that is a wonderful way to learn more about some of Hawaii's history and culture.
Experience a Traditional Hawaiin Luau
If you want to learn more about the local culture of Kauai and have a truly unforgettable evening, attending a Luau is a fantastic way to spend an evening. Enjoy song and dance performances as well as plenty of delicious traditional food, and discover the history of this kind of Hawaiin entertainment that is such a popular activity for new visitors to this state.
If you're staying in one of Pure Kauai's properties then your host can recommend the best local Luau for you to attend during your trip. We also give our guests the option of organising a private Luau performance at their vacation rental, which is an incredibly special way to spend an evening if you're celebrating a significant occasion or really want a meaningful experience. You can read more about this service here.
Spend the Evening in a Bar
When visiting the north shore of Kauai, you will soon notice that during the day, this part of the island is full of adventure, paradisical scenery and an overall relaxed atmosphere. However, as the sunsets, so does the rest of the island. This therefore means that the nightlife on the north shore does not offer much for those looking for a 'party island'. If you are however hoping to enjoy a cocktail (or two) in an authentic Hawaiian bar, then there are some great options situated on the north side of Kauai.
- Tiki Iniki
If you're looking for a classic Hawaiian Tiki bar experience, Tiki Iniki is undoubtedly the best place to visit. Located in Princeville, this is a lively and colourful bar that also serves food from lunchtime until late, making it an ideal venue for an evening out. Whether you're including at happy hour, sampling some of the special dishes on the menu or joining in with the party atmosphere that the owners pride themselves in creating, it's a great place to visit for a really fun night.
- Princeville Bar
Princeville Bar is situated within the Princeville Resort and boasts some of the best views on the island that stretches across Hanalei Bay and beyond. It is currently closed, with the aim to reopen by fall 2022, under a new name as part of the One Brand. The lounge displays a more formal atmosphere than some of the others situated on Kauai, however still offers an authentic Hawaiian welcome. On occasion, you can find this great bar buzzing with live jazz, which sets the scene for a relaxing evening on the island. This is a nice place to head to if you are looking to get a little more dressed up for an evening in Princeville.
- Tahiti Nui
Tahiti Nui is a popular bar and restaurant that attracts locals and tourists alike. From 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm this authentic bar offers live Hawaiian music which really brings the whole place to life. On a weekend, Tahiti Nui gets especially busy and is the only spot on the north of Kauai that stays open until 10pm. So, although you might not be partying through the night, you can still enjoy a drink and some great food, all in a beautiful setting.
If you would like to explore these bars on the north shore of the island, Pure Kauai offers great rental accommodation in Princeville and Hanalei, which will put you in the perfect spot to enjoy an evening out while visiting Kauai.
Enjoy a Sunset Boat Ride
As the sky changes from pale blue to deep orange and the sun begins to set, you can admire some of the most jaw-dropping views around Kauai. One of the best places to admire the sunset is from the water, as the ocean reflects the bold colors of the sky and makes the entire experience even more magical. No matter which part of the island you set sail from, there’s plenty of gorgeous coastline to admire as the light fades and the stars begin to appear.
As your boat cuts through the water you can sit back, enjoy an evening meal and perhaps a cocktail or two as the light around you fades. In order to embrace all that Kauai at night has to offer, it is important to book early onto one of Kauai’s evening cruises as seats tend to go quickly. If you're traveling with Pure Kauai, you can use our concierge service to get personal recommendations for the best boat trips around the North Shore.
Stargaze on the Beach
Kauai gets its nickname 'The Garden Isle' because of its beautiful tropical scenery, but admiring natural phenomena doesn’t have to stop just because it’s getting dark. Stargazing on the beach is just another way to let Kauai impress you at night, admiring the lack of light pollution means you’ll have a clear view of all kinds of constellations.
This is a great nighttime activity for couples in particular, as any of Kauai’s magnificent beaches will provide a very romantic setting to sit back and take in the sky at night. No matter your choice of location, spending an evening stargazing beneath Kauai’s twinkling sky won’t leave you disappointed.
Some of Kauai's most beautiful beaches are situated on the north of the island, making them the perfect spot for a romantic evening of stargazing. If you are hoping to catch a glimpse of the twinkling sky, beaches such as Hanalei Bay, Haena Beach Park and Anini Beach offer outstanding sandy shores.
Pure Kauai offer a range of spectacular rental properties in Hanalei, Haena and Anini, all of which are a stone's throw away from the beach, so you can go straight from your accommodation to stargaze whilst in Kauai.
Let Us Organise an Unforgettable Night In
To round off our list of some of the best things to do in Kauai at night, we thought we'd mention some of the special activities that our guests can organise to take place in their accommodation. Instead of leaving your property and traveling elsewhere on the island, we can organise exclusive performances and entertainment for your holiday party for a night that you won't forget.
If you're a music lover, your Pure Kauai host can secure a visit from a legendary acoustic Hawaiian musician or band for an intimate performance at the vacation rental, providing live music as the highlight of a special evening. We can also arrange traditional fire dancing performances outside your property which is a fantastic way to see a classic piece of Hawaiian entertainment.
If you're looking for a more low-key way to spend a special evening, your Pure Kauai host can organise private chef dinners in your property, bringing some of the island's finest food experts to your holiday home and ensuring you're served a meal to remember. This is a brilliant option for celebrating a special occasion, or can make hosting a gathering with friends and family much easier by having the catering taken care of.
You can read more about some of the services we offer our guests here.
Summary
When visiting Kauai, you will find that there is more to do during the day, as the sun beams down and locals and tourists head to the beaches, towns and numerous hiking locations that are all situated on this stunning island. But this does not mean that just because the sun has set, that you have to end your day there.
Although Kauai isn't renowned for its bustling nightlife, this does not mean that you won't be able to enjoy a great evening out when visiting the island. There are still plenty of great options, many of which have been mentioned above. So, whether you are looking to immerse yourself in the serenity of Kauai at night, or enjoy a relaxing drink by the beach, there is still an array of things to do during your holiday to this tropical haven.
If you are looking to get the perfect trip to Kauai booked, get in touch with Pure Kauai and find out more about our island accommodation to help create the perfect holiday for you.
Published on Wednesday, November 16, 2022