Location: Poipu
Top Things to do in Poipu
Top 8 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Poipu, Hawaii (HI)
Kauai’s South Shore is home to some of the country’s best beaches—for swimming, diving and all sorts of water sports. If sunbathing on a gorgeous beach isn’t relaxing enough, try a spa (where many treatments incorporate local ingredients). And if you’re in Poipu for a romantic escape, splurge on an oceanview room—the sunsets are spectacular.
Restaurants in Poipu
1. Kauai Sea Rider Snorkel & Whale Watching Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 721 reviews
At team Sea Riders we pride ourselves in what makes us different from other companies. Kauai Sea Riders has been providing specialized small group Zodiac Eco Tours on Kauai since 2005. As a Marine Biologist, I have always focused on providing Eco Tours to our guests – focusing on education while at the same time having a great time. All of our staff are professionally trained and share the same passion and reverence for this amazing ocean environment we get to play in everyday! We choose snorkel locations that aren’t over crowded or common, and you will have a Divemaster guiding your snorkel adventure ensuring you have an exceptional snorkeling experience. At the end of the day, our goal is to have our customers feel that they have been expertly cared for, had an experience of a lifetime, and have learned something new about the ocean and its incredible inhabitants.
2. Skyline Hawaii - Poipu Zipline Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 903 reviews
Located just minutes from the Poipu resort area and Historic Koloa town, guests can see the best of the Garden Isle on our 8-line Poipu Zipline eco-adventure. Zip over three unique valleys and dramatic backdrops of mountains and Kauai’s south shore and find out why this tour was voted a Kauai Best Extreme Tour in 2018 by Hawaii Magazine’s Best of the Best Readers Choice Awards. Guests can also choose our 5-line “Family Fun” tour, including Hawaiʻs only plank-launch zipline for an extra dose of thrills. Skyline is known for their engaging, safety-minded and well-informed staff, who regale visitors with their deep knowledge of Hawaiʻi’s rich history, culture and landscape.
3. Allerton Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,246 reviews
NTBG’s Allerton Garden Garden is located on the south shore of Kauai in the picturesque Lawai Valley. Tours run daily and include a ride from the Visitors Center in Poipu along a scenic coastal route and continue along the valley rim on a former sugarcane train railbed. Visitors disembark on the valley floor to explore this former private estate, named by National Geographic Traveler magazine as one of the 50 places to see in a lifetime. Plants form the walls of outdoor rooms, the canopy of trees the ceiling. Housed within are elegant statuary and water features. A popular spot for photos is the ‘Jurassic trees’, with their massive curving roots.National Tropical Botanical Garden is a nonprofit institution, dedicated to saving and studying tropical plants.
Reviewed By EthM_12 - Mission Viejo, United States
If you’re going to visit the botanical gardens, I highly recommend the Sunset Tour which includes a visit to the Allerton House along with the extensive gardens. Sabrina, our guide was very knowledgeable with both the history of the home, its owners and the various plants throughout the grounds. She also regaled is with some Hawaiian history, including the life of Queen Emmalani. The evening concluded with a nice dinner at the Allerton house after a short tour of the various rooms. We really enjoyed this tour, easy walking and full of information. Thanks also to Sabrina for making it so enjoyable.
4. Poipu Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,745 reviews
Reviewed By elsalita
We love this beach, we swim and snorkel here every couple of days when we visit Kauai. It is safe, there are 2 life guard stations. We typically swim and snorkel in front of the Marriott. We see beached monk seals almost every time we are there. There's plenty of fish to see and variety of fish is really good, humu's, wrasse's, moorish idol's, puffer fish, trigger fish, tang's trumpet fish and more, we have occasionally seen turtles and eels. The waves are sometimes a little large but it's usually pretty easy to get in the water. There's also covered table area's if your spending the day and bathrooms and showers as well. There's lots of free parking.
5. National Tropical Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 686 reviews
NTBG’s McBryde Garden and Allerton Garden are located on the south shore of Kauai in the picturesque Lawai Valley. Individual tours of each garden run daily and include a ride from the Visitors Center in Poipu along a scenic coastal route and continue along the valley rim on a former sugarcane train railbed. Visitors disembark on the valley floor to explore these outstanding gardens. McBryde, NTBG’s flagship garden, is home to the world’s largest collection of native Hawaiian flora, many endangered or having gone extinct in the wild. It is a “botanical ark”, filled with palms, flowering trees, ornamental flowers, and unusual plants from the tropical world. Allerton is a former private estate, named by National Geographic Traveler magazine as one of the 50 places to see in a lifetime. Plants form the walls of outdoor rooms, the canopy of trees the ceiling. Housed within are elegant statuary and water features. A popular spot for photos is the ‘Jurassic trees’, with their massive curving roots.National Tropical Botanical Garden is a nonprofit institution, dedicated to saving and studying tropical plants.
Reviewed By dennybruno - Merlin, United States
Just this weekend my daughter and I took the Allerton Tour and it was AMAZING! Wear your walking shoes and make sure your camera is fully charged as the vegetation and designs are INCREDIBLE! So much to see and learn! I MUST return to take this tour again as well as the others offered! Great for all ages above 16yrs.
6. Shipwreck Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,177 reviews
Reviewed By Cartoon25 - Kalispell, United States
An awesome beach with soft sands, a cool cliff rock walk, and big jagged rocks in the ocean that create exciting surf. This beach is a public beach close to the Grand Hyatt Hotel location. Easy to walk to, and you chill on the beach or explore the cliffs. Beach goers can watch the brave people jump into the ocean from the large cliff rocks above the beach. For a super great view, walk up the foot trail up to the tops of the cliff rocks. Once up top, walk along the cliff edge for dramatic views of the pounding surf, feel the warm sunshine on your face while the salty sea breeze keeps you invigorated and comfortable. The scenery is stunning morning, noon, or sunset. A must see spot while visiting Poipu!
7. Aulii Luau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,390 reviews
An Intimate and Authentic experience in an Exquisite Setting on Po'ipu Beach. Kaua'i's only oceanfront Lu'au located at the Beach Lawn at Sheraton Kaua'i Resort. As the sun sets, treasure this truly mesmerizing setting as you indulge in island culinary treats with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop. Our traditional-style luau offers a lavish buffet and authentic entertainment featuring award-winning dancers taking you on an alluring voyage weaving tales of Kaua'i and Polynesia into exciting songs & dances.
Reviewed By luevanojohn - Los Angeles, United States
Great performers and the host/MC was also great and very entertaining... my whole family enjoy all the performer and the food was great!
8. Spouting Horn
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5,424 reviews
Water forced through a lava tube produces hissing and a plume of spray.
Reviewed By jodagayton - Oakland, United States
Great quick stop - spouts every minute - watch for swimming sea turtles in the breaking waves - lots of vendors setting up I guess for large tour groups - go early to avoid crowds - small platform to see spouts - worth a visit!
