The opportunity to make your way to Kauai and enjoy the dynamic scenery, endless sunshine, and a rich culture and history is one that shouldn’t be missed. Year-round, Kauai is a captivating place to explore and a destination where you don’t have to look far to learn more about the island, its people, past, and modern marvels as well. Making every moment count here means being a responsible traveler at all times and putting details in place that not only make your experience memorable on a personal level but give back to the island in many ways too. The following are a few of the many ways you can travel on Kauai responsibly when your sights are next set on a journey this way.

Make it a Point to Care for the Land and Ocean While You’re Here

Kauai comes to life for visitors in colorful style, but the beautiful scenery waiting to be enjoyed during your stay is also part of a fragile island ecosystem that needs to be cared for and respected if its going to last for generations to come.

The ocean waters that surround Kauai are certainly ideal for surfing, swimming, and diving, but at the same time, the waters house populations of incredible marine species and plant life that deserve protection too. Taking steps to make sure you are using eco-friendly and reef-safe sunscreen is a small gesture that makes a huge and positive impact on Kauai’s overall marine environment.

Protecting the Kauai landscapes can start with something as simple as traveling to the island with a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing single-use plastics. This keeps plastics out of the ocean and off the beaches, protecting the well-being of the island as well as its many animal inhabitants.

When you’re spending time out exploring the island’s lush terrain, it’s important to leave sand, flora, and rocks where you find them to maintain the overall integrity of the landscape. Tourists should always refrain from carving initials into trees and take extra precautions to make sure hiking gear is free from seeds or organics that could damage the island’s native and most fragile tree species known as Ohia.

If your outdoor adventures include camping in tandem with hiking, being sure to only leave footprints behind is a must. That means carefully carrying trash out of parks, preserves, and away from beaches to keep the island’s natural landscapes as pristine as possible. If you’re venturing into areas that are rich in insects, wearing environmentally safe bug repellent will keep you and your surroundings in good health.

Consider the Sanctity of Special Destinations

Travelers heading to Kauai are always in for a scenic treat, but understanding the importance and cultural significance of the locations you choose to discover is vital to maintaining them over the long term. While it’s tempting to geo-tag off-the-beaten-path locations you find across the island on social media, many of these areas are not designed by nature to support droves of visitors. Highlighting them online can push visitor numbers to unsustainable levels over time, which could eventually and sadly diminish them entirely. Instead, consider capturing these places on film for yourself and savoring the moment without promotion to really revel in the island’s sacred heritage in a personal and meaningful way. 

Travel in Kauai with the Support of Local Businesses in Mind

Spending time on the island of Kauai is a chance to experience many new places, but it’s also a chance to responsibly support the destination. A great way to do this is to exclusively shop local while you’re here, and in doing so, not only contribute to sustainable travel practices, but learn more about unique and authentic local products and traditions waiting to be enjoyed. Supporting local businesses means sourcing your stops to make sure restaurants and retailers alike hail from the island and are sustainably certified operators. Booking local farm tours led by residents is a wonderful chance to support the community while learning more about the area. A few tours to consider are Lydgate Farms Chocolate Tour and the Kauai Coffee Tour. 

There are even options to volunteer your time while you travel on Kauai to help restore local forests and waterways or assist with beach cleanups. Check out the Surfrider Foundation if you want to help clean up Kauai’s beaches. Or stop in at the Kauai Humane Society and take a shelter dog out on a Field Trip. Make stops at fresh produce trucks a priority or visit local farmer’s markets to invest in handcrafted goods that are one-of-a-kind to Kauai.

Be Aware of Your Adventuring Skill Level

The lush trails, cascades, cliffs, and shorelines that make up Kauai’s terrain are certainly tantalizing. Unfortunately, visitors who don’t take a moment to responsibly assess their own skill levels can find themselves in dangerous situations quite quickly trying to explore unfamiliar landscapes and locations. It’s vital that visitors take a moment to check the age and physical ability requirements before heading out on challenging trails, surfing certain areas, or exploring other inland waterways that might be prone to flooding. Checking weather reports and speaking with locals about areas to avoid in certain seasons is important when you’re looking to maintain high standards of personal safety while traveling. 

Book your Island Getaway Today

Elevate your Kauai getaway in luxury, comfort, convenience, and island style when you book your vacation rental through Premier Kauai. Reach out today to learn more about our amazing options and to start planning your next trip!