Planning a Vacation to Kauai in a Wheelchair
Kauai was by far my favorite island I visited. It is less touristy than the other islands and has beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife. I highly recommend you add it to your bucket list if it’s not there already, and by using my complete guide to planning a vacation to Kauai in a wheelchair you’re sure to have a great trip.
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Wheelchair Accessible Places to Stay in Kauai
There are plenty of hotels that offer accessible rooms to stay in during your visit. Below, I have suggested just a few. Click on the links to check pricing and availability but know that if it says not available for your dates, it is because I had to do a mock booking. You can change the dates based on when you will be traveling. Prices may be listed per night or as a total for a two-night stay (which is what I used for the mock booking).
Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay
I decided to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay as it was centrally located and near the water. This hotel has both traditional hotel rooms as well as small one-bedroom cottages (which are closer to the water) and features a living area, bedroom and small kitchenette with microwave and fridge.
Although I had reserved an accessible hotel room with a roll in shower, there were none available when I arrived, so I was upgraded to an accessible cottage. If you are a light sleeper, be aware that roosters often gather around these cottages and will crow at any time of day. Feral cats are also common around this area, but they were very friendly.
In addition to an excellent location, the Hilton had a restaurant on site which had a delicious breakfast. If you happen to be staying on a Tuesday night, the hotel also offers a fire show for guests. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see what looked like a fun show as I was staying on other nights.
Overall, I had a wonderful experience and would recommend this hotel and stay here again.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
This beautiful hotel offers several onsite restaurants, a luau on Wednesdays and Sundays, free Wi-Fi, and breakfast. Mobility accessible rooms have a king bed and a choice of roll-in shower or accessible tub, so call after booking to confirm room type and your needs.
How to Get Around Kauai in a Wheelchair
The best way to get around Kauai is by renting a car. There are tour companies available that offer accessible transportation, but then you are limited to where you can go and how long you spend there.
Wheelers of Hawaii offers affordable adapted Dodge Chrysler minivans rentals which include side ramped entry with tie downs and seat belts. Passenger seats can be removed so that the wheelchair user can sit in the front of the van. You can rent them for a single day or for multiday stays. Vans can be delivered to the airport or to your hotel.
If you can transfer out of your wheelchair, you may also consider renting a traditional rental car or van. The car rental shuttle at the airport was fully accessible and would take you to whichever agency you rented from.
While ramps are not available on these traditional car rentals, other adaptations may be available (such as hand controls, transfer boards etc.). Check out Hawaii Car Rentals to see what is available and how to reserve these modifications.
Medical and Mobility Rental Equipment in Kauai
If you need to rent any medical or mobility equipment during your stay, there are a couple of places that offer this service. Make sure to always call ahead to reserve your equipment ahead of time to make sure you get what you need.
The first company is Lihue Pharmacy Group. They offer a range of supplies including oxygen, bathroom aids, mobility equipment and hospital beds for rent or purchase. Kauai Wheelchair offers rentals of mobility equipment including walkers, scooters, power wheelchairs, and even a beach wheelchair. If you require additional equipment, you’ll need to use another agency.
Finally, Gammie Homecare offers rentals of almost any product that you may need. In addition to patient lifts, bathroom aids, hospital beds, portable ramps, an amphibious wheelchair for the beach and other mobility equipment, they have respiratory products as well. If you are planning to visit multiple islands during your trip, and want to only deal with one rental company, Gammie Homecare operates in Kauai, Maui, and Oahu.
Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Kauai
I loved all the wheelchair accessible things to do in Kauai and really enjoyed the short time I spent on the island. Here are some of my favorites.
1. Be Amazed at Waimea Canyon
Called the Grand Canyon of the South Pacific, this incredible place will surely mesmerize you. While this canyon may not be as deep as the Grand Canyon and has more flora and fauna, it is spectacular in its own right.
There are two good ways to view the canyon. One is by helicopter tour (more on that later) and the second is to drive and stop at the scenic overlooks along the way. Each official overlook has accessible parking and paved ramped entrances to the scenic viewing areas.
I could’ve spent hours gazing across Waimea Canyon just trying to take in all of its beauty. I don’t know that pictures really do it any justice. You can see birds soaring, goats, and sometimes even a waterfall.
Pro Tip: Along the drive look out for waterfalls! There are a couple that can be seen by the road. Some have unofficial pull-offs, so you don’t hold up traffic.
2. Fly High with an Accessible Helicopter Tour
One of the highlights of Kauai was the accessible helicopter tour I took. Much of Kauai is inaccessible by road, so one of the best ways to see the island is by helicopter!
I booked my tour through Sunshine Helicopters (this one) and they had adapted equipment to help people with mobility equipment get into the chopper. The staff was very helpful and friendly, making sure I got to have a great experience.
You must be able to transfer from your wheelchair to the grey seat (pictured) that will then lift you so you are parallel to the seat in the helicopter. A slide cloth is then used to move you from the lift seat to the one in the helicopter.
This one-hour tour took us all over the island. We got to see the waterfall featured in the movie Jurassic Park, the Na Pali Coast and even whales! It was truly memorable, and I am so thankful I got to experience it.
➡️ Check prices and availability of the wheelchair-accessible helicopter tour by clicking here.
3. Take in the Views at a Na Pali Coast Lookout
If the sounds of a helicopter tour don’t appeal to you, do not worry. There is a beautiful lookout point to get a glimpse of the gorgeous Na Pali Coast. Nearby the lookouts for Waimea Canyon is the Pu’u Hinahina Lookout and on a clear day, offers incredible views. Look closely, and you may even see some waterfalls.
There is a paved pathway that leads to the viewpoint along with designated accessible parking and restrooms.
4. Go Chasing Waterfalls
Kauai is known for its lovely waterfalls, which seem to be almost everywhere you turn. Make sure to keep an eye out wherever you drive, because you never know where they will be.
While there isn’t a road map to all of Kauai’s waterfalls, there are a couple that are quite well-known. I already mentioned the one from Jurassic Park (which can only be seen by helicopter or if you have permission from the landowner and have access to an ATV). But another famous waterfall is the one from the opening scenes of the TV show Fantasy Island.
Secluded on a back road, this waterfall still draws a lot of visitors. There is a small parking lot that has no designated spaces. Get there early in the day for the best chance of finding a spot to park.
5. Head to the Beach!
It would be a crime to visit Kauai and not head to one of its accessible beaches! There are three main options for accessible beaches on Kauai.
1. Poi Pu Beach
While the sand area isn’t vast, there is still plenty of room to soak up some sun and enjoy the waves. Many of the hotels in this area have all-terrain wheelchairs for their guests to use, however, if you are not staying at one of these hotels, the county has beach wheelchairs you can request to use free of charge. Just call (808) 241-4984 to reserve one. It will be available at the lifeguard station.
2. Salt Pond Beach
This beach its name as it is located next to Kauai’s only natural salt ponds. The salt from these ponds is used by Native Hawaiians (and only allowed to be used by them) for cooking and medicinal purposes.
This beach is great for families and people of all abilities as it’s flat and has shallow areas and tide pools. It is also a popular snorkeling destination. You can obtain a beach wheelchair here at the lifeguard station. Make sure to call the county ahead however, to reserve one.
3. Lydgate Beach
This beach has protected lagoons that feature tropical fish making it a great place for kids that want to try snorkeling. The park also has a playground and restroom facilities. Lifeguards are on duty as well.
In addition to the protected waters that this beach offers, there is a 2.5-mile paved pathway for anyone who would like to just take a stroll and admire the views. If however, you would like to get out on the sand or into the water, make sure to call the county ahead of your visit to reserve one of the free beach wheelchairs available.
6. Keep a Lookout for Wildlife
If you are visiting Kauai between the months of December and April, make sure to keep an eye on the ocean horizon as you may catch a glimpse of a Humpback Whale! Each year, these majestic creatures migrate to Hawaii to mate and give birth to their calves. They can often be seen breaching from shore.
Another animal to be on the lookout for is the Green Sea Turtle. They will come to shore to rest and can be best seen at dusk or early in the morning. One of the beaches where they frequent is the accessible Poi Pu Beach. I was lucky enough to see one when I visited in March, and it was great to see it up close. Please be respectful though and give sea turtles plenty of space so they don’t feel threatened.
If you are really lucky, you will get to see a Monk Seal during your visit to Kauai. This endangered species is native only to the Hawaiian Islands and gets its name because it tends to live alone. There are only about 1,500 left in the wild. While you may be able to see the Monk Seal on any of the Hawaiian Islands, it is often seen on Kauai.
I was absolutely thrilled when I saw not one, but two Monk Seals on Poi Pu Beach during my stay on Kauai! One even posed for my camera! This was definitely one of the highlights of my trip!
Your best bet to see one is early morning while they are sleeping on the sand. Volunteers comb the beaches for them and will set up ropes around them to prevent people from disturbing them.
7. Watch Spouting Horn Blowhole Erupt
Not far from Poi Pu Beach is the iconic Spouting Horn Blowhole, which is one of the most photographed spots on the island. The blowhole is created as waves are channeled into this naturally occurring lava tube and then is expelled through the hole in the top of the tube. The bigger the wave, the higher the eruption, which can get as high as fifty feet in the air!
Accessible parking is available, and a paved pathway leads to the overlook. Restrooms are available here as well. It was easy to be mesmerized by the ocean and the repetition of the blowhole. Nature is incredible to watch, and a stop here won’t leave you disappointed!
8. Learn How Coffee is Made at a Coffee Plantation
If you are a coffee lover, then why not go to the source and enjoy some coffee tastings? I recommend visiting Kauai Coffee. You can take a tour (either guided or self-guided) and learn how they make their coffee.
There’s a wonderful lanai (accessed via a ramp) where you can sample some of the delectable treats either before or after your tour. There is also a small kitchen counter where you can order specialty coffees and some tasty treats like brownies. Accessible parking and restrooms are available.
9. Go Off Roading with an ATV Tour
If you are looking for a little bit of an adventure, consider taking an ATV tour in Kauai. There are two tour companies that can accommodate wheelchair users (but you must be able to transfer to the vehicle) on a case-by-case basis. These companies are Kauai ATV and Kipu Ranch Adventures.
Both companies offer a fun (but bumpy) ride through their property and past areas where famous movies were made. Be aware that you WILL get dirty on this tour, so come prepared with some protective layers or plan to go back to your hotel and shower after your tour.
Make sure to contact whichever company you choose before booking to discuss your needs and to see what tour option would be most suitable.
10. Bird Watch at Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge
Even locals consider the Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge a must-see spot when visiting Kauai. It offers spectacular views of sweeping cliffs, a lighthouse and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities.
Bird watchers will love to watch the various species of birds that can be found here. Look for the Yellow-billed Tropicbird, Red-Tailed Tropicbird, Laysan Albatross, Wedge-tailed Shearwater and Red-footed Booby. If you are lucky, you may also see the less common Great Frigatebird, Brown Booby and Kermadec Petrel. Wildlife lovers may also see Humpback Whales offshore during whale season.
Even if you decide not to go into Kilauea Wildlife Refuge, you can catch a glimpse of the lighthouse from an unofficial scenic overlook just before the entrance to the refuge. Parking is extremely limited here and there are no designated handicap parking spots. This pull off is extremely popular, so your chances are hit or miss on being able to safely pull over for the view.
I recommend going into the wildlife refuge (where you can get in for free with your access pass) and utilizing their accessible parking to explore the area. It is incredibly beautiful and accessible with a paved ramped pathway to the lighthouse and scenic overlook area.
Make sure to check out my Hawaii Packing List Post so you are prepared for your trip!
Final Thoughts on Visiting Kauai in a Wheelchair
Kauai is a Hawaiian Island that has it all, amazing scenery, accessible beaches, incredible wildlife, I could just go on and on. I hope that my guide for planning a vacation to Kauai in a wheelchair has helped you create your dream vacation to this gorgeous island. I know you’ll have a fantastic time just like I did!
