Whether you’re here for a vacation, honeymoon or a beach escape, I’m sure you’re planning to visit Kauai for a good time. What’s a good time without some beautiful memories to immortalise?
If you’re on this page, my guess is that you’d want to bookmark the best photo locations in Kauai.
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I’m not sure if you ever noticed when I started modelling, or if you’ve noticed my other fairly new Instagram account @theisabelproject.
I surmise that all started when I was living in Kauai and Cade would drag me to different locations to shoot as long as the weather looked good one second.
The beauty of Kauai, coupled with a decent camera and an available “model” seemed to fuel his urge to shoot even more.
One thing led to another and before long, we had shoots lined up with other photographers wanting to shoot me in Oahu and California, wherever we were travelling to.
It continued on after I returned to Singapore, and you’ll be able to see the recent updates on @theisabelproject and OnlyFans, another exclusive platform we recently created to share in-demand pictures that aren’t publicly available on my Instagram.
With Cade being a local and me living for an extended time in Kauai, we visited more locations and shot over 3000 pictures, way more than we intended. With a ready pool of top photography spots in Kauai, we thought it’d be nice to share some pretty Kauai locations with you.
Weather in Kauai, Hawaii
Before we do that, you have to understand the weather patterns in Kauai, which differs from the rest of the Hawaiian islands.
You’ll have to know that I lived here during the winter season (November-December), so fine weather was hard to come by. When it did, it’s swift. That’s not to say it’s all dull and rain though. Rainbows appeared almost daily if you paid close enough attention.
Anahola Beach
The north side of the Island is the wettest side and more often than not will be rainy. That’s not to say it isn’t opportune for photo taking. You can have some magical photo moments as rainbows often appear to stream across the sky.
West on Kauai is the polar opposite and will be dry and arid with a great difference in landscape, flora and scenery. Just like the north when it rains, massive rainbows and double rainbows come out for your eyes to feast upon.
20+ Best photoshoot locations in Kauai, Hawaii
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While Cade takes you on the top photography spots in Kauai, you’ll also encounter some of the best beaches in Kauai (black sand beaches included!), best viewpoints in Kauai and even hidden locations in Kauai, so make sure to bookmark this post!
1. Kalalau Lookout
Kalalau Lookout is not hidden and is already commonly known to most visitors to Kauai. What most don’t know though, is that if you want to get this view as pictured above, it requires stepping off the concrete path into a dirt trail from this particular lookout.
It’s almost obscure from the overgrown trees, so it’s only deserving for the adventurous. That’s the price to pay if you want a unique view!
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2. Rock Quarry Beach
A gorgeous stretch of sand seldom seen by visitors is one called Kahili in Hawaiian or Rock Quarry Beach by others.
Located south of Kilauea town, it is connected to a river that has a sun facing the ocean, which can make for various shadows and ambient lighting techniques.
When the surf is up, people come out so if you’re looking to go topless on this beach with your shoot, just duck around the corner for some privacy like we managed to.
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3. Kahlihiwai Beach
A known surf spot for the surfers to come out when the big swells come. It was calm and had little people when we went.
With a long beach and a small river in between, we made use of the time and turned this location into another photo spot in Kauai.
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4. Kapaa Old Town
Sandwiched on the back street of the main road on Kapaa where the parking lots are, this colourful pineapple graffiti is unmissable.
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5. Kealia
A long stretch of beach with the walking path is Kealia which is feeling the effects of erosion due to heavy storms and with this come the true beauty of nature and a perfect setting for some very interesting photos.
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6. Pineapple Dump pier
The next location on our top places to shoot in Kauai is along a multi-purpose bike path. A short walk along and you’ll come across a bridge (which under it is another shoot location as will be elaborated below) which leads to an old pier that was once used back in the old days of plantations on Kauai.
Most tourists just pass this up or take a quick look and leave. Make your way under the broken-up pier to a cliff face and eroding concrete for a unique shoot with a blue ocean view and crashing waves with not a single person in sight.
Head back to the top and over a small fence to shoot on the pier but tread carefully as it, too, is crumbling away.
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- Not as easy as you might think to get to
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7. Pineapple Dump bridge
The historic Pineapple Dump bridge was used by Pineapple farmers to dump their wastes into the ocean.
Under this bridge, varying street artists have taken to the canvas they have chosen and lost themselves in a colourful array of graffiti, shapes and tags.
It’s also quite private so feel comfortable and free to mix it up. There is no visible path down so watch your step as going under this bridge can be difficult if you aren’t an adventurous explorer. Also, it can flood during heavy rain so watch the weather.
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8. Upper bike path tree tunnel
Farther up north well past Pineapple Dump, the bike path splits into an uphill tree tunnel that eventually leads to a parking lot and a nearly empty stretch of road for private condos.
This tunnel presents a unique opportunity to shoot with shadows formed from the creepers.
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- Pondering about how doomed I am
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9. End of bike path
When you find yourself facing a dirt path, you’ve found yourself at the end of this multi-use path.
Facing the ocean, search a small dirt path in between the bushes to find an area with grassy rolling hills filled with green grass bushes and a variety of trees.
The ocean view and solid lava rock makes the landscape here full of photo and artistic opportunities. Very few people venture here so you don’t have to be wary of feeling self-conscious here. It’s beautiful photography spot and deserves a place high on the list of photography locations on Kauai.
10. Anahola Beach
This beach has quite the span which is accessible from many roads and can also be driven on with a 4×4.
In the same area, there is a campground with yurts for rental called Kumu Camp.
Conditions can vary, along with the amount of people as well. I believe it’s all down to luck to catch clear waters in gentle tides and bright sunshine while on the beach.
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11. Anahola Beach end
This beach is very small and marks the end of Anahola Beach which can be seen all the way across from here. It tucks into a dead end and serves well for a few quick creative snaps as most people don’t frequent here.
The sand is coarse, the tide is quick and wind blows strong.
12. Anahola back road
At the end of the road, a guard rail blocks the path coming to a river which is surrounded by an old lava rock wall on one side, the river with coconut palms and ferns down the middle and an open field on the left.
Perfect spot for a bright colourful set with a jungle backdrop.
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13. Dragon’s Breath waterfall
This area is a little more exclusive for the locals and so we won’t be sharing the exact location, however it’s a little hiking adventure to get to.
Once down to the ocean from the path, there’s quite the view of lava rock tide pools. We caught the place when the tide was high, and it splashed torrents of water all around us.
When the ocean is calm, a snorkelling opportunity can be had for a short while. It is filled with large fishes and a clear view all the way down the reef.
At the bottom, we came across this cascading waterfall and decided to have quite the shoot.
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14. Hideaway Beach
The entrance to this little adventure is a bit hard to find, that is after if you’ve managed to get lucky with a parking spot. Tucked tightly in between a hotel and a parking lot is a short dirt path which leads to a breath taking view of Hanalei bay.
Watch your step though as it’s a steep ride down that include ropes, steps and trees to grip and hold. It can be fairly muddy as well in the winter seasons. We came on a dry, sunny day and the conditions were perfect.
Once to the bottom, you can get up close to the view of the turquoise water and the reef that’s showing through the crystal clear waters. Finding the beach is easy from this point and as it is quite small, it can get populated quick.
Great trail with gorgeous views for the aspiring photographer and model to shoot.
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15. Larsen’s Beach
This is a nude beach at the end of a dusty dirt road near Zuckerberg’s property. It is normally quite the sight to sea as the ocean view opens. Waves gently roll in unison towards the island and it is breath taking.
It was cloudy, windy and rainy when we got there, but it didn’t prevent us from shooting, which in itself presented quite an opportunity.
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16. Lihue Lighthouse
At the end of the airport perimeter is a retired lighthouse that we came upon by chance.
Knowing me, I had to snap some photos of Isabel which turned out great. The graffiti mixed with the light weather really came together.
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17. Glass Beach
Behind a few refineries at Port Allen in Eleele, there is a beach which consists mostly of sea glass – who would have known?
The tides and currents are just perfect enough to bring glass from miles around and land here.
We took the moment and did a car shoot in the parking lot as the beach was quite busy with glass pickers.
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18. Poipu Beach
This location never loses its lust for Kauai photoshoot locations with harbours, beaches, tunnels and bridges. The choices and possibilities for shooting are endless.
Take your time and discover all the nooks and crannies this location has to offer. We managed to find the perfect bridge spillway to shoot in under it and it was fantastic.
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19. Waimea Pier
Sunset at this spot is hands down my number one favourite location for one reason –
The views are fantastic, and the sunsets are uninhibited by clouds. With vivid hues of orange, red, and yellow, it’s hard to pass this one up for another location.
Waimea was where Captain Cook first set foot on Hawaii in 1778, thus making it one of Kauai’s original trading ports.
This wharf in particular traded sugar, sweet potatoes, taro, yams, rice, cattle and goats.
To the left of the pier, you’ll see some old remnants of a railroad that once stood. That was used to transport sugar and rice from Polihale to Waimea in 1898. This contributed to the thriving sugar industry in Kauai.
Waimea’s black sand beach
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20. Hanapepe Valley Lookout
Along the main highway between Eleele and Kalaheo, there is an outlook that almost always has a massive rainbow that seems to bow on forever. With every colour in the spectrum showing bright, stop here for a moment to snap some quick photos and enjoy the view.
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21. Old Koloa Town
Don’t pass up this little gem of a spot. Old Koloa Town was thriving back in the plantation days for the once nearby pineapple and sugarcane workers.
Shops and houses still stand as a monument to this unique spot on Kauai. It eventually goes into a neighbourhood so don’t venture too far down as the locals have a slight distaste to tourists just wandering about.
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22. Mahaulepu
Mahaulepu Beach Heritage Trail leads you from the east end of Shipwreck beach along a coastline of sand dunes, lava tubes, tide pools and stretches of white sand beaches that are perfect for beach combing.
The scenery changes drastically throughout this walk and there is always something new to look at. From the high cliffs alongside Shipwreck beach to the golf course and tree tunnel thereafter, you’ll never fall short of views to be in awe at.
Mahaʻulepu Beach
Along the same route is a horseback tour company, CJM Country Stables, so don’t forget to stop by visit these majestic animals, as well as the tortoise habitat at Lida’s Field Of Dreams and a natural Hawaiian tide cave.
Some of these beaches are better suited for the experienced swimmer and snorkeller. Stronger trade winds on this stretch of coastline make it a haven for wind surfers and experienced kite-boarders.
This section of coastline includes a variety of landscapes to explore including lava tubes, sandstone cliffs, blow holes and isolated coves, which make this a fantastic place to discover on foot. Tread lightly as you discover this sacred part of the island. Always pack out what you brought in.
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23. Allerton’s Beach
Also known as Ka Lae O Kaiwa, this particular beach is a hidden gem that involves a short walk through a small trail that is rocky and full of plant life along a sheet coastal cliff.
Along the way you’ll be sure to see turquoise and various shades of blue and green in the waters below. Not many people frequent this one and so it makes for a hidden shoot location in Kauai, but don’t wander too far as it’s connected to a protected historical garden.
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With all these fantastic photoshoot locations and the possibility of the ever-changing landscape due to constant erosion, any budding photographer will spend the day filling memory and draining batteries.
I can’t say that one or another is my absolute favourite, but Waimea Pier will always have a place in my heart for the breath-taking sunsets against the black sand beach.
Take your time and enjoy the island for what it is with respect for the local culture and boundaries, including sacred burial grounds or “Heiau,” as no matter what you may be thinking, the photos aren’t worth the trouble.
Kauai is truly a magical place, a place where everything seemingly comes together with no rhyme or reason but just feels right at any given time. Our photo adventures have taken us to wonderful places here that are full of life and inspiration that anyone with a gifted eye can pick out and create art with.
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