Kauai Sports & Golf: Courses, Paddling, Surf Lessons and More
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Kauai isn’t just beaches. It has some of the most scenic golf in Hawaii, plus plenty of ways to get on the water or in the saddle. Everything below was checked against official sites in mid-October 2026. Hours shift by season, so call ahead.
Golf
No need to haul your clubs to Kauai. Most courses below rent full sets, so you can skip the oversized-bag fee and the baggage-claim wrestling match. Reserve the set when you book your tee time. If you’ll play three or more rounds, bringing your own can still pay off.
South Shore
Poipu Bay Golf Course (Poipu)
The South Shore’s signature resort course, next to the Grand Hyatt, with ocean holes along the cliffs.
📞 808-742-8711 · Website ↗
Club rentals: Yes
Driving range: Yes, with Toptracer
Tee times: Book online or by phone
Kiahuna Golf Club (Poipu)
Robert Trent Jones Jr. layout near Kiahuna Plantation. The clubhouse’s Paco’s Tacos Cantina serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. (808-431-4949).
📞 808-742-9595 · Website ↗
Club rentals: Not confirmed on the website, so call
Driving range: Not confirmed on the website
Tee times: Book online or by phone
Kukuiolono Golf Course (Kalaheo)
A casual, walkable 9-holer in a hilltop park with gardens and views.
📞 808-332-9151 · Website ↗
Club rentals: Not confirmed, so call
Driving range: Not confirmed
Tee times: Call ahead
Lihue and the Coconut Coast
Ocean Course at Hokuala (Lihue)
Jack Nicklaus Signature design next to the Royal Sonesta, with the longest run of oceanfront holes in Hawaii.
📞 808-241-6000 · Website ↗
Club rentals: Yes (included in their beginner scrambles; ask for a full set)
Driving range: Yes, full practice facility
Tee times: Required; call for tee times
Puakea Golf Course (Lihue)
Robin Nelson design under the Haupu ridge, 10 minutes from the airport.
📞 808-977-3777 · Website ↗
Club rentals: Yes, PXG sets ($70 a round)
Driving range: Yes, open to the public with no tee time needed
Tee times: Book online (best rates) or by phone
Wailua Golf Course (Wailua)
The county course and the island’s best value, right along the ocean.
📞 808-241-6666 · Website ↗
Club rentals: Yes, at the golf shop (808-241-4111)
Driving range: Listed by the county; it was closed after the storm, so call
Tee times: Required, no walk-ons. Book by phone up to 7 days ahead
North Shore
Makai Golf Club (Princeville)
Robert Trent Jones Jr.’s cliff-top course, with ocean and mountain views.
📞 808-826-1912 · Website ↗
Club rentals: Yes, Callaway sets
Driving range: Yes, included with an 18-hole rate
Tee times: Book online or by phone
Outrigger Canoeing and Kayaking
Outrigger canoe tours
Paddle a traditional Hawaiian canoe with a guide. Calm water on the Wailua River and in sheltered bays is best for beginners.
Booking: needed; reserve a tour.
Wailua River kayaking
Open for paddling. Secret Falls hiking is still closed, and individual kayakers can’t land at Fern Grotto.
Booking: rentals and tours need a reservation.
Hanalei River
An easy, family-friendly paddle when the North Shore is calm.
Booking: rent in Hanalei; call ahead.
Surf Lessons
Where: Kalapaki Beach (Lihue), Poipu (summer) and Hanalei Bay (summer only; winter surf there is for experts).
Booking: needed. Take a lesson from a licensed school, which will pick the safest break for the day.
Horseback Riding
Ranch rides
Pastures, valleys and coastline: a great half-day for families with kids old enough to ride. Princeville Ranch on the North Shore is our pick (see Excursions).
Booking: needed. Check age and weight limits.
Tennis and Pickleball
Makai Golf Club courts (Princeville)
Up to six pickleball and three tennis courts, open to the public. Court rental $25 an hour.
📞 808-826-1863 · Website
Booking: required for court rentals; pickleball drop-in ($15) needs no reservation.
Resort and county courts
Many resorts have courts for guests, so ask yours first. For public courts, see the County of Kauai parks list; some park amenities are still closed after the storm.
Booking: generally first come, first served.
Plan the rest of your trip: Excursions · Shopping · Restaurants