Page last updated: 4 November 2024
Kauai, known as Hawaii’s “Garden Isle,” is recognised for its landscapes, steep cliffs, and beaches, providing an island environment with diverse natural features.
How many people visit Kauai each year?
Over 1.42 million international and domestic tourists visited Kauai in 2023.1
- Kauai attracted 158,769 international visitors in 2019. However, when the pandemic hit in 2020, this number dropped by 78% to 34,420.
- By 2021, international tourism further decreased, totalling 5,990 visitors. Tourist numbers rose in 2022 with 60,333 international visitors.
- In 2023, international tourist numbers were still 47% below the 2019 figure (pre-pandemic) with 84,042 visitors.
How many tourists visited Kauai in 2024?
- Kauai received 936,476 tourists (both international and domestic) from January to August 2024. Note: This is preliminary data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority and may change with future updates.
| Kauai Visitor Arrivals in 2024 | |
| Month | Number of Visits |
| January | 106,048 |
| February | 108,825 |
| March | 116,437 |
| April | 104,654 |
| May | 115,135 |
| June | 130,923 |
| July | 135,846 |
| August | 118,608 |
How many people visited Kauai in 2023?
- In 2023, Kauai welcomed 1.42 million visitors, with 1.33 million being domestic travellers and 84,042 international tourists.
How much do tourists spend in Kauai every year?
Visitors, both domestic and international, spent over $2.76 billion during their trips to Kauai in 2023.
- In 2019, visitor spending in Kauai totalled $1.91 billion.
- Figures for 2020 were not published.
- Tourist spending rose from $1.04 billion in 2021 to $2.23 billion in 2022, marking a 114% increase.
- In 2023, visitor spending totalled $2.76 billion, which exceeded the 2019 figure by approximately 44%.
How much do tourists spend in Kauai?
- International and domestic tourists spent almost $2.76 billion while exploring Kauai in 2023.
Which countries visit Kauai the most?
In 2023, the leading sources of tourists to Kauai were from the USA, followed by Canada, Europe, Japan and Korea.
- The USA was the top source of visitors to Kauai, accounting for 85% of the market share with a total of 1.21 million visits. Canada also contributed 42,680 tourists.
- Europe accounted for over 1% of the market share with 23,998 visits.
- Japan and Korea made 4,621 and 2,958 visits, respectively.
How long do visitors stay in Kauai?
- In 2023, tourists spent an average of 7.7 days visiting and exploring the wonders of Kauai.
How much do visitors spend in Kauai per day?
- Tourists in Kauai spend an estimated minimum of $286.98 per person each day.
Economic Impact – Kauai Tourism Statistics 2023
- For the entire year of 2023, total visitor spending on Kauai is estimated to have reached around $2.76 billion. Major areas of spending include lodging, food services, transportation, and recreational activities.
- The tourism sector is a vital source of employment for Kauai, supporting approximately 20% of total jobs in Hawaii.
When were the peak tourist months in Kauai in 2023?
- July 2023 was the peak month in Kauai with the highest visitor count of 139,771, driven by peak summer travel.
- Followed by August with 131,628 visits as summer vacations continued.
- Early summer demand brought 129,905 visitors in June.
- March, with spring break travel, boosted numbers to 122,585.
- December attracted 120,290 visitors.
Hawaii Travel Resources
Kauai Travel Statistics – International & Domestic Tourism
In 2023, domestic travellers in Kauai accounted for 1.33 million tourists, making up 94% of the total visitors while international tourists amounted to 84,042.
- In 2019, Kauai welcomed a combined total of 1.37 million international and domestic tourists.
- However, when the pandemic struck in 2020, visitor numbers dropped to 330,263.
- In 2021, Kauai received a total of 813,647 tourists, despite the emergence of a new COVID variant. Domestic tourism rebounded with 807,658 visitors, while international tourism remained low, with only 5,990 tourists.
- 2022 marked the recovery year for Kauai, with 1.35 million tourists. Kauai received 1.42 million visitors in 2023, exceeding the 2019 figure by approximately 4%.
How popular is Kauai as a tourist destination?
- Kauai ranked 8th as the Top Island in the United States in 2024 by Conde Nast Travellers.
- Many travellers shifted their focus to Kauai following the devastating wildfires in Maui in 2023, leading to a 6% increase in visitor numbers compared to previous years.
Learn more about how wildfires impact Maui tourism here.
Top Activities and Attractions in Kauai
- Na Pali Coast: Known for its unique cliffs and vegetation, accessible by boat, hiking, or helicopter.
- Waimea Canyon: Referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” features diverse rock formations and lookout points along various hiking trails.
- Wailua River: Hawaii’s only navigable river, suitable for kayaking with options for guided tours to adjacent waterfalls.
- Hiking Trails: Includes the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali Coast and trails in Koke’e State Park, offering access to different ecosystems and geological features.
- Poipu Beach: Recognised for its clear weather patterns and snorkelling locations along the southern shore.
Hawaii Tourism Statistics
USA Travel Statistics Resources
- Arizona Statistics (incl. Grand Canyon National Park)
- California Statistics (incl. Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Universal Studios Hollywood)
- Florida Statistics (incl. Destin, Key West, Miami, Orlando, Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World)
- Illinois Statistics (incl. Chicago)
- Louisiana Statistics (incl. New Orleans)
- Massachusetts Statistics (incl. Boston)
- Nevada Statistics (incl. Las Vegas)
- New York Statistics (incl. New York City, Statue of Liberty)
- South Dakota Statistics (incl. Mount Rushmore)
- Tennessee Statistics (incl. Memphis, Nashville)
- Texas Statistics (incl. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio)
- Utah Statistics
- Washington Statistics (incl. Seattle)
- Yellowstone National Park Statistics
