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Published Nov 3, 2024 · Updated Nov 4, 2025
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 1.5 million international and domestic tourists visited Kauai each year1.
- Kauai attracted 158,769 international visitors in 2019. However, when the pandemic hit in 2020, this number dropped by 78% to 34,420.
- International tourism further decreased in 2021, totalling 5,990 visitors. Tourist numbers rose in 2022 with 60,333 international visitors.
- In 2023, international tourist numbers were still 46% below the 2019 figure (pre-pandemic) with 84,945 visitors.
- Kauai recorded 77,514 international visitors in 2024, 9% fewer than 2023 and 51% below the 2019 level.
How many tourists visited Kauai in 2025?
- Kauai has received 1.08 million tourists (both international and domestic) from January to September 2025.
Note: This is preliminary data and may change with future updates.
| Kauai Visitors Arrival 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Month | Number of Visits |
| January | 110,162 |
| February | 105,976 |
| March | 123,499 |
| April | 119,079 |
| May | 113,244 |
| June | 135,529 |
| July | 141,514 |
| August | 124,304 |
| September | 102,105 |
How many people visited Kauai in 2024?
Kauai welcomed 1.39 million visitors in 2024, with 1.32 million being domestic travellers and 77,514 international tourists.
How much do tourists spend in Kauai every year?
Visitors, both domestic and international, spent over $2.85 billion during their trips to Kauai in 2024.
- In 2019, visitor spending in Kauai totalled $1.91 billion.
- Figures for 2020 were not published.
- Tourist spending rose from $1.4 billion in 2021 to $2.23 billion in 2022, marking a 59% increase.
- Visitor spending totalled $2.79 billion in 2023, which exceeded the 2019 figure by approximately 46%.
- Visitor spending reached $2.85 billion in 2024, 2% higher than the previous year and 49% above 2019 (pre-pandemic).
How much did tourists spend in Kauai in 2024?
- International and domestic tourists spent almost $2.85billion while exploring Kauai in 2024.
How much does it cost to visit Kauai?
- The average spending per visitor in Kaua is estimated at about $2,040 per trip, including all travel types like lodging, dining, transportation, shopping, and activities.
Note: This estimate is derived directly from total visitor spending divided by total visitor arrivals
Which countries visit Kauai the most?
In 2024, 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 88 % of the market share with a total of 1.23 million visits. Canada also contributed 46,091 tourists.
- Europe accounted for over 1 % of the market share with 22,144 visits.
- Japan and Korea made 6,960 and 4,528 visits, respectively.
How long do visitors stay in Kauai?
- In 2024, tourists spent an average of 7.45 days visiting and exploring the wonders of Kauai.
Economic Impact – Kauai Tourism Statistics 2025
- In 2024, total visitor spending reached around $2.85 billion. Major areas of spending included 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 is the best time to visit Kauai?
- The best time to visit Kauai is generally from April to June and from September to early November. During these months, the island enjoys pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and lower accommodation prices compared to the busy summer and winter seasons.
When were the peak tourist months in Kauai?
- July 2024 was the peak month in Kauai with the highest visitor count of 135,740, driven by peak summer travel.
- This was closely followed by June with 135,139 visits as summer vacations continued.
- December brought 123,768 visitors
- March, with spring break travel, boosted numbers to 123,442.
- August attracted 120,505 visitors.
Kauai Travel Statistics – International & Domestic Tourism
In 2024, domestic travellers in Kauai accounted for 1.32 million tourists, making up 94% of the total visitors while international tourists amounted to 77,514.
- 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 813,648 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%.
More Statistics
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- Orlando Tourism Statistics
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How popular is Kauai as a tourist destination?
- Kaua‘i was ranked 6th in the world and 1st in the U.S. in TripAdvisor’s 2024 “Best of the Best Nature Destinations” (Readers’ Choice).
- 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.
References
- HTA: Tourism Key Figures and Statistics — Monthly Visitor Statistics · hawaiitourismauthority.org ↑
