Get all the tips and a full itinerary for a fun week in Kauai! Find out where to stay, what to do, where to eat, great beaches, fun hikes, and what to make sure you pack!
If you like beautiful weather and fun adventures, Kauai, Hawaii is the place for you! This is one of the most beautiful Hawaiian islands.
As I have shared in the past, we take a trip with our kids their Junior year. It is just the parents (Nate and I) and the child. We let our teen choose where they want to go in the world.
Brayden, our oldest, chose France. Kaitlyn, our second, chose Kauai.
Kaitlyn loves to be outside and loves to do adventurous things. She loves an adrenaline rush. She considered a few different places and settled on Kauai. In this post, we will discuss what we did on our trip and other things we considered but did not do.
Getting To Kauai
When we booked flights to Kauai, there were no direct flights from where we live to the island. We did a layover in Oahu each way. This was fine, but our layovers were quite long, so it wasn’t ideal.
Take note that the airport in Oahu is pretty spread out. If you have a layover with a tight window, make sure you know where you are going so you can make it. There are times you have to take a shuttle to get to different gates.
If you decide to visit Hawaii and are struggling to decide which island to visit, you might consider visiting multiple islands. It would have been quite simple to fly to Oahu, stay a couple of days, then jump over to Kauai. Each island is so unique that you get a different experience on each.
If you do have a layover in Oahu, if you can find the new terminal for Hawaiian Airlines, it was totally dead both ways we went.
Where to Stay in Kauai
There are many hotels and many VRBO/Airbnb options on the island. When I am in Hawaii, I really prefer to stay in a VRBO/Airbnb location. The sun goes down around 6:30-7:00 PM year round, so your activities close down around that time, also. It is nice to have a nice space to relax when you are not out and about. It is also nice to have your own kitchen so you can prepare a lot of your own food. Eating out can be very expensive in the Hawaiian islands, so having a kitchen can save you a lot of money.
You do want to book in advance. We booked our VRBO over a year in advance, and at that time, over 50% of the properties were already booked. As soon as you know you are going, book a place.
It is good to have an idea of where you want to spend your time on the island so you can stay close to most of your activities. In the end, we chose to stay in Kapa’a. It is basically the midpoint between the activities you want to do on the northern end and the activities you want to do on the southern end. While the island is not big, the speed limit is slow everywhere you go, so it takes time to drive places.
We had a beautiful VRBO right on the beach. This was super nice so people could go to the beach if they wanted while others stayed in the apartment.
Transportation on the Island
You will want to rent a car while on the island. We rented a convertible sports car. While that was fun, if we did it over again, we would have rented something more SUV-friendly. Kauai is an island of adventure and there are places a sports car just cannot drive to.
It is fun to drive around many parts of the island. There are the parts with lots of traffic and commercial buildings, but the north end is a beautiful drive. There are also lots of pretty drives on the south end. In your travels to and from places, make sure you enjoy Malhuia Road (also known as Tree Tunnel Road) on the south end of the island. On the north end, drive the Kuhio Highway!
Full Itinerary for Kauai
Here is what our trip looked like. I will list the itinerary and then talk about each activity in more depth below as warranted.
- March 30: Fly from Salt Lake City to Kauai with a layover in Oahu.
- March 31: Beach and snorkeling. Two great beach options for this are Poipu Beach or Prince Kuhio Beach. We actually decided in the end to spend the day at out beach because it was nice. We also went for a drive that day to explore the island and get our bearings. We visited the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. There are a lot of nesting seabirds and a lighthouse. To go into the refuge, you will need a reservation, so follow the link if you are interested in it.
- April 1: Helicopter Tour and Waterfall Rappelling. These were both in Lihue. We started our helicopter tour at 7:30 AM. We then had time to go back to the apartment and do lunch before going to our waterfall rappelling.
- April 2: Horseback Riding and exploring the south end of the island. Poipu and Kaloa. We scheduled horseback riding for 9:30 AM. We then got lunch in Poipu (Puka Dogs!) and visited a couple of different beaches and Spouting Horn Park. We also got some Hula Pie to go from Keoki’s Paradise and took it back to our apartment.
- April 3: Surfing Lessons and exploring the north end. This was in Hanalei. We did surfing lessons at 9:30 AM. We then visited several different beaches.
- April 4: Ziplining and free afternoon. We booked ziplining for 8:15 AM. This was in Kaloa. We left the afternoon open so that at this point we could decide what we wanted to do that would be fun based on what we had done so far. In the end we went to lunch then did some relaxing at our apartment then headed to the north end for the sunset.
- April 5: Waimea Canyon and explore west side. Also Koke’e State park and some beaches.
- April 6: Free day. We had a list of options and did what sounded most interesting to us. We did some beach hopping and visited a few waterfalls. We also did some souvenir shopping.
- April 7: Half day and travel day. We had some time on the island and just visited beaches then headed to the airport to come home.
Helicopter Tour
The helicopter tour was AMAZING. We would absolutely recommend doing this. It is very expensive. I don’t know if I could bring myself to pay the money for that for our full family, but it was great for our one-child trip. You see the entire island and locations you can’t see any other way. We also saw circular rainbows! We booked with Ali’i Air Tours and Charters.
For the helicopter tour, you will definitely want a jacket or sweater. It gets cold when you are up in the air. You need to have closed toed shoes or sandals with straps. You also want to have your hair back and out of your face. Have a full battery on your phone!
Waterfall Rappelling
We scheduled that at 1:00 PM. We booked with Da Life Outdoors here. I did not do this because they warn against knee problems, but after watching it, I think I could have done it just fine. This was one of Kaitlyn’s very favorite things we did. The guides were amazing and great teachers. They have done this with all sorts of people, so you can do it! There are a lot of mosquitoes there, so be prepared with bug spray.
You might also want sunscreen, a towel, and a water bottle.
They do provide you with a dry bag to put your things in. They also provide you with a shirt to wear in the waterfalls and shoes. You will want to wear pants or shorts (remember you will be in a harness, so have them long enough that you will be comfortable). You also need a shirt to wear while practicing on the dry wall for training.
They also provide some snacks and drinks.
Horseback Riding
We went to CJM Country Stables. They did a great job and we enjoyed ourselves, but it isn’t something we would do again. We ride horses around here and Wyoming without guides. We have done trail riding like this in the past and just have too much experience with the freedom of riding to love riding like this anymore.
There was one woman there who had just been the day before, so it is just a personal preference thing.
Most workers were nice and laid back, but there was one very impatient and outwardly angry worker there. The instructions were not clear to people and if they did not do what she wanted them to do, she yelled at them and swore under her breath.
You need close-toed shoes and long pants. You will also want a waterbottle.
Surfing Lessons
We booked surfing lessons through Hawaiian Surfing Adventures. I opted to take photos instead of participate. Kaitlyn and Nate absolutely loved this. The instructor was so good and they were surfing in no time!
You can also rent surfboards and paddleboards from this location, so if you try lessons and love it, you can go back on your own another time!
You will want sunscreen. They give you a rashguard to wear.
Ziplining
This was a total blast! We went with Koloa Zipline. Our guides were great. We had a lot of fun. They have snacks and drinks for you. You want to wear long pants or longer shorts and a t-shirt or long-sleeved shirt. You also need to have close-toed shoes. You want a camera, sunscreen, or bug spray. We would recommend this for sure.
Waimea Canyon State Park
Waimea Canyon is known as the Grand Canyon of Kauai. It is absolutely beautiful! There is a scenic drive and lots of lookouts. Make sure you visit each lookout as you head up the road. It is harder to visit them as you exit. One view you do not want to miss is the Waipo’o Waterfall.
There are also several trails for hiking. I would definitely recommend this as a stop for anyone visiting Kauai. Learn more about what to do there at the official website here.
The elevation is quite a bit higher in this park. It was very windy while we were there. I would recommend taking a rain jacket and/or other kind of jacket or sweatshirt in case it is a little cold there.
There is also something called the Red Dirt Waterfall. Compared to other waterfalls on the island, it is quite underwhelming, but it feels like an obligatory stop.
Koke’e State Park
This is an easy one to get to when visiting Waimea, also. You can also see stunning views of the Na Pali coast. It was super windy and rainy, but beautiful.
Waterfalls
There are a lot of waterfalls in Kauai. We saw various falls in various locations (on our helicopter tour, Waimea…), but there were still some more we wanted to make a special trip to see. Wailua Falls and Opaeka’a Falls are both worth the quick stop to see them.
Great Beaches
There are so many different beaches to visit on Kauai, and they are all quite different from each other! This isn’t a place where a beach is basically a beach. Every beach has different pros and cons and different activities. Some are more kid-friendly. Some are more surfing-friendly. Some are in locations where you just do not go in the water at all, but you can watch massive waves crash the shore.
We would spend a couple of hours at one beach then head to another beach, and there are many beaches we never even went to!
Beaches on the South End: The southern end of the island seems to have a lot of popular beaches. It seems to consistently have nicer weather. The south end has a lot of tourists and is just busier in general. Here are good beaches on the south end of the island:
- Poipu Beach: This beach is very popular for families. The water is mild and it has a nice little calm area for kids to play in the water. There is a playground at the beach and grassy area. It is also known for Sea Turtles (we saw them there!). It is also good for snorkeling. It is a fun spot and a must-visit. If you want a quieter beach experience, you won’t want to stay here long, but it is a good spot.
- Kiahuna Beach: This beach is right by Poipu Beach. It is a good beach for easy surfing, boogie boarding, and snorkeling.
- Spouting Horn Park: This is more of a park than a beach. This is a good stop to get to see a blowhole. It is best visited at high tide when the water can go as high as 50 feet into the air. This is a good spot to see whales December-May (we did not see any). This can be a good spot to see the sunset, also.
- Shipwreck Beach: This was our personal favorite beach on the south end. There is a lot of surfing here. There is some space for kids to play a bit on the shore, but if you have littles, Poipu is a better option. There are lots of trees here that can provide natural shade. There is a fun, short little path you can take to get up on top of a cliff that overlooks the ocean. Some people jumped from it (but there are signs telling you not to). We visited this beach more than once. It was quiet, beautiful, and was entertaining to watch the surfers.
Beaches on the North End: The north end of the island was our favorite. It was so beautiful and has so many mountains. There are lots of tourists on the north end, but it didn’t seem to be as much as the south end. It was quieter overall. Here are some great beaches to check out on the north end of the island.
- Hanalei Beach and Pier: This is where we did surfing lessons. The view here is iconic. It is absolutely beautiful. There is calm enough water for kids to play in the shore, also. This is also where we went to watch the sunset. This is a must-visit.
- Anini Beach is good for swimming, snorling, and windsurfing. This was not super busy when we went. We didn’t hang out here long, but it was a nice stop.
- Haena Beach Park: This was one of my very favorite beaches. This beach is not good for getting in the water (no one was allowed in while we were there). But the waves are really big. The scenery is beautiful all around you. There are trees for natural shade. There is also the Maniniholo dry cave right by it.
- Lumaha’i Beach: This was a fun stop, and it has a little river that comes out and meets the ocean. It felt more like a “tourists don’t come here” vibe, but it is always neat to see rivers meeting the ocean.
- Tunnels Beach: This is a great spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. There are underwater lava tubes.
- Maloa’s Beach: This is another popular beach on the north end of the island.
Beaches on the West Side. The western side of the island is a lot more dry. There are some interesting beaches to check out.
- Salt Pond Beach: We stopped here for a picnic on our way back from Waimea. We were surprised to see Hawaiian Monk Seals sunbathing on the beach. It is common there. They have picnic tables and bathrooms. The beach feels a lot like a Southern California beach.
- Glass Beach: This is a beach you just go to find sea glass. There is tons of it there. It is a nice little stop on your way back from Waimea Canyon.
Some other beaches to consider are Ahukini Recreational Pier State Park, Hanamaulu Beach Park (definitely a place were they typically just see locals. There was a lot of wind surfing going on). There are also a few beaches in Kapa’a area on the east side, but we just stuck to our own beach there. We drove by Anahola Beach Park often. It looked like a nice park with a lifegaurd where you could swim and snorkle.
Great Hikes
Here are some great hikes to consider while there.
- Ha’ena State Park: You will need to make reservations to go here. See the website here.
- Ke’e Beach Kalalau Overlook trail: Advanced reservations are required for this hike. You can get details here.
- Waimea Canyon: There are endless hikes in the canyon, but two popular ones to consider are Kalepa Ridge Trail and Waimea Canyon Trail.
- Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail: Shipwreck Beach to Punahoa Point: 3.8 miles. This is on the southern end of the island.
- Kuilau Ridge Trail: This is 3.6 miles and close to Kapa’a on the east side of the island. It is more rainforest.
- Awa’awapuhi Trail: This one is 5.8 miles and is good for seeing the sunset. This is on the west side of the island.
Great Places to Snorkel on Kauai
Here are the best places to snorkel on the island:
- Ke’e Beach
- Haena Beach Park
- Tunnels Beach
- Anini Beach
- Lydgate Beach Park
- Poipu Beach
- Prince Kuhio Beach
Other Activities We Considered
There is a lot more to do that we did not have time for! Some activities that we have heard great things about from friends are:
- Smith’s Fern Grotto Tour
- A kayak tour in Kapa’a
- Luau
- Koke’e Natural History Museum
- Botanical Gardens
- Catamaran Cruise. This can be a great way to see the Na Pali Coast. If we did not do a helicopter tour, I would have wanted to do this to see the Na Pali Coast.
- Tubing in Sugar Plantation canals
Food to Try in Kauai
Mark’s Place for authentic Hawaiian food. This place was good! It was close to the Waterfall rappelling. It was yummy and a lot of food. We were able to take leftovers back to our apartment.
Puka Dog Hawaiian Style Hot Dogs is just right across from Poipu beach, so it is a great lunch or dinner stop on a beach day. This was probably my favorite food we ate there, and that is saying something because I am not a big hot dog person.
Keoki’s Paradise looks like a really fun restaurant. We had already eaten out that day and did not plan for it. We also went straight from the beach and it seems like a nicer than beach wear restaurant (we were staying 30 minutes away and were not about to drive home, shower get ready, then drive back). BUT you can order things to go. This is where we got a Hula Pie. This is a famous pie unique to Kauai that si made from academia nut ice cream. It was yummy!
Island Craves for donuts is a must stop. You need to arrive before 10 AM or they might be out. Get the Malasadas. You will thank me. This is in Kapaa.
Kenji Burger is also in Kapaa. While ziplining, we asked a family what their favorite food had been while there (it was their last day) and they all said Kenji Burger. It is really delicious and very unique!
Kalypso Island Bar and Grill is a great spot if you are looking for somewhere to eat on the north end of the island.
Hee Fat General Store in Kapa’a is great for snow cones. The juice flavors here are pure. You can also get it with ice cream in it!
The Shrimp Station is good for coconut shrimp in Waimea.
As for groceries, there is a Costco and Walmart in Lihue close to the airport. You have to pay for every shopping bag in Kauai, so if you have reusable, you may want to bring your own.
Sunrise and Sunset
There are so many great places to see the sunrise and sunset on the island. We watch the sunrise right on the beach each day at our apartment in Kapa’a.
We loved the Sunset in Hanalei on the north, but you can see it from Waimea on the west, Spouting Horn Park on the south, and the Kilauea Lighthouse also on the north.
What to Pack
You are packing for a basic vacation in a warm, tropical location. Swimsuit, swimsuit coverup, towel, sandals…you are pretty set. Make sure you see notes for things needed for the activities you are participating in. Many need longer pants, long sleeves, or close toed shoes. Here are some things to consider packing:
- Hat: It is very windy in Kauai. A hat can be your best friend.
- Reef safe sunscreen: If you are going in the water in Hawaii, you need reef safe sunscreen so you can help preserve the reefs.
- Aftersun: Aftersun really is super helpful for soothing skin after you have been in the sun. This is our favorite. Aspirin also helps with sunburns!
- Sweatshirt: It actually can feel cold there, so have something warm to put on.
- Rain jacket: You might want this if it is rainy.
- Bug repellent: My favorite repellent is this lotion. It lasts up to 14 hours and isn’t sticky or smelly.
- Brita water bottle: I read the water is not very good in Kauai, and I am kind of a water taste snob. So I got this and was very happy I did. My water was always delicious. Of course the downside is that the water does not stay cold like it would in an Owala or Stanley. If you prefer staying cold, I would recommend you bring some Crystal Light or other water flavoring so you are willing to drink enough water.
- Dry bag: This is very handy for keeping things dry and secure.
- Waterproof case for phone: These are really nice for taking into the water and keeping your phone dry.
- Snorkel gear: If you plan to snorkel a lot, you might want to bring your own gear rather than rent it. It can be bulky and takes up a lot of luggage space, though.
- Small chairs: We packed a couple of these small chairs in our suitcases. This was really nice to take to the beaches. There were not easy ways to rent chairs at the vast majority of beaches we went to, so think about that while packing.
- Beach blanket: We bring this small blanket with us. It is super small to pack and lightweight. We also each brought one of these Turkish Towels. They are comfortable, do not hold sand, and dry quickly.
- Beach bag. I brought a beach bag in my suitcase. We kept it packed while there with everything we needed for the beach so we could just grab it and go.
- Baby powder. This is great for helping get sticky sand off your body.
- A Book: Hopefully you get lots of time to relax and sit on the beach while there. Bring a good book to read!
Chickens and Roosters
This is random, but the island is crawling with wild chickens and roosters. You will see them everywhere. Kaitlyn and Nate decided to have a contest to see who could get the best photo of a chicken or rooster.
Conclusion
Kauai is a great place to visit! There is a whole lot to do, endless beautiful beaches, delicious food to eat, and more!
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