Hello! It's Laura here! Today I will be taking over the blog to share my recent trip to the Hawaiian island of Kauai. If you're planning a trip to Kauai, this 12-day itinerary covers where to stay, the best beaches, scenic hikes, local restaurants, and can't-miss experiences. Kauai is one of the best islands to visit for the perfect blend of both adventure and relaxation. Plus, you get to see some of the most incredible scenery while enjoying the laid-back aloha spirit. I've divided the trip up into regions where we stayed and included what we did in that area, as well as other options for you to choose from that also came highly recommended. We went in June, so keep that in mind when planning. This was for our honeymoon, so we combined relaxing with some mild adventure. I have included some more adventurous options below if that's what you're looking for.
Kauai Travel Guide
How to Get There
We were traveling from Dallas, so we took the 6 AM American Airlines flight from DFW to LIH. You have an hour layover in LAX (Los Angeles) and then fly direct to LIH, Kauai's main airport. It's only about a 5 hour flight from LAX to LIH, so it makes it about a 10 hour travel day. We arrived by 11 AM so we basically had a bonus day on the island. Totally worth the painfully early flight! There are very limited direct flights from DFW to LIH, so this really is one of your best options.
Once you're there, rental car pick-up is easy. You definitely need a rental car when visiting Kauai. There is only one main road around the entire island, making it potentially longer to get places. Plus, Ubers are expensive and harder to come by. I recommend renting a Jeep Wrangler. It's perfect for the terrain, plus it's also just fun and iconic to drive around the island. At the minimum, rent a car with a 4-wheel drive!
Days 1-5: North Shore
Where to Stay
While there were other parts of Kauai that offered stunning views, I personally loved staying in the North Shore. We stayed in a condo in Princeville, which is a great area of neighborhoods with vacation homes and condos. There is a shopping center with lots of restaurants, shops, and a grocery store within walking distance, making it a great place for a long-term stay. You can find condo options on both Airbnb and Vrbo. I would book early because the highly rated rental properties book quickly.
We stayed at Sandpiper Village and enjoyed it. It's walking distance to beach areas and includes a pool and outdoor grill. Our individual condo provided beach towels, snorkel gear, boogie boards, a cooler, and beach chairs. Plus, you receive a designated parking space. The only downside to North Shore (and why we stayed elsewhere), is that it is about a 2 hour drive from the main Kauai attractions. If you only do this drive a couple of times during your stay and space it out then I think it's totally do-able!
What to Do
Because the weather can change in a moment in the North Shore, keep your plans loose. We learned that Kauai is comprised of many micro-climates, so even the weather apps do not predict the weather accurately! We found the weather in the North Shore to be more mild than other areas of Kauai. It rained every day (and never at the same time), and would get cooler in the evenings. Even for June, you may want a lightweight jacket or over shirt. During the afternoons it is hot, so I recommend planning your activities for early mornings and resting indoors in the afternoon ... or go to a happy hour! Waking up early and getting a head start is a great way to take advantage of the jet lag. This part of the trip is definitely for resting and adjusting your body to relaxation mode and island time. While this looks like a long list of activities, it was a very low key start to our trip, with most of these activities only being about a half day at most.
Here's a more specific list of things you need to do in the North Shore:
Hanalei Bay & Beach: Wow, this beach is stunning! We went twice because of how clear and beautiful the waters were, plus it was not super crowded. While the water is chilly at first dip, it's very relaxing to wade or dip your toes in. The beach side has more waves, while the bay side is still water.
Watch the sunset at Hanalei Bay: It's a beautiful view! You can also stop along the pull-off along HI-56 that overlooks the bay (as seen above).
Tunnels Beach: This is the best beach for snorkeling in the North Shore. Get your snorkel gear the day before because you need to arrive to this beach early. There are only about 30 designated parking spots and they fill up quickly. We got our snorkel gear at Hanalei Surf and it was only $6 a day. Note: If you are not snorkeling I would not recommend this beach. It is on the rocky side and not great for swimming apart from snorkeling.
Do a tasting at Hanalei Spirits: This was a fabulous experience. It's a family-owned, local distillery, with a variety of spirits of amazing quality. This free tasting is on the owners property, done by either him or his wife, in their indoor distillery. You cannot find their products state-side. We ended up buying several bottles and local products from them. We especially loved their Lilikoi liqueur! Book your tasting here.
Visit Kilauea Lighthouse: This lighthouse is a beautiful view and a great way to see many local birds. We popped in after our tasting at Hanalei Spirits, which is close by. You can also book a tour here to see the property and learn more about the lighthouse and surrounding area.
Princeville Night Market: From 4-7 PM on the second Sunday of each month Princeville brings in artists, artisans, and food trucks for a fun evening. We ended up getting a bowl from PB Arts, an amazing wood turner who creates stunning pieces from fallen trees in Kauai. They make for great statement pieces and gifts. We were able to go to where he makes his bowls and pick out our own wood for a custom bowl (as seen above). This was an amazing experience that would not have been possible without meeting him at the market!
Explore Hanalei town: There are many local restaurants and shops in this area. It's a really great atmosphere and is quite charming. Plus, you might spot some chicks!
Other activities we did not do but were recommended:
Go to Anini Beach if you want to get in another beach day and try out a new place. It is in Kilauea, which is east of Princeville.
Visit 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay for a drink or dinner at sunset. It's a stunning 5-star hotel overlooking the beautiful views of Hanalei Bay. Valet is $20 and then you can explore the property. You can also stay there for an amazing vacation!
Hike the Kalalau Trail. This is the trail that goes along the Napali Coast and has breathtaking views. The recommendation is to hike the first 2 miles in to Hanakapiʻai Beach and back. You need a reservation to do this through the state park. Reservations book up fast so do this before your trip! Get your reservation here. You also need a reservation to visit Ke'e Beach, so these are activities that need to be planned ahead of time.
We did a Napali Coast boat tour out of Port Allen (South Shore), but you can also take a tour out of Hanalei.
Where to Eat
Since we were in a condo, we grilled some nights and tried to do a meal or two in each day to save money and make it easier to be flexible with plans. The main grocery store is a Foodland in Princeville. Tip: Get the poke bowls from the deli section. This is made from delicious, fresh fish. And a bowl is only $7! It's easily the best deal on the island, so we had it multiple times for lunch.
Other restaurants we tried and loved:
Hanalei Bread Company - Amazing macadamia nut sticky buns. They also have breakfast sandwiches and yogurt bowls. We also bought a loaf of bread here for sandwiches.
Holey Grail Donuts - Wow! These donuts were soooo good. I wish we would've gone more than once!
Tiki Iniki - Great little tiki bar in Princeville and probably the best mai tai we had on the island. They have happy hour from 3-4:30 PM.
Jo Jo's Shaved Ice - Our favorite shaved ice we had on the trip. They have multiple locations around the island. Their shaved ice is served over vanilla ice cream and so yummy!
We tried other restaurants, but did not love them enough to recommend. Our favorite dinner spots were in Kapa'a, which I'll feature below. If you stay in the North Shore, then Kapa'a is only about a 30 minute drive from Princeville. You can easily drive to the restaurants for dinner.
Note: Restaurants on Kauai are closed at least once or twice during the week. Some weekends, some weekdays, so check ahead especially if you're trying to eat at a specific place during your stay. Also, most places have happy hours so take advantage when you can!
Days 6-10: Central/Eastern Stay with Western Excursions
While it may have been easier to stay in the South Shore for these days, we wanted to avoid the super touristy areas. We did visit South Shore a couple of times during this leg of the trip, and it was quite packed. If you are going during a less busy season then it may be easier to stay on the South Shore to have easier access to the west coast excursions. South Shore has great restaurants and Poipu Beach is wonderful, but it depends on the type of vibe you want. I think if we were to go again I would go in February and stay half in North Shore and half in the South Shore for a relaxed stay with fewer crowds.
In Kapa'a we stayed in a condo via Vrbo close to the Coconut Marketplace, which is another area with shops, restaurants, and a grocery store. You can book a condo along the beach for an incredible view. It's not a swimmable ocean, but was pretty to sit by to watch the sunrise or stroll in the evenings. Staying in Kapa'a is much more like living amongst the locals, so if you prefer a more resort-style vacation then maybe stay elsewhere. We enjoyed it though! There is plenty to do in the area and the drives were not bad to get to the southern attractions.
What to Do
Napali Coast Boat Tour - This is a MUST. The views are insanely beautiful and you can only access this side of the island by boat or helicopter. We did the Capt Andy's Star Snorkel BBQ Sail out of Port Allen and it was fabulous. We got to see the views, snorkel, and see dolphins. They also provide both breakfast and lunch. I recommend picking the grilled chicken for lunch!
Waimea Canyon - Another must-see when visiting Kauai! It is called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Tip: Drive all the way to the top and then do lookout stops on the way down. Plan to get there early. Clouds roll around 10 AM and then you cannot see anything. And trust me, the view at the Pu'u O Kila lookout is amazing! Our route was Pu'u O Kila lookout (mile marker 19), Kalalau lookout (mile marker 18), Pu'u Hinahina lookout (mile marker 14), Pu'u Ka Pele lookout (mile marker 13), and Waimea Canyon lookout (mile marker 10). If you are feeling adventurous, then you can do the Waipo'o Falls hike at the Pu'u Hinahina lookout (mile marker 14). There are tons of lookouts and hikes along the way. You could spend the whole week just in the canyon.
Kayak Wailua River & Hike Secret Falls - This is definitely the most adventurous activity we did on the trip. I think it you feel up for it then it's definitely worth it! Again, start early. Although the falls are called secret, they are not. We found a kayak rental at 7 AM and it was definitely worth it, not only to beat the heat, but also to beat the crowds. It is a 2 mile kayak, followed by a 1.5 mile trail there and back, so it's a bit of exercise. It was easy to navigate on our own, but you can also book a tour guide for this. You must have sturdy water shoes. The trail is muddy and can be rocky. Most of it has a flat, boarded walkway, but you have to walk through a couple of shallow rivers along the way, making tennis shoes or flip flops a less than ideal choice.
See the sea turtles & watch the sunset on Poipu Beach - Every night just before sunset, about 10 sea turtles head to the shore to rest and sleep. It is very cool to see. Also, the sunset on Poipu Beach is stunning. We saw the most beautiful double rainbow I've ever seen!
Take a Kauai Coffee Company farm tour - We booked this last minute to do on our travel day between condos. It was so worth it! Not only is the property stunning, but the tour was so informative. Also, the coffee was amazing. Did you know that the closer to the coast the beans are grown the less acidic the coffee is? This gives Kauai Coffee beans a rich, smooth taste. Book your tour here.
Explore Old Koloa Town - This area has a lot of great shops and restaurants. We got several souvenirs here, including from Kauai Gourmet Nuts.
Visit Hanapepe - This is an older part of the island where Lilo & Stitch was based out of. Every Friday night is the Hanapepe Art Night from 5-9 PM. We went on a night where there was not much of a crowd, but we still enjoyed a pineapple dole whip and watched a group of Hawaiian musicians.
Do a tasting at Lydgate Farms - They have the most incredible chocolate! It melts in your mouth and is premium quality. We especially loved their chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. It is all fresh from the island and so delicious. We visited the tasting room in Kapa'a, but you can also book a more extensive chocolate farm tour here.
There is tons more to do in this part of Kauai, but we have no regrets on our activity choices. Other options would be to visit Wailua Falls or Fern Grotto, go watch the sunset at the furthest western point in the US at Polihale Beach (only if your rental car is a 4WD – the road in is supposed to be quite bumpy), or relax and do a tasting at Koloa Rum Company. And that's just to name a few. You can't go wrong!
Where to Eat
The Flying Saucer - This place was truly a gem. It was probably some of the best food and drinks we had on the island. It's a chic tiki bar in Kapa'a with amazing bites. Be sure and order the flying saucer!
Fish Bar Deli - Owned by the same chef as The Flying Saucer and just downstairs, this causal spot had incredible, fresh food and great cocktails. It's the perfect lunch or dinner spot and a must if you're in Kauai.
JO2 Restaurant - A great spot for fresh, fine dining. If you go from 5-6 PM you have the option to get a 3-course meal for $55. The tuna belly was amazing.
Puka Dogs - This is on the South Shore right by Poipu Beach. You will have to wait in line, but it's worth it! These hot dogs are amazing.
Kauai Menehune Kitchen - This place is in Old Hanapepe and so delicious. We found it on accident and it was not only affordable, but also excellent traditional Hawaiian food!
Other recommendations that we did not get to:
JP's Pizza - This was recommended by a local because the pizza is apparently so good that even New Yorkers rave about it. It's near the base of Waimea Canyon but has limited hours. We tried to go on our canyon day but it was closed, so plan to visit on a day they're open!
Oasis on the Beach - Another locally recommended restaurant in Kapa'a that offers good food and live music. We were told to go on Wednesday nights for the best atmosphere and musicians.
Hukilau Lanai - A fine-dining Hawaiian restaurant in Kapa'a right on the beach. This would be great for a nicer night out.
Beach House Restaurant - Located on the South Shore, this restaurant is supposed to have one of the best views of the sunset. Plus, the food is said to be excellent.
Days 11-12: Lihue
The major hack we received was to end your trip at Marriott's Kauai Beach Club (you can also book at The Royal Sonesta Kauai – it is the same property). Although staying in 3 places over 12 days feels like a lot of packing and unpacking, it did save us a lot of hassle at the end of our trip. They have a free airport shuttle and is only five minutes from the airport. We checked out of our condo, dropped off our bags at the hotel, drove to the airport and dropped off our car, and then took the shuttle back to the hotel. It was way less chaotic to do this without our bags! Once there, we checked in and although our room was not ready, we were able to enjoy the amenities. This was also great upon check out. We had a 10PM flight, so we had twelve hours to kill after checkout. The Marriott offers free access to their hospitality room with showers and lockers to use while you wait for your flight as well as full pool and beach access. Instead of being stuck in our rental car driving around for an entire day, we got to relax by the pool all day and freshen up before our flight. A win-win!
There are plenty of activities to do such as enjoy the beach, swim in the pool, or rent beach equipment. They also have daily activities on the hotel property as well as the option to book a tour to go on an excursion.
There are lot's of places to eat on the property that are tasty like Duke's Kauai (order the hula pie), Cafe Portofino, and Kai's Bar. You do not have to leave to eat, but we opted to try some other spots within walking distance. Here are some of the ones we tried and enjoyed:
Uncle D's Kauai - Really tasty BBQ perfect for lunch. It was almost like we were back in Texas!
The Musubi Truck - Great Hawaiian food for lunch or a casual dinner. They had great musubi and sushi options.
The Jammin' Banana Bakery & Cafe - Cute cafe for breakfast or brunch. They have coffee, smoothies, amazing banana bread, and breakfast sandwiches.
Island Treats & Gift Shop - Great shaved ice and ice cream!
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What to Pack
Overall, Kauai is a very casual island to visit. The only area I noticed people dressing up more was at the South Shore as well as nicer restaurants. Otherwise just be cute, comfy, and stay cool!
A pair of linen shorts is a must. I wore my two pair on repeat. I styled them with a tank and layered it with this linen button down or this twill button up. Check out how Tanya wore it here.
You'll also want a few sundresses. I wore this aqua beaded dress, this white flower strap dress, and a one-shoulder maxi dress. Pack all of your fun, floral, island-inspired dresses!
Swimsuits, swimsuits, and more swimsuits. I wore Summersalt swimsuits. They held up well and are all so cute. I wore this gauze swim cover-up on repeat as well. I could wear it to the beach, a casual lunch, and more. You can size up for some more length. I also got this rash guard for kayaking and snorkeling. It's good to have on hand. You'll also want water-resistant athletic shorts for over a swimsuit on activity days or for casual day wear. Don't forget a beach tote, sunhat and sunglasses!
Sandals are a must. Unless you plan on hiking, you only need to pack sandals. I wore these black strappy sandals and these white wrap sandals for dinners. Otherwise, just casual flip flops were fine for the beach. I wore these water sandals for kayaking and Secret Falls hike as well as for walking around Waimea Canyon.
Of course, you definitely need sunscreen! You must have reef-safe sunscreen for the oceans in Kauai. I got this sunscreen, and it fit the regulations and requirements of the island. Here are other reef-safe options.
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Have you been to Kauai? I would love to hear your recommendations and favorites on the island below! If not, this is your sign to book the trip. Although the photos are beautiful, it is even more amazing in person! - Laura
Photo: Daniel Gerona
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