SamThe Garden Island, Kauai, is a magical place to to explore. With so many places to see, and so many adventures to choose from, it can be overwhelming to plan a vacation. Having explored the island, I am here to guide you through the perfect itinerary that includes all of the best that Kauai has to offer!
For this itinerary, I highly suggest staying on the south shore of Kauai, in the Poipu area. It is simply a beautiful area of the island. And it is more closely located to a majority of the activities that are in store.
Day 1: See Kauai from the sky
Did you know that about 90% of Kauai is inaccessible by road? With the vast valleys and plunging canyons, there is so much to see deep within the wilderness of Kauai. And the best way to see this is definitely by enjoying an aerial tour! Either by airplane or helicopter, getting up into the sky and taking in the sweeping views of the landscape is an unforgettable experience.
Schedule your tour for shortly after your arrival, as all tours depart from the Lihue airport. Additionally, it is best to schedule all flight tours at the beginning of your stay to ensure flexibility with rescheduling. Kauai is the known as the Garden Isle thanks to the bounty of rainfall that it receives. This means that storms roll in and out constantly, so flight tours are often rescheduled. Scheduling your tour for the beginning of your trip allows for plenty of flexibility to reschedule if needed.
Head to your accommodation to get settled in for your stay before making your way to Old Town Koloa. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in this small historical town, all of varying cuisine. Anything you want, you can find it. While in the area, be sure to pop into the Kauai Chickens shop. A fun souvenir shop based on the bounty of chickens all over the island.
Day 2: The Famous Kalalau Trail
Is a trip to Kauai complete without taking on the incredible Kalalau Trail? Definitely not!
Located in the north-eastern most point on the island is Hā’ena State Park. This beautiful park is home to the beginning of the Na Pali Coast Wilderness, only accessible by foot or ocean! The Kalalau Trail is known worldwide for being one of the best hikes one can do in their lifetime. While the entirety of the trail spans 11 miles one-way, a majority of day visitors complete just the first 2 miles. The trail becomes quite dangerous after this point, and it also requires a permit. It is not for the faint of heart.
Don’t forget your reservations!
While the beginning of the trail does not require a permit, it does require a reservation. Or the state park does rather. These reservations include either parking or the shuttle to get to the park. However the chances of getting a parking space at the park are slim to none. They sell out in about 30 seconds after their release at midnight HST. But the park does a great job at providing regular shuttle services from an off-site parking lot. The $40 shuttle ticket covers the 20 minute shuttle ride, as well as admission into the park. The ride to the park is a beautiful one, so it is quite an enjoyable ride.
While many find this reservation system to be ridiculous, I will say that it created an enjoyable and quaint experience while in the park. The reservations vastly limit the number of guests in the park each day, ensuring that the park is never overcrowded. I was very much grateful for it during my experience in the park.
To make reservations, head over to the Hā’ena State Park website. Reservations open up 30 days in advance at midnight hawaiian time. While the shuttles are fairly flexible and you can get last minute availability, I would highly recommend booking reservations as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss out.
Once the shuttle drops you off at the park entrance, there is a 0.5 mile boardwalk trail that brings you to the main area of the park. Here is where you will find Ke’e Beach, a serene and secluded beach that rests on the edge of the Na Pali Coast. There is a beautiful reef system protecting this beach, making it a great snorkel spot. Ke’e beach is an excellent place to enjoy the day, especially for any group members that may not be up for this tough hike.
Time to hike!
When you are ready to start the hike, the trail begins beyond the restrooms where you will see a sign for the beginning of the Na Pali Coast Wilderness. The start of the trail is quite steep and difficult, but it evens out after a couple hundred feet. For the remainder of the trail, you are constantly going up and down the small valleys of the cliffside. The views are incredible, so take your time and enjoy this rare outlook of such secluded wilderness. After 2 miles, you will arrive at aa river crossing that will bring you to Hanakapi’ai Beach. This is a rocky beach with dangerous surf, but its a beautiful place to rest, energize, and enjoy the serenity of the ocean before you head back on the trail.
Expect to take about 3-4 hours at a leisurely pace to complete this trail. I highly recommend starting the trail early in the morning so you will finish before the heat of mid day. It will make the hike significantly easier on your body.
Once finished with the hike, enjoy some time at Ke’e Beach before you head out of the park. By this time you have probably worked up quite the appetite, so it is time to go check out the quaint town of Hanalei. With historical districts, cafes, restaurants, art galleries and more, Hanalei is a hidden gem on the north coast of Kauai.
Enjoy the afternoon exploring the shops, cafes, art galleries, and restaurants in the town center. Definitely check out the Wishing Well Coffee, an earthy and laid back coffee shop that embodies the vibe of Hanalei. The best part is that you get a free souvenir with your coffee order. Everyone gets to keep their glass cup!
Day 3: Exploring the Na Pali Coastline
Wake up early to catch a boat with Makana Charters to enjoy a perfect day on the water exploring the Na Pali Coastline.
The Na Pali Coastline is known as one of the most beautiful in the world. Being such a remote landscape that was created millions of years ago, there is so much rare beauty to take in.
Makana Charters is a tour company operated by local captains and crew, taking the experience to another level. Their knowledge of the local landscape, culture, history, and ecology is absolutely unmatched.
The company offers are variety of tours on different sized boats, so there is definitely something for everyone. During my trip I went out on the Amelia K, a 36 passanger catamaran. This is the largest boat of their fleet, and it was still a very comfy ride.
The boat tour will take you along the southern part of the Na Pali coastline, enjoying waterfalls, seacaves, remote beaches, and so much more! And along the way you will have the chance to spot marine life. We saw so many spinner dolphins, and as we went out during whale season (December-March), we were also greeted with multiple whale sightings. This area of Kauai is so magical, and experiencing it from the water, so up close and personal, is a one in a lifetime experience.
An afternoon of relaxation
After the boat tour, head to Poipu Beach to enjoy the rest of the afternoon in the sun and sand. Poipu Beach is a great location for families to enjoy a beach day, as the waters in the protected bays are typically very calm. It is also a great snorkeling site, especially for beginners.
Hang around Poipu until the evening, where you can grab a Puka Dog from across the street, and enjoy the magic of sunset. Poipu is known as a resting area for hawaiian green sea turtles. In the evening, they begin hauling themselves on to shore to sleep for the night. These animals are incredibly protected, so there is always a a boundary around their resting site. However, it is still a magical and unique experience to witness nature in progress as we simply continue to exist with it.
The wildlife of Kauai is truly incredible.
Day 4: Waimea Valley
The “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, Waimea Canyon is a true gem of Kauai and well worth the road trip. To avoid sightseeing among hundreds of other tourists, I highly suggest you skip all of the stops along the road and head straight to the top of the road.
At the end of the scenic road is a stunning overlook into the Kalalau Valley. Spend some time admiring the views before starting your descent down the mountain. Your next stop will be the Koke’e Lodge and Museum. A historical lodge with a cafe inside and a natural history museum next door, this is the perfect stop to enjoy a morning coffee and a quick bite to eat.
Continue down the mountain, enjoying the sweeping views that surround you. Be sure to stop at the Pu’u Ka Pele Lookout, where you will be greeted with stunning views of the canyon and Waipo’o Falls. Get a better view of the entire canyon a little further down the road at the Waimea Canyon Lookout. The views are panoramic, and the beauty is unbelievable.
As you finish your drive down the mountain, be sure to stop at the Red Dirt Waterfall. The vibrant red dirt that surrounds you makes the landscape feel other-worldly.
After your journey along Waimea Canyon, stop at Hanapepe town. This self-proclaimed “biggest small town” was the inspiration for the classic Disney film, Lilo & Stitch. The town is full of cafes, art galleries, shops, and more. This is an excellent spot to go shopping for unique souvenirs from your time in Kauai. With colorful murals that embody the spirit of the town, it is easy to understand the inspiration this town would invoke. Be sure to check out the swing bridge in town, one of the most iconic spots.
Day 5: Choose your adventure
It’s your last day in Kauai, so time to choose how you want to spend it!
After all of the adventure the past few days, take today relax. Head to the beach to soak up the sun, sand, and sea.
But if more adventure sounds like a better way to spend your last day, head to central Kauai to do some sight-seeing and waterfall chasing.
Wailua Waterfall is one of the most stunning on the island, and the best part is that it is viewable directly from the road. No hiking required!
Connected to the waterfall is the Wailua River, which holds many opportunities for exploration. I highly suggest hopping on a kayak tour that will explore the river, as well as the coveted “secret falls” that are only accessible via the river. This area of the island is incredibly beautiful and is full of rich hawaiian history.
After the adventure, head to the quaint town of Kapa’a. Enjoy wandering the small beachside village, and grab a bite to eat at one of the many great eateries in the area. Some of my favorites are Chicken in a Barrel, The Musubi Truck, and Java Kai.
And that’s a wrap on the most perfect 5 days in Kauai! Please share in the comments what your favorite parts of Kauai are, I would love to hear from you all.
