I had the best time in Kauai recently, and have been raving about it to everyone! It's called the Garden Isle, and it's for good reason. The entire island is stunning, like one big botanical garden. There is so much to do from hiking to beaches, I'm sharing all the best places to eat, drink, and visit so you can make the best Kauai itinerary.
The best Kauai itinerary
Although the island is small, and the amount accessible is even smaller, there is SO much to do on Kauai. It's such a stunning island filled with beautiful beaches, so much natural beauty, and just the perfect place to vacation for any occasion.
Where to stay on Kauai
Staying on the north shore of Kauai
I stayed on the north shore, since I was there for a wedding, that is where the bride and groom recommended I stay. There are a handful of small communities filled with vacation rentals. I booked this studio Airbnb, and the host was so pleasant and kind, and I would recommend this Airbnb to anyone staying on the island (so long as you are staying with a max of 2 people). 1 Hotel is also in Princeville on the north shore of the island and looks absolutely stunning.
Staying on the east + south shore of Kauai
The east and south shores have a bit more hotel options, if you prefer to stay in hotels over Airbnbs. The Poipu Beach has lots of hotel options and beautiful beaches.
Kauai North Shore vs South Shore
There are advantages to both shores of the island.
South Shore
- More accessible beachfront and beachfront resorts, hotels, and lodging options.
- More hotel lodging options.
- A little bit noisier compared to the North Shore, given the number of tourists and families.
- Less rain compared to the north shore, but that's not saying there's no rain. Kauai is the wettest island of the main Hawaiian Islands.
What's the best time of year to visit Kauai?
The best time to visit Kauai is during the shoulder seasons, from mid-April to mid-June, and from September to mid-November. You'll still get beautiful weather but without all of the crowds. It'll still be crowded, but not as bad!
Is it possible to get around Kauai without a car?
Yes, but it may limit what you can do! I recommend using Turo for a rental car service. There is a shuttle that picks you up from the airport and brings you to the Turo lot. I booked this Turo car, and loved it! It was a nice drive, wasn't too expensive, and the family I rented it from was so nice; they even left me with a little box of chocolates waiting for me in the car. There are lots of Turo options and the Turo parking lot is just a quick 15 minute shuttle drive.
How many days should you spend on Kauai?
I only spent 5 days there, and truly wish I had spent 10! I would recommend 5 be the minimum amount of time to spend on the island, and if you could do 7-10 days, do it!
Where to eat and drink on Kauai?
There are so many great food and drink options on Kauai! Here are some of my favorites that I went to and would highly recommend.
- Puka Dog. You do have to wait in line for Puka Dog, but I HIGHLY recommend it. It's been on Food Network and is a Hawaiian-style hot dog, and I think it's safe to say it's one of the most popular places on the island. It does not disappoint. It comes in a Hawaiian roll, and you get your choice of toppings. I got the Kauai special, which has a spicy garlic lemon secret sauce, Kauai Special (mango relish), and Aunty Lilikoi's passion fruit mustard.
- Foodland Poke. Foodland isn't just a Kauai thing; there are Foodland locations all over the main islands, and it's one of the main grocery stores. But their poke bar is so delicious, so fresh, and for the price, you cannot beat it.
- North Shore Food Trucks. In the Hanalei Bay area, there are a bunch of food trucks offering some phenomenal food options. From burgers to poke (of course) to pad thai and smoothies, you can find something for any craving. I recommend stopping by the Thai Express food truck for pad thai, Thai iced tea, and their poke bowl. The poke bowl from there was truly one of the best things I ate all trip.
- Wishing Well Coffee. The cutest coffee shop that serves you your iced coffee or matcha in glass jars for you to take home! It's my new favorite glass to drink iced coffee out of. It's a great place to stop if you want coffee and an acai bowl before heading to the beach or continuing with your day.
- Smith's Family Gardens and Luau. This is a must-visit if you want a traditional luau with a show! The food was so great, drinks were hitting the spot, and overall it's such a great experience.
- Java Kai. This is a great spot for a quick coffee and snack. There are three locations on the island, but I went to the Java Kai Old Koloa Town. The Old Koloa Town was SO adorable. It was just a quick stop for me, but I would highly recommend spending the afternoon there.
- Tiki Iniki. This spot was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. I didn't eat there, I only had a super fun tropical cocktail, but I still highly recommend! It's such a fun vibe, so many fun tiki drinks, and when I go back, I am definitely going to make it a point to eat there!
What to not miss in Kauai?
- Ne Pali Coast
- Halanei Bay
- The food trucks in Hanalei
- Poipu Beach
- Puka Dog
5 day Kauai itinerary
Now that I've broken down all my favorite spots, I'll give you a 5 day itinerary so you can have some help planning! This is all based on staying on the north shore, which is where I stayed.
Day 1: Arrival + North Shore Exploration
I personally love having a semi-chill travel day. You don't want to totally waste the day, but I also don't want to hit the ground running that hard when I get to my vacation destination.
Base: Princeville or Hanalei
Focus: Ease in, enjoy the North Shore
Morning
- Arrive in Lihue (LIH)
- Pick up your rental car (a must on Kauai)
- Drive ~1.5 hours to the North Shore (Princeville/Hanalei)
Lunch
- Grab a casual lunch at one of the food trucks in the Hanalei Bay area. I could not recommend Thai Express more, or Dolphin has great reviews for poke. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to visit that spot, but I will next time!
Afternoon
- Head to the beach! I recommend Hanalei Beach. Easy parking, right by the food trucks, and stunning views. It's such easy beach access!
Dinner
- Grab dinner at Bar Acuda and then head over to the Hanalei Pier for sunset!
Day 2 - Na Pali Coast Adventure
Base: Still on the North Shore
Focus: Epic coastline and adventure
Morning
- Na Pali Coast Tour: One thing you absolutely need to do is a Na Pali Coast Boat Tour while in Kauai. There are helicopter tours, but I opted for a boat tour using Ocean Blue Adventures. I went on the catamaran tour and we saw dolphins, sea turtles, and were able to snorkel and see so many fish! It is an early start, especially if you are coming from the north coast, but it is so worth it! It gives you the best views, and one of the only ways you can access the west coast is via boat.
Late Afternoon
- This is a great time to break up the drive home by checking out the east side of the island, particularly the Old Koloa Town. It's a great area to grab a coffee, you'll want a coffee since it was an early morning, a snack, and shop around.
Dinner
- Grab poke, drinks, and other snacks from Foodland and have yourself a sunset beach picnic!
- Alternatively, you could also make a reservation at Smith's Family Gardens and Luau.
Day 3: East + South Shore Sights
Base: Transition from North Shore to Poipu or Koloa
Focus: Waterfalls, scenic drive, beach time
Morning
- Drive South (~2 hours with stops)
- Stop at:
- Kilauea Lighthouse + Wildlife Refuge
- Opaekaa Falls & Wailua River Lookout
- Optional kayak/paddle to Secret Falls
Afternoon
- Before you set yourself up at the beach, you want to stop at Puka Dog for lunch. It is a must.
- Beach Day: Set yourself up at Poipu Beach for the day! Enjoy a couple of hours at this beautiful beach with calm waters. It's considered one of America's best beaches!
Dinner
- Make a reservation for The Beach House for dinner and enjoy the sunset views!
TIP: There are bathrooms at Poipu Beach, so you are able to use them to change and quickly get ready for dinner! I used a handful of public bathrooms to do just that while traveling.
Day 4: Waimea Canyon + Koke’e State Park
Base: Poipu
Focus: The “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”
Morning
- Early departure to Waimea Canyon (~1.5 hr drive)
- Scenic overlooks: Waimea Canyon Lookout, Puu Hinahina
- Short hikes: Canyon Trail to Waipo’o Falls or Cliff Trail
Afternoon
- Picnic lunch at Koke’e State Park
- Optional: Continue to Kalalau Lookout or Pihea Trail
Dinner
- Come back to the north shore for dinner and drinks at Tiki Iniki.
Day 5: Beach Day + Departure
Morning
- Breakfast at Little Fish Coffee
Afternoon
- Return your rental car + return home!
Travel tips for your Kauai itinerary
- A rental car is essential - I recommend Turo!
- Book boat tours, hikes, and popular restaurants in advance
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, a waterproof phone case, and a microfiber quick-drying towel.
- Respect local wildlife and be mindful of ocean conditions
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