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Kauai is nicknamed the Garden Isle and it’s for a good reason! They’re a crazy amount of lush greenery and beautiful nature to explore. You can hike to powerful waterfalls hidden away in the jungle or kayak beside the famously majestic Na Pali coastline. There is so much to see that it can be overwhelming! We created this post to help you plan your own Kauai itinerary.
What was our first impressions of Kauai? Well, we felt like we stepped into the Jurassic world and a dinosaur could peak out at any moment. Our days were filled beautiful jungle sounds, snorkeling in turquoise oceans and experiencing the unique Aloha spirit from the Native Hawaiian community. So if you’re thinking… how do I experience all of that too? We got you covered in this Kauai itinerary. We will list all the main highlights and things to see from our three day adventure on the island.
Article Contents
- A little bit about Kauai
- How to get there
- Where to stay
- How to get around
- Kauai itinerary – day 1
- Kauai itinerary – day 2
- Kauai itinerary – day 3
- What to pack for your trip to Kauai
A little bit about Kauai
The Hawaiian Islands are formed from volcanic eruptions. New islands are in the making, and the old islands are disappearing. Kauai is the oldest and the fourth largest of all the Hawaiian Islands.
Kauai has a laid back vibe, which you can notice in the people by their pace of life, clothing choices and there driving habits. While on Kauai, try to take it slow and stay on island time. There aren’t any big cities on the island, instead, you will find small towns all over Kauai with local restaurants and shops.
Regions of Kauai
The main regions of Kauai are the South Shore, East Coast, North Shore and the Westside. The South and East Shores have the most hotel options, and we would say, is the more crowded place on the island (while it’s not crowded compared to Oahu). These shores are also the closest to the airport of Lihue (where you will be arriving from).
North shore is the wettest part of the island, but therefore also the greenest and lushest part of Kauai. You will find beautiful hiking trails here into the Na Pali coast, which includes the famous Kalalau trail. This area also has the best snorkeling beaches on the island.
The Westside of Kauai is drier, where you will find nice beaches and a beautiful walk through Sand Dunes. You may walk around here without every seeing anyone else.
How to get to Kauai
Airplane
You will fly into Lihue airport, which is close to the main hotel areas. Generally,
Cruise
You can arrive in Kauai by cruise from the other Hawaiian Islands, but not from the mainland of the United States. Generally, cruises are expensive and limited but possible.
Will you be island-hopping to Oahu? Check out our ultimate itinerary for Oahu!
Accommodations for your Kauai itinerary
Resorts and hotels
You will find options for accommodations on three shores of Kauai. On the North shore, you can search for places to stay in the towns of Princeville and Hanalei. There are some amazing luxury stays here if you’d like to treat yourself. Keep in mind, this part of the island is very remote but also quite peaceful.
The East Coast and South Shore have the most options for accommodations and is closest to the airport in Lihue. We found a stay on East Coast (also called, Coconut Coast) of the island by using our travel points. It was perfect because it was located in the middle of all the major sites we wanted to visit. Don’t let accommodations worry you too much! Everywhere on Kauai is gorgeous!
We were able to stay on Kauai for free by using our credit card points. To learn more about travel hacking, read our detailed post for beginners.
Airbnb might be difficult
You will find many resort hotels on Kauai and in our experience, it is pretty difficult to find something cheap. Keep in mind that booking short-term stays on Airbnb is restricted on Kauai and the other islands.
You can rent an Airbnb for under 30 days in certain resort areas but there are restrictions outside of that. Before booking an Airbnb stay, check with the host if you can rent the accommodation for under 30 days.
How to get around on Kauai
Hands down, the best way to get around Kauai is by car. The roads on Kauai are mostly two lane roads and the public transportation isn’t the greatest. Save yourself time and frustration by renting a car, so you can get to all shores of Kauai easily.
Renting a car is especially important if you are planning to do hiking trails that are not on main roads (which are most hikes on the Hawaiian Islands) or easily accessible. You might find yourself walking a long way if you take public transportation.
Kauai itinerary – Day 1
After your arrival to the island, walk about 15 minutes from the airport to pick up your rental car. Drop your bags off at your accommodation and get ready to explore the beautiful island of Kauai!
Waimea Canyon
Get up early to drive to Waimea Canyon, which is located centrally on Kauai. The drive to Waimea Canyon is extremely beautiful, with endless ocean views and rapidly changing landscapes. On a clear day, you will spot the inaccessible island of Ni’ihau.
We recommend visiting three lookouts (below) in Waimea Canyon. You can drive to all of them and each one requires an entrance free. If you’re Kama’aina (resident of Hawaii), then you can enter for free.
Don’t be disappointed if the lookouts are hidden under a thick blanket of fog or if it rains on that day. Give it some time and it usually clears up. You are close to the wettest spot on earth! Yes, you read that right! One of the wettest spots on earth is on Kauai, so you can expect some rain and mist.
- Waimea Canyon lookout. Do not skip this stop, as the lookout is majestic and extremely beautiful. We were surprised by the vastness of the landscape and did not expect the canyon to be so massive. You can see a waterfall in the distance, birds flying through the canyon and beautiful red and green colors of the rocks and plants.
- Puu Hinahina lookout. Another spectacular view of Waimea canyon.
- Pu’u O Kila lookout. This one cannot be missed, as you can see the Na Pali coast from this look out! It’s a beautiful view if you’re lucky to see it (without fog!).
Poipu beach
End your day on the South Shore of Kauai by visiting Poipu beach. The South Shore has lots of sun and is perfect to start your dose of Kauai beaches. Your Kauai itinerary is not complete without a visit to Poipu!
Relax at Poipu beach park, which is divided into two halves. One half has calmer waters and the other half is perfect for snorkeling, swimming or stand up paddle boarding.
This beach is perfect for spotting Hawaiian green sea turtles . We saw a couple on our first time visiting Poipu! The beach has full facilities and a lifeguard, with plenty of options to eat at local restaurants.
Try out a Hawaiian style hotdog at Puka Dog, with options for vegetarians as well. Experience tropical island flavors on your hot dog! It’s a unique and refreshing lunch.
Wailua falls
As you’re ready to leave Poipu beach, make sure to stop at Wailua falls. This is the waterfall you see on postcards of Kauai and worthy to add on your Kauai itinerary.
The waterfall is pretty big, although the measurements vary on different websites (80 ft to 140 ft). The drive to the waterfall feels like you’re driving to a remote spot on the island, which just adds to the experience.
There is no hiking involved! You just drive up to this beautiful waterfall, and there you go. Picturesque views with little effort.
Kauai itinerary – Day 2
Your second day on Kauai is all about nature and hiking. Ever heard of the famous Kalalau trail? You will hike just one part of this 11 mile (17 km) long trail, to a beautiful beach.
This is a very popular hike on Kauai that requires permits for non-Hawaii residents, even for day use. Make sure to book your reservation 30 days out on the park website.
North Shore
Drive out to North Shore and notice the change of landscape. This side of the island gets more rain, so it’s extra green and lush. It’s the most lush place we’ve seen during our time on Hawaii!
Look out for the Nene goose, one of the rarest geese in the world. You can spot them on Kauai!
Kalalau trail (essential for your Kauai itinerary!)
Alright, it is time for a day hike alongside the Na Pali coastline. Hike the first portion of the trail, where you will find a tranquil beach called Hanakapiai. It’s a moderate trail with epic views and peaceful vibes. We did this hike in half a day and absolutely loved it!
Tunnels beach
This beach is a snorkeling paradise! There is an extremely large reef here, which can be seen from space. Tunnels beach gets its name from the underwater lava tubes, that look like tunnels. Bring your snorkeling gear because you will regret it if you don’t!
Parking is extremely difficult though. As in most places in Hawaii, parking is limited. We found parking at Makua beach (a different name for Tunnels beach), but we did have to wait a few minutes for it.
Kauai itinerary – Day 3
Shipwreck beach
We are starting our day at Shipwreck beach, a beautiful beach on the South Shore of Kauai. You will find this beach in front of the Grand Hyatt hotel and you can find parking in this area.
Notice the large rock on this beach, where many people jump off into the ocean.
Makawehi sand dunes (has to be added on your Kauai itinerary!)
From Shipwreck beach, you will start your hike on the Makawehi sand dunes. This is truly a beautiful hike, and not too difficult. The trail is mostly flat, and alongside the coastline.
You will see ancient limestone cliffs, made by a combination of wind, salt and water. The views are amazing on this hike and we definitely recommend to add this on your Kauai itinerary.
Once you reach the golf course, you could keep going. We have done this and do not necessarily recommend it. The views don’t get any better and this will add 1 to 2 hours on your hike.
What to pack for your trip to Kauai
Of course you know what to pack for a trip, but we will list some items below that cannot be forgotten in our opinion.
- Snorkeling gear (or rent it somewhere on Kauai!)
- Sun protective clothing
- Sunscreen
- GoPro (to film your underwater adventures!)
- Hiking shoes (The trails on Kauai can be muddy)
- A jacket or long sleeves (if you visit during the winter months)
- Kauai revealed guidebook (the best out there)
- Rain jacket (It can get pretty wet on kauai!)
We want to hear from you!
Let us know what you are planning to do on your next trip to Kauai! We miss the Hawaiian Islands everyday, they are just so special. Chat with us about Kauai!
Great itinerary! We’ll be there in a month and this guide is exactly what we need for our 3 days there. Thank you!