Kauai, Hawaii
10 days in Kauai, Hawaii
Six major islands are part of Hawaii and have different attractive aspects. Kauai has the most flexibility, from touristy adventures to unique once-in-a-lifetime experiences. This was a family trip in August 2021, and we split our time in half between the south and north ends of the island. Some choose to stay on the west side in Lihue, which is an equal driving distance from activities on the north and south ends.
Day 1
We got lucky, and there was a direct flight from San Diego. We arrived in the morning and got our rental car, a must for this island. We headed straight to the food trucks in Lihue right by Nawiliwili Bay so we wouldn’t go to the grocery store hungry. We hit Costco for breakfast essentials, daytime snacks, and happy hour delights to save money on meals. We started our stay on the south end in Poipu and drove through the tree tunnel to get to our Airbnb. Once settled, we headed straight to Poipu Beach for a sunset swim. Then we got cleaned up and went to Holoholo Grill for dinner, where the fresh-caught fish of the day was the best!
Day 2
We started the day off by walking the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail. It’s a relatively easy hike on the cliffs and along a golf course. Starting at Shipwrecks Beach, we jumped in the water after the hike. We then grabbed some shaved ice from Uncle Shave Ice, a little strip mall with cute shops to check out. It was on our way to Spouting Horn Blowhole, a huge tourist attraction because it is a naturally formed lava tube. After the morning adventures, we ate lunch at Warehouse 3540, a handful of food trucks clustered together. Then we headed to Kukuiula boat harbor to snorkel for a bit. Nap Time. Dinner was at Lava’s on Poipu Beach, inside the Sheraton Kauai, and a popular place with beachside dining and cocktails. The atmosphere is casual, and the beach is steps away.
Day 3
We made reservations for a tour of the Kilohana plantation. It was a 40-minute train tour around the plantation where we were informed of all the foliage of the island and got to feed the animals. We then drove about an hour to Waimea Canyon. This is another big tourist attraction for its hiking. It is known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It’s cliffy, dry, and deserty, surrounded by lush greenery and waterfalls. We pulled over at marker 13, where there is a parking lot, and did a 1.8-mile hike to a waterfall and a little watering hole you can jump in. When you head back to the main road to Poipu, you go through the little town of Waimea. The main street has a handful of eateries. We stopped at Island Taco for tacos and Coconut Corner for a smoothie. Down the road is Porky’s Kauai, a popular casual restaurant. Nap Time. Dinner was at Japanese Grandma’s Cafe, which had live music and beautiful outdoor seating.
Day 4
We started our day at Kiahuna Beach. We then headed to Brennecke’s Beach Broiler for lunch and delicious mai tais. We then hit Brennecke’s beach for fantastic snorkeling. Puka Dog is next to Brennechke’s and is known for its hot dogs and specialty relishes. Nap Time. We were within walking distance of Cabana Bar and Grill, which had great cocktails and shareable plates.
Day 5
We ordered coffee and breakfast online at Little Fish Coffee Poipu because there is always a super long line starting at 8 am. As a pit stop, we went to the Swinging Bridge, a fun family activity. We then hit the glass beach, which had lots of sea glass. If you put the directions right in your phone, it is, in fact, correct, even though it feels weird to drive through a construction site. We didn’t swim here; we just wanted to check the sea glass. Salt Pond Beach was a little drive away, which was very mellow and great for snorkeling. This beach was protected, had a lifeguard on duty, and was family-friendly. We kept heading west and hit Chicken in a Barrel for lunch on a lovely plantation. The main attraction of the day was sailing the Napoli coast. This is the top attraction to do if you visit this island. We boated through caves, saw dolphins, snorkeled, got a historic village tour, and feasted our eyes on spectacular views of the Napali coast.
Day 6
When in Hawaii, you’ve gotta go surfing. So we got surfing lessons at the Sheridan Hotel to start our day. We got some shaved ice at the Fresh Shave, then started heading north for the second part of our trip. We stopped at Wailua Falls to take a look. There is a hike you can do, but we were too tired from the surfing lessons. When driving to the island's north side, you go back through Lihue, where the airport is. It is a perfect midway point to get out of the car, stretch your legs, and get a bite to eat. Here we went to Java Kai for a coffee pick-me-up, Pono Market for poke, Bubba’s Burgers, and Kauai Juice and Co. There are cute shops and boutiques intermixed between the eateries on this road. Once we got to Princeville, we checked into our Airbnb. That night for dinner, we went to Postcards Cafe, a must-eat place, so make reservations in advance. This exquisite restaurant was in Hanalei Bay, with seafood and fresh produce cuisine highlights. It was the highlight of the island's eateries.
Day 7
For our first day in Princeville, we started with the tourist attraction Queen’s Bath. It was a short 0.8-mile hike down to the tidepool. We caught it when it was low tide and were able to jump in. It is a sinkhole in the coastal lava rock. Then we headed to Hanalei Bay, and on our way to the pass, we stopped at the Hanalei Valley lookout to see the taro fields. Once we got through the pass, we drove to Haena State Park on a driving tour. We stopped at the Maniniholo Dry Cave, where you can hop out of the car and walk into. We headed back to Hanalei Bay to grab lunch right off Highway 560. There was a grocery store, BBQ, and shaved ice. After filling up, we walked to Hanalei Bay and Hanalei Pier, where you can jump off. We walked to the Dolphin Restaurant for a laid-back riverside eatery experience for dinner. We got sushi rolls, poke, a charcuterie board, and clam chowder.
Day 8
We started this day off at Hideaway Beach. It was a steep hike down, but super short and worth it. The best beach is on the north side of the island. There was terrific snorkeling off the coast, where we saw a handful of turtles and fishies. Next, we went to Kilauea Lighthouse, where the view was breathtaking. Naptime. We went to Tiki Iniki for dinner, which was nestled in a strip mall with the most fantastic cocktail drink list. We saw the sunset at the best location on the north side, right by the Hideaway Pizza Pub.
Day 9
We started our last day at Anini Beach, where the swimming and snorkeling were incredible. You’ve got to swim reasonably to see flora and fauna, but we saw unique wildlife. The beach was very protected and calm, with a large shallow area for little kiddos to hang out in.
Day 10
Departure. Fly home.
Quick Travel Tips for Kauai
When to Go: April–June or September–November (fewer crowds, better weather)
Must-Pack Items:
Reef-safe sunscreen
Waterproof phone case
Hiking sandals
Light rain jacket
Snorkel gear (or rent locally)
Where to Stay: Split your time between Poipu (south) and Princeville (north) for the best experience
