Wife and I are going to Kauai for 10 days at the end of the month. I’ve never been. She’s been once for five days with a friend a few years ago. We’ve got the typical stuff covered (whale watching boat ride; Napali coast, etc.). We are in Poipu and Hanalei for five days each.
Any suggestions? Open to whatever as longs as its awesome.
Thanks.
It has been a few years, but lots of awesome beaches if you like to swim and bodysurf. Pretty much any beach on the east and north side of the island with waves is pretty good. There is also some “fun” hiking on the very north of the island at the Kalalau trailhead. However, if you go further on the trail, be extremely careful. I have hiked and backpacked a lot and that trail, while very beautiful, is extremely dangerous if you place any of your feet incorrectly. If you do, you will go on a long unscheduled flight, likely to your death. So be very, very careful. (Maybe they have fixed by the trail by now, but who knows.)
My wife and I did this trip in Kauai and it was the highlight. It was a strenuous day kayaking the Nepali coast but super memorable. You might be too early in the year, but check it out.
We did get pretty sunburned and applied sunscreen a few times, but you are pretty much wet all day. If I was going to do it again I might try and wear light pants and water shoes or similar in addition to a sun shirt.
Waimea Canyon is very pretty.
We did a helicopter tour with Air Kauai when we were there a few years ago. It was super cool to fly over the canyon, over the Napali Coast, and up into the mountains where we were surrounded by waterfalls.
The hiking in Waimea Canyon is excellent. We found it moderately strenuous. Although it is very close to the wettest spot on earth (by some measures), we found Waimea quite hot and dry.
Recommend renting a sea kayak in Hanalei. We paddled up the river, which was very peaceful. On the return leg, the transition from the mouth of the river into the ocean was cool and not too violent (that day, at least).
Bring ear plugs. At one place we stayed the cock-a-doodle do’s occurred at all hours. Our resort in Hanalei had a groundskeeper to deal with the chickens, but I would not assume every place does that.
A very cool experience was swimming into the cavern in the Blue Room. I have read that it has since been closed. If it gets reopened, I’d highly recommend it (no idea if it would be safe, as I don’t know the motivation for the closure). I can supply more information if it’s reopened — we needed a local to explain where to swim into the cavern.
One note on the Napali Coast. We did a boat tour from Lihue or thereabouts. The outbound journey was fairly smooth. The return was quite rough and almost every passenger was struggling. Not sure if our day was unusual, but I’d recommend a decent sized boat (not some dinghy) and getting an early start — I think it’s common for the chop to build during the day.
Thanks! We’ve booked a similar kayak trip with snorkeling.
We almost booked that helo tour … but decided it was a little to spendy. Looks awesome!
Good advice. We are at a resort for half the trip and a VRBO for the rest. Thank you!
Make the drive to Polihale State Park for sunset. Spectacular. You’ll be alone. But don’t go in the water (rip currents).
Love Kauai… One thing the wife and I did the last time we were there was a horseback riding tour up near Princeville. Took us into the woods then a hike down to a waterfall where they had a prepped lunch for us and then a hike and horseback ride back. Was a wonderful day.
Lydgate park on the east side has an area enclosed by bolders for swimming and snorkeling in ocean. Originally the area was formed by missionaries so native kids could learn to swim without undertoe. Lots of small fish to see snorkeling and safe on a wavy day. The ring road is crazy busy. Hanalei is the best IMHO. Going back to 1958 South Pacific was filmed there.
You should have a great trip, I have been there at least a dozen times, I was the RD for 10 years of the race we had there in the 80’s/90’s. So I know every road and inch of most trails. You have some good things already posted, I would just add that my favorite area is the Hanalei Bay side. A couple of great restaurants there if they are still in business, one for breakfast and lunch, others for classic dinners. Have to look them up, Charro’s was the fun dinner spot. And yes, the koochy koochy gal from the 60/70’s…
One thing to know is that is what they call the “rainy” side, and it can just pour non stop if you get caught into a bad time. Rainest place in the US just around the corner, 460 inches a year!!
But the Poipou side is called the “dry” side, and it is usually sunny while it dumps elsewhere. So be flexible in your travels, roads are tiny and very slow one lane hwy’s. Look at the forecasts and plan accordingly, as it is a very small island and in 10 days you can do the entire thing from Volcano to the 11 mile trail hike..
And if the surf is up, check out the surfers in the bay, it can be epic there and the guys out are some of the best in the world..
My wife and I have been going to Kauai just about every year since our first trip in 2016 for our tenth anniversary.
Just a frustrating FYI - Kauai county as of last year or so started charging for various park access. You can typically pay by credit card at the kiosk at each location.
I would recommend getting a 4 wheel drive pick up or jeep. You can go a few more places. March my find it cool up in the Waimea Canyon area, be prepared for that.
While in Poipu, make sure you visit Kauia Coffee, the owner is or used to be on this forum.
Where are you staying?
Must do
Waimea Canyon
Polihale state park and beach
Food
Food is expensive, local items from the grocery stores are more reasonable (local meat, fish, some fruit, ect.). Some of the best food is at some of the local trucks and random locations. Opening times are just a suggestion, so have back ups.
In Koloa - Taco Libre is great, Big Monster has some good suishi. The Italian restraunt and Porky’s is also good.
In Poipu - Get some reservations at sunset at “The Beach House” food is hit or miss but the view is famous. At the end of March, the sunset is a little too far to the north compared to other times of the year, but still a great view.
Keiko’s Paridise is my wife’s favorite. Easy to get into and reasonable prices for the quality.
Make sure you get a Puka dog and lemonaide. Pinnapple with Hot sauce is the ticket.
Northside -
There are several Chicken in a Barrel, good bbq
Several good food places in Kappa
If you want to go to a Luau, the Grand Hyatt probably has the best food and experience. Every Tuesday evening.
Hiking
Māhā’ulepū Heritage Trail - In Poipu easy and good morning hike. Take it all the way Makauwahi Cave Reserve if you want to and see one of the caldera that is visible on the island. Best sunrise on the island
Waimea Canyon - there are a multitude of hikes in this area. Take the road all the way to the end and hike to the top. You can see both sides of the island at once at the top. Many different levels of hiking here and distances. Easy to very hard. The view down the Na Pali coast is amazing on a clear day.
Wai Koa Loop Trail - easy hike in an old plantation. To get to the old plantation grinding is several miles to and from. Beautiful through some of the plantation and tree areas. Did a hike with the Human Society for my wife to get contact with a dog, if that is your thing. It may rain..
Kalalau Trail - the short 2 mile hike to the river and beach, if you can get across is amazing. Not easy depending on conditions. If wet, walking poles are helpful. Do the whole thing if your feeling adventurous and willing to die.
There are many others around, even some water fall hikes near Kappa
Turtles
Should be able to see sea turtles every morning at Poipu beach
Beaches
Polihale - Best sunset I have every seen. Need 4 wheel drive vehicle to get to the end of the road. If you go during the week, this is very much a locals only beach. You will be secluded with very few people on the several mile beach. Might be one of my favorite locations on the earth with the back ground of the Na Pali coast behind you.
Kauapea or Secret beach - about a 3/4 mile trek through the woods to get the beach. Calm and very few kids at this beach. Don’t get a parking ticket…
Poipu - very busy on the weekends. The fact that you are going during springbreak time frames I would expect it to be busy every day. Good people watching beach if you are into that.
Māhā’ulepū beach and the proceeding beach to the east - just awesome because no one is there. No place to park and you need to walk from the Hyatt trailhead or Makauwahi Cave parking area.
Water adventures
There are several charters to the northside, both from the west and east side of the island. You can get some fishing charters too if you want. The biggest thing is do not expect smooth water. The water around Kauai can average 7-10 foot waves.
We landed 48 hours ago and vacation is going great. We are in Princeville for this leg of the trip. So far recs have been spot on.
We did this a long time ago - (potentially a different operator). Pricey but the highlight of the trip
THat looks great. Just don’t book any helicopter tours yet…
how was the vacation?
It was great, thanks for asking. Your recs were spot on. We did a lot of hiking, exploring, lounging.
High point for me was a Waimea Canyon bike ride that culminated with a 13 mile descent that landed at the beach at sunset.
And, a very random show put on by a mating pair of albatross! The albatross couples dance is hilarious.
Best meal … hard to choose but probably suishi at Japanese Grandma in Hanapepe. Or poke from a random fish market in Kilauea.
North shore > south shore. When we go back, we will stay the entire trip on the north shore and venture to the south shore for day trips.
Bring a larger suitcase and stuff me in it.
Dying to spend exactly that many days in exactly that location. Post all the photos.
