In this post, I’ve provided my perfect 7 day Kauai itinerary to maximize your time on the enchanting island of Kauai. While this itinerary is geared toward adults, most recommendations are kid-friendly too.
Known as the “Garden Isle,” the oldest Hawaiian island of Kauai is celebrated for its lush landscapes, dramatic cliffs, and pristine beaches. From the emerald valleys of the Na Pali Coast to the vibrant coral reefs of its crystal-clear waters, Kauai offers an array of breathtaking natural wonders that captivate visitors from around the world.
Beyond its natural allure, Kauai also offers a glimpse into traditional Hawaiian culture, with historic sites, local festivals, and the warm hospitality of its residents. The island’s small towns, like Hanalei and Kapa’a, are dotted with charming shops, art galleries, and eateries that reflect the island’s laid-back and welcoming vibe.
This schedule assumes six full days of sightseeing, with Days 1 and 8 reserved for travel to and from the island (if you’re coming from the west coast of the mainland, Day 1 will give you an extra half day of activities/sightseeing.) Of course, if you have fewer than six full days to sightsee, you can easily break up the itinerary into smaller chunks by combining or skipping certain activities (and I’ll note certain places where this is easiest to do, too.) If you have more time, it’s easy to spread these activities out too – just spend more time at the beach or linger longer at the sights! 😉
This 7 day Kauai itinerary also assumes you’ll be based on the east side of the island in the Lihue area, which I recommend for several reasons, but it still works if you base yourself elsewhere – you’re never more than 1-2 hours’ drive from anywhere on the island!
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SUMMARY
Short on time? Here’s a quick mini guide for this 7 day Kauai itinerary:
Getting there: Book a flight to Kauai here.
When to Visit: April-May, September -October for the best weather and lowest crowds. Where to Stay: Travel insurance:
Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons – Kalanipu’u
Timbers Kaua’i – Ocean Club & Residences
The Kauai Inn
Top Things To Do:
Waimea Canyon
Na Pali Coast Tour
Ha’ena State Park + Snorkel Tour
Getting around: Rent a car in Kauai here.
*I receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. I do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Getting to Kauai
Kauai is served by Lihue Airport for both mainland and inter-island transfers. It’s not uncommon to have to transfer in Honolulu (Oahu) to and from the mainland, but there are direct routes from select west coast cities at select times a day. If you’re traveling from outside the U.S., Hawaii has two international airports: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Oahu (HNL) and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole on Hawaii (Big Island – KOA). From either of these, you can catch a connecting flight to Kauai.
Related Post: Six Ways to Save on Airfare
Lihue Airport is fairly small and very easy to navigate. Car rental companies are on-site, too, accessible via a complimentary shuttle across the street to the left of the main entrance.
There is a Starbucks, a bar, grill, cafe, and some newsstand outlets for food and beverage options. If you have an early morning flight (before 10 A.M.), Starbucks and the cafe will be your only options.
The State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture requires passengers arriving at LIH with plants, animals, and any agricultural materials to declare them on the Agricultural Declaration Form distributed in-flight to Hawaii. When you depart, your bags will be inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture either at the check-in counters (for check-in baggage) or at security checkpoints (for carry-on bags.)
Oh, but those amazing malasadas? YES, you can bring them in both checked and carry-on luggage! I’ve brought malasadas back home from Kauai, the Big Island, and Oahu with no problem – although they aren’t as good after they travel, but they taste almost as good if you air fry them!
Dogs and cats are also required to be quarantined and special permits need to be obtained for other pets upon arrival. Additional information can be found at theState of Hawaii, Department of Agriculture Animal Quarantine page.
Getting Around Kauai
To best experience the island of Kauai, you need a car! Luckily, there are several rental car companies on the island and all of them have an office right at the airport. You can search and request a rental car in Kauai from RentalCars.com below:
I personally love Dollar Rental; I’ve used them all four times I’ve been to the Hawaiian islands and have always had a great experience (and they’re super affordable.)
Bonus: Kauai now has a Costco in Lihue, so if you’re a member, definitely fill up gas there because prices are cheaper.
Special note: take care to watch your speed on Kauai; like the other islands, the speed limits are much lower than the mainland to protect wildlife and precious ecosystems. There are also a TON of wild roosters all over the island, so please watch for them in and along the sides of the road!
Where to Stay in Kauai
As mentioned earlier, I personally recommend basing yourself in the Lihue area. The east coast is less touristy than the south, has more city amenities (i.e., groceries, gas, etc.) than the north and west, and makes for the perfect central location to reach all of the places you’re going to visit all over the island. From this area, it’s an hour drive to the main north shore attractions, 30-45 minutes to the south shore attractions, and 60-90 minutes to Waimea/the west coast attractions.
I tend to find that AirBnbs and hotels of similar quality are pretty much the same price, especially on Kauai where property taxes are very high! That said, AirBnBs on the island tend to be quite small, so if you’re looking for more space and amenities, there is no shortage of hotels in Kauai.
What to Pack for Kauai
I’ll eventually share a full packing list for the Hawaiian islands, but for now, here are some essentials to bring for 7 days in Kauai!
- Sunscreen: As with all Hawaiian islands, the sun is stronger here! Plus, you want to protect the fragile reefs with as reef-safe a sunscreen as you can get (fun fact: no sunscreen is fully reef-safe, but if you’re pale like me, you can’t afford to go without it.) I highly recommend Blue Lizard brand reef-safe mineral sunscreen with the “smart cap/bottle” technology. It turns pink when the UV rays are dangerous! We love their Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 30+ and the Sensitive Face formula. Both blend in well and don’t leave you feeling chalky like many other mineral sunscreens.
- After-sun aloe gel: get the pure stuff! Most commercial aloe gels are made with alcohol, which just dries out your skin and makes you obsessively reapply, causing a vicious cycle (and making the company money.) Pure aloe like this one is free of alcohol, chemicals, and fragrances, so it’s more therapeutic for your sunburned skin. A layer of cooling aloe followed by moisturizing shea butter or coconut oil (to lock in moisture and speed up the cell regeneration process) works wonders overnight; it’s my go-to remedy for sunburns.
- A swimsuit (duh!) And a rash guard if you’ll be bodyboarding or surfing.
- Water shoes to protect against rocks on the beach (there are a lot in Kauai!) and even extra protection against stingrays.
- Hiking shoes/boots: If you plan to go hiking, bring shoes with good tread that you don’t mind getting dirty. Trails are often rocky, muddy, and uneven, especially on the east and north shores.
- Waterproof phone case
- Portable phone charger: Cell service can be spotty on the island, which drains your phone battery faster (and so do all the photos you’ll be taking!) I recommend this high-powered one by Anker that can charge 3 devices at once.
- Rain jacket: Especially if you’re visiting during spring, fall, or winter, but rain showers happen all the time in Kauai. I love this rain poncho that doubles as a tarp and can fit over your backpack, too.
Eating Out in Kauai
Dining out on Kauai is expensive! I definitely advise stocking up on snacks and water for the week at Safeway or Costco (both of which are in Lihue) when you arrive, and if you’ll be staying somewhere with your own kitchen, buy some staples like eggs, bread, peanut butter and/or sandwich meats, fruit, and milk so you can make at least some of your meals.
We’d pack snacks and sandwiches in our day bags every day so we didn’t have to eat out for lunch, which saved a lot on our food budget. We also had a lovely view from our lanai (balcony), so we ate most of our breakfasts there before heading out. We saved our food budget for nice dinners/drinks in scenic settings, shave ice, and Hawaiian coffee. 😉
I do advise experiencing some Kauai restaurants, though – especially when you can get a sunset ocean view! I’d also recommend making reservations in advance, especially for beachfront and popular restaurants (and if you’ll be visiting in peak months). And don’t forget to use a travel credit card with bonus points on restaurants (like my favorite, Chase Sapphire Preferred) so you get credit for those meals! 😉
Related Post: Best Travel Credit Cards: A Guide To My Top Favorites
7 Day Kauai Itinerary
Now that you’re prepared with hotel, rental car, flight, and packing essentials, it’s time to dive into the fun stuff: how to spend your time! Here’s how I recommend spending a week in Kauai (and don’t forget, you can break this up into chunks if your time is shorter):
Day 1: Arrive & Settle into Lihue
If you’re coming from the east coast of the U.S. or further internationally, you’ll likely land in Kauai mid-afternoon/early evening. This gives you enough time to pick up your rental car, check into your accommodation, grab an easy dinner, and maybe do the grocery shopping, but not much more.
If you’re coming from the west coast on a morning flight, you’ll likely land around lunchtime and gain an extra half day in Kauai. I recommend hitting the beach or pool after getting you car and groceries so you can relax before dinner.
Either way, don’t plan on any sightseeing or activities on your arrival day: you want to get settled with all your amenities first so you can dive right into the beauty of the island the next day!
Dinner recommendations in Lihue for Night 1:
- Kauai Beer Company: local craft beers and pub fare
- Duke’s Kauai: oceanfront dining with a great menu of Hawaiian favorites
Day 2: North Shore + Ha’ena State Park
Rise and shine and hit the road early(ish) today. You’re kicking off this 7 day Kauai itinerary with a visit to Ha’ena State Park on the North Shore before it gets too hot! The scenic drive along the east coast takes roughly 1 hr – 1 hr 20 mins from Lihue. Along the way be sure to keep your eyes peeled on the left for Kalalea Mountain, AKA King Kong Peak! It’s in Anahola, just across the way from Anahola Beach/Bay.
Note: Ha’ena State Park entry requires reservations now. It is highly recommended that you book this in advance, particularly if you’ll be visiting during the busy summer season (May-September.) I recommend planning Ha’ena for early in your trip so you have plenty of other options just in case you can’t get a reservation on your first choice day.
Be sure to read the Ha’ena State Park website for important reservation info. They do an excellent job of explaining everything on their FAQs page, too.
What to do in Ha’ena State Park in one day:
🌴 Hike (parts of) the famous Kalalau Trail. The full length of the trail is 11 miles (22 miles roundtrip) from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Beach. A permit is required past Hanakapi’ai (even if you don’t plan to go all the way to Kalalau.) However, you can hike all the way to Hanakapi’ai Beach (4 miles roundtrip from Ke’e) and up to Hanakapi’ai Falls (8 miles roundtrip from Ke’e) as aday hikewithout a permit. We only went about 1-1.5 miles in to a beautiful lookout point and then turned around, mostly because I was 4 months pregnant and the steep incline was more difficult for me than usual. Still, we felt that was a good teaser/taste-test of the trail and it left us time for the second activity…
🌴 Relax on and explore picturesque Ke’e Beach! Some of the island’s best snorkeling is here, and during the summer months the water is calm and clear as a swimming pool. In winter, dangerous conditions include high surf and strong currents. I recommend hiking your desired part of the Kalalau Trail in the morning, then enjoying a picnic lunch and swimming/snorkeling at Ke’e in the afternoon.
Keep in mind there is no food available inside Ha’ena State Park. Come prepared, especially if you plan on doing the day hike from Ke’e Beach to Hanakapi’ai Falls.
Hanalei is about 10 minutes down the road, so that’s where I recommend stopping for dinner on your way home. Depending on timing, you could also catch the sunset at Hanalei Bay and dessert at the famous Jojo’s Shave Ice! (But don’t worry if you don’t have time or room for shave ice this time; there are other locations in Waimea and Kapa’a near Lihue.)
Dinner recommendations in Hanalei for Night 2:
- Bar Acuda: tapas-style dishes with fresh, local ingredients
- Tahiti Nui: Hawaiian dishes and tropical drinks, plus a luau on Tuesday and Wednesday nights
- AMA Hanalei: noodles, ramen, and Asian dishes with a gorgeous view. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Day 3: Poipu Beach + Na Pali Coast tour
Today you’re going to relax at beautiful Poipu Beach on the south coast and see the stunning Na Pali coast in the west! Like with Ha’ena State Park, I recommend booking a Na Pali coast tour at the beginning of your trip just in case bad weather causes a last-minute cancellation and you need to reschedule. (More on that below.)
Pro Tip: Snorkeling is obviously a popular activity on the Hawaiian islands, and Kauai is no exception. I’ve recommended several spots for snorkeling in this itinerary. You can rent snorkel gear on the island for either single days or a week. If you plan to snorkel in multiple locations, the week option will save you money in the long-run.) I highly recommend Snorkel Bob’s. They have locations in Poipu and Kapa’a (where you’ll be on Day 4.)
Morning:
Head to Poipu Beach (25-30 min drive from Lihue) early in the morning so you can snag parking at the small lot. We arrived around 9am in March and had no trouble parking; you’ll want to get there earlier in the busy summer months. The beach park is comprised of two adjacent half-moon golden sand crescents, as well as grassy areas and picnic tables. The left side is more protected from the open ocean with a natural wading pool perfect for young children.
What to do at Poipu Beach:
🌊 Swim and lounge in the clear water. (Note: it’s a bit difficult to get in and out of the water on the left as it’s very shallow and there are a lot of rocks. Water shoes are very helpful.)
☀️ Get your tan on or relax in the shade beneath the trees (if you’re lucky enough to score a shady spot!)
🐠 Snorkeling here is decent, but we found the shallow clearance above a rocky bottom uncomfortable. If you rented snorkel equipment for the whole week it’s worth checking out. But, if you are saving snorkeling for one day, I recommend Lydgate Beach Park on Day 4 instead.
🌭 Lunch: you have to lunch at Puka Dog when you’re at Poipu. It’s literally steps from the beach, so you won’t lose your parking spot! This beach shack was made famous by Anthony Bourdain, so there is often a line out the door. But trust me, it’s worth it. They serve hot dogs (Polish sausage or veggie dog!) in a bun “pocket” with only one opening at the top. Then you build your own by choosing a dog type, garlic sauce and tropical relish flavor, and adding optional mustard. Plus, they make fresh-squeezed lemonade right in front of you, so I highly recommend that (with lilikoi)! Here’s my reel on Instagram with more info about Puka Dog.
Afternoon/evening:
Na Pali Coast tour of choice! You can only see the Na Pali coast panoramas from the air or sea.
So, which one do you choose? Personally, my husband is terrified of helicopters so we opted for a boat tour. I was 16 weeks pregnant when we did this tour, so I was nervous about being on the water since I can get seasick. I did extensive research and read reviews from other pregnant women that made me fairly confident in our choice.
Unfortunately, despite that (and all my precautions plus very calm water conditions) I was extremely seasick. I spent four hours trying to keep the contents of my stomach, well, inside my stomach. I strongly believe it’s only because I had just emerged from the slog of morning sickness a couple weeks prior. However, if you’re prone to severe seasickness, you might want to consider a helicopter. If you’re even slightly prone to seasickness, definitely take precautions: Dramamine, seabands, patches, or heck, all three. Just in case.
Still, despite my being pretty dang miserable, I highly recommend Captain Andy’s Dinner Sunset cruise. They were amazing, and the sunset views of the famous Na Pali peaks were everything I’d ever dreamed – and more. Captain Andy’s also offers morning tours and snorkeling if you want to flip the day around and do this first.
If you don’t do a dinner cruise, here are some dinner recommendations in and around Poipu:
- Kauai Island Brewing Company: award-winning craft Hawaiian beer, wine, co*cktails, pupus, sandwiches, tacos, salads, and pizza. The Koloa location is nearest Poipu, or the Port Allen location is literally across the street from the Na Pali boat charters! Try the fried fish tacos.
- Merriman’s Fish House: fresh, locally-sourced seafood and craft co*cktails with happy hour and live music.
Day 4: Wailua Snorkel + optional Chocolate Tour
You’re about halfway through this 7 day Kauai itinerary! There are three worthwhile highlights in the Wailua region: Wailua River State Park, Lydgate Beach Park, and Lydgate Chocolate Farms. You won’t have time to do all three without rushing, so the morning is a choose-your-own-adventure. 😉
Morning:
Option A – Explore Wailua River State Park the best way there is: from a kayak! There are numerous outfitters here, or you can join a guided tour. Explore Fern Grotto and Secret Falls, and bring a picnic lunch!
Option B – Take a chocolate tour at renowned Lydgate Farms. You’ll get a walking tour of the farm and sample their award-winning honey, vanilla, tropical fruits, and of course, lots of chocolate. Plus, you’ll learn how to turn cacao beans into finished chocolate. (3 hour tour)
Afternoon:
Head to nearby Lydgate Beach Park for snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. (There is a Snorkel Bob’s location in Kapa’a, about 5 minutes up the road, if you need a day rental.) We found Lydgate had better snorkeling than Poipu. There is a natural rock pool protected from the ocean and current.
🐠Pro Tip: Swim over to the rock barrier for teeming schools of fish!!
Dinner recommendations for Day 4:
- Hukilau Lanai: scratch-made dishes with locally sourced ingredients from Kauai farms, plus freshly caught fish. Try the sweet potato ravioli and whatever they’re serving ‘Fresh From the Net’ that day. (I had the best Mahi Mahi of my life!) Reservations are strongly recommended. You can also show up around 4:45 (they open at 5) and see if they have last-minute cancellations for that night. This is our favorite restaurant on the island!
- Lava Lava Beach Club: pupus, salads, steaks, and some seafood options with indoor or outdoor dining right on the beach. Plus happy hour and live music in the evenings. *Located inside Kauai Shores Hotel. Note: first-come, first-served (no reservations.)
Day 5: Waimea Canyon + Luau
Today you’re going to venture west to what Mark Twain dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”: Waimea Canyon. This stunning 14-mile long, 3,000-foot deep gorge is one of the most popular attractions on Kauai. You can hike one of the many trails, or simply drive through and stop at the lookout points.
Morning:
Get an early start to beat both the crowds and the heat. Waimea Canyon is about a 50 min drive from Lihue. I recommend stopping at Aloha Sweet Delights on the way into the park to fuel up with fresh malasadas!
Parking at Waimea Canyon State Park is $10 per vehicle, and entrance is $5 per person for non-residents. (HI residents are free.)
Note: Koke’e State Park is right next to Waimea Canyon and the two parks kind of blend into one. It’s included in the entrance/parking fee you pay at Waimea.
What to do in Waimea Canyon State Park:
🚘Driving tour: Get a free map at the welcome center and follow the road to the lookout points on a self-guided tour through the park. These are the best stops:
- Waimea Canyon Lookout (mile marker 10): offers the “first impression” view of the canyon.
- Puʻu Hinahina Lookout (mile marker 13.5): offers a more dramatic view of the peaks and gorge.
- Kalalau Lookout (mile marker 18): offers a view of the ancient Kalalau Valley, where the epic 11-mile Kalalau Trail from Ke’e Beach ends!
- Puʻu O Kila Lookout (mile marker 19, on the right fork of the road that leads to the Kalalau Lookout, offering another view of the valley.) *As of March 2024, the final mile of the road leading to this lookout is closed for repairs. You’ll need to park outside the gate (or at the parking lot for Kalalau Lookout) and walk the rest of the way to the viewpoint. It’s a paved road but has very little shade, so pack plenty of water and snacks!
🥾 Trails/hiking: here’s a full guide to trails available in Waimea and Koke’e State Parks. These are the most popular:
- Cliff Trail (easy 0.1 mile spur trail off the main Canyon Trail): best for families/kids.
- Kaluapuhi Trail (easy, 1.6 miles roundtrip): hike through the forested areas of the park, good for families/kids.
- Canyon Trail (moderate/challenging, 4 miles roundtrip): hike down into the canyon to Waipo’o Falls, where you’ll be rewarded with a refreshing dip in the natural pool.
- Kukui Trail (difficult, 4.5 miles roundtrip): this steep trail descends 2.5 miles into the canyon, so it’s for expert hikers only.
🚲 Adrenaline alert: Want to do something really unique? Book a downhill bike ride through Waimea Canyon!
Afternoon:
It’s probably early afternoon by the time you’ve sufficiently experienced Waimea Canyon (unless you did one of the longer trails). On your way out, cool off with shave ice at the original JoJo’s! Be sure to get haupia (coconut cream) on top. 😉
Then, head back to Lihue to rest, shower, and change for the quintessential Hawaiian activity this evening: a luau!
Here are some of the best luaus in Kauai, though I think Kilohana Plantation back in Lihue hosts perhaps the most unique experience with their Luau Kalamaku. Head there early to ride a train through the plantation’s groves of mango, papaya, bananas, and sugarcane, sample and buy craft distilled single-batch rum made with sugar grown there, and tour the original plantation house.
Day 6: North Shore Driving Tour
You’re heading back to the North Shore today, this time to explore Kauai’s unique wildlife and stunning landscapes!
Morning:
Depending on when you make your reservation*, you can sleep in a bit before heading to Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Located on the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands, the refuge offers incredible ocean views from a 180-foot ocean bluff. It is also home to the Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse, which played a key role in the first trans-Pacific flight from the West Coast to Hawaii.
*Important note: Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is closed Sun-Tues (and Saturdays before a major holiday.) So if your Day 6 falls on one of these days, I would swap with Ha’ena State Park on Day 2. Reservations are required for both parks, so check your schedule ahead of time to make sure you know which day to book Ha’ena. It is, however much easier to get last-minute reservations at Kilauea Point. Worst case scenario: the overlook at the end of Kīlauea Road is always accessible to view the ocean, seabirds, Kīlauea Point and the lighthouse from a distance.
Tickets are $10 + $1 reservation fee per ticket (children 15 and under are free) and include a 45-minute timed entry. You can make reservations here. There is a short walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint, but you can ask for a free ride in a golf cart at the fee booth if you need mobility assistance!
You can’t go inside the lighthouse, but the views are spectacular . You’re likely to see spinner dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles, and tons of nesting seabirds. If you’re there November through April, you might see migrating humpback whales too!
After leaving the refuge stop for lunch at nearby Kilauea Bakery. They’re famous for their pastries, organic fair-trade coffees, and excellent pizza and calzones! If you can’t decide between sweet and savory, get both! I recommend Antonio’s calzone, a “Pink Drink” (lilikoi lemonade + hibiscus tea), and coconut macaroons for dessert. 🤤
Afternoon:
After a hearty lunch, hop back on Kuhio Highway for an afternoon tour of other North Shore sights. These are all within short driving distance of one another, so you can hit all of them or pick your favorites depending on how much time you have. Heading west from Kilauea Point, there’s:
- Kauapea (Secret Beach): a gorgeous white sand beach accessible via a 15-minute walk from the road. Its secluded location made it perfect as a nudist beach back in the day, but not anymore. 😉
- Hanalei Valley Overlook: in Princeville, across the street from the shopping center, there is a scenic viewpoint of Hanalei Valley and its beautiful patchwork taro fields.
- Okolehao Trail (Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge): This refuge is closed to the public, but you can drive through (very carefully, please!) on Ohiki Road to access the Okolehao trailhead. The trail is 5 miles roundtrip with a 1,200 foot altitude gain, so it’s challenging – but worth it for the views! If you want an easier walk, hike the first half mile of the trail until you reach an electric pole. There you’ll find an overlook of Hanalei Valley.
- Hanalei Pier: this picturesque pier was featured in movies like South Pacific and The Descendants. Take a stroll along it for beautiful views.
- Tunnels Beach: if you have snorkeling gear, this is one of the best places to snorkel on the island. Parking is extremely limited on the road, so you may need to park at nearby Ha’ena Beach and walk over.
- Maniniholo Cave: across the street from Ha’ena Beach, this is the remains of an old volcanic lava tube! It’s flat-bottomed, but the deeper you get the darker it gets (and the lower the ceiling drops.) It’s also very humid inside thanks to a constant trickle of water in the rock walls.
Ha’ena State Park is at the end of the road, so turn around here and either head back to Lihue or find dinner in Hanalei. If you head back to Lihue, stop at Moloa’a Beach, where season 1 of Gilligan’s Island was filmed, for a sunset picnic dinner.
Dinner recommendations for Day 6 are the same as for Day 2:
- Bar Acuda: tapas-style dishes with fresh, local ingredients
- Tahiti Nui: Hawaiian dishes and tropical drinks, plus a luau on Tuesday and Wednesday nights
- AMA Hanalei: noodles, ramen, and Asian dishes with a gorgeous view. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Day 7: South Coast
This 7 day Kauai itinerary is almost at an end, so let’s finish off with a bang! Today you’ll finish up your week in Kauai by exploring the vibrant South Coast. Ruminate on how different it looks from the North Shore!
Morning:
Fuel up with breakfast and pack a picnic lunch before heading to Shipwreck Beach in Poipu. Here, you’ll find the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trailhead. Morning is your best bet to find parking and complete the trail in the cooler hours of the day.
Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail is a 2-mile-long moderate route that follows the coastline. However, it has only intermittent shade and can be quite warm on the parts that aren’t right on the bluffs. There are technically two paths on this trail – one that hugs the bluffs/coast and one slightly further inland. The inland route is mostly beneath trees, but again, can be warm without the ocean breeze. I recommend taking the coastal route out, then the inland route back.
Along the way, you’ll pass the ruins of the Waiopili Heiau, an ancient place of worship, and see petroglyphs and sculpted lava formations. Near the end of the trail, the Makauwahi Cave Reserve is home to Hawaii’s largest limestone cave. It has preserved fossils for 10,000 years in its mineral-rich sand. It’s fun (if a bit of a challenge) to crawl into the opening of the cave and explore the giant sinkhole inside. You can also view the sinkhole from the top if you want a bird’s eye view. Then, detour to a sanctuary for giant tortoises! You can picnic at the nearby beach, or head back to Shipwreck Beach to eat.
Afternoon:
After lunch, you’ll have a few hours of free time. I have a few different options to recommend:
Option A: First (this requires advance planning), book a reservation at The Beach House for dinner during sunset. It’s the perfect restaurant for your final night, combining fine dining and that quintessential Hawaiian view. Then, you can head from Shipwreck Beach to Spouting Horn, a natural blowhole where the Po’ipusurf channels into a natural lava tube and releases a huge spout of water as high as 50 feet into the air. Admire this natural phenomenon and get some pictures before heading to Lawai Beach to relax and snorkel (if you still have your gear!) Lawai Beach is right next to The Beach House, so you can stay here until your dinner reservation.
Option B: If you didn’t read this and plan ahead and/or couldn’t get sunset reservations for The Beach House, I recommend heading to Lawai Beach straight from Shipwreck Beach after your hike to swim/lounge/snorkel. Then, about 30-45 minutes before sunset, make your way to Spouting Horn for the next-best sunset experience and save dinner (either at The Beach House or elsewhere) for afterward. It’s only a 5-minute drive between the two, but keep in mind Spouting Horn is VERY popular at sunset, so you’ll want ample time to find parking before the big show.
Option C: Skip all of the above and book a tour to see more of Kauai’s South Coast! If you’re debating a helicopter tour of the island, this might be the perfect last chance to do it. 😉
Day 8: Depart Kauai
Most flights back to the mainland or international destinations depart Hawaii in the morning. Have a safe flight, and I hope you’ve enjoyed this 7 day Kauai itinerary!
Final Thoughts
That wraps up my ultimate 7 day Kauai itinerary! As you can see, there is SO much to do on the Garden Isle. While seven days is a solid amount of time to explore much of it, you probably would agree that several extra days could be spent just lounging and meandering through all the hidden gems.
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning! 👇🏼
