Experience paradise on the beautiful Garden Isle of Kauai in Hawaii. Where lush mountains meet the vibrant blue coastline. It’s time to plan the ultimate Kauai week itinerary.
Kauai may be the smallest of the major Hawaiian Islands, but it packs a serious punch. 🤛 From the jaw dropping Napali Coast to the dramatic Waimea Canyon. You’ll feel like you’re starring in Jurassic Park.
I visited once as a child, but I was eager to return as an adult. Boy, it did not let me down. I could have stayed much longer. ☺️
But, figuring out what to do in just a week was tough with so many great options from trekking through the land or exploring under the sea.
So I’ve created this guide to help you make the most of your trip. It includes where to stay, how to get around, must-see stops, and everything you need to plan the perfect 7-day Kauai itinerary.
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Table of Contents
Planning Your Kauai Hawaii Itinerary
How to Get to Kauai Hawaii
Lihue Airport is the primary airport on the island of Kauai Hawaii. There are direct flights from several major West Coast cities like LA and Phoenix.
If you’re coming from other parts of the country or internationally, you’ll likely need to connect through another island or a mainland hub.
When we booked our flights, it was cheaper for us to fly to other islands first and take a cheap puddle jumper to Kauai. ✈️ Flights from one island to another are generally under $100.
Responsible Travel in Kauai
Before you go, here are a few important ways to be a respectful visitor:
- Respect the land and culture: Kauai is more than a paradise — it’s a sacred place for Native Hawaiians. Be mindful at cultural sites, don’t trespass on private land, and learn a few basic Hawaiian phrases if you can.
- Leave no trace: Stay on marked trails, pack out all trash (even food waste), and never take rocks, sand, or shells home.
- Drive and park considerately: Avoid blocking driveways, parking on vegetation, or crowding local neighborhoods.
- Support local businesses: Choose locally-owned shops, tour companies, and restaurants whenever possible.
- Listen to locals: If a beach or hike is closed, it’s for a good reason. Respect signs and posted advisories.
The Best Time to Visit Kauai
There are two seasons on the island of Kauai: wet (November to March) and dry (April to October).
That said, rain is common year round. Kauai is one of the rainiest places on EARTH! 🌧️ It It often rains at some point each day, but showers are usually brief and help keep the island lush and green.
So, on your week on Kauai, you’ll definitely see rain, but you’ll also be rewarded with plenty of rainbows. 🌈
Kauai sees rain for more than 330 days a year!
During the rainy season or wet season, there are usually harsher tides in the ocean and larger wave swells. So, swimming and boat activities may be affected.
Still, Kauai is spectacular year round and there’s no bad time to go!
Getting Around The Island of Kauai
To really experience all that Kauai has to offer, I recommend renting a car. It gives you the flexibility to explore the island’s scenic spots at your leisure.
You don’t need a 4WD vehicle — we got around just fine with a compact SUV we booked on Rentalcars.com 🚙
There is also public transportation via the Kaua‘i Bus, which connects different parts of the island. Buses run every 15–20 minutes. You can check the full schedule here.
Where to Stay on Kauai
It can be tricky to choose where to stay in Kauai, because each area has its own great offerings.
The main areas that people tend to stay are:
- North Shore (Princeville)– Lush, scenic, close to the Kalalau Trail & Hanalei Bay
- East Side (Kapa’a or Lihue)– Centrally located on the island
- South Shore (Poipu)– Sunny, family-friendly, with great beaches
👉 Want help choosing the best area for your trip? Check out my full breakdown in Where to Stay in Kauai.
If I were planning again, I’d split my stay between the North and South to easily access different parts of the island. On our trip, we stayed in Poipu and loved both hotels we visited there.
We began the week at the Sheraton Kauai Resort, where we enjoyed swimming in the ocean. Later, we moved to Koloa Landing, known for it’s world class swimming pool and amenities!
Best Hotels on Kauai
Places to Eat in Kauai
Kauai is a small island, but there are a plethora of fantastic options to try! Although there are a couple of nice restaurants, most of the places we enjoyed were quick spots to grab food.
You can’t leave Hawaii without eating the classics like fresh acai bowls, poke bowls, and musubis. Below are a list of all my favorites!
Favorite Eats:
- Holy Grail Donuts (Kapa’a and Hanalei)
- The Musubi Truck (Lihue)
- Poke:
- Lawai Fish Co (Lihue)
- Poipu Poke Shack (Poipu)
- Acai Bowls:
- Nourish Hanalei (Princeville)
- Anakes Juice Bar (Poipu)
- Kalelea Juice Hale
- Little Fish Coffee (Poipu)
- Familee Korean Shave Ice (Kapa’a)
- Kauai Sushi Station (Lihue)
Now that you’ve got the logistics down, let’s dive into how to spend an unforgettable week on Kauai.
One Week on Kauai Itinerary: How to Spend a Week on the Garden Isle
Day 1 in Kauai: Getting to the Garden Isle
Touch down, grab your rental car, and don a lei. You’re now on island time.
If you’re flying into Lihue and staying elsewhere, you’ll probably need to pick up your car and drive. We stayed in Poipu which was just over half an hour from the airport.
Once you get to your hotel or lodging, check in and spend some time in the sun! If you’re staying at a resort, enjoy the amenities or head to a beach nearby.
You’ll love Poipu Beach on the South Shore, and Hanalei Bay and Tunnels Beach on the North Shore! Poipu Beach and Tunnels Beach are also some of the most incredible places to watch the sunset. 🌅
Green turtles like to layout on the shores of Poipu, so it’s a fantastic place to visit during your time on the island!
Help protect these gentle creatures by keeping your distance and not disturbing them. Always stay at least 5 feet away!
Grab some dinner at a restaurant near your hotel like Happy Talk Lounge if you’re in Princeville or Lava Lava Beach Club in Kapa’a.
Day 2 in Kauai: Napali Coast by Air & Wailua River
Today is going to be a bit of a long day, so bring plenty of sunscreen, a towel, and waterproof gear for your excursions!
Take a Helicopter Over Kauai
Soar above the rugged coastline of the Napali Coast, the red cliffs of Waimea Canyon, and gushing waterfalls. 💧 Few experiences compare to the thrill of soaring over Kauai’s rugged beauty.
You should consider booking your tour early in the trip, because they can get rescheduled for weather. We were supposed to do ours the first day, but we ended up moving it because of rain.
We did our tour with Ali’i Tours, which is the only Hawaiian owned company on the island and they were fantastic. They offer hour long private tours in doors off helicopter rides. 🚁
As you rise up into the sky, air flows through the cabin and it’s a wild feeling. We learned a lot about the island and saw so many stunning sights including the Jurassic Park waterfall.
Although helicopter rides are very expensive, it’s something that is definitely worth splurging on! 💸
We actually booked our helicopter using Chase credit card points on Viator, which was a fantastic way to use our rewards.
Secret Falls & Wailua Falls
After your journey over the island, it’s time to explore the lush Wailua River area. This 20 mile river meanders through gorgeous green mountains and has stunning sights tucked away.
But, the best spot nestled away in the forest on the river is the serene swimming hole at Secret Falls.
In order to get to this waterfall, you will need to kayak 2 miles or about 40 minutes one way, 🛶 hike a mile on the land, and finally you’ll arrive at this oasis!
Dive into the cool waters and swim to the cascading waterfall. Stand on the rocks under the fall and enjoy the massage of the water. I could have stayed there forever, because it was simply perfect!
Simply book a guided tour with one of the operators nearby or book a kayak rental and go out on your own!
If you do venture out on your own, continue to the other side of the river to find a secluded swimming hole and cliff jumping spot. My husband and I really enjoyed having the flexibility of visiting at our own pace.
But, tours are great for families and people that want to learn more about the area! The entire excursion takes around 4-5 hours, so plan to spend most of your day out there.
At the end of the day, go out for a nice dinner or grab a couple musubis at the Musubi Truck on your way home!
Day 3: Experiencing The North Shore
The North Shore of Kauai may be the most breathtaking area of the island with lush mountainsides, dramatic waterfalls, and pristine beaches. 🌊
The North Shore is lush thanks to frequent rains, so bring a light rain jacket or waterproof gear.
Today is all about enjoying the stunning scenery in the North Shore.
Kalalau Trail
Do you want to see even more of the Napali Coast?
One of the best ways to see this gorgeous stretch of the island is to hike it along the Kalalau Trail. While you have to get permits to backpack the full 12 mile trail, you can do the first 2 miles on a day hike!
You’ll need shuttle passes or parking permits to get to this trail, read more details below!
This trail goes up and down over muddy ridgelines to the gorgeous Hanakapi’ai Beach. Along the way, you’ll get iconic views of the Napali Coast and the turquoise waters crashing up along it.
At the end, you’ll need to cross a river to get to the beach. So, I’d recommend packing water shoes. Once you get to the beach, sit and take in the views. But, DO NOT SWIM, this beach is very dangerous with harsh current.
Luckily, the trail starts and ends at Ke’e Beach, which is a splendid place to go for a dip after your hike. It’s also one of the BEST spots for snorkeling on the entire island. I’ve never felt water more refreshing!
Note on difficulty: Even though this trail is short, it’s very tough. There are tons of steep up and downs and it’s very muddy. You will need to be in good shape and wear shoes you don’t mind getting ruined. ⚠️
Getting to the Kalalau Trail
The Kalalau Trail starts in Hāʻena State Park, but there is limited entry into the park. In order to enter either:
- Buy a parking pass
- Get a shuttle ticket
- Purchase an entry pass if you’re a Hawaiian resident
🅿️ Parking Pass
- Parking passes are EXTREMELY limited and they go on sale at 12 am Hawaii Time 30 days before. I was online at 12 am for three days in a row and I didn’t get a parking pass.
- Enter anytime after the entry time, but you must leave before your time slot ends. There are three time slots for the parking pass. :
- Morning: 6:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Afternoon: 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm
- Evening: 4:30 pm – Sunset
- Parking passes cost $10 per car and $5 per person. 💵
🚌 Haena State Park Shuttle
- Purchase a Park & Ride shuttle pass from the Waipā Park and Ride or Princeville.
- Shuttles run from 6:20 am to 6:40 pm. When you purchase tickets, you’ll select the time you want to start and the number of tickets.
- Shuttle tickets are $40 per person, $25 per child, and Free for children under 3.
- From there, get on and get off as you want. It stops at multiple places including Hanalei Bay, Haena Beach, and Ke’e Beach or the start of the Kalalau Trail.
There are times where you may need to wait for a shuttle because they do fill up especially mid-day. But overall, it’s a very easy process and I thought it was convenient.
Hanalei Bay
Once you’re done with your hike, stick around the North Shore and visit some of the beaches up there and grab some Hawaiian shaved ice at Jojo’s.
Hanalei Bay is another stop along the shuttle, which is a horseshoe shaped beach to sunbathe or snorkel at. There is tons of space to spread out and stay for the entire day.
If you’re staying in the North shore, then you can visit this beach many times.
Tunnels (Makua) Beach
Tunnels Beach is known for having the prettiest sunsets on the entire island, so this is where I would end your day.
With the dramatic mountain peak to the left and flat water, it’s a stunning scene. 😍 Because of it’s gorgeous scenery, it’s a popular spot for engagement and elopement photo shoots.
Get here a little before sunset and spend time swimming or snorkeling in the water.
Parking at Tunnels Beach is very tough, because there are a limited number of street spots. Instead, park at Haena Beach close by and walk about .5 mile along the sand to get there. It’s very easy!
Day 4: Napali Coast by Boat
Our Napali Coast tour was my favorite day of the entire trip and if you only have time for one thing make it this! 🚤
Boats get an amazing vantage point of the coastline as they’re surrounded with the vibrant blue water.
There’s a wide selection of boat tours to take from active day trips to serene sunset sail rides. Each trip will allow you the possibility of seeing the vibrant sea life and the lush cliffs of the coast.
But, if you’re up for an adventure, you don’t want to miss the sea cave tour from Capt Andys!
This tour is a wild ride, you’ll sit on the edge of a speeding raft, holding onto ropes, while the sea breeze hits you in the face. On the trip you’ll find yourself bumping and careening in different directions.
You cannot go on this tour if you are pregnant, younger than 13, older than 80, or have any back problems. ⛔️
During the day, you’ll get to swim in the gatorade blue waters, enjoy sea life like dolphins, whales 🐳, and turtles, snorkel with fish, and delve into sea caves.
It’s a completely unforgettable day and I’ve truly never felt so euphoric. If there’s one adventure you can’t miss during your week on Kauai, this is it!
Day 5: Snorkeling & South Shore Beaches
You’ve had an adventurous few days, so today spend time relaxing and enjoying the beaches.
There are a ton of fantastic snorkeling spots 🤿 all around the island to explore during your week on Kaui. Since you’ve already enjoyed them up North, now you enjoy the Southern spots.
For those active individuals, you may also want to try your hand at surf lessons. 🏄There’s no better place to learn than Hawaii.
Remember to always wear reef safe sunscreen when you’re heading into the ocean in Hawaii! 🧴
Poipu Beach
Poipu Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the island for good reason.
It has numerous spots to snorkel along a rock jetty that has very calm waters. So, it’s perfect for snorkelers at any level.
Not only is it a wonderful spot for snorkeling, but it’s also well known for having tons of sea turtles on the shore 🐢. These adorable creatures usually hang out on the sand, especially around sunset!
Just remember, to always stay at least 5 feet away from the turtles at all times.
If you need a pick me up while you’re hanging at Poipu, grab some Puka Dogs. These Hawaiian style hot dogs have fun sauces like Mango and Pineapple. It’s a must try.
Lawai Beach
Lawai Beach is a lovely beach that is popular with visitors, locals, snorkelers, and surfers.
Here, you’ll find clear water and colorful fish swimming in large schools. 🐠 Plus, the waters are very serene so it’s family friendly as well.
Once you’re done hanging for the day at Lawai, change into something nice and head out to a fun Luau experience!
Luau
If this is your first trip to Hawaii, attending a Luau is a must. Luaus are a great way to learn about the Hawaiian culture.
First, you’ll enjoy a feast of local Hawaiian food like Kalua Pig (slow roasted pork), Poi (taro root), and Lomi Salmon. Then, you’ll see a performance teaching about Hawaiian history with traditional dances like the hula. 🌺
There are a number of inviting Luaus to choose from on the island. We got the pleasure of viewing one from our hotel room and attending another.
On our first night, we watched the Auli’i Luau from our rooms at the Sheraton. It’s the only beachfront one on Kauai. The show was fun, but the fire dancing was spectacular!
We went to the Smiths Garden Luau, which is known for their gorgeous grounds that you have the pleasure of exploring before dinner. It was beautiful and the food was delicious. 😋 The production was a bit dated, but the show was charming all the same.
Either luau is a fantastic option for your trip.
Day 6: Exploring Waimea Canyon
Visit the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” when you venture to Waimea Canyon. Red soil covers the cliffs of the canyon walls and waterfalls gush over the cliffs edge, diving 3000 feet to the floor.
It’s a must visit on your trip to Kauai.
Scenic Drive
Venture into Waimea Canyon by driving along the picturesque 19 mile scenic road. This road rises up from the ocean and twists and turns over the narrow canyon drive with breathtaking views. This drive alone is worth the trip.
This road will take you from the town of Waimea through Waimea Canyon and to the awe-inspiring Pu’u O Kila Lookout in Koke’e State Park at the very end. 👀
Unfortunately, on our trip the Pu’u O Kila Lookout was closed, but we enjoyed the other lookouts!
It’s a wonderful way to explore the canyon without dealing with the mud and the elements. But, if you have time add on some trails to your explorations.
Hike
Although the scenic drive is a great way to see the canyon, the best way to experience the landscape is to hike down into it. 🥾
There are so many incredible hikes to enjoy in both Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park. Choose your hike based on the amount of time and energy that you have for your day.
We did the Waipo’o Falls trail and it was stunning! Along the way, we saw insane views of the canyon and the falls were an idyllic scene at the end.
Best Hikes in Waimea Canyon:
- Waimea Canyon to Waipo’o Falls (2.5 miles, 1100 feet, Hard)
- Kūkui Trail ·(4.4 miles, 2100 feet, Hard)
- Awaʻawapuhi Trail (6 miles, 1800 feet, Hard)
- Cliff Canyon and Black Pipe Trail (4 miles, 1000 feet, Hard)
Hanapepe Town
On your way home from Waimea, stop by Hanapepe– the town that inspired the location of the movie Lilo & Stitch.
This is a historic town, which used to be one of the largest on the island. It flourished back during World War I. Now, you’ll find wonderfully colorful buildings, Lilo & Stitch murals, and the famous Swinging Bridge.
But make sure to stop at Midnight Bear Breads Bakery for delicious croissants 🥐 and sandwiches before you head back out of town.
Spend your last night getting a nice meal to celebrate a fantastic vacation. If you’re staying near Poipu, check out the Beach House Restaurant. They have incredible sunset views and fresh seafood. 🍤
Day 7: Bon Voyage!
Today is your last day on the island, so soak up the last bits of sun, grab yourself some poke (our favorite was at Lawai Fish Market), and get ready to head off to the airport!
We got to spend our last day relaxing at our hotel and grabbing some delicious sushi at the Kauai Sushi Station near the Lihue Airport before leaving. It’s always sad to end a vacation on the island of Kauai! 👋🏻
Final Tips for Planning Your 7 Day Kauai Itinerary
There’s so much to do in a 7-day Kauai itinerary, that you can get overwhelmed. Or, maybe you end up stuffing it too much.
My biggest tip? Balance adventure with down time. Hike the cliffs, snorkel on the beach, but don’t skip out on lazy days on the beach either. The quiet moments soaking up the beautiful landscapes are incredibly special.
Now, you’re all set to plan the trip of a lifetime. Aloha, and enjoy these island vibes! 🌺
Let me know if you enjoyed this itinerary in the comments
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