5-Day Itinerary Kauai: The Ultimate Vacation Guide
This 5-day itinerary Kauai is the perfect travel guide to make sure you see ALL of the best spots on the island!
I’ll just start off by saying that Kauai is hands down the most BEAUTIFUL place I’ve ever visited in my life, so I just know that you’ll absolutely love your vacation on the Garden Isle!
I know planning a vacation can get a little overwhelming, so I put together a 5-day itinerary for Kauai to make sure you hit all the highlights on the island!
This itinerary for Kauai, one of the main Hawaiian islands, is a good mix of relaxing on the beach, beautiful hikes, some adventure, and trying some of the best restaurants on the island of Kauai.
This post outlines everything you should add to your 5-day itinerary for Kauai.
5-Day Itinerary Kauai: Everything You Should Know
This travel guide outlines a 6-night, 5-day itinerary for Kauai. I created a Google Map of the itinerary for your convenience.
The map is broken up by day and color on different sides of the island so you can see all the highlights the island has to offer (e.g., Green is one day, blue is another day, etc.). Kauai isn’t a big island, so you’ll definitely be able to see a lot in five days. Let’s get started!
Day of Arrival in Kauai
Since your flight will likely arrive later in the day, the first day on your 5-Day Itinerary Kauai is all about getting situated. Here’s what I would recommend for your arrival day:
Airport
Arrive at the Lihue Airport. This airport was my first-ever experience of being in a Hawaiian airport, and I was so shocked when I got off the plane and saw they had an open-air airport!
Pick Up Your Rental Car
The first time we visited Kauai, we rented a car from Enterprise at the airport, but the second time we went we used Turo, which I would recommend over one of the car rental companies at the airport. Make sure you rent a car in ADVANCE! They tend to sell out quickly!
Grocery Shop/Pick Up Groceries
There is a Walmart and Costco near the airport. If you’re staying at a non-resort or hotel, like a rental property (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.), I recommend buying some snacks, coffee, items for a quick breakfast, water, or anything else you’ll need during your trip from the store! It is so nice to already just have the snacks ready to bring with you for the day or for a long hike! Consider buying a cheap styrofoam cooler and some ice to keep things cold.
Drive Through the Famous Tree Tunnel
On the way to Poipu, you’ll likely drive through the famous Tree Tunnel. It is one of the most unique drives on the island!
Check-In to Accommodations
I recommend staying in Poipu (South Shore of Kauai). We had a large group and stayed at The Villas at Poipu Kai. We had a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom villa, which was SO NICE to each have our own space, a full kitchen, and an area to hang out and spend time with others. If you’re traveling with friends or family, this is such a great area to consider.
After you check in, unload groceries, unpack, and explore around the resort.
Dinner
Have dinner nearby at Brennecke’s Beach Broiler or Kalapaki Joe’s Poipu.
After dinner, you’ll probably be EXHAUSTED due to the time change. Go to bed early so you’re recharged for a day of fun tomorrow!
Day 1: Na Pali Coast + Luau in Kauai
It’s your first official day on Kauai, and you’ll likely be waking up early from that time change again! This is the day you’ll want to take advantage of waking up early and start your day with an early tour.
Before you head out for the day, have a quick breakfast in your room or stop by Kalaheo Cafe & Coffee Co. on the way to the Capt. Andy’s boat tour. (If you stop by this coffee shop, be sure to order online so it’s ready! They don’t open until 7am, and you have to meet for your tour at 7:30am!)
Na Pali Coast Snorkel Tour
The Na Pali Coast should hands down be at the TOP of your 5-day itinerary for Kauai. There was so much natural beauty that it didn’t even feel real. I literally still think about our boat tour to the Na Pali Coast all the time. You HAVE to go see the Na Pali Coast, like it’s a non-negotiable and one of the best things to do on the island.
With the Capt. Andy’s tour, you’ll check in at 7:30am and the tour lasts about 4 hours. With this tour you’ll get to snorkel, explore sea caves and waterfalls, and enjoy some snacks and drinks.
P.S. – You can also take a helicopter tour to see the Na Pali Coast, as well as the entire island of Kauai. I personally have not taken a helicopter ride on Kauai, but Blue Hawaiian Helicopters seems to be the most popular option for this tour!
Casual Lunch in Kauai
After this tour, plan to have a casual lunch at a nearby restaurant or food truck. A couple of recommendations:
- Kauai Island Brewing Company – They are super close to Capt. Andy’s (1-min walk!) and offer various “pupus” (Hawaiian term for snacks and appetizers), sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and they also have a kids menu. They have great reviews!
- Warehouse 3540 – Warehouse 3450 (images shown above) is a fun open-air market featuring more than a dozen locally-owned small businesses, including boutiques, jewelry, handmade soap, and some food trucks. It’s a neat and casual place to stop by after your boat tour on the way back to Poipu!
Free Time & Relaxation
After a busy morning, enjoy a few hours of relaxing or spending some time at the pool or beach!
Attend a Luau
You can’t visit Hawaii without attending a luau! If your schedule allows, visit a nearby luau to get the full Hawaiian experience! There are many luau options on the island, but here are a couple of options that are near Poipu:
- Grand Hyatt Luau – Wednesday & Saturday only. Features a welcome cocktail, open bar, buffet dinner, and Polynesian entertainment.
- ‘Auli’i Luau – Monday & Wednesday only. Features a welcome cocktail, open bar, appetizers, buffet dinner, and Polynesian entertainment.
Day 2: West Shore of Kauai + Waimea Canyon
Today is all about exploring around the west coast of the island, mainly to check out Waimea Canyon (AKA the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) and Koke’e State Park. The entire area is just BEAUTIFUL and absolutely a must-see while visiting Kauai.
This day can be adjusted based on what you’re into. If you just want to see the views, then be sure to dedicate at least half a day to driving around and exploring. If you want to hike into the Canyon, then you’ll definitely need to dedicate some more time!
Lookouts to Visit on Kauai
Here are some stops you won’t want to miss while exploring the Waimea Canyon/Kokee State Park area:
- Kalalau Lookout – Absolutely a must-see. So so beautiful! (shown in the image above)
- Pu’u O Kila Lookout
- Pu’u Hinahina Lookout
- Waimea Canyon Lookout
- Red Dirt Waterfall
Hiking at the Waimea Canyon State Park
The Waimea Canyon is full of hiking trails if you’re into hiking! I will say that it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re prepared before doing any of these hikes! Since you’re hiking DOWN into the Canyon itself with most of the hikes, that means that the entire hike back will be at an incline. Just make sure to figure out which hike is best for you and that you’re prepared with lots of water, sunscreen, and all of the other hiking essentials!
Casual Lunch + Shave Ice in Waimea
After exploring, stop at one of the most popular places for lunch in Waimea, like Chicken In a Barrel BBQ or The Shrimp Station.
After lunch, stop by JoJo’s Shave Ice, which is known as one of the top shave ice stores on the island. I must say that their shave ice lives up to the hype and is 100% worth trying!
PRO TIP: Be sure to call it “shave ice” and not “shaved ice” when visiting Hawaii!
Coffee-Tasting at Kauai Coffee Company
If you have time after exploring, stop by Kauai Coffee Company on the way back to your accommodations for free coffee samples and to explore around the coffee farm.
They close at 5pm, so make sure they’re open before heading that way!
Day 3: North Shore of Kauai: Queen’s Bath + Hanalei Bay
North Shore has to be the most beautiful area on the island of Kauai! Day 3 will be a long day full of adventure and exploring, so I recommend coming prepared with:
- Hiking Essentials – Water, sunscreen, snacks, hiking shoes, bug spray, etc.
- Beach Essentials – Sunscreen, towel, swimsuit, sandals, hat, hair ties, etc.
- Change of clothes and shoes for the evening activities (nothing too dressy!), plus any other items to freshen up with, like a hair brush, deodorant, etc.
- Other Items to Keep in the Car
- Paper towels and wipes (to wipe dirt off legs from hiking)
- Cooler with water bottles
If you plan to spend a longer time on the North Shore of Kauai, be sure to check out this blog post: 30 Best Things to Do in Princeville: Kauai North Shore.
Now let’s chat about today’s Kauai itinerary!
Hike the Kalalau Trail of the Na Pali Coast
While we weren’t able to hike the Kalalau Trail on our trip, it’s apparently one of the best hikes in all of Hawaii. Now, I’m not going to recommend you hike the full 22 miles roundtrip and camp overnight like some people do; however, many people say it’s absolutely worth it to hike about 4 miles total (2 miles in, 2 miles out) to see the beautiful views.
If you love hiking and plan to also visit the island of Oahu during your Hawaii vacation, be sure to also check out this blog post: 21 Best Sunset Hikes Oahu: Ultimate List of Where to Hike
Casual Lunch in Princeville
After hiking, head over to the Princeville Center for a casual lunch at one of their restaurants. They have a ton of great options to choose from, but Tiki Iniki is probably the most popular.
However, if you’re looking for a unique and affordable option, stop by the deli section of the Foodland grocery store in the Princeville Center to make your own poke bowl! My husband and I each did the “1-choice bowl with rice) and it was only $7.99 each!
Quick Hike to Queen’s Bath
Visiting Queen’s Bath is another place on Kauai that you just can’t miss. It’s a natural tide pool carved into the rock and is such a neat place to visit.
I will say that getting to Queen’s Bath can be a little tricky. You should know that it’s located in a high-end neighborhood that does not allow ANY roadside parking. We personally paid to park at the nearby Makai Golf Club and just walked over when we went; however, you MAY be able to find parking in the small parking lot on Punahele Road.
The hike itself is pretty short, but it can be pretty muddy and slippery, so be sure to wear proper shoes! (I was not prepared at all the first time I went in 2019 and somehow hiked down to Queen’s Bath in flip-flops. 10/10 do not recommend haha!)
You may see some people swimming in the area, but I don’t recommend doing this, even when the water appears “calm.” While it’s a beautiful area, it’s also extremely dangerous and there have been numerous fatalities from people getting swept off to sea. I suggest just admiring the views of Queen’s Bath from a safe distance!
The trailhead gate may be closed due to high surf advisories; however, some people still climb around the gates. Just know that if you choose to do this that it would be considered trespassing and you’d be subject to any fines. Just be careful!
Hang out at Hanalei Bay
The views from the beach at Hanalei Bay are just so beautiful. (I feel like I keep saying everything is beautiful, but everything IS beautiful on Kauai!)
Hanalei Bay is the largest bay on the North Shore of Kauai and offers amazing views of the green mountains. IT’S JUST SO MAGICAL!
The water here is typically calm, so a lot of people take advantage of this by kayaking or learning how to surf. The area isn’t well-known for snorkeling, as the water can get cloudy and there’s not much reef to see.
P.S. – If you are interested in snorkeling on the North Shore, be sure to check out Tunnels Beach, located east of the Haena State Park. It’s a great place for snorkeling, and some even say it’s one of the best places to snorkel on Kauai! It’s not super accessible, but if you want to snorkel, this may be your best bet! Just be sure to bring your own snorkeling gear!
Dinner in Hanalei
After hanging out at the beach, grab dinner in Hanalei. Here are a few popular restaurants to consider:
- Kalypso Island Bar & Grill
- Tahiti Nui
- Chicken in a Barrel (if you missed it the day before in Waimea)
Golf Cart Sunset Tour at Princeville Makai Golf Club
The Golf Sunset Tour at Makai Golf Club had to be one of my FAVORITE things we did when visiting the North Shore. You don’t have to be a golfer for this one — it’s mainly about driving the golf cart and enjoying the views! Grab a mai tai cocktail and have fun!
P.S. If you’re big into golf (like my husband), then you should absolutely consider booking a tee time here during your trip to Kauai. I personally rode along while he golfed and it was so worth it to go for the views, even though I wasn’t golfing!
P.S.S. Bring bug spray to the Sunset Tour!
Day 4: East Shore of Kauai: Waterfalls & Exploring
This day is all about exploring the east side of the island. I will say that the eastern coast is typically overlooked since there are so many must-see places on other areas of the island, but there are definitely a few highlights to check out on this side of the island as well!
How you structure this day is dependent on what you want to do on this side of the island. You should definitely stop by the two waterfall lookouts, but I’ll include a few options of other things to check out to help you plan!
Waterfall Lookout Points
It’s not a trip to Hawaii without seeing a waterfall! There are two waterfall lookouts that are really easy to visit:
- Opaekaa Falls – Your first stop is at the Opaekaa Falls Lookout. Opaekaa Falls is a 151-foot-tall, 40-foot-wide waterfall. It’s a super quick and convenient stop with access to picnic tables and restrooms.
- Wailua Falls – Next, head to the Wailua Falls Lookout (image shown above). Wailua Falls is a double waterfall and one of the most popular waterfalls on Kauai. It was also featured in the opening credits of “Fantasy Island”!
Option 1: Fern Grotto Boat Tour
Take a boat tour up the Wailua River to check out the Fern Grotto, a cave formed by lava rocks. We personally have not done this tour, but it’s something to consider doing while you’re on this side of the island!
Option 2: Lydgate Farms Chocolate Tour + Chocolate Tasting
Take a 3-hour chocolate farm tour at Lydgate Farms. This is another tour we have not taken, but it’s a pretty popular activity on Kauai and loved by many! You’ll get to explore around the famous chocolate farm, try different chocolates and local fruits, and learn all about how chocolate is made!
Option 3: Kilohana Plantation + Rum Tasting
A visit to the Kilohana Plantation at the Kauai Plantation Railway is probably the most popular option of the three. Here you can explore the Plantation with a train tour and learn all about the history of the sugar industry in Kauai. They also offer luaus at the Plantation, which is what we did during our visit. It’s a really beautiful area that’s worth checking out!
The same area offers rum tasting at Koloa Rum every hour. Koloa Rum is known as the first and only licensed distillery on the island of Kauai. We really enjoyed our rum-tasting visit here!
Dinner at Keoki’s Paradise
Head back to the South Shore and enjoy a dinner at Keoki’s Paradise. It has all the Hawaiian vibes and the food was so good! Be sure to try their Hula Pie!
Day 5: South Shore of Kauai + Travel Home
Since this is your departure day, you’ll likely have a flight that leaves late in the evening. If you’re anything like me, you’re trying to figure out how to plan a day where you’re not sandy and gross for the long plane ride home.
Here’s what I recommend for your last day:
- Option 1: When you book your accommodations, book for another full day even though you’re checking out the evening before. For example, if your flight leaves on a Saturday night, book your accommodations through Sunday, but check out on Saturday evening. That way you won’t have to check out that morning. This is a great option, as you’ll still be able to enjoy a full day of fun, keep all your bags in the room, and not worry about someone breaking into your rental car, shower before the flight, etc.
- Option 2: Some resorts or hotels allow you to purchase “day passes” to their facilities. Check to see what all this includes before purchasing your passes, but sometimes this includes access to their shower area as well.
- We purchased a day pass when we stayed at the Hanalei Bay Resort in North Shore Kauai. We made the rookie mistake of not booking an extra night, so we had to check out at 11am, and then had the entire day left to wait for our flight. We purchased a day pass to the resort, which also included access to the shower area. We were able to fully enjoy our last day on Kauai and not have to worry about being sweaty and sandy on the plane!
- Another great option to consider is the spa at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort (image shown above). If you book a 60-minute treatment, you’ll have full-day access to their spa facilities, including the showers!
- Option 3: Load up your rental car with your bags and plan activities that aren’t super active/at the beach.
- Option 4: Do whatever you want for the day and not care! 🙂
Now, with all that being said, today’s Kauai itinerary is definitely more outdoorsy and sandy. 🙂 Feel free to adjust the itinerary as needed to accommodate how you’d like to spend your final day!
Sunrise with Turtles at Poipu Beach
If you’re still waking up early from the time change (or you just want to wake up early), then head over to Poipu Beach at sunrise for the possibility of seeing some sea turtles! We did this one morning and it was so worth it. Be sure to be respectful of the turtles and admire them from a distance.
Quick Stop by Spouting Horn Park
The Spouting Horn Blowhole is a quick and easy stop on the South Shore of Kauai. The blowhole itself was created from a lava tube, which shoots up water from the ocean (getting as high as 50 feet into the air!).
Spouting Horn is so easy to access. There’s a ton of parking and no hiking required at all! Plan to be here for about 10 minutes or so.
Option 1: Hike the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail
If you’re up for a little more adventure before you leave, hike around the seaside Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail!
The hike starts at Shipwreck Beach and ends at Mahaulepu Beach near Kawailoa Bay which features sea cliffs, coves, tide pools, lava formations, and even some petroglyphs. The Shipwreck Beach is also known to be one of the best places for whale watching in the winter months!
We personally did not hike the entire 3.8 miles (maybe 1 mile in, 1 mile out), but it was still a really pretty area to explore!
Option 2: Spend the Day at Poipu Beach
Instead of hiking, you can also spend the day at Poipu Beach! This beach is one of the most popular beaches on Kauai and is known for being warm and sunny!
There are a few places in the area, like Nukumoi Surf Co., where you can rent some beach gear, like chairs, umbrellas, snorkel gear, etc., if needed! Also, be sure to check your accommodation — sometimes they already have beach gear ready for you to borrow!
Get a Hawaiian-Style Hot Dog
You can’t leave Kauai without trying one of the famous Hawaiian-Style Hot Dogs from Puka Dog!
They make their own version of Hawaiian sweet bread with handmade dough, and then you basically create your own hot dog! Choose the sauce, relish, and mustard. The most popular relishes are the mango or pineapple relish. The combo may sound weird, but it’s so good!
We personally waited in line for about 30 minutes, but it was worth the wait!
Drive Through the Famous Tree Tunnel
If you missed seeing the famous Tree Tunnel when you first drove in from the airport, then make sure you check it out on the way back to the airport! It’s our favorite drive in all of Kauai! (I added the Tree Tunnel location to the “Arrival Day” of Google Maps since you’ll likely drive through it on that day, so refer to that pin on the map!)
Other Helpful Info for Your Trip to Kauai
There are a few things you should know before you book your vacation to Kauai. Here are some quick tips and info I wish I had before my trip to the island.
Which side of Kauai should you stay on?
I recommend staying in Poipu (South side of the island) instead of in Princeville or Hanalei (North Shore of Kauai). While I enjoyed staying in both areas, Poipu is just sunnier, slightly closer to the airport, and seemed easier to get around the island as compared to staying in Princeville. Don’t get me wrong, it was AMAZING staying on the North Shore and waking up to views of Hanalei Bay every day, but if you’re trying to venture around the island, then it may be best to just stay in Poipu!
Do you REALLY need a rental car?
YES, you do need a rental car. Unless you plan to just stay at your resort the entire time, which if you’re reading this post, I assume you want to explore the island, then you absolutely should get a rental car.
Air Conditioning
Double check the accommodation has air conditioning if that’s a priority (I always need A/C!). It’s common for places on Kauai, like rental properties, to not have air conditioning.
What to Pack
You honestly don’t need to worry about dressing up! Hawaii, especially Kauai, is so laid back and super casual. I remember my first trip I wasted so much space packing fancy shoes and nicer dresses and didn’t even wear any of it because I’d feel so out of place. Obviously, what to pack for Kauai is dependent on what’s on your itinerary, but for the most part, I wouldn’t worry about getting too dressed up.
What time is your flight home?
Be sure to look at the time you fly home before booking your accommodations. Most flights tend to leave late in the evening, which definitely makes for awkward timing when your check-out time is 10am and your flight isn’t for another 12 hours at 10pm. I recommend booking another “night” even though you will check out the same evening as your flight. This allows you to keep all your belongings safe in your room, explore your last full day, and still be able to freshen up before your flight! More information on this later in the blog!
