How to Spend 5 Days in Kaua’i, Hawaii: An Adventure Itinerary
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If you haven’t started planning your Kaua’i vacation yet or need some inspiration on how to fill your days, then this post is for you! A fully detailed itinerary on how to spend your 5 days in Kaua’i. Let’s be real, you want the details on how these days really go. I packed in the most important things to know for each day so you can travel like a pro.
I believe that every adventure trip should have some time to relax sprinkled in there as well. As much as I’d love an excursion every day, it’s nice to take time to wind down and enjoy your adventures. That being said, this 5-day itinerary has a few adventure days, and a couple of relaxing ones.
How to Get To Kaua’i
Depending on where you’re traveling from, you may have the option for a red-eye flight onto Kaua’i which is a huge time saver and usually cheaper too! The only airport (that you’ll likely fly into) on Kaua’i is in the town of Lihue (LIH). There are rental car facilities on site and the small airport is very easy to navigate.
Turo, another car rental option, also has a large presence at this airport. They have a dedicated large shuttle that’ll take you to the rental car parking lot about 10 minutes down the road.
Hopping between Hawaiian islands is also very popular, especially on Hawaiian Air. If you’re hopping over to Kaua’i from another island, I would recommend at least 2 full days on Kaua’i to get a good feel of the Garden Island.
Since the other islands are a bit cheaper to fly into and have more direct flights, this might be your best bet to get to see Kaua’i if you don’t want to do a full trip there quite yet. Even if you don’t have a full 5 days to spend in Kaua’i, scroll down to the itinerary for inspiration on how to make the most out of your time!
How to Get Around Kaua’i
Kaua’i is a relatively small island that will take you only about 2 hours to drive around the perimeter, and there are really 2 sides of the island that you can stay on. The North Side of the Island is home to the town of Princeville. Princeville has more of a rainforest feel than the southern part of the island in towns like Poipu.
Because the island is so small, it is a great idea to rent a car while you’re on the island. Turo works really well because the prices can be cheaper than a traditional rental car company. When choosing your car, opt for a Jeep or Truck which will give you the most flexibility around the island as some roads aren’t completely paved.
Want to Travel Like a Pro in Kaua’i?
The best way to explore a new place is by recommendations! Check out my Curated Google Map for all of the best sights, eats, and accommodations. You’ll have the exact locations of all the best places accessible right from your phone!
5 Day Itinerary in Kaua’i, Hawaii
Now onto the good stuff! Kaua’i is such a beautiful island, that you can easily stay more than 5 days. But, if you only have a long weekend, this is how you can maximize your time on the island. Find out how you can have the best Hawaiian adventure!
Keep in mind that this itinerary is based on staying in Princeville on the North side of the island. Driving times will differ if you’re staying in a different part of the island.
Day 1: Explore Lihue and Poipu
Take in the first sights of the lush mountains and beautiful ocean, you’ve made it to Kaua’i! Lihue Airport is in a great location to explore some areas on the southern part of the island before heading up north to Princeville. Once you grab your rental car from the lots on-site or from the nearby Turo lot, head south toward Brennecke’s Beach.
On your way to the beach, be sure to take Malihui Road through the famous ‘Tree Tunnel’. This road is lined with more than 500 eucalyptus trees and goes on for a few miles. No need to stop along this route but the views are pretty cool from the car while driving through, and it’s on the way so why not!
After you emerge from the tree tunnel you’ll be in the south part of the island, about 10 minutes away from your first stop at Brennecke’s Beach. The town of Poipu is also very close where you can find shopping, dining, and some great beaches. If you’re visiting during the week check out the Farmer’s Market at The Shops at Kukuiula.
You can’t come to Kaua’i without seeing some sea turtles and what better way than to see them on your first day! Brennecke’s Beach is well known for watching the giant sea turtles in the surf. The turtles come up onto the sand for sunrise and sunset, but they can be seen in the water almost any time of the day. There’s no parking lot at Brennecke’s Beach, but there is easy parking on the street right across from the beach.
From Brennecke’s beach you’re in a great spot for watching the turtles, and also grabbing a bite to eat at the famous Puka Dog. Walk across the street to grab a hotdog (there are vegan options too!) and bring it over to Poipu Beach for an awesome view.
After you’ve eaten and have a full camera roll of sea turtle pictures, it’s time to start your drive back up to the North side of the island. The drive straight from Brennecke’s Beach to Princeville will take you about 1.5 hours. You can either drive all the way through or explore the Koloa Rom Company located on the way up north just passed Lihue Airport.
The Koloa Rum Company and Kilohana Plantation are beautiful grounds and worth some time to walk around. There’s a huge grass parking lot so it’s an easy in/out if you don’t end up staying too long. Whether you’re a fan of rum or not, there’s a train ride around the Plantation that takes you around the Plantation and even stops to feed farm animals! The train has multiple departures throughout the day, but make sure to check the train times and buy your tickets online.
Now that you’ve had your first full day of exploring, check into your accommodations in Princeville and get some good sleep. Tomorrow is an early morning adventure day!
Day 2: Na’Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon Adventure Day
Good morning! It’s time for your first adventure day and you’re about to see some sights that you’ve probably been waiting for… the Na’Pali Coast and ‘the Grand Canyon of The Pacific’ (aka Waimea Canyon)!
Kaua’i Sea Tours Catamaran Snorkel Tour
You’re likely still in a time zone earlier than Hawaii so use that to your advantage and get an early start to the morning. If you think I’m crazy for booking a morning tour in Elele when staying in Princeville (about a 2-hour drive), I am, BUT for a good reason and you’ll understand why when you’re on the catamaran.
Side note: You can opt to spend a night or two on the island’s south side (Poipu) before this tour so you don’t have too long of a drive early in the morning. However, I do recommend doing this tour on your first or second day on the island because it does start early and jet lag is probably in your favor.
One of the best tours I can recommend is with Kaua’i Sea Tours, their catamaran snorkel tour of the Na’pali coast is a must-do. You’ll get to see so many dolphins, the dramatic coastline, some waterfalls, and swim with the fish! There are many tours out of Port Allen that all pretty much do the same tour, like the family-owned Blue Dolphin, but some have higher ratings which is why I recommend Kaua’i Sea Tours.
The whole catamaran excursion took about 5 hours, with the first hour or so being just boating to where the Napali Coast begins. We did see dolphins within 20 minutes which was so fun, and the captain was equally as amazing telling us history about the islands and lighthearted jokes along the way. There were about 30 people total on the catamaran with plenty of seating for everyone, indoors and outdoors, and insane views from every angle.
The inside of the catamaran was completely dry which was nice to keep towels and bags. I recommend wearing a swimsuit and light clothes, with a change of clothes as well. You’ll be barefoot on the boat so no need to worry about shoes! Make sure to bring reef-safe sunscreen and re-apply multiple times.
What’s so Special About Waimea Canyon?
Waimea Canyon is a spectacular canyon on the West Side of Kaua’i spanning 14 miles long and over 3,000 feet deep featuring volcanic rock formations, waterfalls, and a plethora of hiking trails.
While you’re already on this side of the island after your awesome catamaran morning, Waimea Canyon and a few points in particular are not to miss.
You’ll want to follow Highway 550 (Waimea Canyon Dr) to hit these points in this order. If you don’t plan to hike within the park, each of these points is good to park and explore for a few minutes before arriving at the Kalalau Lookout at the end of the road. If you are planning on hiking, check AllTrails for the best trailheads along the way.
- Red Dirt Waterfall– Don’t wear your white shoes! This mini waterfall is right off the side of the highway, you can actually see it while driving. Stop for a few minutes to wrap your head around the clear stream against the bright red rock, it feels like you’re on Mars!
- Waimea Canyon Lookout (get the exact location here)- this is the best lookout for Waimea Canyon. There’s parking on the side of the road where you can walk over to the balcony overlook to see the Canyon in all of its glory along with some waterfalls!
- Kalalau Lookout – After seeing the Napali coast from the water, the Kalalau Lookout looks down on the Napali Coast and the Pacific Ocean below. The lookout looks over a valley where you can see the lush cliffs and some mountain goats if you’re lucky! There is a 50/50 chance that the lookout will be covered with clouds, the weather is almost impossible to predict, but it is 100% worth the drive up.
- Koke’e Museum – On your way down from the Kalalau Lookout, take Highway 552 on the way back for a different view and stop at the Koke’e museum and campground along the way. The museum is free, but make sure to check their hours ahead of time. The Koke’e Lodge is also next door for a quick lunch, snack, or dinner if you make reservations.
The Trek to Polihale State Beach
Polihale State Beach is the furthest beach west before the Napali Coast. It’s a fairly remote beach only accessible by a very bumpy dirt road.
If you’re renting a car while in Kaua’i, I would strongly recommend only making the drive to Polihale in a Jeep or Truck due to the size of the holes in the road. Even so, you’ll be going no faster than 10mph for a little over 2 miles, hence why I called it a trek to get in!
At the end of the seemingly neverending dirt road, you’ll come to a parking lot where you can walk right on out to the incredible beach. The currents here are very rough so it’s not a swimming beach, but the expansive sand is great for playing catch, taking a long walk, or catching an amazing sunset.
You can also camp within Polihale State Park right on the beach if you don’t want to venture back down that dirt road just yet. Make sure to make a reservation before you arrive to ensure a spot.
Day 3: Surf Day in Hanalei
Take a day to relax by the beach! Start your morning by grabbing some food at Wake Up Delicious and either take your meal to go, or eat on their patio. The patio is small with only a few tables, so if you have a larger group you may opt to eat outside. Nonetheless, the food is delicious, portions are quite large, and there are vegan options as well!
What Can I See Near Hanalei Bay?
Since you have a car, take advantage of the proximity to the many amazing beaches along Kuhio Highway. Driving North from Princeville on Kuhio Highway, you’ll start your day in Hanalei Bay, and you can drive North on Kuhio Highway all the way up to Ha’ena Beach Park. There are some smaller beaches to stop at along the way but parking is tricky and much of the area is private property so make sure to be mindful of where you are. Ha’ena Beach has a parking lot but it is small so if you’re planning on staying a while try to get there early!
Ha’ena Beach has one of the most picturesque backdrops right up against lush green cliffs. The expansive sand area is great for families or just relaxing. The water is a very bright and inviting blue, but there is a large drop off making it prone to waves and not the best place to swim. (See Day 5 for a family-friendly swimming and snorkeling beach!)
If you keep following Kuhio Highway, you’ll run into the Ke’e Beach parking lot which you need reservations to enter the State Park. This is the same place where you’ll start the Hanakapiai Falls Trail tomorrow! Don’t forget to make that reservation here.
Where to Rent Surf Boards in Hanalei?
There is no better place to rent a surfboard or stand-up paddleboard in Hanalei than the Hanalei Beach Boys Surf Shack. A full-day rental is only $20 and their selection of boards is great for any level. They also offer lessons which can be great for your first time! The staff is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. They know the best beaches to surf for the day and will help strap the boards to your car; they even deliver boards to the beach if that’s an easier option for you!
The drive to Pavillion Beach is only 2 minutes down the road and there is plenty of parking on the street or the lot but know you will have to carry the boards from your car to the beach. The summer months generally have the best waves for beginners because they are small and consistent. The view from the water is one of the most amazing views ever so it is well worth giving surfing a try.
Pavillion Beach and Hanlei Beach are great picturesque spots for surfing, swimming, paddle boarding, or just lying in the sand. Spend at least 1 night watching the sunset here, you won’t regret it.
A Night Out in Hanalei
No better way to end a relaxing day on the beach than with a nice dinner and drinks. Check out the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay and its great restaurants. The Welina Terrace is the perfect spot for incredible views, indoor/outdoor seating, live music, and great food and drinks. I highly recommend the brussels sprouts and the Kaua’i Creamsicle drink.
Reservations for any restaurant within the 1 Hotel are needed well in advance of your trip since it is a gorgeous and very popular spot. Book your spot here to enjoy this incredible space.
Day 4: Hike the Na’Pali Coast
Breakfast in Hanalei
Welcome to another adventurous day! But first, we must start with delicious eats. If you’re up early and want to drive about 20 minutes to the best acai on Kaua’i, then you’ll want to check out Kalalea Juice Hale. Wake Up Delicious is also a great pre-hike breakfast option, as well as Holey Grail Donuts next door. For my vegan friends, every donut at Holey Grail is vegan, but you’d never know 😉 Make sure to check their hours especially if you’re planning on going earlier in the morning.
Hiking the Hanakapi’ai Falls Trail
Hiking to Hanakapiai Falls is a full-day trip that takes preparation and determination. Although not the hardest hike, the Hanakapiai trail will take you up steep inclines, crossing rivers, and scrambling up some rocks. If I haven’t scared you away yet, check out the full hike experience here I promise this isn’t a hike you’ll want to miss!
Day 5: Relax and Recharge
After a full few days of exploring the island, you’ve earned yourself another relaxation day. Don’t mistake that for a boring day though, you still have plenty to see!
If your trip lands on a Saturday, take some time to check out Princeville Farmers and Arts Market. Located in the park between Emmalani Drive and Ka Haku Road, you won’t miss this large market and you’ll enjoy plenty of street parking.
This market has everything from food trucks, to shave ice, to local souvenirs. I recommend spending at least 30-45 minutes here before heading out for the rest of your day.
Kaua’i’s Best Beginner Snorkel Beach
There are many great beaches to snorkel in Kaua’i, but not all are as accessible as Anini Beach. There are a few ways to get to this beach depending on your adventure level for the day.
Option 1: Take the Wyllie’s Beach Trail from the Westin. This is a .8 mile trail down to Wyllie’s Beach which connects to Anini Beach. The trail is steep and can be muddy, but it is completely shaded as you’re walking in a forest. Read the latest reviews on All Trails for the most recent conditions of the trail.
Option 2: Park in the lot at Anini Beach which is right on the water. This lot is easy to get to, right off of Kuhio Highway on Anini Road, but the lot fills up fast so it is best to get there early.
Anini Beach is best for snorkeling because of its expansive reef. You can walk out a hundred meters and still only be waist-deep! There are many different types of fish that you’ll see here including the humuhumunukunukuapua’a (Reef Triggerfish) and Uhu (Parrot Fish). The best part about snorkeling here is that you don’t need to go far out from the beach to see the wildlife, so Anini Beach is great for beginner snorkelers.
Queen’s Bath – What to Know Before You Go
Queen’s Bath is an ocean pool formed from lava rock that is notoriously dangerous because of the rough ocean directly below. The hike to Queen’s Bath is steep and challenging, and you should not plan on swimming, only admiring the pool from the rocks above. Again, you can find the latest trail conditions and route map on AllTrails.
The hike to Queen’s Bath is beautiful and has great views, but you must understand how to be safe on this trail BEFORE you go.
There is very limited parking for this trail as the entrance is in the middle of a residential neighborhood. You may get lucky and find a parking spot in the 5-car lot, otherwise, you’ll be walking a few miles to get to the trailhead.
Once you’re on the trail, the route is very steep with lots of tree roots to step over. About halfway through, you’ll get to the flat lava rock closest to the water, you’ll be scrambling on those rocks for the last ~half mile of the trail until you come to Queen’s Bath. This trail is not marked so it can be somewhat confusing on where to go.
When you arrive at Queen’s Bath, the best view is from the rocks above so you can see the bath and the ocean waves splashing into it. Again, I strongly recommend not swimming here but the views of the ocean and the coast are very beautiful.
The Best Sunset Spot on Kaua’i
After another day of exploring, it’s time for your last sunset in Kaua’i. As you probably noticed from your surf day in Hanalei, the picturesque bay makes for a perfect sunset spot. Take advantage of the expansive beach and take some chairs with you, or enjoy the warm water and take a sunset swim! Either way, there is no better place to sign off from your Kaua’i adventure than watching the sunset at Hanalei Bay.
Traveling Sustainably in Kaua’i
Keeping sustainability top of mind when traveling is one of the most important things for me while traveling. No matter where you travel to, it is important to travel with respect, be mindful of your surroundings, support small and local businesses, as well as many other things.
Here are three of my favorite tricks for traveling sustainably:
- Packing my own Tupperware for bringing meals on day trips.
- Leaving reviews for restaurants or excursions. Leaving reviews is super important because who doesn’t look at the reviews before trying something new?! Sharing your honest experience is beyond valuable to business owners and travelers alike!
- Leave a review on AllTrails for every route that you follow! If you’re like me, I look exclusively at the reviews of a hike to see people’s candid opinions. In every review, I like to include these few points for context…
- AllTrails Review Template [my hiking skill level, outside temperature, terrain, crowded/less crowded trail, amenities like bathrooms and water, and the best part of the hike]
Wanna know more tips and tricks to sustainable travel? Follow along with Hodgepodge Travel for all things adventure travel and sustainability.
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