Kauai 5 Day Itinerary- Luxury Adventure Guide
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Kauai is the definition of a lush tropical paradise. With lots to explore, from beaches to mountains to canyons, see the highlights with this tested 5 day Kauai Itinerary. Once you see the beauty of the ‘garden isle’ you’ll be planning a prompt return! This was definitely my favorite island over Oahu, as it just perfectly delivers on adventurous activities, luxurious resorts, friendly locals, relaxed Hawaiian vibes, and delicious food.
Where to Stay in Kauai
Stay at least 3 nights in Poipu and 1 night on the north shore in Princeville. This way you won’t have to drive all the way back south after a day of exploring the North Shore. You could easily add another night in Princeville or Poipu to do some long hikes in the state parks.
Why Stay in Poipu? There are several options for resorts and condos for various budgets. Poipu has a great beach and several towns nearby for a variety of dining options. Poipu’s central location is 30 minutes or less from major attractions like departures to the Na’pali coast and Waimea Canyon.
We stayed at the Grand Hyatt Kauai and had a great time. The large pool, club lounge access, easy parking, beachfront location, and Polynesian decor made it the perfect introduction to Hawaii. We stayed at this resort for free using points, learn how in this guide to hawaii hotels on points.
On the north shore we stayed at the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. This stay exceeded expectations and is a true luxury experience. The variety of activities that you can do on property and in the surrounding area is unmatched. I cover more details about the food and amenities in a full review of the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay.
Flights in Kauai & Car Rental
Lihue (LIH) is the airport on Kauai. There are lots of connections here to the West coast of the United States and beyond. You can also easily island hop to another Hawaiian island on short flights provided by Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest. The airport is one of the few that is fully open to the outdoors, and has a Polynesian feel. I found this small airport to be very cute and easy to navigate, making travel a breeze.
Renting a car is a must in Kauai. Public transportation may get you from town to town but not to the various resorts and activities. Rent a convertible or a Jeep for some extra wind in your hair. The rental car lots are a short distance away from the airport and accessible by shuttle bus.
Book as far ahead of time as possible for the best rates. Use a search site like AutoSlash or Kayak for the best car rental options. I found a rate that was around $100 cheaper through Autoslash than what I could find anywhere, and rates only increased the closer I got to my trip.
Day 1: Arrival in Kauai
Afternoon: You’ll arrive by flying into Lihue (LIH) airport. Pick up your rental car and head to your resort in Poipu.
Evening: After settling in at the Grand Hyatt Kauai, unwind with dinner on-site. Take a stroll around the resort; it’s the perfect way to ease into vacation mode. At the Grand Hyatt Kauai, the pools are always open, so hit the hot tub to soothe those muscles after a long travel day.
Alternatively, explore Koloa‘s shops and restaurants. This ended being our first stop since my brother had arrived earlier than my parents and I, so he was hitting up the food trucks here. We decided to stick around and have dinner at La Spezia. Homemade Italian food was just what we needed and we were so happy to be able to squeeze into this fantastic restaurant, I highly recommend reservations!
Pro Tip: Consider stopping at Costco after landing to grab essentials like bottled water and snacks — it’ll save you some time and money during your stay! Or consider club access for your stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai to have breakfast included in the lounge along with snacks all day.
Day 2: Poipu
Morning: Enjoy a relaxed morning at the resort. Explore the beautiful grounds or hit the pool.
Afternoon: For adventure seekers, try ziplining nearby. Koloa Zipline has the longest zipline in Kauai and stunning views. WIth a 4.9 rating and over 1,000 reviews, you are sure to have a good time.
If you prefer to stay grounded, hike one of the scenic trails around the resort. The maha’ulepu trail starts right at the Grand Hyatt on Shipwreck beach and is a short, fairly easy trail with fantastic views along the coast. Within an hour and a half round-trip you can have this low risk, high reward, free adventure.
Step out for a smoothie bowl at Anake’s Juice Bar and have snorkel with sea turtles on Poipu Beach. Don’t miss the famous Puka Dog stand either. These Hawaiian style hot dogs have been featured on Travel Channel and Anthony Bourdain.
Evening: Lean into the jet lag with an early dinner at Keoki’s Paradise. It’s a local favorite with a tropical atmosphere. The special menu from 4-5 pm daily is an incredible deal at $32 for two courses. We found the service and food to be on point, making for a special dining experience.
Pro Tip: If you’re interested in cultural activities, check with your resort. They often have a schedule of free activities such as lei-making, hula dancing, and ukulele lessons. For surf lessons, book ahead of time with one of the operators near Poipu Beach.
Day 3: Rafting Adventure on the Na’pali Coast & Waimea Canyon
Early Morning: Gear up for a rafting adventure! Check in at 6:45 AM — be prepared for snorkeling, sun, and wind. This was a fantastic tour that was one of the highlights of the trip for me. The perfect weather, dolphins alongside the boat, snorkeling next to cliffs, Jurassic park views, cave exploring, everything was spectacular!
Do not choose any other boat operator. This was clearly the best boat for the excursion, with comfortable seats for everyone, and a smooth and fast ride. This is all super important, because the Na’pali coast is quite a ways away from where the docks are.
You’ll want to be comfortable seating, and not straddling the side of a boat or getting seasick on a catamaran like other tour operators. While the other raft tour may seem more popular, I think it is only because all the cruise ship passengers are shuffled on without knowing any better.
There were also snacks provided and seating toward the back that was covered and offered a smoother ride if you are someone with preexisting conditions. Read more about the full experience in my review of the Na’pali coast rafting adventure.
Lunch: Kuuleis Gourmet has incredibly delicious and handmade lunch options to satisfy everyone. From inventive sushi, to hearty soups, to sharable sandwiches. We tried a little bit of everything, and it was all amazing.
This cute cafe is located in the quaint town of Hanapepe that was featured in Lilo & Stitch the movie, so take a look around at the other family owned businesses on this street. It’s only a few minutes away from the marina, so don’t be tempted too much by that brewery across the street unless you are just looking for pizza.
Afternoon: After lunch, head to Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park. The views are stunning, and the drive is an adventure itself. Stop at Red Dirt Waterfall and some of the various lookouts along the way into the park. If you are interested in hiking in Waimea Canyon then reverse this day’s schedule and get an early start in the canyon before it gets too hot.
After taking in some of the views we were ready to hit the pool rather than the trail, so we returned to the resort. However, not without stopping in at Kauai Coffee Company for free samples and a short self-guided tour.
Evening: Grab some takeout for dinner from a restaurant or food truck to enjoy it back at the resort. After a long day of exploring, you won’t want to leave or get dressed up again.
Day 4: Helicopter Tour and North Shore
Morning: Kick off the day with a helicopter tour over Kauai. It’s a splurge, but absolutely worth it for those aerial views. We had another day of perfect weather, so the helicopter was able to go to even the highest points on the island. Doing a helicopter tour in Kauai is a must do, because 97% of the island is undeveloped, making it an authentic look at the landscape of Hawaii.
And let’s face it: no doors is more fun! What other moment are you going to get to take hang out of a helicopter for the most perfect videos and photos without being limited to a window. This tour departs from the airport, so you are right in Lihue, close to another fun activity.
Lunch: Visit the Koloa Rum Company for a tasting (reservation cost $5). Each day has a different little drink you’ll be putting together with their various rums. Our guide was super enthusiastic and it was nice to have a different kind of activity to break up the adventures.
We found the perfect quick lunch spot at the Fish Express. Their specialty is different varieties of fish poke, but they also have hot plates. I suggest grabbing it and eating it at the picnic tables at the Koloa Rum Company before your tour.
Ha’ena State Park
Then, start the drive north to Ha’ena State Park. To visit this park you will need to grab a parking or shuttle reservation as soon as the date opens for booking. Literally set an alarm, because spots are gone nearly instantly. I did and still couldn’t manage to get the access I wanted.
Pro Tip: Getting into Ha’ena State Park can be tricky. Bookings open up 30 days in advance at 12am HST and go immediately. Get familiar with the ticket options beforehand. The one you’ll want it entry +parking, settle for the shuttle if you must. ($10 parking, $5 entry per person)
The most famous path to hike at Ha’ena State Park is the Hanakapi’ai Beach & Waterfall. It is 8 miles round trip and can get muddy so bring proper hiking shoes. To reduce the hike intensity, you can go up to the beach only (4 mi round trip), instead of all the way to the waterfall.
State Park Alternatives
Since getting reservations to visit didn’t work out for my family, this is high on my wish list for next time. Instead, we checked into the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay and hung out in the pool and beach there. We loved our stay and can’t recommend it enough for a luxurious vacation.
Alternatively, you can make your day into stops along the road north. You can see waterfalls like Wailua Falls and Opaeka’a Falls, do a chocolate tour at Lydgate Farms, stop at the Kilauea Lighthouse, and explore Hanalei.
Day 5: Departure
Plan on relaxing and taking in the last of Kauai before departing to another island or back home. If this is your first time in Hawaii, then I suggest adding on Oahu for a completely different feel.
If you are still considering the best flights to get to Hawaii then be sure to look at using points for flights. For more ways to save on your Hawaiian vacation then read the full guide to Hawaii.
