Ultimate Hawaii 10 Day Itinerary: Kauai & Oahu

Aloha! Get ready for an adventure packed with breathtaking landscapes, thrilling activities, and a taste of local culture. I’ve put together a Hawaii 10 day itinerary based on a recent trip, blending relaxation and excitement across Kauai and Oahu.

Hawaii was a trip I had put off for a while, instead prioritizing Europe or the convenience of the Caribbean, but I was so impressed! There is so much to see and do, and each island is truly different. So while I can’t wait to go back, it is going to be difficult to top this itinerary I did with my family (my parents and brother).

Accommodations in Hawaii

How many Nights to Stay

Split your Hawaiian 10 day trip roughly in half with 5 nights on Kauai and 4 nights on Oahu. On Kauai, spend 3 nights in Poipu and 2 nights on the North shore in Princeville. On Oahu, stay 3 nights in Waikiki and 1 night on the North shore.

You could instead decide to only stay in one hotel on each island, but we wanted to experience different resorts and cut down on drive times.

Where to Stay

Kauai

In Poipu, we immediately felt like we were on vacation when we checked into the Grand Hyatt Kauai. 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 of Kauai 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.

Oahu

In Waikiki, we stayed at the Hyatt Centric Waikiki. Although not on the beach, which actually turned out to be a benefit due to the strikes, the Hyatt Centric Waikiki offered modern coastal design with friendly service and a central location. They also offered complimentary beach chairs and boogie boards for guests, which was great for packing up to take to beaches outside of Waikiki.

We were also able to experience the Ritz Carlton Oahu Turtle Bay, which has some of the best amenities on the north end of Oahu, as described in my full review of the property.

Day 1: Arrival in Kauai

You’ll arrive by flying into Lihue (LIH) airport. Pick up your rental car and head to your resort in Poipu.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. 

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 & Koloa

 Enjoy a relaxed morning at the resort. Explore the beautiful grounds or hit the pool.

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. 

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: Kauai’s Natural Wonders- 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.

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.

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: Going Up! Helicopter Tour & 1 Hotel

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.

Afterwards, 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.

Stops you can make along the way there include waterfalls like Wailua Falls and Opaeka’a Falls, do a chocolate tour at Lydgate Farms, view the Kilauea Lighthouse, and explore Hanalei.

Day 5: Ha’ena State Park

To visit Ha’ena State 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.

Day 6: Flight to Oahu

Have a leisurely start to your day with breakfast at the hotel and take in your last bit of time but the pool before hopping on a flight to Honolulu.

Arrive at Honolulu airport. Expect to take a while to get out of Honolulu airport. It can be difficult to navigate, and the various terminals and services are very far from one another. It was a very far walk from the gate to the rental car area, so if you are impaired, definitely seek assistance.

Check into a centrally located hotel and then explore the shops and restaurants of Waikiki. Parking can be a hassle, so leave your car at the hotel while walking around town or use Uber for a quick ride. 

For dinner we opted for an authentic Japanese meal at Waikiki Shokudo. We had several stand out dishes there (don’t miss the ichibo steak) and great service both at the bar and seated at a table. 

We also heard from locals that House Without a Key is a great oceanfront option. Grab a nightcap nearby at the jazz club Lewers’s Lounge.

Day 7: Get Active in Honolulu (Dive, Surf, or Hike)

Start with breakfast at Basalt, Heavenly Island Lifestyle, or ALOH Health Bar & Cafe (order ahead). Then choose your own adventure, in the water or on land. 

I personally opted for a half day of scuba diving in Honolulu with Trident Adventures. The water was clear, the sites were not too far from shore, and we saw lots of sea turtles. I’m so glad I did this tour, because otherwise I would not have seen sea turtles on this trip. It is definitely worth going out on a boat to see them like on this snorkel tour or this shallow dive tour.

Meanwhile, my brother rented a surfboard to catch some waves in Waikiki. You could, of course, just relax on the beach as well. 

Want to check off every signature Hawaiian activity? Then hike Diamond Head for panoramic views over Waikiki. The Diamond Head hike is considered pretty doable for most levels of fitness as it is paved, but does require many steps. 

Pro Tip: Book your Diamond Head hike parking in advance. Spots fill up fast! Use a ride share app to catch a ride to the trailhead if you can’t secure a parking permit.

Evening: Catch happy hour at Herringbone Waikiki for great specials on drinks and appetizers. Or line up at Marugame Udon for their famous noodles. For a rooftop bar, stop in at Hideout.

Day 8: Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden & Kailua Beach

Visit Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden — it’s a peaceful retreat, and best of all, it’s free! It’s a popular place for photos, but keep in mind that you are no longer allowed to stop in the middle of the road for a certain instagram shot. The gardens close at 4, so it is better to schedule this earlier in your day. 

Then, make your own judgement about the best pancakes in Kailua by making the line to dine at Cinnamon’s or at Boots & Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen. Amazing varieties of pancakes can be found at either, like banana pancakes with macadamia nut sauce (B&K), cinnamon roll pancakes (C), and guava chiffon pancakes (C).

If you’re not in the mood for breakfast, then stop by Mala Market or Kalapawai Market for a sandwich to take to Kailua beach. While in Kailua don’t miss Obama’s favorite shaved ice spot, Island Snow The all natural, homemade flavorings make this shaved ice a special treat.

Spend the rest of the day at the beach and have a barbecue dinner at Easy’Que. Don’t leave just yet, stay for some nightlife at the speakeasy style restaurant, Gaslamp. 

Alternative: Go the other way around the island to get to Kailua, and instead make reservations to snorkel in Hanauma Bay and then hike the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail.

Day 9: North Shore Snorkeling & Luau

Spend some time beach hopping — Laniakea Beach is great for spotting sea turtles, Waimea Beach for cliff jumping, and Three Tables or Shark’s Cove for snorkeling. Stop for a refreshing açaí bowl at Hale’iwa Bowls or The Sunrise Shack. 

We had gotten a late start this day so after stopping at Laniakea Beach (no turtles when we were there, but heard that others did see them that day) and The Sunrise Shack, we went straight to Ritz Carlton Oahu Turtle Bay Resort to enjoy the facilities.

I did not find the snorkeling impressive at Kuilima Cove (at the Turtle Bay Resort), but it is a pretty popular spot.

Evening: Experience a traditional Hawaiian luau at Toa Luau ($135-$165 per person). The evening starts with cultural activities and demonstrations, followed by dinner and the dance show. The show featured styles of dance from throughout Polynesia and ended with fire dancers. 

Pro Tip: The Luau ticket includes entrance to explore Waimea Valley and its stunning waterfall. You can arrive early or return to explore within 7 days before/after the luau you attend. The trail is quite long, and has cultural stops, so get the little train to take you to the end if you are short on time.

When scheduling your trip, pay special attention to what days of the week you are where. Luaus do not occur daily, so always check that the time and place line up correctly.

Day 10: Departure

Today is the day to do whatever you may have missed on other days! I find it is always useful to have flexible day in case things need to be rescheduled or the pace is too fast. After hitting the breakfast buffet, we did several of the things that had eluded us in the prior days. 

We walked to the waterfall in Waimea Valley, had Matsumoto Shave Ice in the historic Haleiwa town, and stopped in a at the Dole Plantation. The Dole Plantation was as overrated as I would expect, but it was cool to drive through the pineapple fields.

Fly out in the evening from Honolulu airport. Dining options were limited at the airport, so we ended up with prepackaged sushi. If you have a bit of extra time, the Plumeria Lounge at the airport is a relaxing spot to unwind before your flight, access it with priority pass or a credit card. There’s an entire garden around the lounge area as well that anyone can access. 

If you are looking for ways to save on your Hawaii trip, then don’t miss my full guide to using points to book a Hawaiian vacation.