The Best Four-Day Trip to Kauai

Nestled in the heart of the Pacific, Kauai is a dreamscape where dramatic cliffs meet lush rainforests and sparkling turquoise beaches are tucked into every corner. Known as the “Garden Isle,” this Hawaiian gem will draw you in with its essence of untouched beauty and its vibrant spirit. From the towering ridges of the Nā Pali Coast to the peaceful shores of Hanalei Bay, Kauai truly has a draw for everyone. Whether you’re hiking through emerald valleys, snorkeling with sea turtles, or simply savoring the island’s laid-back charm (local coffee in hand please)— traveling to Kauai is an unforgettable journey into paradise. A four-day trip will zoom by before your very eyes!

Each of the Hawaiian islands has its own charm, and Kauai invokes a rather ethereal natural beauty. You would be hard-pressed to spend less than four days here— without missing out on some must-do experiences. Nature’s bounty abounds in this tropical haven of outdoor adventure. From hiking through the dazzling Nā Pali Coast coast to wandering through the immense Waimea Canyon, the magnitude of Kauai is impressive– especially for being such a relatively small island! 

Between the five of us sisters, we’ve visited a handful of times, and throughout our explorations, we’ve curated the perfect itinerary. From can’t miss sights to splurge-worthy treats to niched local stops, our four-day itinerary is the perfect way to maximize your time on Kauai.

The Vibe

While Kauai is not immune to the heavy tourism the Hawaiian islands experience, you will find it less populated and a bit more rural than its neighboring islands, such as Oahu or Maui. This generally lends itself to less shopping and late night dining options and more steal-your-breath hikes and outdoor adventures, allowing for more natural, unmarred Hawaiian beauty.

Rental Car, Take Me Far

Due to the spread out nature of Kauai, a rental car or Turo is a must if you really want to see what the island has to offer. Last time we visited we used points to rent from Budget and had a great experience. In the past, Turo was significantly cheaper, so it’s at least worth checking out! Regardless who you rent from, don’t forget to lather on some sunscreen if you’re driving with the top down!

Despite Kauai being relatively small, there is no circumferential road around the island. This is due to the immense topography of the northwest region. Efforts have been made in the past to try and connect the loop, but they have all been in vain. Some areas are just meant to remain untouched! While this might mean a little extra driving time, the views in Kauai are nothing short of spectacular, so get excited for a little extra time in the car taking in the scenery.

You wouldn’t have amazing canyons, emerald cliff coastlines, and astounding waterfalls without the terrain Kauai is known for. The island is our favorite because of its rugged charm, not in spite of! At the end of four days, you’ll already be trying to plan your next trip back!

DAY ONE

Time to ditch the bags and start exploring! While there’s thousands of options to choose from, we recommend staying on the south side of the island, in or near Koloa. We’ve used points to stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa— you can check out our full review here. It’s a pretty sweet spot if you’re looking to splurge a little. If you arrive in the morning, they’ll store your bags for you, so you don’t miss out on any adventuring time. We’ve also stayed at some fun Airbnbs! We generally find, the closer you are to the beach, the better— it’s always nice to be able to just walk to the beach instead of worrying about parking.

Birds Eye View

Start the trip off strong with an airplane tour with AirVentures. This tour is an INCREDIBLE way to kick things off, and it can actually help shape your plan for the subsequent days, if you catch a glimpse of anything particularly enticing. From your perch in the sky, you’ll see whales breaching (depending of the time of year), gorgeous Waimea Canyon, the lush Hanalei Valley, and Manawaiopuna Falls (from Jurassic Park). Not to mention the crown jewel: a dazzlingly Nā Pali Coastline. You’ll be able to enjoy the coastline from a few different vantage-points while in Kauai, but this one is almost guaranteed to be the most amazing. 

Pro tip #1: Try to snag the co-pilot seat if you can. This will have the best view as it’s the least obstructed and best for taking photographs.  

Pro tip #2: While they have a handful of different time slots throughout the day, the mid-afternoon (winter) or late-afternoon (summer) is the most ideal for the perfect Nā Pali Coast views. The coastline is on the west side of the island, so if you go too early in the day, the breath-taking views are still illustrious but a little shadowed. 

There’s no time like island time

The plan for the rest of the day? Beach time relaxation! In the Poipu/Koloa area there’s a few different easily accessible beaches to choose from: Shipwreck Beach, Brennecke’s Beach, Poipu Beach, and Kiahuna Beach. Tomorrow will be a more active day, so enjoy some beachy keen tranquility!

Even if you’re not a guest of the Hyatt, all the restaurants are open to the public! It you go to Shipwreck Beach, finish your day at the Seaview Terrace for some dinner and drinks. It’s a little spendy but, the tables are set up on a terrace overlooking the property and ocean, which makes for a pretty spectacular view. If you stay into the evening, they also have nightly live music, it makes for a groovy ambiance.

DAY TWO

The Kalalau Trail 

Today’s big adventure? Hiking the gorgeous Nā Pali Coast. From the south part of the island, it takes a little under two hours to make it up to Haena State Park, where the trail starts. You’ll want to head out early to make it to the Haena by mid-morning, making this a perfect morning to catch the sunrise before heading out. 

The Kalalau Trail is a 22 mile round trip stretch of hiking through the Nā Pali Coast. Determined hikers and backpackers may conquer this in its entirety; however, due to limited time on the island, we only recommend tackling a 4-mile loop of the trail. Many avid hikers may consider a 4 mile hike easy peasy, but the elevation in conjunction with the muddy nature of the trail makes a 4 mile trek moderately difficult, even for experienced hikers. 

Pro tip #1: A limited number of people are allowed into Haena State Park each day, so you must make reservations in advance to be admitted into the park. The tickets for daily admission go VERY quickly. They become available 30 days prior, so if you are hoping to visit Haena State Park, you should be ready to purchase your ticket early in the morning 30 days out. Spots go quickly! For more information, check out our blog post on The Kalalau Trail.

Pro tip #2: Don’t forget to screenshot your reservation before leaving your hotel/Airbnb. There is no cell service at the guard shack where you must show your reservation. 

Hanalei Beach

Depending on how much daylight you have left to burn after you’re done hiking, there’s a couple options for exploration in the north part of the island. If you’re tuckered out from the morning, head to Hanalei Beach for some well-earned relaxation. There’s a long pier that stretches into the bay, providing a top-notch view of a memorable landscape, as the sandy beach stretches out to a mountainous backdrop. 

Either on your way to or from the beach, swing by the Ching Young Village. There’s shops and loads of casual restaurants that make grabbing a snack or meal super easy. We snagged a dole whip from Aloha Juice Bar and found it quite refreshing.

Hanalei Spirits

If you have any interest in craft distillery tours, stopping by Hanalei Spirits is an absolute MUST. You will be blown away by the heart and the history behind their spirits. You will not find a better Kauai souvenir than a bottle of their traditional Hawaiian Okolehao. Tours are done by appointment only with Vindi, who is as warm and kind as she is knowledgable about using the land to create their spirits. Be sure to schedule in advance if you’re hoping to hear their story and sample all their local spirits!

Pit Stops

On the way back south, you’ll pass through the quaint town of Kapa’a. As you drive through, there’s a stretch of shops and restaurants, each more intriguing than the next. If you haven’t tried ‘lau lau’ yet, the Kahula pork lau lau at Pono Market is worth. pulling. over. for. 

If you’re in the mood for a little pick-me-up, Kauai Juice Company sells a wide array of curated juices and kombuchas. While they are a little spendy, we tried four juices and a few different kombuchas while we were there, and wished we’d bought more!  So refreshing after a day outside. 

While you’re in Hawaii, you have to try a shaved ice at some point. A local recommended Wailua Shave Ice Kauai to us, and we were so delighted with our frozen treats. Two people could easily share one; however, with such diverse flavors on the menu, it’s hard not to pick your own.

DAY THREE

Ahoy Mates 

Prepare yourself for a day jam-packed with nature’s beauty. Setting sail with Captain Andy’s Na Pali Coast Tour means an early start and a lovely day out on the boat. Happiness is the feeling of the sun on your face and the wind in your hair as you lounge on a 65-foot sailboat. While the main objective is views of the Nā Pali Coast, visiting in winter almost guarantees a whale sighting or two. We were lucky enough to encounter a pod of dolphins, so keep your eyes peeled!

Depending on the weather conditions for the day, you may also have the opportunity to go snorkeling. It’s hard to resist the opportunity to get up close and personal with the ocean-life. We happened to get lucky and even saw a sea turtle swim by (but gave it a very wide berth!).

As with any tour, the crew and captain are nothing short of amazing. From keeping everyone safe, well-fed, and happy to providing local recommendations, everyone goes above and beyond to make it a lovely trip out on the water. The tour includes breakfast, fresh juice, lunch, and drinks. All the food was pretty tasty— especially considering it was made on the boat! 

Pro tip: throughout the winter months, the ocean tends to become more choppy later in the day, so if you’re visiting December through February, your best bet will be getting out in the morning. If you are visiting in late spring, summer, or early fall, you might be better off going on an afternoon tour. By mid-afternoon, the sun has swung to the west side of the island, pulling the Nā Pali Coast from the shadows and putting it on prominent display.

Waimea Canyon State Park

Waimea Canyon State Park has been dubbed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and once you catch a glimpse, you’ll understand why. This immense canyon is shaded in hues of green and orange, making it quite the sight to behold. While you’re driving through the park, there are a myriad of viewpoints and overlooks, so if you miss one, there will be another! The sheer quantity of lookout points means you do not have to go hiking to “earn” a fantastic view; however, there are ample hiking trails to discover throughout the park. 

Note: It can get a little chilly and windy up here, so be sure you have a jacket or wind-breaker to keep you warm.

Sunset at MacArthur Beach

Maximizing your views during daylight hours means catching the sunset at MacArthur Beach (also called Kekaka Beach Park). A less touristy beach spot, this is the perfect place to come dig your toes into the sand as you watch the sun slip away. Plus, depending on when you depart, this may be your last chance to catch a Hawaii sunset.

Big Brewski

After a long day, rest your weary bones at Kauai Island Brewing Company to enjoy some good food and drinks. So close to the ocean, it’s hard not to enjoy the seafood. We both ordered fish (delish), but heard good things about their pizza from multiple sources. Their beers more than hit the spot.

DAY FOUR

Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail

The Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail is almost four-miles out-and-back, but this trail is less of a hike and more of a scenic walk. Starting at Shipwreck Beach, this makes the trailhead relatively easy to find. There’s nothing like knowing you have an imminent flight to make you want to stretch your legs a little extra! 

Big Chillin’

Perhaps you’re less keen on long walks and more preferential towards passively soaking up the sun. Enjoy your last few hours on the beach, taking in the relaxing sunny warmth and peaceful lull of the ocean. You won’t be able to bask in the sun like this at home!

Beer before you go 

If you have time for one last stop before you head out, Kauai Beer Company is a perfect pre-departure stop as it’s less than 5 minutes from the airport. With excellent food and beer options, it’s a perfect way to indulge in one last local fix before you head home. 

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Kauai in Review

If you’re looking for staggering feats of nature and abounding luscious landscapes, Kauai should be at the top of your travel bucket list. That being said, you will not find extensive night life or high-end shopping here. Kauai is not immune to the reflections of tourism; however, Kauai is inviting to visitors so enthralled by her natural beauty, the tawdry of mainstream tourism isn’t found here .

When visiting the Hawaiian Islands, it’s not uncommon to try and fit in visits to more than one island. As such, this can mean figuring out how to allot your days. In our opinion, four days/three nights is the minimum you should set aside for Kauai. While it’s not a large island, nature shows off in a big way here. Our four-day agenda is rather action packed, so you could spread this out over six days if you have more time and desire a bit slower pace.

Considering heading to Big Island? Check out our one week itinerary to maximize your time adventuring around this large, diverse isle.

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