Hawaii Adventure Series: Kauai - 4 days of bliss!
- wanderer
- Aug 11, 2024
- 7 min read
Kauai, known as the "Garden Isle," is famous for its verdant scenery, beautiful beaches, and abundant natural beauty. Being the fourth largest island in Hawaii, Kauai provides a variety of attractions and things to do for tourists.
Below is a calming 4-day itinerary for the Garden Isle.
Day 1:
After arriving at Lihue airport, we proceeded to our lodging in the charming town of Kapaʻa, renowned for its local shops, art galleries, and dining establishments.
For our accommodation, we selected the Kauai Shores Hotel situated on the stunning coconut coast.
Upon arriving in Kapa'a at various times throughout the day and depending on your energy levels, you have the option to either enjoy a leisurely stroll at the nearby Lydgate Beach Park, embark on a more active exploration of the Wailua River State Park, or opt for a gentle hike to the ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls. Situated close to the town of Wailua, this impressive 151-foot waterfall descends a verdant hillside into a secluded pool, rendering it a destination not to be missed for its accessibility and beauty.
Day 2:
Following a delightful breakfast at a café in Kapa'a, get ready for a memorable aerial tour of the Garden Isle. This is one of the top ways to witness the island's breathtaking landscapes, some of which cannot be reached by land.
There are many tour operators to chose from for the tour, some of them are:
We selected Wings Over Kauai for our outing because they offer fixed-wing plane tours with spacious windows that provide exceptional views.
The tour typically runs for about 65 minutes and frequently reaches full capacity. It is recommended to book in advance to guarantee your desired time slot. In my opinion, any time is perfect for enjoying the vast landscapes of Kauai. To maximize our time, we opted for a morning tour, leaving the rest of the day free for further exploration.
Prior to or following your air tour, make your way to the Kīlauea Lighthouse.
Perched on an impressive cliff at Kīlauea Point, the lighthouse provides stunning vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged shoreline.
You can visit the lighthouse and refuge from Wednesday to Saturday, between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, however, it is advisable to verify the current operating hours and entrance fees. An entrance fee is charged to help fund the conservation initiatives of the refuge.
Next we continue on to the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.
Situated on the north shore of Kauai, the wildlife sanctuary is a beautiful space committed to preserving native Hawaiian wildlife, specifically waterbirds. Although public access to the sanctuary is restricted to safeguard the delicate habitats, visitors can still observe and admire the surroundings from adjacent roads and viewpoints.
Tip Time!:
The viewpoint site is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
Following a pleasant time spent there, we can proceed to Hanalei Bay to witness the sunset, and then head to Hanalei town, a delightful place featuring shops, eateries, and cultural attractions, for a satisfying meal.
Day 3:
Today, we are visiting the magnificent Nā Pali Coast, one of Hawaii's most iconic and awe-inspiring regions. Renowned for its striking cliffs, verdant valleys, and pristine beaches, the Nā Pali Coast spans 16 miles along the northwestern shore of Kauai, making it a top destination for those who appreciate nature and seek adventure.
The sea cliffs rise to heights of up to 4,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean, with the coastline featuring emerald-green cliffs, narrow valleys, cascading waterfalls, and rugged ridges.
The valleys nestled among the cliffs boast abundant tropical vegetation, comprising native plants and forests. Kalalau, Hanakoa, and Honopu are noteworthy valleys, each with distinctive characteristics and historical significance.
Here are some notable sites worth exploring when you have the time:
Kalalau Beach
Honopu Beach
Sea Caves
There are numerous stunning hiking trails in this vicinity. Our choice was the Kalalau Trail.
Known as one of the most renowned and demanding hikes in Hawaii, the Kalalau Trail is situated along the Nā Pali Coast on Kauai Island. Spanning 11 miles, this trail provides expansive vistas of the coastline, lush valleys, and unspoiled beaches. The complete hike covers a round trip of 22 miles with a 5000ft elevation gain.
Before you jump to conclusions, that may seem like a long distance. You don't need to complete the entire hike, and we certainly didn't. We only covered the beginning section to reach a lookout point with breathtaking views of the beach.
The trail is segmented into the following parts, so you can choose to complete one or all of the sections based on your schedule.
Ke'e Beach to Hanakāpīʻai Beach (2 Miles One-Way)
The first section of the trail takes you from Ke'e Beach to Hanakāpīʻai Beach. This part of the trail is relatively moderate and offers beautiful coastal views.
Hanakāpīʻai Beach to Hanakāpīʻai Falls (2 Miles One-Way)
From Hanakāpīʻai Beach, you can take an additional side trail to Hanakāpīʻai Falls. This 4-mile round-trip hike is challenging, with river crossings and muddy terrain, but the reward is a stunning 300-foot waterfall.
Hanakāpīʻai Beach to Kalalau Beach (9 Miles One-Way)
The most challenging section of the trail, this stretch takes you through five major valleys—Hanakoa, Waiahuakua, Waiʻaleʻale, Honopu, and Kalalau—before reaching Kalalau Beach. The trail is narrow, steep, and exposed in places.
If you have more time, do check out more hikes in the area or at the Hāʻena State Park.
Tip time!:
To manage the high demand and protect the environment, Hāʻena State Park now mandates advanced reservations for entry, whether arriving by car or on foot. Reservations should be secured online well ahead of time, particularly during busy periods.
For a hassle-free and environmentally conscious journey to the park, visitors can utilize a shuttle service operating from different locations along the north shore.
Parking spaces are limited, and a parking reservation is necessary for those opting to drive to the park.
If you're not in the mood for hiking and are looking to experience something new, consider trying Mountain Tubing in Kauai.
Engage in this activity for a enjoyable and calming opportunity to discover the natural splendor of Kauai, featuring breathtaking scenery and a one-of-a-kind experience.
The primary provider for this activity is Kauai Backcountry Adventures.
This activity takes approximately 3-4 hours (including transportation, safety briefing, and the tubing experience).
Due to the high demand for this activity in Kauai, it is advisable to make tour reservations well ahead of time, particularly during busy tourist periods.
Day 4:
Today is the last day of our island trip. We've decided to dedicate it to exploring the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, the Waimea Canyon state park, along with a couple of other activities.
Waimea Canyon is one of Kauai's most breathtaking natural wonders. Located on the island's west side, this awe-inspiring canyon offers visitors dramatic views, hiking opportunities, and a glimpse into the geological history of Hawaii.
The canyon is approximately 14 miles long, 1 mile wide, and up to 3,600 feet deep and was created by erosion from the Waimea River and the collapse of the volcano that formed Kauai.
Our journey began by driving along state route 550, commonly referred to as Waimea Canyon Drive. This road takes you to the Canyon, providing stunning vistas of the canyon and the nearby scenery.
Next we did some hiking along the Iliau and Kukui trails. These two trails provide an opportunity to explore two unique hiking experiences, each with its own distinctive features.
The Iliau Nature Loop is a short, 0.3 miles (loop) and easy hike that offers an excellent introduction to the flora of Waimea Canyon. Named after the rare Iliau plant, which is native to Kauai, this loop trail provides scenic views of the canyon and a chance to learn about the unique plant life in the area.
Spanning 5 miles round-trip, the Kukui Trail presents a demanding hike that leads hikers from the edge of Waimea Canyon down to its floor. Renowned for its steep decline, rough landscape, and breathtaking vistas, this trail is highly favored by seasoned hikers looking for a deeper exploration of the canyon.
Tip Time!:
For the Kukui Trail, it’s best to start early in the day to avoid the heat and ensure you have plenty of daylight for the return hike. Also, best to pack some light snacks and plenty of water.
If you're not into hiking, you can go straight to our next destination, the Kauai coffee plantation.
This plantation, situated on the south shore of the island near Kalaheo, is the largest coffee farm in the United States and is a must-see for coffee enthusiasts visiting Kauai. Visitors can discover the coffee production process, sample free tastings, and wander around the picturesque grounds.
The farm has over 4 million coffee trees producing various coffee varieties. They offer free tastings and a free self guided tour of the farm.
For a more in-depth experience, consider booking a guided tour. These tours are led by knowledgeable guides who provide detailed information about the coffee growing process, the history of coffee in Hawaii, and the specific techniques used at Kauai Coffee Plantation.
To wrap up the day, we will delight in a mesmerizing sunset cruise along the Na Pali coast. The pickup location for numerous tour companies is conveniently situated near the Coffee plantation (2 miles), making it simple to schedule and monitor time while visiting the plantation.
There are several tour operators available for the sunset cruise for you to choose from:
For our outing, we opted for Kauai sea tours. We went on a 6-hour excursion on a 60-foot sailing catamaran.
Our enjoyable visit to Kauai for 4 days has concluded. We plan to come back soon to revisit places we know and discover hidden treasures we might have missed!
