Guys – our Kauai vacation was AMAZING!
I’m writing this post right when we get back so I don’t forget anything. We had such a great time on Kauai and are already planning a trip back! (For years down the road but we will definitely be back) I highly recommend a trip to Kauai if you’re looking at going to Hawaii. It’s definitely the quietest island and feels the least like one big resort. Oahu is a mix of beachy culture and major city, whereas Maui is resort-focused. Kauai is the smallest and chillest island – perfect if you want a beach vacation without huge crowds.
getting there & getting around
Since Kauai is so small you can only fly direct to Lihue from LA or Seattle. We flew to Seattle then Lihue, which was about a 6 hour flight. On the way back we flew thru Honolulu – which is a 20 minute inter-island flight! Getting to Hawaii takes a long time from the East Coast (or anywhere really) so bring a book and get ready to watch some movies!
You will definitely need a rental car on Kauai. Everything is separate and there isn’t another way to get around – the most popular cars were Jeep Wranglers and Mustangs! Next time we go we will definitely get a Wrangler – so fun.
Sunset on the South Shore
where to stay
There are 3 main areas on Kauai. South is Poipu area, East it Kapa’a, and North is Princeville/Hanalei. You will go to all 3 on your trip, but you’ll need to pick one to stay in!
South – Poipu
- This is the main resort hub of Kauai. There are so many resorts and condo communities to choose from!
- Pros: There are tons of great resorts – we heard amazing things about the Grand Hyatt. This is the sunniest part of the island, so if it’s raining elsewhere it’s probably sunny here! There are also a lot of great restaurant options, and I would put most of the “special occasion” restaurants in this area.
- Cons: It gets BUSY down here. The beaches can be super crowded because of all the resorts and parking can be a huge pain. It’s also a super long drive to the North, which has some amazing beaches and hikes.
East – Lihue, Kapa’a
- Where we stayed! We stayed at this airbnb in Kapa’a – highly recommend! It was newly remodeled, perfect amenities, and a great location.
- Pros: easy to get to the North or South shores because you’re in the middle. Tons of restaurants within walking distance. Lots of condos to rent and grocery stores to stock up on food and snacks.
- Cons: Not a very “resort” feel – you can be right on the main road (virtually no road noise….). There aren’t any super nice beaches for swimming or hanging out.
North – Princeville, Hanalei
- This ended up being our favorite area of the Island. When we come back we will probably stay up here!
- Pros: This is definitely the more “luxury” area of the Island – Princeville at least. The area is anchored by the St Regis and has a ton of gorgeous neighborhoods. More importantly, our favorite beaches by FAR were on the North Side. Hanalei is such a cute town – it also has fantastic restaurant options!
- Cons: It’s far from virtually anything else, so expect a drive at times. The Hanalei area experienced catastrophic flooding in April 2018, so there were still closures to major areas. But everything that was destroyed should be reopening in early 2019! (i.e. the Kalalau trail – MOST popular hike in Hawaii)
View from the Kalalau lookout in Waimea Canyon Park
what to do
Hike – there are some great hikes on Kauai! So if you love to hike like us, bring your hiking boots and prepare for some great trails.
- Waimea Canyon – tons and tons of hikes in here. We did the Awa’awapuhi Trail which ended up with great views. It’s tricky because you hike down the first 3.5 miles, then you have to go up the whole way out. Killer leg workout!
- Sleeping Giant Trail
Swim & Snorkel – we love snorkeling and it’s a great way to be active on a beach! (We aren’t big fans of just sitting around for hours and hours) Here are some of our favorite beaches, but I’m working on a full beach post with more details. Check back for that in a few weeks!
- For snorkeling: Anini, Hideaways, Lawai
- For hanging: Secret, Shipwreck, Hanalei Bay
PSA – you need to wear hard sandals like Keens or Chacos to hike down to Hideaways and Secret Beach. They both require a trek down and trek out! I wore my hiking boots for both.
Hanging at Hideaways beach – DEFINITELY wear sturdy shoes for the hike down!
where to eat
Yelp is your best friend! We used that to find lunches and dinners based on where we were for the day. Here are some of our favorites from the week!
Breakfast:
- Java Kai (Kapa’a)
- Kountry Kitchen (Kapa’a)
- Daddy O’s (Lihue) – local hole in the wall!
Lunch:
- Shrimp Station (2 locations) – LOVE garlic shrimp when in Hawaii!
- Tropical Taco (Hanalei) – fish tacos were delightful. Highly recommend!
- Bubba Burgers (2 locations) – great spot for classic burgers and fries. The frings (half fries, half onion rings) are perfect for people who want both!
- Costco Food Court (Lihue) – it’s the cheapest place on the island to eat, and who doesn’t love their chicken bakes?
Dinner:
- Dukes (Lihue) – great views and their Hula Pie is a MUST
- Verde (2 locations) – great fresh Mexican food. Not as heavy and sauce-y as you would typically get, so it’s way lighter and fresher!
Sunset at Hanalei Bay
tips & tricks
- Buy The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook. Best book ever and we used it daily!!! Seriously it’s the only thing you need for the island!
- Driving anywhere takes a very long time. Like 45 minutes to go 15 miles – there is one main road and the speed limit never gets above 50, and traffic backs up very easily. It’s a place to take your time and enjoy the scenery!
- It will rain everyday, but it’s usually a short sprinkle and then disappears.
- Lots of Airbnbs say you don’t need AC because of the trade winds. Well the week we were there they actually didn’t have trade winds (local news watcher here!) so it was steamy with no breeze. This is why we booked a place with AC! So just something to consider.
- Everything is expensive on Hawaii. Think NYC prices + more. So just get ready for expensive meals and grocery stores. One tip – use your Costco membership! We only got gas there and it saved us $0.75 a gallon – so worth it.
So there you have it – my tips and suggestions for your trip to Kauai. I did a lot of research on Pinterest into ideas, so I really hope this does help any of you who find it. Kauai is a beautiful island and you will love your time there – happy vacationing!
