Itinerary Summary
Day 1: Na Pali Coast (and Hanakāpīʻai Falls), Tunnels Beach, Hanalei
Day 2: Queen’s Bath, Wailua River State Park, Wailua Falls, Tree Tunnel, Poipu Beach
Day 3: Waimea Canyon and Polihala State Park
Where is Kauai?
Kauai is Hawaii’s fourth-largest island and it’s located on the north end of the island chain. Sometimes called ‘The Garden Island’, it’s famous for its lush landscapes, as 97% of the land is covered by forest. This 3-day Kauai itinerary will guide you while visiting this impressive island.
How Can I Get to Kauai?
There are only 2 ways to get to Kauai: by air or by sea.
Arriving by plane is the best way to get to Kauai. There are flights connecting Kauai and many cities in the mainland US, just like LA, San Francisco, Denver, Seattle, and many more.
There are also many flights that connect Kauai and the other Hawaiian islands: the Big Island, Maui and Oahu. This is a great opportunity to include more than one island on your trip to Hawaii, as all these flights are less than one hour long.
The only way to get to Kauai by sea is by taking a cruise. On top of being expensive, cruises don’t stay on the island long enough to give passengers the time to discover Kauai to its fullest. That’s why I wouldn’t recommend this option and would encourage you to travel by air and spend a few days there.
Airlines that Fly to Kauai from the Mainland US
- Southwest
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta
Note: WestJet connects Kauai with Vancouver, Canada.
Airlines that Fly Between Kauai and the Other Hawaiian Islands
- Hawaiian Airlines
- Southwest
Transportation on Kauai
The truth is that, to get to the most iconic spots on Kauai, you’ll need to rent a car. There are public buses that connect some towns (you can check the bus schedules here, but the most beautiful attractions can only be reached by car.
There are many car rental companies on Kauai, and you can directly pick up the car upon your arrival at the airport to start your road trip around the island right away.
Driving on Kauai is really easy and safe. The driveways are in perfect condition, and you’ll find parking spots everywhere. Contrary to the other Hawaiian islands, you can’t drive around the island, as the driveway finishes at the northeast coast, where you’ll find the impressive Na Pali Coast. It takes around 2.5 hours to cover the whole route from one end of the driveway to the other.
Essential tip: Rent a 4 X 4 truck if you are planning to visit spots off the main driveways, as you’ll have to drive on unpaved routes to reach them. In the itinerary below, you’ll find information about which of the attractions are located outside the main road.
The Best Time to Visit Kauai
There is truly no bad time to visit the island of Kauai, but here are some facts that you might want to take into account.
When it comes to the crowd factor, avoid the high season, that is, July and August.
As regards the weather, Kauai presents pretty stable and warm temperatures all year round, with December being the coldest month (60-70 °F) and July the hottest (65-80 °F). But the amount of rainfall is something to consider.
From November to March, there’s the rainy season, so some people might prefer to avoid it. Anyhow, even during these months, rain comes in short bursts and then the sun shines again.
So, to avoid the biggest crowds and enjoy the best weather, the best months to visit Kauai would be April, May, June, September and October.
3-Day Kauai Itinerary
Day 1: Na Pali Coast (and Hanakāpīʻai Falls), Tunnels Beach, Hanalei
On day 1, we’ll explore the jaw-dropping north shore. Some of the most iconic landscapes on Kauai are located here.
Our first stop will be the unique Na Pali Coast, a range of cliffs full of vegetation that offers a landscape not to be seen anywhere else in the world.
To visit the park, you’ll need to head to Ke’e Beach, where you’ll find the beginning of the Kalalau Trail. This is a 22-mile hiking trail that goes all over the Na Pali Coast until Kalalau Beach, right in the center of the park.
But you don’t need to hike the whole trail to get amazing views of the mountain. You can hike the first 2 miles until Hanakāpī‘Ai Beach and then go back to the entrance. This would take you around 2 hours.
If you are looking for an incredible hidden gem, I recommend heading to the Hanakāpīʻai Falls. Once you get to Hanakāpī‘Ai Beach, you need to turn left into the jungle (there’s a sign indicating this), and the trail will lead you to an incredible 300-foot-tall waterfall. And the best part is that you and your group will probably be the only ones there.
This detour will add almost 3 hours to your hike, but it’s one of the most fantastic spots on the whole island. After enjoying a refreshing swim under the waterfall, you’ll have to go the same way back to Hanakāpī‘Ai Beach and then back to the trail entrance at Ke’e Beach.
It’s important to mention that this is not an easy hike, mainly because there’s always a lot of mud, making the floor very very slippery. But anyone with some hiking experience and who takes the appropriate precautions can do it.
After an exhausting hike, there’s no better way to recover than by relaxing on some of the best beaches on the north shore. You’ll find the impressive Tunnel’s Beach only a 5-minute drive away from Ke’e Beach. Then, you can head to Hanalei Bay, where you’ll find the famous pier, one of the most photographed places in Kauai.
For dinner, you can either head to Princeville or stay at the quieter Hanalei. Once it’s dark, don’t forget to look up into the sky and marvel at the thousands and thousands of stars that light up the sky.
Day 2: Queen’s Bath, Wailua River State Park, Wailua Falls, Tree Tunnel, Poipu Beach
On day 2, it’s time to head to the south coast, making some unforgettable stops on the way. The perfect route from Hanalei to Poipu Beach would look something like this:
- First, a quick stop at Queen’s Bath (located in Princeville), a natural tide pool where water spills over the lava rocks. A pleasant 10-minute hike past a waterfall leads down to a rocky landscape of lava rock. Another 5-minute trek over uneven rocks leads to the bath.
- Drive along Hanalei Lookout, where you’ll get incredible views of the valley.
- Drive through the lovely town of Kapaa. This is a great moment to grab something to eat at one of the many restaurants the town hosts.
After enjoying this scenic drive, it’s time to visit Wailua Falls, a must-see stop on any 3-day Kauai itinerary. You can see the waterfalls from the lookout above or hike down to swim in them. Mind you that, currently, it’s forbidden to hike down to get to the waterfalls, so hikers must do so at their own risk.
Now it’s time to head to the last stop of the day, Poipu Beach. The route itself will lead you through an impressive Tree Tunnel, a canopy of over 500 eucalyptus trees that covers the road.
Our final stop will be Poipu Beach. This is one of the most beautiful beaches on Kauai and also one of the most crowded, but it’s well worth the visit. Don’t forget to take your snorkeling equipment with you and catch sight of some rainbow-colored fish before lying down on the sand to enjoy the sunset.
TIP: If you have some extra time, you could easily include a quick stop at the Kailua River State Park, a valley where you’ll find the Kailua River, the only navigable river in Hawaii. You can take a boat tour or just drive along it to enjoy the views. It’s advisable to have a 4 X 4 car to get into the state park, as the roads are unpaved.
Day 3: Waimea Canyon and Polihala State Park
On the last day of this 3-day Kauai itinerary, it’s time to visit the incredible Waimea Canyon. Everyone has heard about the Grand Canyon in Colorado, but few people know there’s a canyon here on Kauai, sometimes referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
The park consists of a scenic drive, lookouts of the canyon, a viewpoint, picnicking areas and trails. Make sure to set aside at least 3 hours to have time to drive along the whole park and visit the most popular lookouts. You might need more time if you are planning on doing some hiking.
Waimea Canyon essential stops:
- Waimea Canyon Lookout (Mile Marker 10)
- Waipo’o Falls Lookout “Pu’u Ka Pele Lookout” (Mile Marker 12.2)
- Kalalau Lookout (Mile Marker 18)
- Pu’u O Kila Lookout (Mile Marker 19)
Our last stop on this 3-day Kauai itinerary will be the breathtaking Polihale Beach State Park, the longest stretch of beach in the state of Hawaii. What makes this beach unique is that it’s located right next to the Na Pali Coast and you can see the beginning of the dramatic cliffs from there.
The road to Polihale Beach is not an easy one. First, you need to drive to the end of Highway 50. Then, you’ll enter an unpaved, bumpy road that leads to Polihale. It’s not advisable to get on this road in a regular car; you’ll rather need a 4 X 4 truck.
But all this hustle will be worth it, as you’ll end up at one of the most impressive beaches in the whole state of Hawaii. This is the perfect place to practice some snorkeling and enjoy a chill afternoon on the beach.
The Best Way to See the Na Pali Coast on Kauai
There are 3 ways to see the entire Na Pali Coast:
- Hiking
- By boat
- By helicopter
Hiking: Hiking the Kalalau Trail is the only way to get to the Na Pali Coast by land. The entrance is located at Hā’ena State Park and the trail stretches out for 22 miles. It takes most hikers between 2 and 3 days to cover all the way to Kalalau Beach and back. This is a very strenuous hike, only recommended for experienced hikers.
By boat: This option not only allows you to see the incredible cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, but you can also combine it with a snorkeling tour, whale watching tour or sunset tour. Most of the tours depart from Waimea and last between 4 and 7 hours.
That coast of the island is known for hosting many dolphins that tend to swim around boats (especially rafting boats) and you can also sightsee whales during the winter (November-March).
By helicopter: probably the best way to see the Na Pali Coast is by helicopter, as you will also fly above the whole island and between the Waimea Canyon. You’ll also visit the Jurassic Park Waterfall, Hanapepe Valley and the crater of Mt. Waialeale, one of the wettest spots on Earth.
The Best Places to Stay on Kauai
South Shore
The area of Poipu is one of the most famous among tourists. Here, you’ll find sunny weather most of the day and plenty of restaurants and shops. The downside is that the beaches are way more crowded than those on the north shore.
North Shore
Princeville is the most popular town in the area and it’s definitely the place I recommend staying! The north shore of Kauai offers some of the best scenic landscapes on earth, with the Na Pali Coast being the protagonist. Here, you’ll find fewer crowds and the best beaches on the island. The disadvantage is that this area of the island receives most of the rainfall.
It’s a great idea to spend one night on the north shore and the other one on the south shore so as to not lose much time driving every day.
Camping on Kauai
Camping on Oahu is also possible. This option will allow you to save money while also enjoying some of the best beaches in the world during the night, when the crowds leave. You can find the official information about camping on Kauai on the Kauai government’s website here.
There are a total of 10 campgrounds on the island, 3 of them private. You will need a camping permit to use any of them and you can easily get it online from either the Kauai or Hawaii government’s website.
Is 3 Days on Kauai Enough?
Although the island is small in comparison with the rest of the Hawaiian Islands, 3 days is barely enough time to visit the most famous spots. If you want to discover its hidden gems and explore some off-the-beaten-path attractions on Kauai, you’ll have to add at least 2 more days to your Kauai itinerary.
With that said, this 3-day Kauai itinerary will allow you to enjoy the main attractions and also give you some time to relax on the main beaches.
Conclusion
Kauai is considered by many travelers (me included) to be the most beautiful island in Hawaii. There’s something magical about its lush landscapes, untouched by men in several areas. And it’s certainly a paradise for hikers.
Although 3 days is barely enough to get to know the island, this 3-day Kauai itinerary will guide you through the most iconic spots that will leave you craving for more.
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