Often overshadowed by the three bigger main Hawaiian islands, Kauai is more laid-back and less touristy. Its compact size makes it a perfect destination for a first-time Hawaii visitor or for a repeat visitor who wants a less intense experience.
When to Visit
People assume that Hawaii weather is consistent year-round. However, just like on the bigger islands, the weather varies with the elevation and the time of year. Unless all you want to do is go to the beach, it’s safe to say that the time of year you visit will make a difference in your experience.
For water activities such as boat cruises and snorkeling, winter can bring high surf that will either make the activity unpleasant or entirely impossible. Be prepared for cancellations and be open to rescheduling, especially if you have extra days to play with. Winter also brings rain. It’s most likely in November to March, but it can vary year to year and with the side of the island you’re on. If you’re doing a steep ridge hike, a downpour can mean making it dangerously slippery. If you’re aiming for a mountain summit such as Haleakala on Maui or Mauna Kea on the Big Island, winter can mean high winds and clouds. That said, all 6 of my Hawaii trips have been in the months between October and February. As long as you’re open to surprises, go whenever you can!
Where to Stay
Because Kauai is smaller, choosing where to stay on the island won’t impact your driving time as much as on the bigger islands. We stayed in Kapa’a, halfway up the east coast between Lihue (where the airport is) and the North Shore. We found this location super convenient because it meant equal driving time whether we were going north or south.
But it can still be beneficial to think through your location to minimize driving. If the beach is your jam, stay on the south side, in Poipu, which also has the best weather. If you’re a surfer or like more seclusion, head to the north shore, in Princeville or Hanalei.
Day 1 – south-side beaches and a Na’Pali coast boat tour
We started this day exploring some of the beaches near Poipu, then hopped on a previously booked Na’Pali coast tour. But it turned into a wildlife watching tour because the surf around Na’Pali coast was too high. We knew we’d get to see the Na’Pali cost from other vantage points later in our trip so that wasn’t a big deal for us. Do take dramamine or bonine with you – my boyfriend got seasick because of the high surf.
Day 2 – Waimea Canyon & Koke’e State Park
Hawaii’s grand canyon is a must-see! Stop at the Waimea Canyon overlook for your first glimpse and to pay for parking at the automated machine. As you make your way through the canyon, stop at whatever other pullouts strike your fancy. The hike down to Waipio Falls has great views of the canyon and it’s not too strenuous.
After that, continue to Koke’e State Park. This viewpoint at the end has great views of the Na’Pali coast!
Day 3 – Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai Beach
To actually experience the Na’Pali coast on foot, you have to hike the Kalalau trail. The full 11-mile trail is only open to those with camping permits. But you can also experience it as a day hike by doing the first 2 miles to Hanakapi’ai Beach. This also requires a reservation, which you should book as early as possible. This section of the trail is quite doable for most people, with the only potentially challenging pary being the stream crossing to get to Hanakapi’ai Beach. Because of the stream crossing, you want a dry forecast and no chance of rain whatsoever – it doesn’t take much for the stream to become a roaring river! When we did the trail in February, we got lucky with a dry spell of four days before we did the trail, so it was not muddy at all and the stream crossing was fairly easy.
Day 4 – Snorkeling and Kilauea Lighthouse
One of the best snorkeling spots for non-swimmers on Kauai is at Tunnel Beach, which is on the north shore of the island. If you’re willing to do an extra long day, you can combine this with your hike on the Kalalau Trail, since they are about a mile from each other. We did it on a separate day.
After a few hours of frolicking in the water, we stopped by the Kilauea Lighthouse on our way home. This is a site managed by the National Park Service and requires a reservation.
