I’m finally getting around to sharing my Kauai travel guide! In early May, Brett and I returned home from a strenuous four-day backpacking trip, finally got to shower and sleep in our bed for one night, and then had to catch a 5 am flight the following morning to Kauai. We didn’t intentionally plan back-to-back trips, but our Havasupai dates were locked in pre-Covid, and then we decided to join my parents on their Kauai trip after they booked. While it was a quick turnaround, Kauai was the perfect destination to recover and relax. Here’s my first-timer’s Kauai travel guide to help you plan your trip to the Garden Isle:
Where to Stay in Kauai:
We stayed at Kauai Beach Resort & Spa and had such a great time that I tried to convince Brett to extend our trip a few extra days — darn PTO! It’s centrally located between the North and South shores, only a 6-minute drive from the airport in Lihue. Unlike many other clustered properties in Poipu, this resort is tucked down a beautiful long tree-lined drive. Upon entering, we were greeted with the most gorgeous view.
I was impressed by the expansive lobby and loved how the floor-to-ceiling glass doors directly faced the pools. One morning, I brought my book and Starbucks coffee to enjoy in one of their comfy chairs with lovely views.
Since we’re constantly on the go, we typically don’t put much emphasis on our room itself as long as the room’s clean and the bed’s comfortable. Our corner room had a king-sized bed and a garden view. However, my favorite feature was that we could pop out the side door and head straight to the pool rather than walk back down the long hallway and through the lobby — I appreciated the convenience!
Speaking of the pools, Kauai Beach Resort & Spa has four pools featuring waterfalls, a slide, and two hot tubs. There’s also a bar and grill by the pool called Driftwood that’s great for a quick lunch and drinks. We loved grabbing slushies and cocktails and lounging poolside.
In addition to Driftwood, there are two other dining options on the property: Naupaka Terrace and Shutters Lounge.
Naupaka Terrace serves breakfast and dinner. For breakfast, I got the delicious fried rice “bibimbap,” a welcome change from my usual eggs and bacon order. If you go for dinner, save room for the dark chocolate mousse cake because the entrees are generous portions. Brett typically isn’t a big chocolate dessert fan (my fave), but even he enjoyed it, and we quickly cleaned the plate right up!
Shutters Lounge is a lively spot for dinner or a nightcap while enjoying live music. We stopped in the night Konane was playing (check the entertainment calendar), and Chanel’s voice blew me away — I highly recommend and check out other events offered, like sunrise yoga.
Last but certainly not least, treat yourself to a spa treatment at Hawaiian Rainforest Spa. Let it be this if you splurge on one thing on your vacation. We came on the last day of our trip, and it was the perfect way to unwind after two busy back-to-back trips.
The entire experience was peaceful and relaxing from the minute we walked in. After changing into our robes, we immediately headed to the dry sauna. Our therapists came and got us for our 90-minute couples massage from there, which included a lomi lomi massage, warm hydrating coconut scalp enhancement, and hand and foot scrubs. My therapist was attentive and thorough (she even massaged my ears!); it was the best massage ever. At one point, I fell asleep, which is not uncommon for me. Afterward, I asked Brett if he did as well, and he joked, “No, I wanted to be awake to experience every minute!” They were kind enough to let us return to the dry sauna at the end because we couldn’t get enough.
What to Do in Kauai:
Stroll through Old Koloa Town. It’s a shopping village in the heart of Old Koloa Town, filled with dining options, unique art galleries, and shops. After waking up at 2 am to catch our flight to Kauai, we were eager to pop into Mango’s for an afternoon pick-me-up coffee, and my stepdad ordered the shave ice. It’s a cute little area to walk around and pick up souvenirs for family and friends back home!
See the Spouting Horn. Located on the South Shore, it’s worth the quick stop to see the blowhole that spouts out water (as high as 50 feet) every time the pressure builds up underneath. It’s free, and there’s plenty of parking.
Relax at Poipu Beach. After swimming at cold waterfalls in Havasupai, it was refreshing to dip my toes in the water at Poipu Beach. It’s a family-friendly beach with a variety of activities for everyone! The Travel Channel even once named it America’s Best Beach.
Hike in Haena State Park. Reservations are required, so set a reminder (available up to 30 days in advance) because parking tickets sell out as soon as they’re released. If they sell out, there’s the shuttle option, which we did. There are a few different points to hike to, but we just went to the coast viewpoint, which was only roughly a mile there and back. Initially, we planned to trek to Hanakapi’ai Beach, but after Havasupai, we decided we didn’t want to do any long hiking.
Visit the Kilauea Lighthouse. We didn’t realize they also require reservations to help manage demand and limited parking. Luckily, the kind woman at the gate allowed us to enter upon arrival since they weren’t fully booked. There’s an entrance fee, but they accept America the Beautiful Pass (which we forgot at home!). It takes about 40 minutes to enjoy your visit and stop along the way for pictures.
Drive up Waimea Canyon. Also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, it’s worth the long, windy drive for the stunning views. There are lots of scenic overlooks to stop at along the way for photo ops. We drove to Pu’u O Kila Lookout in Kokee State Park, a separate park adjacent to Waimea Canyon. It’s supposed to have a fantastic view, but it was too cloudy when we were there to see anything.
Walk the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail. This is an excellent sunrise spot that makes for great photos. It’s a 3.8-mile out-and-back trail, but we just hiked in until we found a place we liked to watch the sunrise and snap a couple of pics.
Take a dinner sunset sail with Capt Andy’s. As soon as I shared that we were going to Kauai for the first time, I started hearing rave reviews about Capt Andy’s from friends and coworkers. They have numerous tours like adventurous raft expeditions, but we opted for a more relaxing experience with a dinner at sunset while cruising along the Na Pali Coast.
From the second we arrived to check in, the staff was attentive, friendly, and fun. We booked the 65′ catamaran, which was spacious, with spots for everyone to get a great view. If you’re worried about motion sickness, we all took Dramamine beforehand, which I’m glad we did because we hit rough seas. However, the coastline was breathtakingly beautiful and a must-see in Kauai. While we didn’t see any whales, a pod of dolphins swam by, which was my favorite part (it never gets old no matter how many times I see them). Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the dinner was delicious!
Go on a rum safari tour. Although we booked this last minute and didn’t have high expectations, I can’t recommend this tour enough! Even though I’m not a big alcohol drinker, I still loved the experience. Our tour guides were informative, hilarious, and thoughtful in offering to make my cocktails without the rum. This tour isn’t kid-friendly, so don’t let the safari part fool you.
Book a luau. A luau is a Hawaiian tradition featuring local foods followed by entertainment, including Hawaiian music and hula. There are multiple luau options on Kauai, and we went with Smith Family Garden.
Where to Eat in Kauai:
Ilima Terrace — This open-air terrace at the Grand Hyatt provides beautiful ocean and garden views. Brett and I shared two appetizers since we grabbed a late lunch and had early dinner reservations. I highly recommend the ahi poke!
Keoki’s Paradise — A fun place to celebrate a fun first day in paradise! The ambiance was fantastic, with live music playing in the background. I ordered a piña colada served in a pineapple I forgot to get a picture because it was that good). Brett and I shared the crispy hoisin honey pork ribs and the chef’s fresh fish duo for dinner. Don’t forget to save room for dessert and try their hula pie.
Holey Grail Donuts — The unique donut shop uses taro as the starch and then fries the dough in coconut oil. We got the tasting box, a curated four-pack of rotating flavors using local ingredients. Finding the food truck was confusing using Apple Maps, but it’s in a food truck park with covered seating to enjoy your donuts and coffee. If you’re in the Hanalei area, it’s worth stopping and snagging a box.
The Dolphin — We stopped in for lunch, not realizing the restaurant wasn’t open, but their fish market was for us to place to-go orders. Out front, there are tables by the river to sit and enjoy their delicious ahi poke.
Bar Acuda — I think this spot is worth the hype. While researching for our trip, this tapas restaurant was the most recommended, so I booked a table as soon as reservations became available (they go quickly!). I wish we had gotten more photos of the beautifully plated dishes, but the lighting wasn’t optimal. My favorite dishes were the brioche rolls, seared sea scallops, and grilled lamb riblettes.
Little Fish Coffee — Don’t let the long line deter you; there’s a reason everyone’s waiting! The portions are generous enough to share, so Brett and I split the pakala bowl (still dreaming about that) and breakfast bagel.
Lava’s on Poipu Beach — Located at the Sheraton Kauai Resort, this is another great lunch spot with beautiful beach and pool views. I got a frozen mudslide and sautéed shrimp bento which were both delicious.
Tidepools — It’s a shame Brett forgot his camera that night because the ambiance was terrific, with open-air bungalows along a koi-filled lagoon. If you’re looking for a romantic restaurant for an anniversary, this is the perfect place.
Wong’s Chinese Restaurant — Whenever we’re traveling, I always try to get Chinese food at least once because it’s such a comfort food. This is an excellent spot for a casual, relaxing lunch in Hanapepe. My mom and I loved the half duck, Brett got his usual orange chicken, and my stepdad was impressed with the hamburger. I’d love to try some of their decadent chocolate bakery items next time!
Java Kai — Like Little Fish Coffee, this place had a line out the door. If aesthetic coffee shops are your thing, you’ll love this cute teal building. I wanted to try the croi-sean-wich, but we were running late to our tour, so we grabbed some pastries instead — our fave was the chocolate-dipped macaroon! We also both tried their blended drinks, which are like Starbucks frappuccinos.
The Plantation House by Gaylords — After the rum safari tour, you’ll probably be buzzed enough that you’ll want to grab lunch here to sober up before driving. Brett and I shared three appetizers: ahi poke stack, beef tenderloin carpaccio, and hamachi sashimi.
This Kauai travel guide is just a slice of what Kauai offers, and I can’t wait to visit again and explore more. If you have any questions or additional recommendations, please leave them in the comments! xo
Check out some of my other travel guides to inspire your next trip:
A Local’s Travel Guide to St. Louis, Missouri
Why You Need to Add Clear Lake, Iowa to Your Summer Bucket List
One Day in Bisbee, Arizona Itinerary
36 Hours in Boulder, Colorado: Ultimate Travel Guide
Golden, Colorado Travel Guide
Thank you to Kauai Beach Resort & Spa for hosting our stay and Capt Andy’s for complimentary tickets. As always, all opinions are my own.
Looks incredible! Would love to visit this part of Hawaii someday…saving these recs for a future trip.
That does sound (and LOOK!) like the perfect relaxing vacation. I love any sort of vacation where you don’t want to go home at the end; that to me is the sign of a perfect vacation.
LOVE this!!!! I went to Kauai a few years ago and I absolutely fell in LOVE with this island!!!! Thank you so much for sharing, so nice to reconnect with these memories 😉
Once again, my bucket list gets ever longer hahaha
Wowza it all looks so beautiful – I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii and you’ve inspired me again!
This is an epic guide to Kauai for first-timers. I’ve been there once but would love to return and check out more from your travel guide.
Hawaii is so on my bucket list. Looks as though you had a lot of fun, had a great place to stay, and enjoyed some wonderful food.
I love visiting Kauai. It has everything you need – great beaches, food and exquisite scenery without the crowds!
Thank you so much for this. I just booked my ticket and I’m so excited for my trip to Hawaii.
It looks like you had a wonderful experience in Kauai. I’ve never been and would love to go someday. That hotel looks so nice and relaxing. Thanks for all your recommendations. I’m saving this post for later.
Those pictures look amazing. Kauai, here I come!
Love this post and your blog! So informative and aesthetically pleasing haha I have never been to Hawaii but I hope to make it there someday! Cheers!
Looks like a great trip!
Stunning pictures, this looks like an amazing trip! Those hikes, like the heritage trail ect look beautiful! One day I’ll visit Hawaii!
Wow! Looks like a great trip. Heading to Hawaii in February so may need to stop here for a couple days!
This looks like the most divine vacation ever! So charming! Makes me so excited about going to Hawaii next summer!
I would love to visit Hawaii one day. These photos are so cute and I am so glad you got to have a relaxing time.
Such a lovely post. Thank you for sharing about your experience visiting. Enjoyed reading. 🤗
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Niiice! Kauai is such a great mix of amazing scenery and great looking food! I can see why you loved it!
Ahh, I’d love to check out Haena State Park (and really just all of Kauai!) — I stopped by once upon a time while on a cruise to the different islands but would love to spend time for longer on each island!
Hawaii is a dream of mine. Your post looks like a dream come true! thanks for the fantastic photos and well-thought-through guide. Saving it for later!
What a great list! My siblings have been to Hawaii but I haven’t yet. This makes me want to jump on a plane right now!
I plan to visit Hawaii some day and this post was really informative! You put a lot of pictures and thought into it and it’s really appreciated.
Hawaii in general is on my bucket list, but this entire article has me completely sold! Thank you for sharing your trip
So dreamy!! Thanks for sharing!
This looks amazing! I want to go!
Kauai looks like an amazing place to visit. I love the photos. It is a great combination of nature, good food, and fancy places. Thanks for sharing this useful post!
Hawaii is a bucket list destination for me and this is the perfect list to help me start dreaming more about it! That hotel looks sooooo amazing. Hope you had an incredible time!
Love your restaurant recommendations! I hope to make it back to Kauai some day!
Great article. Kauai is one of my favorite places.
Amazing post with such great details!!