A Budget-Friendly Kauai Itinerary Packed Full of Adventure
Beautiful Kauai, you had me at “Aloha!” Get ready for an incredible tropical beach getaway with phenomenal scenery, many hiking trails, and fun activities! With a laid-back vibe, where wild chickens roam the roads, you will quickly realize that you don’t need a luxury trip or a bunch of expensive tours to fall in love with Kauai. Read on for an itinerary and helpful tips to help plan your Kauai adventure.
These are my honest opinions and recommendations — I do not receive any compensation or discounts during our travel. This story does include some affiliate links for which I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please click the links to support my blog.
Kauai Planning Tips
How many days on Kauai?
While the Hawaiian islands look close on a map, they require an inter-island flight which means time and money. No worries! You can easily spend a week in Kauai without feeling the need to travel to another island. We were on Kauai for nine nights and still didn’t “do it all”.
Note: Given the long travel time to get to Hawaii, you may still want to take the opportunity to visit two different islands. Maybe you can save enough on the return flight from another island to cover the cost of that hopper flight?
Winter weather in Kauai
Kauai winters bring a higher chance of rain and strong ocean waves that the other islands. Nervous this could damper our vacation? YES. Did it? HECK NO! We had some rain, but it passed quickly. The precipitation produced fantastic rainbows as well as some very muddy hiking trails. All part of the adventure! Many beaches had huge waves and you should not venture into the water or far on the rocks. A good rule of thumb in the winter is to stay out of the water unless the beach has lifeguards. We mostly stuck to this rule.
FITZ BITS TIP: If you are bringing your own snorkel gear you will want fins for the strong currents. Also pack water shoes for muddy hiking trails + some kitchen garbage bags for post-hiking shoes.
Budget
Yes, Hawaii is remote and inherently expensive. We spent about 25% more versus recent trips to trip Costa Rica or Belize. We kept the budget from going even higher by doing picnic lunches and skipping expensive tours. I did not feel that we compromised the experience AT ALL. I am glad we splurged a little on a boat and snorkeling tour, but you could certainly save money by giving up some extras and sticking to hikes, beaches, and picnics. Or increase your budget and go on a helicopter tour, movie tour, etc.
FLIGHTS: Watch airfare on Google Flights, and also check out Southwest Airlines as they now also fly to Hawaii.
RENTAL CAR: Yes! There are so many fun things to get out and see and do on Kauai.
Where to stay
Kauai is a large island! And, because of the Na Pali you cannot drive all the way around the island. I recommend you stay in Poipu (south) for half and Princeville (north) for the other half. This will allow you to explore more without hours of extra driving.
Beachfront? Not necessary if it doesn’t fit into your budget. Chances are you are going to be out exploring all day, so it is OK not to be beachfront in Kauai. In Poipu it will be nice to be within walking distance of the Poipu Beach, although not necessary. Another budget-saving tip is to stay in nearby Princeville (north) versus Hanalei Bay.
FITZ BITS TIP: Save hours of driving by staying in two locations — Poipu (south) and Princeville (north). Book your lodging and rental car as early as possible, they book up quickly over holiday weeks.
A few lodging reviews...
- Princeville VRBO: Lovely and affordable three-bedroom VRBO townhouse. Great outdoor shower.
- Lihue Mariott Resort: If you are looking for a resort experience, the Lihue Marriott Resort had a lot of offer: right on Kalapaki Beach, fun beach volleyball, good dinner at Dukes + their famous Hula Pies, a great free beach Hula Show on Sunday, onsite surfboard and SUP rentals, and free airport shuttle. Two negatives: the surfing waves were just ok and crowded, and there wasn’t much to walk to in the area.
- Lihue Garden Inn: Very simple, but a gem for our family of five for one-night after a long flight. The nicest staff!
Plan ahead for Hā’ena State Park: Ke'e Beach and the amazing Kalalau Trail
We initially booked flights to Kauai because we wanted to do the Kalalau Trail — an 11-mile hike (each way) across the rugged Na Pali coastline. We knew my adventurous boys would enjoy this strenuous and beautiful backpacking and camping trip that my husband and I experienced BK (Before Kids!). Unfortunately, the road north of Hanalei Bay, including several beautiful beaches, was still closed due to the 2018 mudslides.
Lucky for you, Ke’e Beach and the Kalalau Trail are open again! But, you have to get permits so be sure to plan ahead. Click here for information on the permit and parking reservation process.
Check out 99% Invisible Podcast on Hawaiian Shirts — SO INTERESTING!
Active Kauai Itinerary — From Poipu (south)
Day 1 | Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail + Poipu Beach Area
Morning: Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail
The trail starts at the eastern end of Shipwreck Beach — next to the Grand Hyatt. Give this out-and-back trail about three hours. Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen as there is not much shade along the trail. You may see folks cliff-jumping into the ocean at the start of this hike. The winter ocean was quite rough, so I suggest you keep walking!
The trail starts along the rocky shoreline and then a golf course. Continue on to experience all that this trail has to offer. Visit the Tortoise Reserve using one of the wooden step ladders to get in and out of the fencing. Further down the trail cross a wooden footbridge before climbing through a small opening to a large sinkhole and the Mahaulepu Cave. Exit, and walk to the beach to continue around the bend to two beautiful deserted beaches. As an out-and-back trail, you can now turn around to hike back.
Afternoon: Poipu Beach + Brennacke's Beach and Spouting Horn
Bring your towels and snorkeling gear, the popular Poipu Beach is just down the road. You may see a sea lion or turtle on the beach and this is a great snorkeling beach. There is decent turnover in the parking lot in case it is full when you arrive. Looking for some wave action? Just walk around the corner to Brennecke’s Beach, to your left if you are facing the water. You can body surf the waves or rent boogie boards at the Nukumoi Surf Co. between the two beaches.
Spouting Horn is a quick drive away and is good for a brief stop and photo while in this area of the island.
Day 2 | West Coast Beaches
Enjoy a fun and inexpensive day beach hopping along Kauai’s west coast. If you want to add a splurge today, book at Na Pali Boat Tour since they depart from the nearby Kikiaʻola Small Boat Harbor. Be sure to stop at the famous JoJo’s Shave Ice for a treat while visiting this area.
Polihale Beach, etc.
Here are ideas for beach hopping on your drive to Polihale Beach. Glass Beach is a quick stop to see a small beach full of glass rocks of varying sizes. Pakala Beach is a quiet, local beach recommended by our boat guide. Park along the road a little after mile marker 21. Walk around the gate for the path to the beach. We saw several surfers in the bay but water was quite muddy along the shoreline so we stayed out of the water — do not swim in murky water. It was fun to find and explore, but you are not missing much if you skip it. Now, your kids are going to want to get in the water! So, stop at Kekaha Beach right off the highway as you approach the drive in to Polihale Beach. This is a great beach for jumping in the waves and body surfing.
Finally, Polihale Beach is a MUST-DO! This is the farthest west you can drive before the road ends at the NaPali Coast. The last several miles of road was unpaved, but in good condition, and did not seem to require an SUV or four-wheel drive. There is no place to buy food for miles and no shade so come prepared. Do your research and be careful — do not swim here except in the lagoon on the southwestern edge of the beach and large sand dunes. With the NaPali in the background and a seemingly endless stretch of beach, you may just want to stay for the sunset.
Na Pali Boat Tour
Of course it is fun to get out on the water, so you may want to splurge for a boat tour. Our tour company closed, but there are many tour providers. We looked for a family-friendly company with a smaller yet stable watercraft…with a toilet! The morning was recommended for calmer ocean conditions.
The winter weather is variable, but on a nice day, you can get quite close to the coast. They will tell you all about the many movies filmed in the area. Hopefully, you will see humpback whales and dolphins. The snorkeling wasn’t great because the waves were too rough at their preferred spot. This trip would be a lot better in the calmer summer ocean when you can go inside the caves and land on the beach. Note: Dramamine may be your best friend on a rough winter day.
Waiema
Ready for a snack? Stop at Jojos Shave Ice in Waiema — even if there is a line. And, if you are looking for an awesome açaí bowl just walk across the street to G’s Juicebar. Also, right down the street is the Ishihara Market for poke. And, somehow we missed going to the Waiema Pier on this trip. I fondly remember enjoying takeout sashimi and a sunset there years ago.
Day 3 | Waiema Canyon
After a couple of days of beaches, it’s time to drive southwest to visit Waiema Canyon State Park and Kokee State Park. These adjacent state parks are another do-not-miss activity for a family adventure trip. Get up and out early and pack a picnic — this is a full day outing.
Note: if you have extra time you may want to explore Hanapepe’s art shops and hanging bridge. Or, if you are missing the beach head to a local hangout, Salt Pond Beach. You won’t miss much if you skip these two stops.
Waiema Canyon Lookouts
Take the scenic Highway 550 on your way in to Waiema Canyon and head back via Highway 552 for a different view. Stop at some of the several lookouts along the way. Start with a stop at the first lookout Waimea Canyon Lookout (mile marker 10). There is a big parking lot, you can’t miss it. You have a lot to explore, so don’t waste time stopping at every lookout. Next, stop at the Puʻu Hinahina Lookout (mile marker 13.5) and Kalalau Lookout (mile marker 18). Keep driving up the road at the Koke’e State Park sign and be sure to go all the way to the end to the Pu’u O Kila lookout. If the overlook is covered in clouds just wait 10-15 minutes for a brief clearing. It is worth the wait! And bring a sweatshirt because it is cooler up there.
Cliff-Canyon Trail
The Cliff-Canyon Trail takes a couple of hours and is a popular trail for good reason — it is fantastic! First take the fork to the right to an overlook. Then go back and continue to the left. When you hit the open red clay boulder area continue hiking! Before long you will be at a waterfall and you can even keep going (down) to more of the waterfall and great views of the canyon. Picnic in Kokee State Park.
Day 4 | DIY Secret Falls kayak outing
You can do a longer or shorter kayak ride to Secret Falls, depending on where you rent the kayaks. We continued kayaking past the trailhead so we got in extra kayaking and felt the closer Kamokila Hawaiian Village was suitable. Get there when they open so you are sure to get kayaks before they run out.
This activity is between Poipu and Princeville, so I suggest you do it on the day to transition between locations.
FITZ BITS TIP: You absolutely can do this outing without a tour or guide.
Waterfalls
Kauai is known as the Garden Isle for good reason: a lot of rain creates lush landscapes and some incredible waterfalls that are at their peak in the winter. You saw Waipo’o Falls at the end of your hike in Waimea Canyon and you just saw Kipu Falls, or Secret Falls. Keep the waterfall hunt going by checking out the nearby Wailua Falls and ’Opaeka’a Falls.
Note: While Ho’opi’i Falls is also in the area, I have listed it on another day since it takes some time to hike to these two falls.
Active Kauai Itinerary — From Princeville (north)
Day 5 | North Coast Beaches + Surfing
Beach hopping
Hanalei Bay is gorgeous, but before heading there jump in your car to explore some of the other beautiful beaches in the area. Looking for a quick adventure? Hike to Hideaways Beach taking steep steps and a rope down to the beach. We snorkeled here, but not for long, because it was quite rough. Want a gorgeous open beach? It is a quick drive to Secret Beach which will be too rough for swimming in the winter but it is a gorgeous huge beach with the Kilauea Lighthouse in the far distance. A beach for a picnic lunch? Drive to Anini Beach where you can also snorkel in the calm water.
Don’t get too excited about visiting Queens Bath in the winter. It is often closed due to high waves. Safety first!
Hanalei Bay beaches and surfing
You can spend hours or days at the beaches of Hanalei Bay and the view never gets old. There are bathrooms, lifeguards, parking lots and street parking. We liked Waioli Beach Park for body surfing and a nice long stroll down to the pier. Hanalei Bay is a great place for all levels of surfing, but especially beginners. You can rent a board or take a lesson. We like taking lessons and hooked up with Shane who was recommended by the Hanalei Surf Company.
The Hanalei Bay food trucks are a nice option for a meal — just don’t expect fast food. The Dolphin is a nice dinner spot but there is not a lot on the menu for picky eaters.
FITZ BITS TIP: Take your camera along and snap shots under the pier too.
Day 6 | Hike + Explore North Shore
This is your day to explore Ha’ena State Park. You will need to get permits and a parking reservation or shuttle reservation in advance. This is a beach + hiking activity. If you just want to enjoy a beach it is probably not worth the time and effort to get here. However, the adventure traveler will enjoy the strenuous hike to Hanakapi’ai Beach and on to the waterfall if wanted. Pack plenty of snacks and water. Enjoy Ke’e Beach after your hike.
This area was closed when we visited, so we replaced it with a trek on The Okolehao Trail, which takes you up to a birds-eye view of Hanalei Bay. We continued a little past the summit bench but turned back because other hikers were reporting it was too overgrown and muddy for the effort. Great advice from fellow hikers!
Day 7 | Ho'opi'i Falls Hike + Beaches
Ho'ipi'i Falls Hike
Ho’ipi’i Falls is another incredible outing. Park your car across from house #5925 on Kapahi Road. Continue along the right side of the river when the trail disappears. There are two fun spots for cliff jumping at and beyond the waterfall. Be safe. Check the water first and talk to others who are there before you jump in.
FITZ BITS TIP: Bring a change of shoes and a plastic garbage bag for your muddy ones.
More beaches in the area
Larson Beach is another fun one to explore with a short hike down to the beach. Our guide book said this beach is adjacent to Facebook found Mark Zukerberg’s property — I wonder what he is going to do with it?
The Old Club Med trail is a nice little hike to Puu Poa Beach. You will get fantastic views of Hanalei Bay from this public beach in front of the Princeville Resort. There is some limited parking just before the hotel and at the end of Hanalei Plantation Road by the picnic tables (walk to the right and through the large iron gate).
After all of this adventure and activity is was time to check into the Marriott in Lihue for a little resort time. Lydgate Beach is a nice stop on the way with showers and bathrooms. Also, if you haven’t seen Wailua Falls you will want to drive over for some photos of the huge waterfall that is famous from the opening of Fanstasy Island. While you are at the Marriott you can play beach or sand volleyball. Also, check their schedule because we watched a fantastic “modern” luau on the beach in the afternoon. And, Dukes is great for dinner and their signature Hulu Pie.
Day 8 | R&R Before Heading Home
It is hard to say “goodbye” to this beautiful island. It was nice to slow down and end our trip with a night at the Marriott resort. It was more expensive than our condos because we need two rooms or a suite for a family of five. We enjoyed the hot tubs, but our adventurous boys got bored and restless when they were done surfing and playing beach volleyball.
Other notes....
New Year’s Eve on Kauai: Poipu Beach had food trucks, a movie, and then fireworks at 8:15 PM. The fireworks were wonderful but they need more food trucks for the amount of people. I suggest you pick up sandwiches on your way or order ahead of time from Brennecke’s Beach Broiler.
Bike Renal: Hele on Kauai in Kapaa has quite affordable bike rentals and they are very close to the start of the Ke Ala Here Makalae Coastal Path. The total trip took less than 1.5 hours with stops along the way.
Grand Hyatt’s Torchlighting Ceremony: This was held at the Seaview Terrace on Tuesdays. Shiprwreck Beach is right at the Hyatt so you may enjoy the waves or a long walk down the beach before the show. We arrived at the beautiful Seaview Terrace at 5 PM and were able to get a great table. The show will give you some culture and history if you are not doing a luau another evening. However, if so then maybe skip this show.
Smith Family Garden Luau
It is hard to tear yourself away from Hanalei Bay, but we had evening show-only tickets for the Smith Family Garden Luau. These tickets were a lot less expensive and we enjoyed a beach picnic instead. Some places to stop between Hanalei Bay and the Smith Family Luau in Kapa’a are: Kiluea Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge, Moola’a Beach (Gilligan’s Island), and Anahola Beach. The latter is where we had our picnic dinner and watched surfers. It felt like a locals beach.
The Smith Family Garden Luau Show-Only Tickets were selling out a week before our trip so plan ahead. Also, I do not think the front row is the best seat in the house. It’s a little too close to the belly’s shaking in my opinion!
Visited 2000, 2016, and December 2018 / January 2019
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