Kauaʻi in 6 Days

Cliffs, canyon and rainbows, with one hotel and a slow day built in.

6 days1 stop

Original illustration

At a glance

Five nights on Kauaʻi from one base, either sunny Poʻipū on the south shore or lush Princeville on the north, with Waimea Canyon, the Nā Pali Coast by boat or air, a North Shore day and two slow mornings. It suits couples who want Hawaii's wildest scenery without a packed schedule. April to May and September to October are best.

By the Honeymoon Huts editors · How we research

Kauaʻi is the Hawaiian island for couples who care more about scenery than nightlife. Six days is enough if you choose one base. This route keeps you in one hotel for five nights, with a canyon morning, a day on or above the Nā Pali Coast, a North Shore day and two mornings with nothing planned.

Where you stay depends on the month. Poʻipū on the south shore is the sunniest part of the island, with calm swimming beaches and larger resorts. It is also closest to Waimea Canyon and the boat harbors on the west side. Princeville on the North Shore is greener and closer to Hanalei and the trailhead for the Nā Pali cliffs, but it gets far more rain, especially from October to April.

Kauaʻi's one main highway does not circle the island, because the Nā Pali Coast interrupts it. That shapes the plan. You cover the west side from Poʻipū and the north side in one long, unhurried day. Go April to May or September to October for good weather and lower rates. May to September brings calmer seas for Nā Pali boat trips.

The route

KauaʻiUnited States · 5 nights

Best months: April to May and September to October; May to September for Nā Pali boats
Trip length: 6 days
Budget: About $500–1,500 a night for two in resorts, more on the Princeville bluff (approximate)

Day by day

Days 1–2: Arrive and Waimea Canyon

Fly into Līhuʻe Airport (LIH) and pick up your rental car. Poʻipū is about 25 to 30 minutes away and Princeville roughly 45 minutes to an hour. Check in, swim and watch the sunset from the beach. Go to bed early.

On day two, use your jet lag and drive up the west side to Waimea Canyon at first light, when the air is clearest. Stop at the main lookouts for views into the red and green gorge, then continue into Kōkeʻe State Park to Kalalau Lookout, where the land drops away to the Nā Pali valleys and the sea. Clouds often roll in by late morning, so go early. Bring a warm layer, since the road climbs to about 4,000 feet.

Have lunch in Waimea or Hanapēpē on the way down. Spend the afternoon at your pool. In the evening, watch the sun set from Poʻipū Beach, where Hawaiian monk seals sometimes rest on the sand. Keep well back if they do.

Days 3–4: The Nā Pali Coast and a Slow Day

Day three is the Nā Pali Coast, the island's great sight. From roughly May to September, take a morning catamaran or raft tour from Port Allen on the west side. Boats cruise beneath green sea cliffs thousands of feet high, often with spinner dolphins and a snorkel stop. In winter, when seas are rougher, book a helicopter flight from Līhuʻe instead. It is the only way to see Waimea Canyon, the Nā Pali valleys and hidden waterfalls in one sweep. Some operators fly with the doors off. Many couples call this the romantic moment of the trip.

Make day four slow. Sleep late, book a couples massage and do nothing else. In the late afternoon, walk to Spouting Horn near Poʻipū, where waves shoot through a lava tube, or paddle the Wailua River with a guide and hike through the jungle to Secret Falls if you want to stay active. Book a sunset dinner with an ocean view tonight.

Days 5–6: Hanalei and the North Shore

Give the North Shore a full day. From Poʻipū, the drive takes about an hour and a half, through Kapaʻa and over the one-lane bridges past Hanalei. Book Hāʻena State Park reservations ahead, since they are required for both parking and the first stretch of the Kalalau Trail. Walk the first two miles to Hanakāpīʻai Beach, about four miles round trip with steep, muddy sections. Admire the beach from the sand. Its currents are deadly. No one should swim there.

In summer, snorkel the reef at Tunnels Beach when the sea is flat. Have a late lunch in Hanalei town, then watch the light fade over the mountains from Hanalei Pier. Book your splurge dinner on the North Shore tonight, at a restaurant on the Princeville bluff with views across Hanalei Bay to the peak called Makana.

On day six, have a slow breakfast and a last swim. Allow plenty of time to return the car and reach LIH.

Getting There and Around

Līhuʻe Airport (LIH) has nonstop flights from several West Coast cities, taking about five and a half to six hours, plus connections via Honolulu. From the East Coast, plan on a connection.

A rental car is essential. Book it early, since Kauaʻi's fleet is small. One main highway runs around most of the island but stops at the Nā Pali Coast, so going from the North Shore to the west side means driving the long way, about two and a half to three hours.

Traffic through Kapaʻa can be slow, especially at rush hour. North Shore bridges are single-lane. Let groups of oncoming cars cross and wave thanks. Nā Pali boat tours mostly leave from Port Allen on the west side, about 30 minutes from Poʻipū. Helicopter tours leave from Līhuʻe.

Where to Stay

Choose your base by season. From October to April, stay in Poʻipū for sunshine and calmer swimming. Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is a large resort with lagoon pools and a big spa. Koa Kea Hotel & Resort is a smaller boutique hotel on the water.

From May to September, the North Shore is at its best. Our pick there is 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay on the Princeville bluff, after a full transformation of the landmark hotel. Its views across Hanalei Bay to Makana are some of the best in Hawaii, with a large wellness spa and farm-led dining. It is the splurge on this trip.

The east side, known as the Coconut Coast, is central and easier on the budget, with condos and simpler hotels near Kapaʻa. It is a fair compromise if you want to split driving evenly.

When to Go

Kauaʻi is one of the rainiest places in Hawaii, though most rain falls in the mountains and on the North Shore. Poʻipū and the west side are noticeably sunnier.

May to September is the best time for the North Shore and the Nā Pali Coast. Seas are calmer for boat trips and snorkeling at spots like Tunnels Beach.

October to April is wetter on the North Shore, with big winter surf that makes many beaches unsafe for swimming but thrilling to watch. Humpback whales visit roughly December to April. Nā Pali boat trips run fewer days in winter, so a helicopter is the reliable choice then.

April to May and September to October are the sweet spots for weather, crowds and rates. Showers are possible any day, so pack a light rain jacket each.

Budget and Booking

Kauaʻi is a little gentler on the wallet than Maui, though top hotels are still expensive. As an approximate guide, Poʻipū resorts often run about $500 to $1,000 a night for two in high season. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay often runs well over $1,000. Condos on the Coconut Coast cost far less.

Book in this order: hotel, flights, rental car, Hāʻena State Park reservations and then your Nā Pali boat or helicopter. Hāʻena slots open in advance and sell out. Boat tours depend on the sea, so book early in the trip to leave a backup day.

A helicopter flight is the biggest single extra on this route, though many couples count it as the trip's highlight. Save on lunches with poke and plate lunches from local shops.

Staying Comfortable and Safe

Kauaʻi's beaches can be dangerous. Swim only at lifeguarded beaches and only when the sea is calm. Never swim at Hanakāpīʻai Beach on the Kalalau Trail. In winter, stay out of the water on the North Shore unless lifeguards say it is safe.

Trails turn slick and muddy after rain. Wear shoes with grip, carry water and turn back if streams are rising. Flash floods can hit quickly in the valleys.

Give Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles plenty of room on the beach. Use reef-safe mineral sunscreen, since Hawaii bans sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate. Pack repellent for evenings, especially on the wetter North Shore. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices before you book.

Make It Shorter or Longer

For a four-day trip, keep Waimea Canyon and either the Nā Pali boat or the helicopter, then skip the full North Shore day. You will still have one slow morning.

For eight or nine days, split your stay: three nights in Poʻipū for the west side and sun, then three or four on the North Shore for Hanalei and the trail. Or add four nights on Maui, a short inter-island flight away, for Haleakalā and Wailea's beaches.

Couples who care most about rest can keep six days but drop the North Shore hike. Visit Hanalei for lunch and the pier at sunset instead. You gain another slow morning and an easier last full day.

FAQ

Planning this trip

Should we stay in Poʻipū or Princeville?

Choose by season. From October to April, Poʻipū on the south shore is sunnier with calmer swimming. From May to September, Princeville on the North Shore is at its best, with calm seas and green cliffs. Poʻipū is also closer to Waimea Canyon and the Nā Pali boat harbor.

Is a boat or a helicopter better for the Nā Pali Coast?

In summer, a boat tour lets you feel the scale of the cliffs, with dolphins and snorkeling. In winter, seas are often too rough, so a helicopter is the reliable choice. A helicopter also shows Waimea Canyon and hidden waterfalls you cannot see from the water.

Do we need reservations for Hāʻena State Park?

Yes. Reservations are required for parking or a shuttle seat at Hāʻena State Park, which includes Keʻe Beach and the start of the Kalalau Trail. Book in advance, since slots sell out, especially in summer.

Is six days enough for Kauaʻi?

Yes, if you stay in one place. Five nights covers Waimea Canyon, the Nā Pali Coast, a North Shore day and two slow mornings. The island is small but roads are slow, so moving hotels on a short trip costs more time than it saves.

Will it rain on our Kauaʻi honeymoon?

Probably at some point, especially on the North Shore. Showers are often short and leave rainbows behind. Poʻipū and the west side are much drier. Pack a light rain jacket each and plan Waimea Canyon and boat trips for the morning.

Stops on this route

United States

Kauaʻi

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