I’m sharing a one week (7 day) itinerary of Kauai that includes the best beaches, hikes, and activities! Of all the trips my husband and I have ever taken, our one week trip to the Hawaiian island of Kauai has been the most relaxing. We loved every minute of our trip and truly did not want to leave. It is an outdoor lover’s and adventure seeker’s paradise!
We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. We only recommend products and services that we love!
I’ll start with highly recommending that you get a rental car, if at all possible. While there are several great options for guided bus tours on the island, Kauai is a small island that is easy to drive around. You will experience so much more when you are able to move at your own pace!
We joined my side of the family (13 people total, including 5 children) for an amazing week in Kauai during the month of April. The trip was the perfect blend of extended family time and couple time. We took this trip before having our baby, so my husband and I went off on several excursions as just a couple, but we also spent a lot of time having fun with our nieces and nephews (we kind of felt like we took two trips- one with our family and another one by ourselves). It was the perfect balance! You might be interested in also reading my top 10 things to do in Kauai!
You might also be interested in our Beach Vacation Packing List!
One Week (7 Days) in Kauai
Day 1 – Kauai Itinerary
Waimea Canyon
On our first full day in Kauai, we woke up bright and early and ready to explore. We joined my parents for an incredible trip to Waimea Canyon. This is a must-see in my opinion! Also known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, Waimea Canyon is a gorgeous, scenic canyon full of stunning views of its colorful rocks, the ocean and waterfalls. We arrived early (around 9 am), when the sun was out and shining. I honestly felt like I was standing inside of a postcard!
The rain did roll in after a couple hours. It was still beautiful, and we still enjoyed it (but we are glad we caught the sunshine first!). We explored several small trails and pulled our car over multiple times to catch different glimpses of the canyon.
Pro Tip: There are several ways to explore Waimea Canyon. Consider booking a guided tour with a local or see it by helicopter!
Pro Tip: Unshoes are the perfect minimalist hiking sandal for exploring Kauai! Check out my full review here.
Olympic Café
We got back to our vacation home in the late afternoon, where we showered and got ready for the evening. The rest of my family headed to a luau for dinner (my husband and I opted out of this part because we couldn’t justify the price, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to eat much due to my food allergies; we joined them a little later). We ate at the Olympic Café in Poipu and loved it! My husband loved his kalua pig, and I loved my surf n’ turf. (We definitely went back to this restaurant a few other times!)
Lydgate Park
After dinner, we headed to Lydgate Park in Lihue while the sun was setting. We enjoyed an amazing walk on the beach and loved the beautiful storm clouds. If you’re traveling with babies or toddlers, consider checking out Lydgate’s Baby Beach during the day for safe, protected swimming.
Smith Family Garden Luau
We ended our first day with an amazing show at Smith Family Garden Luau in Lihue! We joined my family for the show (we purchased the show-only tickets) and loved watching it with my nieces and nephews. The show was really well done, and I would highly recommend it for your luau experience! Another highly rated option is the Luau Kalamaku in Lihue.
You might also be interested in: 10 Things To Do In Kauai
Day 2 – Kauai Itinerary
Kauai Coffee Company
My husband and I started our morning by going to the Kauai Coffee Company in Kalaheo. My husband is a big coffee fan, so this was a must-see on his list. I’m not a coffee drinker, but I had a lot of fun there too. We tried several coffee samples and took a self-guided tour of their grounds (they also offer complimentary guided tours throughout the day). It was fun to see where the coffee is grown and how it’s made. My husband stocked up on coffee in their gift shop! While I highly recommend buying their coffee directly from its source, you can try it before you go too!
Pro Tip: Consider booking the Kauai Adventure Audio Driving Tour (app)! You’ll have the freedom to explore at your own pace and in your own car, while learning about the best spots to stop on the island- including Kauai Coffee Company!
Snorkeling at Poipu State Beach
We met up with my parents at Poipu State Beach for some snorkeling! We rented our snorkel gear for the week from Boss Frog’s and had a great experience! (My dad also rented an underwater camera- that was a lot of fun to use!) This was the first time I had ever snorkeled, and it was a lot easier that I expected. We saw a ton of beautiful fish and enjoyed a couple relaxing hours there before the waves got too choppy. We returned here a few other times throughout our week, as it was really close to where we were staying. We have since started traveling with our own snorkel sets and highly recommend it if you plan to visit beach destinations often!
Learn from our mistakes and leave your wedding rings at home when you’re snorkeling! My husband lost his here!
If you prefer to stick with a guide, there are several amazing snorkeling tours on the island!
Pro Tip: Purchase or rent an underwater photography camera! You won’t regret capturing those amazing, underwater photos during your snorkeling adventures.
You might also be interested in: Things to do on the North Shore, Oahu
My Parent’s Vow Renewal At Shipwreck Beach
My entire family then cleaned up and headed to Shipwreck Beach for my parent’s vow renewal ceremony (to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary). We celebrated with a beautiful ceremony, a ukulele serenade, delicious coconut water, and family photo shoot. It was so wonderful to celebrate my parent’s love as a family.
Pro Tip: If you’re traveling to a Hawaiian island (or another beautiful destination!), I highly recommend booking a photoshoot. Flytographer is a company that I love that helps you book a photo shoot with a local photographer in over 350 cities around the world. We didn’t use them on this particular trip, but have used them in other locations and plan to use them on our next Hawaiian vacation. You can read more about why I love them here, and you can use my link to save $25 on your first photo shoot with them. You can read about our experience with Flytographer on Oahu here!
Plantation Gardens Restaurant in Poipu
We continued the celebration at Plantation Gardens Restaurant in Poipu. The gardens were gorgeous, and we had an amazing table on the lanai. We enjoyed a delicious dinner of ribs and steak (and it was my first time eating poke!). I recommend this restaurant for a nice dinner.
Day 3 – Kauai Itinerary
Hanakapi’ai Falls Trail & Ke’e Beach
We started the day bright and early and arrived at Ke’e Beach at 7am to ensure a parking spot. My husband and I spent a majority of the day hiking the Hanakapi’ai Falls Trail (at the Napali Coast State Wildnerness Park), and it was the highlight of our trip! My parents joined us for the first ½ mile (the rest of my family planned to as well, but a few of the kids got sick and had to take it easy that day).
Please note that this hike is considered strenuous. It is well worth it if you are able! The views were amazing! Really…every step of the way was breathtaking. The hike to Hanakapi’ai Falls is 8 miles roundtrip and typically takes about 8-9 hours (we did it in about 8.5). If you are not able to hike the entire trail, I highly recommend doing that first ½ mile if at all possible!
You might also be interested in: Things to do on the East Shore, Oahu
Then we continued another 1.5 miles to Hanakapiai Beach. The beach is beautiful, but it is not safe for swimming. There are restrooms here and many people turn around at this point.
We had 2 more miles to reach the falls. This next portion was more inland and more like a jungle-experience. It was so amazing!
The actual falls are glorious! They are about 300 feet high and the setting is amazingly peaceful. We enjoyed resting, eating lunch, and splashing in the water [Keep in mind that leptospirosis (lepto) is present in the fresh water on the island, so you’ll want to pay attention to warning signs and suggestions when enjoying the water.]
The way out was just as gorgeous, but we were definitely tired by the end. Like I said, this was the highlight of our trip! We relaxed for awhile at Ke’e Beach (great for snorkeling!) after our long journey.
Day 4 – Kauai Itinerary
Easter Service at Kiahuna Plantation in Koloa
Happy Easter! Because we were these during this special holiday, our entire family attended a beachside church service at the Kiahuna Plantation in Koloa. After the service, the church put on an Easter Egg Hunt for kids. It was a great way to celebrate!
Brunch at Keoki’s Paradise
We enjoyed a delicious Easter brunch at Keoki’s Paradise in Poipu. The buffet was well worth the high price tag! The restaurant was really fun and even had a little cat walking around!
You might also be interested in: Beach Vacation Photo Shoot in Hawaii + Flytographer Discount Code
We spent the rest of the day relaxing as a family and snorkeling at Poipu Beach. It was nice to take it slow after such a busy day the day before. My husband cooked us kalua pig and it was incredible!
Day 5 – Kauai Itinerary
Napali Coast Catamaran Tour
We joined one of my sisters and her husband for a 6 hour catamaran tour to the Napali Coast. The only way to see this portion of the island is to travel by boat or helicopter (or go on a multi-day, strenuous backpacking trip). The views were incredible. Near the beginning of our trip, we enjoyed riding the waves on the trampoline in the front. The water was the most amazing blue (I have never seen such beautiful colors anywhere else!) and we rode along with the dolphins.
Now for the not-so-great-news: my husband and brother-in-law both got seasick about 2 hours in to the ride. They both spent 4 hours throwing up off the back of the boat, along with over half of the other passengers. It was pretty bad… I never got sick but felt like I was on the verge. I stayed near the front of the boat, away from the sick people in the back and in the fresh air while my sweet sister (shoutout to FreetoTravelMama) went back and forth to check on our sick husbands in the back. If we had known how it would have turned out, we wouldn’t have done it! But we made the most of it and are holding on to the fun memories we collected before the seasickness kicked in. 😊
Pro tips to avoid seasickness (because once it hits, it might not leave until you’re back on land): wear Seaband bracelets! I swear by them and wore mine from the beginning. My sister and her husband took a natural seasickness medicine, which seemed to work for my sister (but not my brother-in-law). My husband had never been seasick and thought he would be fine- but we learned our lesson! If you do start to feel sick, don’t hide in the bathroom of the boat. Find fresh air and watch where you’re going (this worked for me). In our situation, the crew had everyone who was sick head to the back. It was rocky back there and definitely didn’t help those that were already sick, but it kept them away from those that were feeling well (watching other people get sick can definitely encourage you to get sick too- so don’t watch!).
If you’d love to see the Napali Coast but are worried about getting seasick, consider booking a helicopter tour of the island!
Poipu Village
We got back to our VRBO in the late afternoon, where my husband drank a lot of coconut water and took a much-needed nap (it took him a long time to recover). I headed to Poipu Village with several of our family members for a fun, free hula show. It was very low-key and a great way to have fun with the kids.
Day 6 – Kauai Itinerary
Opaekaa Falls
We stopped by Opaekaa Falls briefly to enjoy the view. One of the things I love about Kauai is how beautiful the scenery is, no matter where you’re heading! If we had the time, we would have spent more time enjoying these falls.
Kamokila Hawaiian Village
Our entire family loved the Kamokila Hawaiian Village. It is a cute little Hawaiian village where you can learn about their culture and way of life. There were peacocks and cats everywhere! We were given a tour, and the kids especially enjoyed exploring the huts and participating in the activities.
Pro Tip: Bring bug spray!
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Fern Grotto
After our tour, we rented outrigger canoes and traditional canoes and traveled to Fern Grotto. This was, by far, our favorite thing that we did as an entire family. Fern Grotto is a fern-covered, lava rock grotto located on the Wailua River. We loved exploring the grotto with our guide, who taught us all about the plants we came across on our walk. I highly recommend doing this (babies are allowed too!). We also took several little detours on the river along the way.
Snorkeling at Anini Beach
We spent the afternoon at Anini Beach, where we had a blast snorkeling as a family. This turned out to be our favorite snorkeling location! The water was so still and clear, and we were able to spot a turtle (this beach is known for this!). My nieces and nephews were also able to snorkel easily here.
Day 7 – Kauai Itinerary
Secret Falls Kayak Trip Down the Wailua River & Hike
On our final day, we all parted ways and each family did their own thing. We rented a two person kayak and headed to the Wailua River again. We kayaked and then hiked the extra mile to the Secret Falls (officially called the Uluwehi Falls). We did this on our own, but there are many guided tour options available on the island.
The falls were beautiful, but we honestly wish we had done this hike before Hanakapi’ai Falls, because it was much smaller. But it was still beautiful and we would absolutely do it again!
Our trip came to an end much too soon, but we are incredibly thankful to have enjoyed such a beautiful week in Kauai. I hope you were able to find some inspiration from our itinerary as you plan your own trip! Check out our Beach Vacation Packing List for Hawaii packing tips! And if you’re traveling to Kauai with your kids, check out this post by Patsey Family Travels for tips!
Have you been to Hawaii? I’d love to hear about your experience (on any island)!
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87 Comments
Jane Dempster-Smith
It has been a long time since i visited kauai. so long in fact i should return. the beauty of this hawaiian island is stunning. waimea canyon would definitely be high on my travel list. What a great adventure having the dolphins sail along with you. thanks for the information on what to do.
Leah
I am glad you enjoyed it! Kauai truly is a stunning destination.
Shreya Saha
Holiday in Kauai is like a dream. I love the beach and your photos are too intriguing. Your parents look so cute. I loved the vow renewal idea on the beach. Must be so romantic for them. you guys had a great fun!
Leah
Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 It was a wonderful, beautiful trip!
Cat
Kauai is on our travel bucket list. I am most eager to visit Lydgate Park and Poipu State Beach. Kev’s first stop will be the Hanakapi’ai Falls Trail.
Leah
All of those options are great! Hopefully the Hanakapi’ai Falls Trail reopens SOON! And both of those beaches are must-sees! 🙂
Shannah
This is an amazing resource for traveling to kauai! I’ve not been ablE to visit here but it is on my bucket list! I eill be saving this for when I do!
Leah
I hope you make it there soon! It’s an incredible place to have on your bucket list!
Cedar
What a beautiful trip! The pictures are gorgeous! I love that you included the Kauai Coffee Company – I’m a BIG coffee drinker so would love to go there!
Leah
Thank you! Definitely check out the Coffee Co if you like coffee. It’s a fun place. 🙂
hannah madani
what beautiful pictures! It loooks like a deam vacation
Leah
Thank you! It really was a dream vacation! Perfect in so many ways!
Emma
Wow looks like an amazing trip! If im ever headed there i’ll be sure to use this itinerary
Leah
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Patricia
Loved the photos! Kauai has always been one Of my favorte places. My Husband and i always drink kauai coffee too! So cool you went tbere.
Leah
Isn’t Kauai incredible? Yes, Kauai Coffee Co was a fun place to visit. 🙂
Arnav Mathur
Havent been to Hawaii yet, but i so want to spend a few weeks in Kauai, specially now that i know that theres so much to do. I would love to do some hiking and refresh myself in those waterfalls for sure.
Leah
Since you’re interested in hiking and waterfalls, then I definitely recommend Kauai! It sounds like the perfect Hawaiian island for you!
blair villanueva
This island is such a beauty and its amazing that your parentals decided to have their renewal vows in there. congratulations for the lovely couple and also to you. You made them so happy and more loving, a perfect wedding getaway.
Leah
Thank you! Yes, it was truly beautiful and a wonderful place to enjoy as a family!
Dani
Thank you for this! It is so helpful, as I am working on planning our first trip to Kauai right now! So many great suggestions!
Leah
I’m so excited for you! You will have a wonderful time!
Amar singh
I must admit i am quite envious of your week trip to the besuti destination. I am planing to Visit tjus part of the wirkd for sometime niw but reaDiNg your article makes me want to go right now. I will surely visit the Hawaiian island of Kauai and take some yops drom here. The olympic cafe a great place for some great good after all those activities. The water is as clear snd blue as i woUld expect it yo be or better. Thanks for sharing a great post
Leah
Thank you- I am glad you feel inspired to visit the island of Kauai! It is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. The water is so clear and perfectly blue. I hope you get to travel there soon!
Tina's Travels Abroad
This looks amazing! I’m in the Southwest States right now during the tail-end of the polar vortex weather, which makes Kauai look even more like paradise. That’s a great tip about having a photoshoot, too. I’ll have to keep that in mind. 🙂
Leah
I understand! It isn’t too cold here in CA, but our winter weather is making me long for Kauai again. 🙂
Ann
This is one of my absolute favourites destinations and I would love to visit it, your photos made me wish for it even more so. seems like you had an absolutely amazing stay and i can only imagine what a fantastic time you had. Vow renewel on the beach sounds like a dream – I wish that for myself too!
Leah
I am so glad you enjoyed this post. I hope you get to visit Kauai soon! 🙂
amanda
Great list! We are headed to kauai next month and plan to do a few things from your list =)
Leah
I can’t wait to hear about it! Kauai is amazing!
Nissa Haight
OMG I absolutely Love the Island of Kauai! I would go back in a heartbeat! Plus, that coffee is some of the best coffee I have ever had! Love your adventures!!
Leah
I completely agree. I wish I could go back today! 🙂
Tammie
You have such beautiful pictures! I love the luau! It looks like so much fun!
Leah
Thank you! It is hard to take a bad photo in Hawaii! 🙂
Gwen
What an amazing trip! I love that you laid it all out in an itinerary…very helpful for planning. And your photos are just beautiful, especially the falls! I want to go right now! 🙂
Leah
I hope you’re able to get there soon. It is amazing!
Brittany Chandler
I have only been to Kauai once, this past May. It was INCREDIBLE! When we went to the canyon, it was super rainy, so we didn’t a great view… just a reason to go back. 😉 Kauai Coffee Company was also such a treat! Great post! Now I’m itching to go back…
Leah
Yes- definitely a reason to go back! 🙂
Sierra
My favorite island! Great tips for soaking up as much of this beautiful place as possible in one week!
Leah
Isn’t it s a beautiful island?! One week was hardly enough!
Josh B
Hello there. Excellent itinerary. It looks like you all were able to see so many things. Your photos are beautiful by the way. I think it’s pretty hard to take a terrible photo in Hawaii since everything is so gorgeous. Quick question…do you have an itinerary for Maui? I was thinking about going for 3-4 days and am just trying to build an itinerary. Thanks a lot.
Leah
Thank you! 🙂 I agree, Hawaii is a beautiful destination to photograph! Unfortunately, I haven’t made it to Maui yet! It’s on our list though. Oahu is next for us!
Mysobremesas
I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii and this was my top island to go to specifically for the coffee. It looks like you had a great time!
Leah
The coffee is a great reason to go! 🙂
Willy Burden
Wow! You did quite a bit! And it looks like you guys had a great time. Your list will be most helpful when our family visits Kauai!! I’m definitely saving this post for later.
Leah
Glad you enjoyed our itinerary! Enjoy Kauai! I know your family will love it!
Aaron (@1dish4the4road)
What a lovely read! And a fantastic fifteen minutes of escapism. Seems like such a dreamy place…
Leah
Thank you! It is truly a wonderful destination!
Nat Wanderlust
Wow! You saw so much in a week! How absolutely beautiful! I’ve been to Oahu but not Kauai yet but that is the next plan and your article will help heaps! 🙂
Leah
Thank you! We are visiting Oahu for the first time last this summer and cannot wait! 🙂
Kachina Dimmock
What a fun family holiday! The scenery looks amazing too! 🙂
Leah
Yes! The best! 🙂
Diana
My first thought was – 1 week is way too long to spend in Kauai – but I very quickly realized how wrong my first impression was. I love the outdoors, and Kauai has just about every outdoors activity you could think of – hiking, kayaking, boating… and I would add diving to the list, too! So sorry about your husband and brother on the catamaran. Like your husband, I’ve never been seasick before either, and I’ve been on really rocky boats, so it’s a good reminder to always be prepared with the seasickness bands just in case.
Leah
We could have easily spent more time in Kauai! 🙂 I wouldn’t want to spend less than a week. It was amazing, but yes, I would recommend the seabands for the 6 hour catamaran tour!
Sarah Emery
What a fantastic trip! It all looks amazing – a trip I would definitely partake in (except being sick on a back of a boat-yikes). I’ve only been to Hawaii (North Island) once and enjoyed every second of it. The hiking is absolutely amazing and it looks like you guys took full advantage 🙂 Happy Trails!
Leah
Thank you! We do love Hawaii and cannot wait to explore more islands!
Iva
Island life is just the best! Everyone is just happy and just filled with love! 🙂 aside from the many great nature adventure you posted in Kauai, this is one sweet blog entry for your parents 🙂
Leah
Thank you! We loved our time there!
Soumya Gayatri
This looks like such a fun-filled itinerary for Kauai. I am glad you got to spend some quality time with your family and do things that you enjoyed. Never been to Hawaii but we really want to go there soon. I would love to watch some of those shows and gaze at the Waimea canyon.
Leah
It’s an incredible destination! One of our favorites so far!
Nerissa
Ah, the dream holiday! Hawaii has been on my list for sooooooooo long! I’m hoping to get there next year, would be amazing. So glad you had an incredible trip!
Leah
I agree- it’s a DREAM! 🙂
Mayi Mac
Wow Kauai is so wild and beautiful, especially the canyon and waterfalls. The jungle like oceanfront is amazing too, so green! I bet you had the best hike (despite the weather)!
Leah
Yes! It’s truly beautiful!
Valerie H Hansen
What an amazing trip and place for vow renewals and a famiily vacay…I have never been to this island, been to Oahu 5 times, and Maui once..I gotta go! Your pics are gorgeous!
Valerie
Leah
Thank you! Kauai is out favorite island so far- but we are trying our Oahu soon!
Tania Muthusamy
What a great week you had, except for the seasickness. I haven’t been to Kauai, but your photos make it look so inviting. Snorkelling is always great fun and I love waterfalls. Welcome to motherhood. 😀
Leah
Thank you! Kauai is truly beautiful! 🙂
Sinjana
This is fantastic andmakes me long for a Hawaian holiday. The beaches are exotic and so are the green trails around. What a lovely place and you guys had so much fun. Like you said, it’s indeed an outdoor lover’s paradise.
Leah
Yes, a true outdoor lover’s paradise! 🙂
Kay
I had originally planned to leave Kauai for a long weekend, but you’ve shown me that there’s SO MUCH TO DO! I’m going to have to take a whole week off! Thanks for the amazingly detailed post!
Leah
You’re welcome! YES, there is SO much to do in Kauai. No need to keep the trip short!
Harmony, Momma To Go
Kuaui is the only island i have not been to – pinned this for when . I go!
Leah
I highly recommend it! It’s so beautiful!
Jenn
My husband and I went to Oahu on our honeymoon but wished we could have traveled the other islands too. Kauai is definitely on our list now! I saved pins on Pinterest so I can refer back to this guide. Thanks!!
Leah
Yes, Kauai is a lovely one! ♥️
Rishi rathod
Have never heard about this place before. Your list is quite useful though for people planning to visit there. Thanks for the share. Cheers!!!
Leah
Thank you!
Lizzie
It looks like absolute paradise – definitely makes me want to add it to my travel dream list! 🙂
Leah
Definitely a tropical paradise!
Megan Miks
What a beautiful place. I am adding the hike to Hanakapi’ai Falls to my list of things to do!
Leah
Definitely a gorgeous destination!
Katie
Leah, this looks like it was an amazing trip! I’ve never been to Hawaii but I’m dying to go! Thinking maybe our 10 year anniversary which is next year 🤔 You have such detailed & useful information!
Leah
I’m so glad! It was amazing, and it is the perfect destination for an anniversary!
Deb L.
Wow – it’s amazing that you did so many things in a week! I’m going to bookmark this page – I would love to return and will try to do some of the things you’ve mentioned here. While there, my goal was to hit a lot of beaches – the most memorable was probably Secret Beach. I really loved Queen’s Bath as well. I don’t think I’ve ever seen air that clear before ~ such a beautiful place.
Deb L.
Oh! I was just trying to find a picture of Queen’s Bath and saw that people have died there!! I had no idea…we were there in 2001, and it was quite calm (no crashing waves, like I was just reading about). Maybe next time, I’ll steer clear, I guess. It was lovely when we were there~
Leah
It sounds lovely! We traveled there in April, when Queen’s Bath wasn’t safe to visit. We hope to see it on our next trip!