An Ideal 9-Day Family Vacation in Kauai

Many properties have a 4PM check-in so a great way to kill time from landing late morning and check in time is to stop for lunch and then grocery shop for your stay. I highly recommend Gaylord’s Plantation 3.5 miles LIH airport. Gaylord's Plantation Kauai is a historic and picturesque destination located 3.5 miles from Lihue Airport that offers a farm to table menu. Situated amidst lush gardens and surrounded by scenic beauty, this charming plantation offers a glimpse into the island's rich history and cultural heritage. Visitors can explore the meticulously preserved estate, including the grand plantation house, beautiful gardens and even take a train ride throughout the property learning about it’s history as well as making a stop to feed cows, pigs and donkeys. I highly recommend making dining reservations in advance.

Start your first full day with a boat tour of the Napili Coast. There are many tour offers available on larger catamaran style boats or smaller zodiac boat tours. The zodiac bout tours are a rougher ride compared to a larger catamaran style boat and there are no facilities on the small boat. However, the zodiac tour offers a more intimate experience and you'll maneuver easily in and out of sea caves that bigger boats can't reach. While the larger catamaran style boats cannot go into the caves, they can still get close enough for a great view, offer lunch and have restroom facilities on board. I recently took a catamaran tour of the Napili Coast and had an amazing time with the best crew! I am happy to share the details.

View the island from the sky with a helicopter tour. Only one company on the Island can land at the infamous waterfall in the first Jurassic Park movie intro. Other companies will fly you by the waterfall for an outstanding view of the falls but if you are a huge fan of Jurassic Park, I highly recommend taking this tour. It last about 70 mins and you cover the entire island. You land for about 10-mins at the famous Jurassic falls to take in the beauty and capture the moment.

Start your day early to cover stops in South and West Kauai. Start a morning swimming with turtles at Poipu Beach. There are two nearby outdoor malls that have dining and shopping opportunities for lunch: Poipu Shopping Village and The Shops at Kukui’ula. Next, make your way to Sprouting Horn Park to view a blowhole in action. There is plenty of public parking and can easily be enjoyed with a 10 min stop. Then head to Waimea Town for some shopping and excellent shaved ice at Jo Jo’s Shaved Ice.

Waimea Canyon, often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," is a breathtaking natural wonder located 14 miles from Waimea Town. It is known for its awe-inspiring panoramic views, vibrant red cliffs and lush green valleys. There are multiple scenic lookouts that offer stunning vistas, allowing you to appreciate the beauty of the canyon from various vantage points. Stopping at all of the viewpoints can take about 2 hours if you take your time at each stop. If you are an avid hiker, you can spend an entire day hiking the Kukui Trail, offering gorgeous views of the Waimea Canyon. Alltrails.com is a great resource for hiking anywhere in the world.

Embark on a half-day adventure as you leisurely float down the historic irrigation system of an old sugar plantation, meandering through open canals and traversing a series of hand-dug tunnels dating back to approximately 1870. The friendly staff at Kauia Backcountry Adventures assist with every aspect of the tour and educate you on Hawaiian culture during the drive to the start of the canal adventure.

Experience riding waves in an outrigger canoe with a professional guide. This is such a fun, unique activity. I recommend Kaui Beach Boys at Marriott Kauai's Beach Club. They provide instructions, life vests and about an hour out on the water in the outrigger canoe. Duke’s is located on the beach and is a great stop for lunch after all of the paddling.

This was my favorite activity we did in 9 days on the island. We paddled two miles through Wailua River, the most beautiful jungle river on the island. You will then beach your kayak and hike 1.5 miles through the rainforest to Uluwehi Falls “Secret Falls” where you will spend about 45 mins having lunch and swimming in the waterfall. It is an amazing experience swimming in the pool with water rushing down on you surrounded by 120 foot tall cliffs.

The North Shore is usually calm and ideal for snorkeling in the summer time. The North Shore in the winter is known for it’s strong currents and large swells and would be best suited for staying out of the water. In the summer months, there are many places to swim and snorkel on the north shore. Hanalei Beach is a picturesque and renowned destination known for its crescent-shaped golden sand beach, majestic emerald mountains and world-class surf. The bay has a pier that visitors can jump off into the crystal clear waters. Hanalei River is located on the East end of the bay and offers opportunities to paddleboard and kayak up the majestic river. Hanalei Town is a charming town with a laid-back island vibe, featuring colorful buildings, quaint shops and restaurants all surrounded by the stunning backdrop of lush mountains. Spend some time at Kēʻē Beach for excellent snorkeling.

If your flight is in the afternoon, be sure to squeeze in one last swim in the warm ocean before you depart your accommodations. If you have spare time before your flight, I recommend wrapping your vacation up with another farm to table lunch at Hualani’s Restaurant. The food is delicious and the views are unforgettable. They offer complimentary valet parking and it is located only 2.5 miles from LIH Airport.