Kaua'i in 6 Days: A Perfect Blend of Adventure and Relaxation

Once you land in Lihue, start by picking up your rental car at the airport. Once you have your car, you can head into town for dinner. There are some great options to consider:

• Kaua'i Sushi Station: If you’re in the mood for sushi, this popular food truck with outdoor seating offers amazing, fresh bites.

• Rob's Good Times Grill: For a relaxed vibe and traditional Hawaiian fare, this spot is perfect and sometimes features live music.

• Duke's Kaua'i: Looking for something a bit more upscale? Enjoy surf and turf with fantastic ocean views here.

• Lava Lava Beach Club: Lively beachfront spot with happy hour from three to five pm daily, and live music from three to nine pm.

After dinner, drive up to the North Island, which takes about 40 minutes. You’ll check into your accommodation for the next few days. We stayed at The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas and had a wonderful experience.

Chances are you will probably be waking up early, so head outside to catch the sunrise.

Then, start your day soaking up the beauty of Hanalei Bay. Relax on the beach or take a stroll along the water. Feeling adventurous? Walk over to Hanalei Pier and maybe even take a daring jump off it.

For something a bit more active, check out Hanalei Surf School. They offer 90-minute surf lessons for all skill levels, or you can rent surfboards and stand-up paddleboards if you’d rather go at your own pace.

After some beach time or surfing, head into town for lunch or a snack. There are some great spots just a quick drive away:

• Hanalei Poke: Fresh, delicious poke bowls.

• Chicken in a Barrel: A laid-back BBQ spot.

• Hanalei Bread Co.: Cozy bakery and coffee house.

• Wishing Well Coffee & Tea: This adorable spot by Hanalei Surf School has fantastic coffee, and their iced drinks come in souvenir mason jars you can keep.

• Wishing Well Shave Ice: Right next door, they have amazing shave ice with tons of flavor options. Don’t miss their specials with ice cream and sweetened condensed milk.

While you’re in town, check out the Ching Young Village shopping center. It’s full of great souvenir shops where you can pick up some mementos from your trip.

In the evening, I recommend dressing up a bit and exploring 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. The amazing ocean views and traditional Hawaiian entertainment make it a special spot for dinner or drinks. We had a great time at the tapas-style Welina Terrace!

For your last full day on the North Shore, there are plenty of ways to soak up the beauty of the area!

First, consider stopping at one of these spots for breakfast:

• The Spot: Amazing pitaya bowls and breakfast sandwiches.

• Holey Grail Donuts: Their claim to fame is having the original taro donut.

If you’re in the mood for some scenic views, definitely drive over to the Hanalei Valley Lookout. The vistas here are stunning and offer a great way to start your day.

If you enjoy hiking, the Okolehao Trail is a great option. It’s a moderate 2.6-mile out-and-back trail that gives you beautiful views of Hanalei Bay from above. Heads-up: the trail can get muddy, so your shoes might get dirty.

If you’d rather keep things relaxing, check out some of the nearby beaches. Hideaway Beach, Tunnels Beach and Anini Beach are all great spots to chill and enjoy the sun.

In the afternoon, consider unwinding at your resort. Enjoy the pools and take it easy before your evening plans.

For a bit more sightseeing, you can visit the Limahuli Garden & Preserve. It’s a lush nature spot with a $30 admission fee for adults — kids 12 and under get in for free.

Dinner options:

• Bar Acuda: Upscale small plates with lovely outdoor views

• Kilauea Fish Market: A casual seafood spot.

• AMA: Authentic ramen and noodle dishes with great outdoor views.

Check out of your hotel in the morning and start your drive to Poipu on the South Shore. On the way, spend some time exploring the East Side of the island.

Here’s what to check out around Lihue:

• Wailua Falls: A must-see waterfall that’s easy to access by car and a short walk. If you’re up for more adventure, you might consider a kayak tour of the falls.

• Kōloa Rum Company Store & Tasting Room: If you enjoy rum, stop by for a tasting. They offer tastings every hour with just a $5 booking fee for groups of up to six. Just note that they’re closed on Sundays.

• For dinner, why not dive into a traditional Hawaiian luau? A luau experience usually includes a lei greeting, a Hawaiian buffet dinner, traditional Polynesian entertainment, and an open bar. You can find options in both Lihue and down on the South Shore where you’ll be staying. Here are some top picks:

East Side:

• Luau Kalamaku Kauai — Tuesdays & Fridays only: $152 for adults

• Luau Ka Hikina — Tuesdays & Thursdays only: $189 for adults

South Shore:

• Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau — Wednesdays & Saturdays only: $203 for adults

• 'Auli'i Luau — Mondays & Wednesdays only: $190 for adults

When you get to Poipu, check into your accommodation. We stayed at the Sheraton Kauai Resort and had a great experience there.

If you're in Poipu for the sunset, Poipu Beach is an excellent spot for viewing. You might even see some sea turtles on the shore — when I visited, there were over 10.

Today is all about experiencing the breathtaking Na Pali Coast by boat. I highly recommend Blue Dolphin Charters, which departs from Eleele on the South Shore. They guarantee that you will see dolphins on your cruise, and that was definitely true of my experience! You’ve got a couple of great options:

• Morning Cruise with Snorkeling: Start your day early — check-in around seven or eight am — for a five-hour daytime catamaran tour. This cruise includes a chance to snorkel, a deli-style lunch and a variety of beverages — both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Tickets are $195 per adult.

• Sunset Dinner Cruise: If you’d prefer a later start, Blue Dolphin also offers a four-hour sunset cruise for $175 per adult. This includes a luau-style dinner and drinks.

• Another stop I recommend for today is the Kauai Coffee Company in Eleele. Since it's close to where the boat departs, you can easily fit it in before or after your cruise. Hawaii is the only US state that grows its own coffee, so it’s definitely a unique experience! You can take a self-guided tour of the coffee farm and sample a range of coffee drinks. Plus, it’s a great place to pick up some gifts.

• If coffee isn’t your thing, you could spend more time relaxing at Poipu Beach or your resort pool.

• Or, if you’re up for more adventure and plan to do the sunset cruise, consider starting your day with a zipline tour from Koloa Zipline. They offer tours throughout the day that last two to three hours. If ziplining is a must but you’re short on time today, you could also fit it in on day four.

For dinner around Poipu, here are some good spots:

• The Beach House: A more upscale option with a beautiful beachfront patio.

• Keoki's Paradise: Offers lovely garden views from the terrace.

• Puka Dog: For a casual bite, try a Hawaiian-style hot dog right by the beach.

If you’ve got an evening flight, you’ve still got time to take in the stunning Waimea Canyon before heading to the airport.

Before heading to the canyon, make sure to stop by Little Fish Coffee for a coffee and a quick breakfast bite. They have amazing acai bowls, among other tasty options. Just a heads up, you might need to wait in line, so give yourself a little extra time!

I recommend getting an early start because the canyon can get foggy in the afternoon, which can block the views. You can make this day as active or chill as you want — whether you’re up for a hike or just a scenic drive with some stops at overlooks. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Waimea Canyon Overlook: This main viewpoint is easily accessible by car and offers absolutely breathtaking views. There’s a parking lot here, so it’s pretty convenient.

• Pu'u Hinahina Lookout: A few miles further down the road, this spot gives you a different angle of the canyon.

• Kalaulau Lookout: Drive about five miles to get a view of the Na Pali Coast and the ocean.

• Hiking: If you’re up for it, there are several trails starting from the Pu'u Hinahina trailhead. We hiked to Waipo'o Falls, which is a 2.6-mile out-and-back trail with amazing canyon views. It’s a moderate to hard hike and can be muddy if it’s been raining.

After exploring the canyon, swing by the town of Waimea on your way back. It’s a good spot for some last-minute souvenirs and casual eats. Check out:

• Pineapple in Paradise: Grab some pineapple soft-serve ice cream here!

• Coconut Corner: Sip on a fresh coconut, or enjoy fruit, smoothies, and other tasty meals.

When you head back to Poipu, see if your hotel can offer you temporary room access so you can freshen up before your flight. We did this and it was great to have a place to shower and change clothes without any extra charge.

Once you’re back in Lihue, grab a quick bite if you’re hungry — see day one for restaurant ideas — and get ready to get some sleep as you catch your flight back to the mainland.