Kauai, Hawaii:  Jam-Packed Adventures

Kauai, dubbed the Garden Isle, is Hawaii’s lush, untamed gem. With jagged cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and quiet towns, it’s a paradise for adventurers and relaxation seekers alike. Over five days, we soaked in its beauty—from coastal drives to hidden valleys. Here’s our journey!
Kauai Roadtrip

Day 1: Arrival and Southern Charm

Our Kauai adventure begins with a quick, early morning Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu, Oahu to Lihue, Kauai. Landing at Lihue Airport, we grab a rental car and hit Route 50 west toward Old Koloa Town, a 20-minute drive through rolling green hills.
Lihue to Old Koloa Town
Lihue to Old Koloa Town
Lihue to Old Koloa Town

Old Koloa Town

Old Koloa Town, a historic sugar town, charms us with its plantation-style shops and laid-back vibe as we stretch our legs wandering its streets.  What a wonderful welcome to this laid-back island, especially compared to the hustle and bustle of Waikiki on Oahu.  There are numerous shops and quaint restaurants – this place just oozes with ambiance.
Old Koloa Town
Old Koloa Town
Old Koloa Town
Old Koloa Town
Old Koloa Town
Old Koloa Town
Old Koloa Town
Old Koloa Town

Mucho Aloha Brewhouse

Lunch at Mucho Aloha Brewhouse fuels us up—think juicy burgers, street tacos and crisp, local brews in a cozy setting.  We order a street taco trio so we get to taste several flavors.  We each taste a different beer (Rice Pounder Lager and Stouting Horn) and both are flavorful and crisp – as advertised.

Mucho Aloha Brewhouse
Mucho Aloha Brewhouse
Mucho Aloha Brewwhouse
Mucho Aloha Brewhouse

Kauai Island Brewery

We decide to check out another brewery and so we taste 2 different beers at Kauai Island Brewery.  We learn there are 2 locations on the island.  Nancy tries the Polihale Pilsner, but accidently calls it Pothole Pilsner which makes the bartender laugh.  He says it might be a better name.  (Polihale is a beach within a state park of the same name).  Harrison tries the Coffee Oatmeal Stout.  Both are great!

Koloa Brewery
Koloa Brewery
Koloa Brewery

Spouting Horn

Next, we drive to Spouting Horn, a natural blowhole shooting seawater skyward with a roar. As waves crash into the rocky shore, water is forced through a lava tube, sending sprays up to 50 feet into the air, accompanied by a deep, booming sound. This unique formation is surrounded by Hawaiian legend, with tales of a giant lizard once guarding the area, giving the site cultural significance.  It’s a quick, mesmerizing must-see stop.
Drive to Spouting Horn
Drive to Spouting Horn
Spouting Horn
Spouting Horn
Spouting Horn

Back to Lihue

Drive back to Lihue
Drive back to Lihue
Drive back to Lihue

Check in at Banyan Harbor

From there, we head to The Banyan Harbor Resort in Lihue, our home base for the next 5 days. Checking in, we’re greeted by harbor views and spacious rooms—perfect for unwinding.  Banyan Harbor is 100% condo rentals, some owned by the resort and some individually owned and rented out.  We reserved a 1-bedroom unit but are given a 2-bedroom unit.  It is two stories with the living room and kitchen on our main floor and the two bedrooms upstairs.  This means we have 2 balconies (one on each floor) and the upper one has a fabulous view of the ocean.  Our initial impression isn’t “wow”, but over the course of our time on the island, we realize it is a true gem and highly recommend Banyan Harbor for its location, tranquility and price.

Banyan Harbor
Banyan Harbor
Banyan Harbor
Banyan Harbor

Luau

As if we haven’t done enough today, we’ve arranged to attend a traditional Hawaiian Luau.  Fortunately, it’s just 3 miles from our lodging, so as night falls at Kilohana Plantation, we wander the grounds before dinner and the show.  This particular Luau is one of the highest rated shows in Hawaii.  The Luau here includes unlimited drinks (including soda, beer, wine and traditional Hawaiian mixed drinks), a robust buffet dinner (with several traditional Hawaiian dishes) and of course, a show.  The food was surprisingly good.  The show was amazing, filled with hula dancers and fire twirlers.  NOTE:  do yourself a favor and upgrade to either preferred or premium seats so you can be much closer to the action than “regular seats”.  We booked directly with the plantation rather than going through viator or getyourguide (those companies offer transportation from a few hotels).
Laua
Laua
Laua
Laua
Laua
Laua
Laua

Day 2: Western Wonders

Today we will explore the western side of Kauai.

Rt 50 to Waimea Valley

We travel west on Route 50 from Lihue to Waimea Valley, a 45-minute drive past sugarcane fields. Waimea Valley, cradling the dramatic Waimea Canyon—“Grand Canyon of the Pacific”—stuns with its red cliffs and green depths. 

Lihue to Waimea
Lihue to Waimea
Lihue to Waimea
Lihue to Waimea
Lihue to Waimea
Lihue to Waimea
Lihue to Waimea

Waimea Valley

We decide to drive to the furthest point first and then travel back.  The last stop on the road is Kalalau Lookout.  We hike a short trail for panoramic views that steal our breath.   We then start the drive back, stopping for a picnic lunch at one of the area’s picnic stops.  Then we stop at Waimea Canyon Lookout to view the expanse canyon – that is just stunningly beautiful.

Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley-Kalalau Lookout
Waimea Valley-Kalalau Lookout
Waimea Valley-Kalalau Lookout
Waimea Valley-Kalalau Lookout
Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley-Lunch
Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon
Waimea Canyon

Waimea Valley to Hanapepe

We leave the Waimea Valley area and since the day is still young, we decide to head to the small town of Hanapepe for one of those ‘off-the-beaten path’ sites.

Waimea Valley to Hanapepe
Waimea Valley to Hanapepe
Waimea Valley to Hanapepe
Waimea Valley to Hanapepe
Waimea Valley to Hanapepe
Waimea Valley to Hanapepe
Waimea Valley to Hanapepe

Hanapepe

Continuing south, we reach Hanapepe, a sleepy coastal spot, then detour to the off-the-beaten path site:  Hanapepe Swinging Bridge. This wobbly wooden span over the Hanapepe River is a quirky thrill—hold tight as it sways!  We walk the path along the river for while, then come back to walk through this small town.  We learn Hanapepe is home to Talk Story Bookstore – the furthest west bookstore in all of the United States.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             .
After a long day, we head back to our lodging and then walk to dinner.  There are several places within easy walking distance and tonight we choose Lilikoi Bar and Grill.   We wrap up the day with fresh fish tacos and tropical cocktails, the perfect post-adventure meal.
Hanapepe Swinigng Bridge
Hanapepe Swinigng Bridg
Hanapepe Swinigng Bridg
Hanapepe Swinigng Bridg
Hanapepe
Hanapepe
Hanapepe
Hanapepe
Hanapepe
Hanapepe
Hanapepe
Hanapepe

Day 3: Na Pali Coast Adventure

Day 3 is all about the sea and the coastline of Kauai.  The Na Pali Coast is world renowned and is one of the most recognizable and beautiful coastlines in the world.  The pali, or cliffs, provide a rugged grandeur of deep, narrow valleys ending abruptly at the sea. Waterfalls and swift flowing streams continue to cut these narrow valleys while the sea carves cliffs at their mouths. Extensive stone walled terraces can still be found on the valley bottoms where Hawaiians once lived and cultivated taro. 

A day cruise to see the Na Pali Coast

We get up at the ripe hour of 4:45am to grab coffee and drive 1 hour to Port Allen.  We are supposed to arrive no later than 6:00am!  In Port Allen, we join Holo Holo Charters for their 7 hour Niihau + Na Pali Super Tour.   The cruise starts with a breakfast of scrambled eggs, fresh muffins and fresh fruit as we begin our cruise north.  Our Captain narrates the journey with history, legends, stories, and information about the island as we travel further north and get into the heart of Na Pali where we are treated to 4,000-foot sea cliffs, sea caves, waterfalls and sea arches. Spinner dolphins trail our catamaran as we cruise and occasionally, the captain stops so we can enjoy whale-watching.  North Pacific humpback whales that have migrated from their feeding grounds in Alaska, over 3,000+ miles to Hawaii for their winter breeding and calving season.  The highlight of our whale-watching was when a mother did a full water breach followed seconds behind by her calf.  Not one person on our boat caught a photo!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       .
The weather isn’t cooperating today, as is typical in February.  The seas and winds are too dangerous for us to travel to the island of Niihau.  Niihau is Hawaii’s mysterious “Forbidden Island” that’s home to a private colony of Native Hawaiians that live there, off the grid. It’s illegal to go ashore at Niihau, however, it’s where they usually anchor respectfully offshore for snorkeling.  Our captain takes us to an alternate location for snorkeling and after a make-your-own deli lunch, the crew passes out fins and snorkel gear.  We swim near large sea turtles and the waters are teaming with colorful fish.  After an hour, we all gather back on the boat and head back to shore.  NOTE:  Since our cruise couldn’t take us to Niihau, it was about an hour shorter than promised, but the tour company refunded everyone a portion of their fee!
Napali Coast Cruise
Napali Coast Cruise
Napali Coast Cruise
Napali Coast Cruise
Napali Coast Cruise
Napali Coast Cruise
Napali Coast Cruise
Napali Coast Cruise
Napali Coast Cruise
Napali Coast Cruise
Napali Coast Cruise
Napali Coast Cruise
Napali Coast Cruise

The Drive Back to Lihue

Back on land, the 60-minute drive from Port Allen to Lihue feels too short to process the day’s magic.
Port Allen to Lihue
Port Allen to Lihue
Port Allen to Lihue

Rob’s Good Times Grill

Dinner at Rob’s Good Times Grill keeps it casual—burgers, beers, and live music round out a perfect island day.
Robs Good Time Grill
Robs Good Time Grill
Robs Good Time Grill

Day 4: Northern Escape

We head north on Day 4, driving from Lihue to Princeville along Route 56 on the eastern side of the island.  The 45-minute drive takes us past ocean vista after ocean vista.
Lihue to Princeville
Lihue to Princeville
Lihue to Princeville
Lihue to Princeville
Lihue to Princeville
Lihue to Princeville

Princeville

Framed by stunning cliffside views that overlook the Pacific, Princeville is a common destination for many visitors to Kauai.  Princeville is a resort area filled with golf courses, located on the north coast of the island.  This paradise, with its carefully planned architecture and landscaping, still manages to retain the peace and beauty of ancient days, when Hawaiians farmed in the green valley below when it was home to sugar plantations and cattle ranches.  ‘Princeville’ was named in 1860 in honor of Hawaii’s crown prince, Prince Albert.

Princeville
Princeville
Princeville
Princeville
Princeville
Princeville
Princeville
Princeville

North to Haena Beach

From Princeville, we travel on windy, twisty narrow roads to Haena Beach, where golden sands meet rugged cliffs.  The state park here requires a pass and can only be accessed by a timed shuttle.  We checked earlier in the day and there were several open slots, so we didn’t purchase one.  We thought we’d wait to get here to see if we felt like going – and we don’t.
Princeville to Haena Beach
Princeville to Haena Beach
Princeville to Haena Beach
Princeville to Haena Beach
Princeville to Haena Beach
Princeville to Haena Beach
Princeville to Haena Beach
Princeville to Haena Beach
Princeville to Haena Beach
Haena Beach

Hanalei

On our way back to Princeville, we stop in Hanalei to see its famous pier.  The pier is very important to the culture of the town.  Originally built of wood in 1892, it was replaced by concrete in 1921.  It was abandoned in 1933 due to cheaper rice being grown in California.  Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, today it is used for fishing as well as social and musical gatherings.  The pier was featured in the musical South Pacific.  The waters here are perfect for surfing with tranquil beginner waves to the left of the pier and more advanced waves to the right.  We stand at the end of the pier watching the more advanced surfers – and since the pier extends 340 feet into the surf, we are often positioned right at the place where a surfer “catches the wave.”
Hanalei Pier
Hanalei Pier
Hanalei Bay Waters
Hanalei Bay Waters
Haena Beach back to Princeville
Haena Beach back to Princeville
Haena Beach back to Princeville
Haena Beach back to Princeville
Haena Beach back to Princeville
Haena Beach back to Princeville

Lunch at Tiki Iniki

One of our friends recommended Tiki Iniki in Princeville.  We’ve been told it has lots of “ambiance” and between the decor, the staff and the menu, it doesn’t disappoint.  As always, we enjoy a seat at the bar and watch as the bartender uses a variety of different shaped unique glasses to create and serve island mixed drinks.  They even have one drink that is served in an empty SPAM container.
Tiki Iniki
Tiki Iniki
Tiki Iniki

Taking a Break in the Hotel Pool

Backtracking to Lihue, we spend the afternoon lounging by Banyan Harbor Resort’s pool, letting the sun melt away the miles.  We meet several fellow travelers and enjoy learning about each other’s adventures on this and other Hawaiian Islands.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   .
We walk to the nearby Cafe Portofino and order a pizza we take back to our room to eat.  We enjoy our upper balcony to watch the sunset as we filled our bellies with quite the amazing pizza!
Pool Time
Pool Time

Day 5: Waterfalls and Farewell

Wailua Falls

Our last day starts with Wailua Falls, a double-tiered cascade just a 15-minute drive north from Lihue.   Wailua Falls is a stunning double-tiered waterfall that cascades almost 170 feet.  The falls are surrounded by lush foliage and gained widespread recognition after appearing in the opening credits for the 1970’s TV show Fantasy Island.  It’s a postcard moment, mist rising from the plunge pool.
Drive to Wailua Falls
Wailua Falss
Drive to Wailua Falls
Drive to Wailua Falls

Wailua River State Park

Nearby, Wailua River State Park offers kayaking or a glimpse of ancient Hawaiian sites—serene and sacred.  The Wailua River is the only river in Hawaii that is navigable by boat (i.e. kayak).  We heard the park offers guided kayaking trips to the Fern Grotto, a cave where lush ferns grow from moisture seeping from sugarcane irrigation on the cliff plateau, but our research didn’t find any currently available trips.
Wailua River State Park
Wailua River State Park
Wailua River State Park

Shipwreck Beach

We want to enjoy one of the beaches on Kauai and we make the mistake of visiting Shipwreck Beach near Poipu in the south.  The combination of strong waves and several smooth rocks in the sand causes both of us to tumble as we try to navigate into the water, past the waves.  Harrison gets up quickly, but Nancy keeps getting pummeled with waves every time she stands back up and finally gives up, heading back to shore to sunbathe.  Harrison makes it out past the crashing waves and enjoys the waters for a while.
Shipwreak Beach
Shipwreak Beach
Shipwreak Beach
Shipwreak Beach

Kalapaki Joe’s

Lunch calls and we find the delightful Kalapaki Joe’s in Poipu.  This place proudly boasts that it is the western most sports bar in the USA.  The windows are open and the air warm flows throughout the establishment.  We enjoy great food and ocean views.  Poipu had been one of our options for lodging but as we drive through the area, it gives us more of a residential vacation vibe than a place for explorers like us.  
Kalapaki Joes
Kalapaki Joes
Kalapaki Joes

Kauai Coffee Plantation

Next, we take a 20-minute drive west on Route 50 to visit the Kauai Coffee Plantation in Kalaheo. This sprawling estate offers tours, tastings, and bags of bold Kauai beans to take home. We choose to do the 20-minute self-guided tour through the plantation where we learn a lot about the entire lifecycle of coffee, from seedling to brewed cup.  Back at the gift shop, we enjoy the free coffee tasting of 6 or so different types.  The return drive to Lihue on Route 540 (a quieter loop) winds through farmland, a peaceful farewell to the island.

Kauai Coffee Plantation
Kauai Coffee Plantation
Kauai Coffee Plantation
Kauai Coffee Plantation

Summary

Kauai stole our hearts with its wild beauty and slow pace. From the Na Pali’s rugged shores to Waimea’s canyon depths, every day felt like a new chapter. The food, the drives, the aloha—it’s an island that lingers long after you leave.  We left several things on the table for a potential future visit.  For example, there’s very unique mountain tubing adventure we decided was better suited for warmer weather. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                  .
What’s your Kauai must-do? Share below—We’d love to hear your story!
                                                                                                                                                      .
Which is your favorite Hawaiian Island?   Drop it below—we’d love to hear your take!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           .
Here are links to our other Hawaiian Adventures: