How to Plan a Kauai Hawaii Vacation

A Kauai Hawaii vacation is the ultimate getaway. Picture it: swaying palm trees, warm tropical weather, gorgeous sunsets, unique sightseeing, and endless Aloha spirit. 

This is where you’ll find sweeping sea cliffs and sunny beaches, lush rainforests and sprawling resorts. Kauai is for romantics and adventurers, families and wanderlusts. 

But is it really that simple? Can a Kauai vacation be easy to plan and easy to enjoy? Absolutely! And Hawaii Aloha Travel is here to help. 

We’ve got great info on traveling to Kauai, and we can also provide custom, expert-level vacation planning that will help create the trip of your dreams. So read along for some great Kauai info and then start planning your own trip to the Garden Isle. 

Kauai 101

Kauai is one of the 7+ Hawaiian Islands. There are many islands in the archipelago, but here at Hawaii Aloha Travel, we focus mostly on vacations on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island (AKA the Big Island). 

When people compare those four islands, they’ll typically say that Kauai is a quiet, rural island. And they’re not necessarily wrong. Kauai is far quieter than Oahu (home of lively Waikiki), but there is still plenty to do when you vacation in Kauai, Hawaii.

In fact, Kauai has some of our favorite hotels and restaurants, and there is a ton of sightseeing and touring available. 

So you can certainly plan a full vacation on Kauai. However, if you enjoy a lively nightlife or want to stay in a walkable city, you may enjoy a trip to Waikiki, Oahu, even better. 

But for everyone else – vacationers who don’t mind a bit of downtime but still want to find new adventures – Kauai will be the ideal vacation spot. 

Traveling to Kauai 

Getting to Kauai is easy. You’ll want to fly into the Lihue Airport, which is located on the east side of the island. Major US airports have flights directly to Lihue, so you can connect through Denver, Seattle, or Las Vegas and fly right into Kauai – no interisland flight needed. 

Of course, the inter-island flights are still an option if you’re visiting multiple islands during your Hawaii vacation. 

For anyone who is new to Hawaii travel: the only way to go between islands is by plane (unless you’re traveling through the islands on a cruise ship).

Getting Around During Your Kauai Hawaii Vacation

You’ll likely want a rental car while on Kauai. There is so much to see and do, and you don’t want to be constrained by Uber rides or tour itineraries. 

If you just want to vacation within the confines of your resort and neighboring beach, you could get by without a car. But if you want to do lots of sightseeing and check out the many beaches, hiking trails, and charming towns, you’ll want a car to get you there. 

Unique Ways to See Kauai

While we recommend a rental car during your Kauai vacation, there are other ways to see the island. Here are some of our favorite activities that allow you to get a unique vantage of the gorgeous island:

• A catamaran or raft tour will allow you to see the Na Pali Coast in style.
• ATV tours take you through Kauai’s rugged landscape. 
• Ziplining is always a fun way to get a bird’s-eye view. 
• Helicopter tours depart from Lihue and can fly over beaches and waterfalls. 
• Boat excursions can take you through the Wailua River
• You can float through rural Kauai during a tubing adventure. 
• Walk through Kauai’s small towns, like Hanapepe, Kapaa, and Hanalei

Check out all our Kauai activities to discover your favorite way to see Kauai!

Where to Stay

Kauai has lots of options for hotels and condos. This is a relief for travelers who think Kauai’s rural landscape might limit their accommodation options. Sure, there may not be as many hotels as you’ll find on Oahu, but there are choices for different budgets and visions. 

You’ll find international brands like Hyatt and Sheraton, local boutique hotels, and 5-star resorts like the brand-new 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay.

Here’s a list of some of the most popular accommodations on Kauai. Most of these hotels will be within walking distance of the beach, and most have pools onsite that are perfect for lazing around in the tropical weather. 

When you’re deciding hotel vs. condo for your Kauai Hawaii vacation, there are a few things to consider. First is service. Hotels will have regular housekeeping, a helpful front desk, and lots of amenities onsite. Condos are typically managed with a more hands-off approach. 

Also, think about your traveling group. Condos will have more space and may be easier to navigate vs. a big resort. 

One of the best things about condos? Most have full kitchens in each unit, which will save you lots of money on dining out. 

What to Do on Kauai

We mentioned some of our favorite ways to tour Kauai, but we didn’t even touch the surface of the island’s many activities. Here we’ll outline some of our favorites so you can get an idea of the adventures and beauty that await. 

Sightseeing During Your Kauai Hawaii Vacation

• Kauai is home to Waimea Canyon, which is nicknamed “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”
• Spouting Horn is a massive blow hole on Kauai’s south shore. 
• Fern Grotto is a gorgeous place to visit – you’ll access it with Smith’s Kauai. 
• Kilauea Lighthouse has impressive views of the North Shore. 
• Kalalau Lookout is a popular place to catch amazing views. 

Kauai Beach Days

You’ll want to spend lots of time on the beach during your Kauai Hawaii vacation! We’ve got a few favorites that we always enjoy during our time on the island. 

Poipu Beach is Kauai’s most popular beach. It’s busy, but for good reason – it has calm waters, great weather, fun activities, and a fun atmosphere. 

We also recommend visitors check out Tunnels Beach on the North Shore. It’s a top snorkel spot when conditions are right. 

Hanalei Bay is a vast beach on the North Shore that often has great swimming conditions. Lydgate Beach is on the eastern shore of Kauai and is also a fun beach to check out. 

Hiking 

There are hiking trails for all different levels in Kauai. Casual hikers tend to enjoy the trails around Waimea Canyon and Kokeʻe State Park. Okolehao Trail is also a favorite, and the trail to Kilauea Point Lighthouse is always a nice walk. 

We also enjoy the Mahalepu Beach Trail, which is 4 miles round-trip and takes you along the gorgeous coast. 

Expert hikers may decide to see the Na Pali Coast on foot – the 22-mile hike is a multi-day adventure. 

Kauai Hawaii Vacation Tours & More

• Take a free walking tour of Kauai Coffee Estate.
• Explore the many botanical gardens on Kauai.
• See how coffee or honey is farmed at Lydgate Farms.  
• Join a Rum Safari (yes, rum!). 
• In the winter, you can whale watch from shore or on a guided tour. 

Kauai Vacation Planning

You can piece together plans and hope it all works out, or you can work with pros who can organize your vacation with expert-level care. At Hawaii Aloha Travel, we’re here to provide knowledgeable and tailored vacation planning. 

Who can benefit from our help? We are here for first-time visitors and returning tourists. We’re a huge help to honeymooners who have enough planning going on with their wedding, but we also work with families, couples, and solo travelers. 

We can also help organize group trips and family reunions so that everyone is on the same page and ready to go. 

You can check out some of our Kauai vacation packages here, or you can give us a call and we can talk you through some options. 

A vacation to Kauai, Hawaii, is always a great idea. Whether you want to spend your day lying out on a sunny beach, hiking to the depths of the rainforest, or driving through charming Hawaiian towns, Kauai is the place to be. 

We’ll see you on the Garden Isle soon!