A Week In Kauai, Hawaii
Every year, I try to do something a little extra for my birthday — a new stamp in the passport, a new adventure, a new memory that feels bigger than just a dinner reservation. This year, that celebration brought me to Kauai, Hawaii — the lush, wild, nature-lover’s paradise I’d been dreaming about.
I’ve explored the Big Island and Oahu before, but Kauai felt different. Quieter. Greener. Less polished and more raw. It is an ideal place for adventuring.
Kauai is small enough that you can drive around most of it in about 2.5–3 hours. Renting a car is essential. Half the magic of Kauai happens when you randomly pull over for a waterfall, roadside fruit stand, or a beach that wasn’t even on your map.
We split our stay between the sunny south shore (Poipu) and the lush north shore (Hanalei), and I cannot recommend this enough. Each side of the island feels like a completely different personality, and experiencing both made the trip feel fuller.
Poipu
We started in Poipu, which was the perfect “ease into vacation mode” location. Our strategy was relax first, adventure later.
Poipu is an ideal base if you want beach time, snorkeling, and slow mornings. There are so many great places to stay here. If I were going full luxury mode, I’d book the stunning Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa- the grounds and pools alone are jaw-dropping. However, thanks to credit card points, we stayed at Ko'a Kea Resort on Poipu Beach, and it was perfect. Boutique-sized, right on the beach, with an on-site restaurant and a central pool that felt intimate but lively.
One of my favorite parts was the coastal walking path that connects many of the oceanfront resorts. You can wander from beach to beach, hotel to hotel. One night, we wandered into another property for a spontaneous night swim and hot tub. So really, you can’t go wrong with picking a hotel around here, as you all have access to the same beaches and ocean water.
Just down the path from Ko'a Kea Resort is the famous Poipu Beach, where sea turtles come ashore to rest. Watching them waddle up onto the sand while the sky turned pink was one of those simple but unforgettable Hawaii moments.
The Food Highlight: Puka Dog
You cannot leave Poipu without grabbing a Hawaiian-style hot dog at Puka Dog. It’s a small, casual spot serving “puka” dogs — think pig-in-a-blanket meets tropical flavors. As a vegetarian, I was thrilled they had a veggie option. We grabbed hot dogs, chips, and a beer, then walked along the beach until we found a picnic table overlooking the ocean.
Waimea Canyon – The Grand Canyon of the Pacific
From Poipu, it’s about a 50–60 minute drive to Waimea Canyon State Park, and it is absolutely worth the early wake-up call.
We drove up in the morning, stopping in tiny roadside towns for breakfast. The canyon views are dramatic — deep reds, lush greens, misty ridgelines that feel almost painted.
There are hikes for every level. We opted for a 3–4-mile trail descending into the canyon, which gave us sweeping views and a satisfying “earned it” feeling afterward.
On the way back, we cooled off with JoJo's Shave Ice. Then we stopped in Hanapepe, the charming town that inspired Lilo & Stitch. There’s a colorful mural, cute boutiques, and small local restaurants. It’s worth an hour of wandering.
The Kauai Road Trip – South to North
Driving from Poipu to the north shore was one of my favorite days of the trip. Kauai is made for road tripping — amazing road stop pull-overs, waterfalls in the distance, jungle-covered mountains, and ocean views.
We kicked things off with lunch at a viral musubi food truck (Spam musubi was the crowd favorite, but yes, they had a vegetarian option).
One of the most unexpectedly fun stops was a rum safari with Kauai Safaris. We rode in an open-air safari vehicle through private land, learning about Kauai’s agriculture and resources while tasting rum cocktails along the way. It was educational… and let’s just say we left very cheerful. If you have a late flight out of Kauai, this would be such a fun send-off activity, as it is so close to the airport.
Next, we stopped at Lydgate Farms for a chocolate tasting. The chocolate was rich, complex, and genuinely some of the best I’ve had. I later learned they offer full farm tours, which I wish we had booked — if you have extra time, absolutely look into it.
Familee Korean Shave Ice serves the most unreal ube shave ice. Creamy, nutty, lightly sweet, layered with texture- it’s not your average syrupy cone. It was unique, unexpected, and one of my favorite bites of the entire trip.
My biggest road-trip advice is to leave some space in your schedule. Kauai rewards flexibility. Pull over when something looks interesting. Stop for acai bowls and shave ice. Try the random coffee shack. Wander.
Hanalei
Hanalei was, without question, my favorite part of Kauai.
We booked an Airbnb just outside of town that came with bikes, which ended up being the best decision. Each day, we’d hop on and cruise into town, which made for a fun way to explore town.
After driving through Princeville, I felt even more confident in our choice. Princeville is beautiful, but it leans more resort-condo-golf-course energy. Hanalei, on the other hand, feels cozy, walkable, and alive. It has personality. If you’re debating between Princeville and Hanalei, I’d pick Hanalei every time — or even a home out near Wainiha if you want something more secluded and near the State Park.
Hanalei’s main drag is lined with casual restaurants, food trucks, surf shops, and little local gems. We made it our mission to try as many as possible.
One unexpectedly delightful stop was Pink's Ice Cream Shop. They had a pineapple grilled cheese that sounds questionable but was somehow magical — salty, sweet, buttery, tropical perfection.
The Hanalei food truck park. Multiple trucks, picnic tables, laid-back vibes. The Thai spot and the Indian spot were both incredible and the perfect lower-cost meal versus some of the sit-down places.
The MVP of Hanalei is Wishing Well Shave Ice. It was the best shave ice we had on the island. I ordered the “Tropical Bliss,” and I still think about it. Fresh fruit, macadamia ice cream, tropical flavors, perfectly fluffy ice…I’m still thinking about it to this day.
Two places we didn’t get to but absolutely would next time were Bar Acuda – Tapas, twinkle lights, and a dreamy back patio, and The Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant – I heard they have a great veggie burger (which I’m always on the hunt for).
Hanalei is the gateway to adventure. Our days were full in the best way — snorkeling, beach hopping, waterfall hunting, and one unforgettable boat ride along the Nā Pali Coast (truly jaw-dropping cliffs that look straight out of a movie).
One afternoon, we ventured to Queen’s Bath in Princeville — a natural ocean pool formed by lava rock. To get there, you wind through Princeville neighborhoods and hike down a muddy trail. We spent time there swimming, watching waves crash dramatically against the rocks, peering into tide pools, and spotting sea turtles gliding through the water.
Another favorite was Hideaway Beach. The hike down is steep and slightly treacherous, but at the bottom, you’re rewarded with a secluded stretch of sand framed by cliffs and turquoise water. We lugged chairs and snorkels down, posted up for hours, and completely lost track of time.
We did, however, get extremely hungry. So we hiked back up and headed to 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay for lunch. The hotel is stunning, all soft neutrals, open-air design, and panoramic views of Hanalei Bay with the mountains rising behind it. We had lunch, cooled off, and soaked in the scenery. It felt like the perfect blend of beach day meets island luxury.
One of my absolute favorite days was exploring Hā'ena State Park. Reservations are required in advance — either for limited parking or the shuttle. We opted for the shuttle, and I highly recommend it. It was seamless and stress-free.
Inside the park, we hiked the Hanakāpīʻai Falls Trail. This trail is what you picture when you imagine hiking in Hawaii.
The path hugs the coastline with sweeping ocean views before reaching Hanakāpī‘ai Beach — dramatic and stunning. From there, the trail turns inland through dense jungle, bamboo forests, and muddy roots until you reach the waterfall. And the waterfall is worth every sweaty step. We swam in the cool water, even ducked behind the falls, laughing and trying not to slip on the rocks. The hike is moderately challenging (mostly because of the heat and humidity), but it’s never boring. Every turn feels like a postcard.
Pro tip: At the end of the hike, cool off in the ocean at the beach near the trailhead. We took a dip, floated in the waves, and snorkeled a bit.
The last big adventure we went on was the boat ride from Hanalei down the Nā Pali Coast. Depending on the weather, the boat ride can be choppy. We got really lucky and had a smooth day. The views are spectacular, and the information about Kauai and the coast that the guides provided was super informative. We used Na Pali Catamaran company.
Kauai felt like the kind of place that gently pulls you offline and into the present. Between the turquoise water, dirt trails, roadside eats, and spontaneous adventures, it was the perfect birthday escape. Equal parts relaxation and exploration.
If you’re debating which Hawaiian island to visit and you love hiking, nature, and that untamed tropical energy, Kauai might just be your island.
