Things to Do in Kauai: A 5-Day Guide | Roamly Skip to content
Kauai

Roamly Destination Guide

Things to do in Kauai

A 5-day itinerary built from real traveler reviews — not ads.

Your 5-day Kauai itinerary

1

Day 1

  • 08:00 Breakfast at Little Fish Coffee (Poupi) — try the Little Fish Bowl for a delicious start; expect to pay around $15. Arrive early to avoid the crowds.
  • 10:00 Visit Poipu Beach Park (Poipu) — enjoy swimming and sunbathing at this family-friendly beach known for its soft sand and clear waters.
  • 12:30 Lunch at RumFire Kauai (Kauai) — order the fresh catch of the day while enjoying stunning ocean views; budget about $60.
  • 14:30 Explore the Spouting Horn Blowhole (Koloa) — witness powerful waves crashing into the rocks, creating impressive sprays.
  • 16:30 Sunset at Polihale State Park (Waimea) — take in breathtaking views of the Na Pali Coast; it's a longer drive, but totally worth it.
2

Day 2

  • 08:00 Breakfast at your hotel or nearby café — fuel up for a day of exploration.
  • 10:00 Koloa Rum Tasting at Kilohana Plantation — for just $5, enjoy a fun rum tasting experience and learn about the distillation process.
  • 12:30 Lunch at Keoki's Paradise (Koloa) — try the Original Hula Pie and coconut shrimp, budget around $50; book ahead to secure a spot.
  • 14:00 Hike in Kokee State Park (Kokee) — hike to breathtaking views overlooking Kauai’s Grand Canyon; it can be a long trek, so plan accordingly.
  • 17:30 Dinner at Kokee Lodge (Kokee) — perfect for a post-hike meal, order sandwiches for about $20.
3

Day 3

  • 08:00 Breakfast at your hotel or a local café.
  • 10:00 Explore Waimea Canyon (Waimea) — often called the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," the views are exceptional.
  • 12:30 Lunch at the Canyon Cafe (Waimea) — great for quick bites; try the burgers for around $15.
  • 14:30 Drive along the Na Pali Coast — stop at scenic viewpoints for stunning photos.
  • 17:00 Dinner at Holo Holo Charter (Kauai) — book an evening sunset cruise for incredible views; prices vary, expect around $100.
4

Day 4

  • 08:00 Breakfast at Little Fish Coffee (Poupi) — revisit for more tasty breakfast bowls; it's worth the wait!
  • 10:00 Beach day at Hanalei Bay (Hanalei) — enjoy swimming and relaxing at this beautiful beach surrounded by mountains.
  • 13:30 Lunch at Hanalei Dolphin (Hanalei) — order the sushi or poke bowl; expect to spend about $25.
  • 15:30 Visit the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge — take a peaceful stroll and enjoy birdwatching in a stunning setting.
  • 17:30 Dinner at a food truck in Hanalei — try some local Hawaiian BBQ; budget around $15.
5

Day 5

  • 08:00 Breakfast at your hotel or nearby café.
  • 10:00 Kilohana Plantation Signature Train Tour — for $25, take a scenic train ride around the plantation and visit the petting zoo.
  • 12:30 Lunch at the Plantation House (Kilohana Plantation) — another chance to enjoy their delicious food for about $40.
  • 14:30 Last-minute shopping at local shops in Koloa — pick up souvenirs and gifts.
  • 16:30 Relax at the beach before departure.

Top things to do in Kauai

  • Polihale State Park
  • Koloa Rum Tasting
  • Holo Holo Charter
  • Kilohana Plantation Signature Train Tour
  • Explore Waimea Canyon

Where to eat in Kauai

  • Little Fish Coffee
  • RumFire Kauai
  • Keoki's Paradise
  • Kokee Lodge
  • Hanalei Dolphin

Local tips most visitors miss

  • Hanapepe Art Night
  • Kilauea Lighthouse
  • Allerton Garden

What travelers say about Kauai

Real reviews from people who've been — unsponsored.

Little Fish Coffee

This is the perfect spot in Poupi for breakfast. The coffee was so good, all of the flavors were so fresh and great. The star of the show were the breakfast fruit bowls. The yogurt, …

— Jacob
Polihale State Park

The Polihale State Park is about as far west on the island as you can go. It is a long drive from Poipu where we were staying, but it is so worth it. The beach …

— Jacob
Plantation House

This restaurant in at the Kilohana Plantation. The food was good, I had the burger which was great. The drinks, especailly the Maui Tai were worth the stop. It was probably the best one I …

— Jacob
Koloa Rum Tasting

The Koloa Rum Tasting is at Kilohana Plantation. The tour was about an hour. You have to pay a minimal amount to reserve your spot in the tasting. The room is intimate, so there weren't …

— Jacob
Holo Holo Charter

The boat was well appointed and safe. The weather and water was rough, especially in the morning. On the route out to Napali, it was rainy and most people stayed inside but we enjoyed the …

— Jacob
RumFire Kauai

The restaurant is beautiful and right on the beach! The drinks were great and the food was even better! Definitely a must do while in Poupi!

— Jacob
Kokee State Park

I can't remember the actual hike we did, but it was so pretty. We hiked around the top of the canyon and then to the bottom. While at the bottom, my wife went swimming in …

— Jacob
Keoki's Paradise

You feel like you're in the middle of the jungle. This is such a great environment. The drinks were so good. We tried many things including the coconut shrimp and burger. The best food was …

— Jacob
Kokee Lodge

We ate at Kokee Lodge after a long day of hiking in the Kokee State Park. We weren't prepared for how long of a hike it was, and were hungry when finishing. We found the …

— Jacob
Sheraton Kauai

This hotel is great! It is part of our vacation club/timeshare, and I cannot think of a better use of points. The resort is large and the suites are across a street from the beach, …

— Jacob
Kilohana Plantation Signature Train Tour

The train was so nice. It was great seeing the beauty of the Kolhana Plantation. It was about a 40 minute ride around the property, including a stop at the petting zoo where you can …

— Jacob

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