How To Spend Two Days on Kauaʻi
Here’s what you should do if you've only got 48 hours on the Garden Isle.
Got a trip planned to Oʻahu—but want to visit Kauaʻi, too?
I don’t blame you.
Kauaʻi is one of my favorite places to visit, especially when I want to decompress and relax. It’s a great island for exploring, with miles of uncrowded hiking trails and secluded beaches.
If you’re planning to spend at least a week in the Islands, you might want to consider visiting another island, even for a couple of days. The flight from Honolulu to Līhuʻe is about half an hour, and getting around on the Garden Isle—you’ll have to rent a car—is easy.
But don’t let its size—Kauaʻi has an area of 562 square miles, making it the fourth-largest of the Hawaiian Islands—fool you. The drive from Hanalei on the island’s north shore to Kōkeʻe State Park on the west side takes over 2 hours. One way. Seriously.
Two days isn’t enough to explore the entire island, but it’s enough time to experience some of its greatest hits.
Read More: Our 10 Essential Experiences on Kauaʻi
Day 1
8 a.m. Grab a Quick Snack at Little Fish Coffee Co. in Kōloa
The açai bowl at Little Fish Coffee in Kōloa.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
You’ve arrived! The plan is to head west—and you’ll need sustenance. Little Fish Coffee in Kōloa is about a 25-minute drive from Līhuʻe Airport, via the island’s famous eucalyptus-lined tree tunnel on Maluhia Road (Hwy. 520). This charming roadside stand serves smoothies, bagel sandwiches and açai bowls, using many Kauaʻi-grown ingredients. There’s also an extensive coffee menu. Order online to skip the line.
9 a.m. Head to Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Park
The view of Waipoʻo Falls in Waimea Canyon on Kauaʻi.
Photo: Getty Images/maximkabb
It’s a 45-minute drive to Waimea Canyon State Park from Kōloa, along the winding Waimea Canyon Drive. At the lookout, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee if you’re not a Hawaiʻi resident. Cost is $5 per person and $10 per vehicle. (Save the receipt; you won’t have to pay for your vehicle at Kōkeʻe State Park.) Here, you’ll get a 280-degree view of the canyon, nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, which stretches 14 miles long, 1 mile wide and more than 3,600 feet deep.
From here, it’s a short drive to Kōkeʻe State Park, where you can gaze at the Nāpali Coast from the Kalalau Lookout and hike the more than 45 miles of trails in the park. I’d recommend the short-ish Waipoʻo Falls Trail just to the canyon overlook, which should only take a couple of hours.
Noon Lunch at the Kōkeʻe Lodge
Lunch is served at Kōkeʻe Lodge.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
If you needed a reason to hike, this would be it. The restaurant at Kōkeʻe Lodge is one of my favorite eateries on Kauaʻi. Everything on the menu is delicious, from the cornmeal pancakes with housemade whip and candied macadamia nuts to the grass-fed beef chili with tomatoes and beans. The restaurant is only open for lunch, though it hosts dinner every second Saturday.
2 p.m. Hit the beach
Poʻipū Beach, Kauaʻi.
Photo: Getty Images/YinYang
Time to cool off, and we suggest Poʻipū Beach, about 45 minutes away. There’s parking, restrooms and a playground for kids. And about the beach, it’s always listed as one of our readers’ favorites. (This year it was No. 1.) Its crystal-blue water and a reef teeming with marine life—plus, shallow tide pools perfect for kiddos—are what make this beach so popular. Sunsets here are spectacular.
4 p.m. Check In to Your Hotel
Photo: Courtesy of Waimea Plantation Cottages
The south side of Kauaʻi has a range of accommodations, from Waimea Plantation Cottages, with 61 unique, refurbished cottages scattered across 43 oceanfront acres, to the big-resort vibe of the Sheraton Kauaʻi Resort, with an ocean-view pool and restaurants where you can sip a mai tai and watch the sunset. (There’s even a popular lūʻau on site.)
Read More: The Best Hotels on Kauaʻi, According to our Editors
6 p.m. Have Dinner at Japanese Grandma’s in Hanapēpē
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It’s a half-hour drive to Hanapēpē—nicknamed the biggest little town on Kauaʻi—and this hidden gem, with an outdoor dining area under twinkle lights. The food is a blend of authentic and modern Japanese, with dishes like Kurobuta pork tonkatsu, ʻahi poke wonton tacos, green bean and vegetable tempura, crispy rice topped with spicy ʻahi, mushroom tacos, fried ʻahi katsu and a variety of sushi rolls. Reservations are recommended.
Day 2
8 a.m. Get Up Early and Head North
Shave ice from The Fresh Shave on Kauaʻi.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
The scenic drive from Poʻipū to Hanalei is about an hour and will take you through the towns of Kōloa, Līhuʻe, Kapaʻa, Wailua, Anahola, Kīlauea and Princeville. There are plenty of reasons to stop along the way. For a caffeine hit, stop at Kauaʻi Coffee Co.’s tasting room; it’s the largest coffee grower in Hawaiʻi, with more than 4 million coffee trees growing on 3,100 acres. Quaint Old Kōloa Town is lined with locally owned boutiques, art galleries and eateries. One of the best shave ice stands—The Fresh Shave, with its all-natural syrups and toppings—is located here. When you get to Wailua, take a quick detour on Kuamoʻo Road to see ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls; there’s a good-size parking lot (with restrooms) and a nice viewing area. If you’re looking to stretch your legs, when you get to Kīlauea, there’s a picturesque walk—Wai Koa Loop Trail—through a thick mahogany forest. Then take a moment before you drive into Hanalei by stopping at the overlook at Princeville, where you can gaze the valley with Hīhīmanu Mountain towering over taro fields.
11 a.m. Picnic at Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay on Kauaʻi.
Photo: Getty Images/DOUGBERRY
Before you get to Hanalei Bay, grab something to eat in the town. There are plenty of options. If you want a sandwich, head to Hanalei Bread Co. If you want a poke bowl, pick up one at Hanalei Poke. If you want a taro doughnut fried in coconut oil—and I know you do!—grab a sampler box at Holey Grail Donuts.
Hanalei Bay is a special place, and you’ll understand it once you see it. The iconic, crescent-shape bay is perfect for walking, lounging or picnicking. The waters are typically calm—winter months may see dangerous surf—and inviting. Walk the historic Hanalei Pier—jump off it if you’re daring. It’s just a beautiful place.
If you want, jump back in your car and head down Kūhiō Highway toward Kēʻē Beach, the start of the Kalalau Trail. There are numerous beaches along the way, including Mākua Beach (aka Tunnels). If you make it all the way down to Hāʻena State Park, be sure to make reservations first.
1 p.m. Enjoy a Mai Tai at Tahiti Nui
The popular mai tai at Tahiti Nui in Hanalei, Kauaʻi.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox
Tahiti Nui is known for its mai tai, and you’d be remiss to skip it. The tiki cocktail is made following a secret original recipe perfected by the restaurant founder Aunty Louise Marston and garnished with pineapple, lime and cherry. If you’re hungry, the restaurant’s menu features pizzas, coconut shrimp and a massive burger.
2:30 p.m. Visit Lydgate Farm’s Tasting Room
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The family-run Lydgate Farm recently opened a tasting room in Kapaʻa, and you can learn about the chocolate-growing and -making process and sample Kauaʻi-grown chocolate here. The shop sells other products, too, including vanilla, honey and tea. They make great gifts—and they’re all packed and ready for your flight back to Oʻahu.
