Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Kauai?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Kauai?
Many travelers spend at least 5 or as many as 14 days in Kauai during their visit. After all, the idyllic island has plenty to explore such as the beaches, the hiking, and the gorgeous scenery.
Kauai is a beautiful island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It's famously called "the Garden Isle" because of its tropical rainforest and lush green environment. The island is filled with dramatic mountain peaks and steep cliffs, that create iconic hikes. The island is a favorite for travelers because of its stunning beauty and idyllic atmosphere.
Do you have one or two days to visit Kauai? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Kauai?
Kauai offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see everything the island has to offer. You really need more time to relax at the beach, get out into nature, take in the beautiful scenery, and go scuba diving or snorkeling. Many visitors prefer to have at least 5 or as many as 14 days to fully enjoy the island. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend a day in Kauai
When visiting Kauai, you can't miss Waimea Canyon as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy it.
Kauai is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The island is filled with dramatic beauty, from the inland mountains covered in tropical forests, to the scenic beaches and blue water.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Napali Coast Boat Tours and Snorkeling ($210)
- Princeville Botanical Gardens Tour and Chocolate Tasting Ticket ($99)
- Na Pali Sunset & Sightsee Boat Tour ($242)
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Kauai?
A weekend is generally not enough time to enjoy the scenery and sights of Kauai. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to relax at the beach, get out into nature, take in the beautiful scenery, and go scuba diving or snorkeling. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the idyllic island, a more lengthy visit is recommended. Many travelers opt for at least 5 or as many as 14 days to fully explore the area. After all, The very popular island of Kauai has many activities and attractions for visitors. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your journey.
Kauai Coastline, Hawaii
How to spend 2 days in Kauai
With a weekend (two to three days) in Kauai, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the island has to offer.
The beautiful beaches await you in Kauai, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The island is filled with scenic beaches and idyllic coastline. The water conditions can be highly variable, so you should check with a local before entering the water. But the island has about 50 miles of sandy coastline that will take your breath away. You'll also likely see Hawaiian monk seals or sea turtles on the beach.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Napali Coast Boat Tours and Snorkeling ($210)
- Surf Lesson in Sunny Po'ipu ($89)
- Hanalei Bay AM Kayak and Snorkel Tour ($160)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this island, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The food in Kauai combines the island's diverse cultures into a unique mix of flavors. There's fresh seafood, tropical fruit, and, of course, spam. You'll find common dishes like poke bowls and coconut shrimp, as well as more local dishes such as poi and lomi lomi.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Princeville Botanical Gardens Tour and Chocolate Tasting Ticket ($99)
- Explore Waimea Town on a Walking Food Tour ($129)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Kauai, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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