Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Kauai?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 weeks 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 week enough time in Kauai?
Kauai offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. So with one week, 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 week or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend a week 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)
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)
Known for it's hiking, Kauai sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. Kauai is a beautiful island with world famous hikes through the stunning mountains. The hiking trails take you through lush rainforests and along scenic coastlines. The mountains climb high and the trails range from easy to challenging. Popular hikes include the Awawawapuhi Nualolo Trail, the Cliff Trail to Waipoo Falls, and the Kalalau Trail.IL
A few tour suggestions include:
- Wailua River and Secret Falls Kayak and Hiking Tour on Kauai ($125)
- Half-Day Kayak and Waterfall Hike Tour in Kauai with Lunch ($146)
- Secret Falls Kayak Hike in Kauai ($115)
This island is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The island has more of a relaxed vibe than a party vibe, but there are plenty of places to listen to live music. There are also local dive bars as well as wine bars and upscale lounges where you can enjoy a drink. Many often have a dance floor as well.
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Kauai is very popular. Spend the day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. There aren't as many snorkeling and diving options as there are on some of the other Hawaiian islands, but you'll still find plenty of places to enjoy the underwater world. Popular snorkeling spots around the island include Ke'e Beach, Haena Beach Park, and Anini Beach.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Nā Pali Coast Zodiac Raft Expedition + Snorkeling on Kauai ($225)
- Napali Coast Boat Tours and Snorkeling ($210)
- Hanalei Bay AM Kayak and Snorkel Tour ($160)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kauai.
This island offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. There are local museums that educate visitors on the island's history and culture. You can also visit sugar plantations and art galleries.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kauai.
Shopping in Kauai is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There's a mix of local shopping centers and larger retail malls.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kauai.
After you've explored most of Kauai, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kauai.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Kauai?
Two weeks is more than enough for an in-depth trip to Kauai, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Relax at the beach, get out into nature, take in the beautiful scenery, and go scuba diving or snorkeling on your own schedule. Then, take some boat trips or day tours around the surrounding area.
Kauai Coastline, Hawaii
How to spend 2 weeks in Kauai
With 2 weeks in Kauai, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the island has to offer.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Kauai, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kauai.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Kauai. Plenty of amazing options are available.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kauai.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kauai.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Kauai, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kauai.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Kauai. Plenty of amazing options are available.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kauai.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kauai.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Kauai, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Kauai.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Kauai, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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