Known as the Garden Isle, Kaua’i captivated us with its raw beauty, emerald cliffs, and hidden waterfalls—but getting there was half the journey. Between COVID delays and rental car shortages, this was the fourth time we tried to book this trip, and we were beyond excited to finally make it happen in 2021. At the top of our list? The legendary Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast—and yes, we finally hiked it, in perfect weather no less! From a doors-off helicopter ride over the island’s dramatic cliffs to exploring Waimea Canyon, snorkeling in Poipu, and sipping coffee at local spots like Imua, Kaua’i delivered everything we hoped for and more. It was the kind of trip that made every rebooking and delay totally worth it.

Itinerary

This is based on our Kaua’i portion of our 2021 Oahu combo trip from November 18-21.

🚁 Day 1 – Fly to Kaua’i & Helicopter Tour

• 🥐 7:30 AM – Grab breakfast
• 🚗 8:15 AM – Return rental car
• ✈️ 9:35 AM – 10:15 AM – Flight from Honolulu to Kaua’i($39)
• 🚙 10:15 AM – Pick up Turo rental
• 🍽️ 11:15 AM – Lunch @ Duke’s Kaua’i
• 🚁 1:00 PM – Check-in for helicopter tour at Harbor Mall (bring ID), depart from Lihue Airport
• 🚁 1:45–2:45 PM – Private Door-Off Helicopter Tour (🎟️ Pre-purchase required via Mauna Loa, $363 each)
  • 📸 A doors-off, once-in-a-lifetime flight with unbeatable views of Kaua‘i’s raw, untouched beauty (70% of Kaua‘i is inaccessible by land).
  • 📸 Epic photo ops (💡 Use 10-18mm lens at f/5.6, bring GoPro with head mount)
  • 🎥 Fly over Manawaiopuna Falls (“Jurassic Park Falls”) in Hanapepe Valley
  • 🌄 Soar above Olokele Canyon and the vibrant Waimea Canyon (“Grand Canyon of the Pacific”)
  • 🌊 Glide along the iconic Na Pali Coast with its towering sea cliffs and lush valleys
  • 🌴 Enjoy sweeping views of Hanalei Bay
  • 🌧️ Fly to Mt. Waiʻaleʻale, one of the wettest places on Earth, with over 450 inches of rainfall annually
• 🏨 Check-in at Aston Islander on the Beach ($189/night via Kreller’s)
• 🌿 Optional: Hike Ho’opi’i Falls Trail (2.4 mi, ~70-min).
• 🍽️ Dinner @ Coconut’s Fish Cafe
• 🛒 Grab lunch for Friday at Safeway

🏞️ Day 2 – Kalalau Hike & North Shore

• ☕ 6:00 AM – Coffee/pastries from Imua Coffee Roasters at hotel
• 🚗 6:15 AM – Drive to Ha’ena (~1 hr)
• 🥾 Hike Kalalau Trail (9.1 mi, ~6 hrs, 🎟️ Reservation required for Entry + 🅿️ Parking 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM, 💡Book this at GoHaena as soon as reservations go on sale because it sells out in minutes, which is 30 days prior at 12 AM HST)
• 🧺 Picnic lunch on trail
• 🌅 Visit Hanalei Bay (Optional: Stop at Tunnels Beach)
• 🍽️ Dinner @ Lava Lava Beach Club (first come, first served)

🌋 Day 3 – Waimea Canyon & South Shore

• ☕ 6:00 AM – Coffee at Imua Coffee Roasters
• ☀️ 6:45 AM – Sunrise at hotel
• 🍳 7:00 AM – Breakfast to-go from Lava Lava Beach Club
• 🚗 Visit Waimea Canyon (💡 go early before fog)
• ☕ Kaua’i Coffee Company (open 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, free tastings and self-guided tours)
• 🏄‍♂️ 2:00 PM – Surf lesson at Poipu Beach Surf School – (🎟️ Reservation recommended, $75/person)
• 🍹 3:45 PM – Brennecke’s Beach Broiler happy hour drink/snack (🎟️ Reservation recommended)
• Additional Activities (time/energy permitting):
  • 🌊 Snorkel or bodyboard at Poipu/Brennecke’s Beach
  • 🥾 Mahu’ulepu Trail hike
• 🍽️ Dinner @ Sleeping Giant Grill

🛫 Day 4 – Departure

• ☕ 6:00 AM – Coffee/pastries from Imua Coffee Roasters
• ✈️ 7:55 AM – 11:50 PM – Flight from Kaua’i to St. Louis ($283, 3-hr layover in Las Vegas)

💡Kaua‘i Travel Tips

• 🎟️ Book permits early – Especially for the Kalalau Trail and Haʻena State Park (parking and entry slots fill fast)
• 🚁 Take a helicopter tour – Over 70% of Kaua‘i is inaccessible by land; a flight gives you views you can’t get any other way
• 🥾 Be prepared for mud – Trails like Hanakapiʻai Falls can get slippery; wear grippy hiking shoes
• 🧴 Bring reef-safe sunscreen – It’s required in Hawaii and helps protect marine life
• 🌄 Visit Waimea Canyon in the morning – Views are clearest before afternoon fog rolls in
• 🌧️ Pack for rain, even in the dry season – Kaua‘i is known for surprise showers
• 🧃 Stop at roadside fruit stands – Fresh coconut, mango, and other local treats are worth the pull-over
• 🚗 Reserve your rental car early – Shortages are common and prices can spike fast
• 📸 Capture the sunsets – West and north shore spots like Hanalei Bay or Poipu Beach are unbeatable at golden hour

Pictures

See our album for the combo Oahu and Kaua’i pictures.

Helicopter Tour

We took to the skies on a Mauna Loa private, doors-off helicopter tour for a once-in-a-lifetime aerial view of Kaua‘i’s raw, untouched beauty—a must, considering over 70% of the island is inaccessible by land. The flight offered epic photo ops, so we came prepared with a GoPro and wide-angle lens to capture every moment. Highlights included soaring over Manawaiopuna Falls (famously known as the Jurassic Park waterfall), the colorful ridges of Olokele Canyon and Waimea Canyon, and the dramatic sea cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. We also took in sweeping views of Hanalei Bay, and flew into the misty emerald slopes of Mt. Waiʻaleʻale, one of the wettest places on Earth with waterfalls streaming down its sides. It was nothing short of breathtaking.

Kalalau Hike

Hiking the Kalalau Trail along Kaua‘i’s legendary Na Pali Coast was a true bucket-list experience—and it absolutely lived up to the hype. We tackled the out-and-back trek to Hanakapiʻai Falls, which totals about 9 miles round trip and took us roughly 6 hours with plenty of time for photos, stream crossings, and soaking in the views. The first 2 miles to Hanakapiʻai Beach follow a rugged coastline with sweeping ocean views, steep climbs, and narrow ridgelines. From there, the trail veers inland through dense jungle and slippery terrain, crossing the Hanakapiʻai Stream multiple times before ending at the breathtaking 300-foot waterfall, cascading into a cool, swimmable pool. We lucked out with perfect weather, but conditions can change fast—so bring grippy shoes, lots of water, and be prepared for mud and stream crossings. Permits are required for entry and parking, so book in advance. It was hands-down one of the most unforgettable hikes we’ve ever done.

Hanalei Bay

Waimea Canyon

Nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is one of Kaua‘i’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Stretching over 10 miles long and more than 3,000 feet deep, the canyon is a colorful tapestry of red rock cliffs, lush greenery, and waterfalls cascading through its crevices. We drove the scenic Waimea Canyon Drive, stopping at various lookouts to take in the jaw-dropping views—including the popular Waimea Canyon Lookout and Puʻu Hinahina. The morning light brought out the canyon’s vivid colors, and we were lucky to beat the fog that often rolls in later in the day. Whether you’re just driving through or hitting a trail, Waimea Canyon offers a dramatic contrast to Kaua‘i’s tropical coastline and is an absolute must-see for nature lovers and photographers alike.

Aston Islander

Restaurants/Concessions (Dukes, Lava Lava Beach Club, Imua)

Check out our other Hawaiian blogs:

• Maui 
• O’ahu
• The Big Island