After a quick 25-minute interisland flight from Oʻahu, we touched down on the lush, green Garden Isle—Kauaʻi. Known for its wild beauty, dramatic cliffs, and laid-back pace, this island was the perfect next chapter of our Hawaii adventure.
We stayed for 7 nights at the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club in Poʻipū—an ideal spot for families, with beachfront access, walkability, and a relaxed vibe. Here’s how our week unfolded:
🐢 Day 1: Arrival, Tree Tunnels & Turtle Watching
We picked up our rental car, made a quick stop at Target for snacks and easy dinners, then headed south toward Poʻipū. Driving through the famous Kōloa tree tunnel was a magical welcome.
After settling into our villa and making a quick dinner, we took a sunset stroll to Poʻipū Beach—just a few minutes’ walk away. We were greeted by a sight we won’t forget: dozens of sea turtles snoozing on the shore. We counted 13 when we arrived… and 22 when we left!
📸 Photo tip: This is a great place for sunset turtle photos—but stay behind the ropes and give the turtles space!
🏖️ Day 2: Resort Relaxation & Friend Time
This was a classic vacation day. We met up with friends also visiting the island, spent the morning by the pool, grabbed casual lunch at Bubba’s Burgers, and stocked up on dinner items from a local market.
The kids played, the adults relaxed, and we ended the evening with a pasta dinner and—you guessed it—another turtle walk at sunset. It became a favorite nightly ritual.
🥾 Day 3: Waimea Canyon & Waterfall Hike
We hit the road early and headed west to Waimea Canyon, often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”
Along the way, we stopped at the unique Red Dirt Waterfall, then tackled a 4-mile roundtrip hike into the canyon. It was somewhat slippery and tiring at times, but the views—deep red cliffs, lush greenery, and distant waterfalls—were 100% worth it.
Afterward, we grabbed tacos in the artsy town of Hanapēpē, then cooled off with afternoon pool time. We ended the night with dinner at Kauaʻi Beer Company—a casual, family-friendly brewery with good food and laid-back vibes.
🍣 Day 4: Beach Day + Date Night
We were scheduled for a Nā Pali Coast boat tour, but weather forced it to reschedule—something to keep in mind when visiting Kauaʻi.
Instead, we soaked in a full resort day—pool, beach, and naps included. That evening, the adults slipped away for dinner at Japanese Grandma’s Café, while the kids ordered poolside favorites.
🌿 Day 5: Golf & Cliffside Hiking
The group split up today: the guys played a round at Wailua Golf Course, while the girls hiked the Mahaʻulepu Heritage Trail. This lesser-known trail winds along rugged cliffs and turquoise coastline—stunning but very exposed. Sunscreen, hats, and water are must-haves.
Dinner that night was at Keoki’s Paradise—a tropical garden setting with standout food. The ribs and kale salad were delicious, and the kids ended the meal with the legendary Hula Pie. (Yes, it’s as big as it looks!)
🏞️ Day 6: North Shore Adventure & Kalalau Trail
This was our big day up north! We booked a shuttle to Hā‘ena State Park 30 days in advance (parking is limited), and made the scenic 90-minute drive to Hanalei. After grabbing some incredible Holey Grail donuts, we explored the town before catching our shuttle.
We hiked the first two miles of the Kalalau Trail—a steep climb up followed by a descent to Hanakāpī‘ai Beach. The hike is rocky, muddy, and crosses a stream, but it was absolutely doable and breathtaking. The beach was too rough for swimming, but beautiful to explore.
After the hike, we headed back south, skipped any extra stops, and ended the day with pool time and pizza.
📸 Photo tip: The views on the Kalalau Trail are unreal—pack snacks and lots of water.
🏄♂️ Day 7: Snorkeling & Saying Aloha
Our boat tour was canceled again (Kauaʻi weather can be unpredictable), so we leaned into another relaxing day.
The kids had a blast with a surf lesson, followed by snorkeling just off the beach. We wrapped up with dinner at Leong’s, then packed up for our early morning flight.
🌈 Final Thoughts: Kauaʻi’s Magic
Kauaʻi stole our hearts. It’s rugged, vibrant, slow-paced, and full of soul. From the turtle-filled sunsets to the breathtaking canyon views, it offered something for everyone—and left us dreaming of returning.
✨ Kauaʻi Travel Tips
🗓️ Stay: 6–8 nights is perfect if you want time to explore and unwind- but splitting between the north and south shores is ideal.
🚗 Rent a car: Essential for seeing more than just your resort.
🌤️ Be flexible: Weather shifts fast—boat tours may cancel, but there’s always something beautiful to do.
🌊 Don’t skip: Waimea Canyon hike, Mahaʻulepu Trail, and at least one North Shore day.
🐢 At sunset: Head to Poʻipū Beach to watch the turtles come ashore—magical and free.
🍴 Dinner reservations: Book in advance, especially for popular spots like Keoki’s and Japanese Grandma’s.
🧃 Groceries help: Stock up on snacks and quick meals—food is expensive!
🧗 For hikers: Pack trail shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, and a sense of adventure.
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