Suggestions on how to spend a week on Kauai in April
I must say from the start that a week on Kauai is not enough. Kauai is such a beautiful island and there are a lot of things to see. However, since that’s all we had, here is how we spent a week on Kauai in April.
Day 1: The West Side
We decided to go to Waimea Canyon today. As soon as we got up we checked the weather and the forecast was perfect- sunny with temperatures in the upper 60s. The rest of the week showed rain. I guess that’s the beauty of visiting Kauai in April. You don’t have guaranteed sun. So, we left Poipu around 8:30, stopping for a coffee at Kukui’ula Shopping Village. We then set off to explore Kauai.
Stop 1: Waimea Town
First, we stopped to see the statue of James Cook who made his first landing in Hawaii at Waimea on January 20th 1778. We enjoyed seeing this little historic memorial, especially since we previously saw a statue dedicated to him on the Big Island, the place where he was killed. Next, we made a quick stop at the Recreational Pier on the black beach, which the guidebook mentioned as a place of interest. However, after seeing multiple black beaches in Hawaii I know I prefer the white sand.
Stop 2: Waimea Canyon
We took highway 550 up north into Waimea Canyon State Park. The views were spectacular. It was apparently Mark Twain who named it “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. If it wasn’t for the lush greenery, you could actually imagine you were looking into the Grand Canyon. The canyon is 10 miles long and 3,600 feet deep and the colors change depending on the sun and the time of day. The red in the rocks was certainly more pronounced on our way back out of the canyon in the afternoon. We stopped at several lookouts, admiring the spectacular vistas and the cascading waterfalls.
Stop 3: Koke'e State Park
Once we reached the end of the road, at Puu a Kila Lookout in Koke’e State Park, we decided to take a hike and admire the views of the Na’pali coast. The views were breathtaking . The rugged mountains rolling into the ocean with the waves breaking against the shore were lovely. The fog never completely left the horizon but the views nevertheless were spectacular.
We took the Pihea Trail. It started downhill with beautiful ferns lining both sides of the trail. Surprisingly, 3/4 of a mile into the hike, the trail turned into a much more strenuous endeavor. You really had to use your hands and your feet to support yourself climbing up and down the ruts and exposed tree roots. Finally, we made it to the end of the trail. We were hoping the trail would take us past a mountain ridge and allow us to see more of the Na’pali coast but that didn’t happen. So, we turned around and carefully hiked back over the rutted trail to the car. We were certainly happy with the outing to the Canyon.
Stop 4: Baby Beach, Poipu
We got back to Poipu in the early afternoon with enough time to go for our first swim on Kauai on Baby Beach. Much to our surprise, we saw two huge honus (turtles) beached out on the shore. While it took us several days before we saw any turtles on Maui, we were lucky to spot two enormous ones on our first day on Kauai.
Day 2: The North Shore
Similarly to yesterday, we got an early start again today. After a quick stop for a latte, we set off to explore the North Shore. Because the Napali coast was closed off to visitors, we were only able to go as far as Hanalei.
Stop 1: Kilauea Point Natural Wildlife Refuge
The site doesn’t open till 10 am. Since we arrived early, we had time to walk to the viewpoint to admire the lighthouse from a distance. We also had time for a little breakfast – a bowl of homemade granola with yogurt and a mix of Hawaiian fruit – pineapple, apple bananas, and papaya. Easy, tasty, and healthy. However, once we started eating, the endangered Hawaiian nenes found us and started begging for food. Well, they did not get any from us. The vegetation around the area is spectacular- a variety of palm and big leaf trees with a lot of birds flying around. The lighthouse itself is very pretty, and the water surrounding it has a magnificent teal color. Definitely worth a stop while driving along the north coast.
Stop 2: Secret Beach
Secret Beach is a terrific beach. It is secluded, with serene beauty, golden sand, lava patches, and blue- green water. The hike to get to it is rather steep but well worth it. Definitely a must see.
Stop 3: Princeville
Most of Princeville is built around resorts. We took a quick drive through it just to see what it was about. Although pretty, it was not really our thing, so we left and drove to a little shopping area on Highway 56. There was a nice outdoor coffee shop with a covered overhead, which provided the much needed shade. The beach shops were quite nice as well. No need to spend a lot of time here but a quick coffee or a lunch break may be nice.
Stop 4: Hanalei and Hanelei Bay
Hanalei is a cool little town with lots of beach and surf shops, restaurants, and an interesting area devoted to the history of the Hawaiian people. Since we were looking for a hat and a sun shirt, we spent a good hour checking out the shops. Happy to say- both goals were accomplished.
Hanalei Bay is quite large with yellow sand lining it for miles. It was quite breezy, so swimming was not in the picture. Still, it was lovely to walk along the beach looking at the lush green mountains- the entrance into the Nepali coast and the azure water. It is a definite must see if you’re in the area.
Stop 5: Anini Beach
We decided to see this beach on the way back to Poipu. Again, the beach did not disappoint. Lovely turquoise waters, lots of coral on the beach, and soft sand – a perfect place to relax with a book, go for a swim or snorkel, or just sit and people watch. Definitely recommended.
Stop 6: Kapa'a
We weren’t planning on stopping here today but there was an arts and crafts market going on so we decided to check it out. We had a delicious tamale from a stand, and bought a piece of coconut brownie as well as a slice of apple banana bread for desert. Both were pretty good. We didn’t spend a lot of time in the town but our first impressions were very positive. We’ll definitely come back and explore the town more closely.
Once in Poipu, we realized that we were pretty tired tonight and decided to eat at home. We had a happy hour on our lanai and ate a delicious salad of fresh cucumbers, red onion, avocado, and sweet cherry tomatoes from Kapa’a. The salad was accompanied by a tasty turkey, cheese and egg sandwich followed by the desserts purchased in Kapa’a. Tasty and cheap.
Day 3: The South Side
Stop 1: Poipu Beach
Poipu Beach is certainly a relaxing place to be. If you can grab a place underneath a palm tree, you are guaranteed at least some shade for the rest of the day. Our Airbnb came with a nice beach umbrella and beach chairs, so we were set. Arrive early for a spot of your choice.
I am always impressed with the variety of colors on Hawaiian beaches. First, there is the natural beauty- the light green vegetation that lines the sand, the darker green palm trees flickering in the ocean breeze, the golden sand, and the spectacularly blue- green water. Then, there are the umbrellas- all shades of rainbow colors, name a color and it’s here. Then come the swimsuits- pink, purple, yellow, green, blue, red, orange and everything in between. The beach towels have amazing colors, and everything shines and sparkles in the sun. Paradise.
The beach is certainly busy. But if you close your eyes and mute out the human chatter, you’ll hear the powerful sound of the crashing waves and the pleasant chirping of the birds. And from time to time, you’ll hear a rooster crowing somewhere nearby. Morning well spent.
If you’re hungry, Poipu Shopping Village has several food options. We split a burrito at Island Taco, which was very good. The Puka Dog venue also seemed quite popular, with a long line of people waiting to order a Hawaiian style hot dog.
Stop 2: Spouting Horn
In the afternoon, we drove to check out the Spouting Horn. It is a pretty cool sight to observe, especially if it’s breezy and the waves are big. There is a similar spot in Oregon by the Yachats State Park. We’ve been there a couple of times but the waters were calm, so we weren’t able to witness the ‘explosion’. If you have seen the Old Faithful in Yellowstone you have the idea.
Stop 3: Port Allen
For dinner, we decided to check out the Kauai Island Brewing Company in Port Allen. They had 4 different IPAs and we had samples of each. Eventually, I settled for for a golden ale and my husband enjoyed a couple of the IPAs.
Afterwards, we went to check out the Glass Beach nearby. You can certainly find glass polished by the water on the beach but I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it.
Day 4: The East Side
We woke up to an overcast morning today. I checked the weather for the east side of the island and since it was supposed to clear up around 10, we decided to give it a try. The forecast for the rest of the week was rain.
Stop 1: Hindu Monastery
This was our first time to visit a Hindu shrine. The monastery is located in a beautiful setting among lush tropical vegetation. Shortly after you enter the grounds, you walk upon a sprawling banyan tree, in the middle of which stands a statue of a man with 6 faces and 12 arms. It’s a very interesting site for someone who doesn’t know much about Hinduism. You can tell that it’s a holy place as some people walk around barefoot and pray quietly or meditate. As you walk farther, you come upon a statue of a black bull, Nandi, facing the shrine. Apparently, a similar statue stands in front of every Siva temple in the world.
You then enter into the Kadavul Hindu temple (barefoot). In the center, you can see the god Shiva, the Divine Dancer. On the left is a little altar to the god Ganesha with an elephant face. To the right, you can see the statue of the god of yoga- Lord Karttikwya. The shrine is lined with 108 statues of Lord Siva.
The grounds are beautiful and you can see another temple across the Valley of the Wailua river. The temple has beautiful gilded domes and you can see the intricate details if you use the binoculars. I definitely recommend a stop here.
Stop 2: Opaekaa Falls
We stopped to see the falls and the view of the Wailua River on our way back from the temple.
Stop 3: Kapaa Town and Beach Park
Kapaa is a very pleasant town on the east side of Kauai with several restaurants and shops. We stopped there for a tropical shake at a local coffee shop. Nearby is a very nice local beach with a bike trail lining it. The bike path goes for miles and we saw quite a few people riding bikes. The waves were pretty big today, so we sat in the shade and ate our lunch enjoying the views.
Stop 4: Lydgate Beach
We read about Lydgate Beach being a good place to snorkel but the waves were too big to venture into the water. There are two pool areas perfect for little kids and protected from the waves. If you have kids and want to spend some time on the Coconut Coast, this would be a perfect beach to choose.
Stop 5: Wailua Falls
It rained really hard this morning, so the waterfall was gushing with water. The pictures I saw in guidebooks showed a waterfall with a double stream. Not today.
Stop 6: Kalapaki Beach
We decided to check out this beach as it was mentioned in many flyers. I wasn’t too impressed. The beach didn’t look very inviting as it set next to an industrial complex and a harbor. I know many people like it but I prefer a wilder setting for a beach.
Stop 7: Poipu Beach Park
We ended the day at Poipu Beach again. The beach is ideal for swimming and snorkeling with very pretty setting. It was nice to relax on the beach for an hour after a busy day. For dinner, we decided to have a happy hour and barbecue in the tropical setting of Prince Kuhio Condominiums where our Airbnb was located. We had steak, grilled pineapple, and a Greek salad minus the olives and feta.
Day 5: Hanapepe and Polihale State Park
We started the day with a coffee and an acai bowl at our local Living Foods Market at Kukui’ula Shopping Village.
Stop 1: Hanapepe
We then stopped for another latte and a pastry at a Little Fish Coffee Shop in the tiny historic center of Hanapepe. We also checked out a pretty cool swinging bridge that attracts visitors . The bridge was built in 1911 and was rebuilt after it had been destroyed by hurricane Iniki in 1992. If you’re headed this way, stop by and walk across it.
Stop 2: Polihale State Park
The dirt road to Polihale State Park was pretty bad but we made it in a little Hyundai. There are two areas that you can visit. We first drove to the area with facilities and then to Queens Pond. Both were magnificent.
The beach, the water and the mountains are magical. This is such a wild beach with hardly anyone there. Spectacular! The dunes line the beach to the south and the Napali coast is to the north. If you have seen Cape Cod National Seashore beaches, you have an idea. It’s wild, deserted, and serene.
Queens Pond area has the most gorgeous beach I have ever seen. There is a beautiful pool with sparkling turquoise water and yellow sand. This park is a must.
Day 6: Around Poipu
We decided to stay around Poipu today and relax.
Stop 1: Lawai Beach
Our Airbnb condominium was right by Lawai Beach but it was only on day 6 of our stay in Kauai that we decided to check it out. It was mentioned in many guidebooks as one of the best snorkeling spots. I’m not much of a snorkeler but my husband really enjoys it. Lawai beach turned out to be the best snorkeling experience he had on Kauai. There was a lot of coral there and many schools of beautiful, colorful fish.
Stop 2: Old Koloa Town
The Old Koloa Town is definitely worth your morning. There is a coffee shop there and several nice souvenir shops. There is also a little historical museum depicting the early days of the old sugar plantation town. A new shopping center is being built and I suspect it will be done before 2021.
Stop 3: Baby Beach
We spent about an hour or so on Baby Beach again and again we saw a turtle there. Baby Beach is a pretty beach, great for relaxing without the crowds. That’s probably why the turtles like it so much. The water is shallow, so you can’t really swim or snorkel but you can walk into the water and see beautiful Hawaiian fish and colorful coral.
Stop 4: Farmers Market at Kukui'ula Shopping Village
I really enjoyed the farmers market. It takes place every Wednesday, 3: 30 pm – 6:00 pm, and if you’re there, you must see it. The vendors have local veggies and fruit, nuts, flowers, and hot food. We sat down for a happy hour at Merriam’s and afterwards had a couple of slices of local lasagna from one of the stands. There were multiple buskers entertaining the shoppers and it was fun to sit and enjoy the scene.
Day 7: A week on Kauai is over. Time to go home
We started the day by going back to Lawai Beach for a snorkel. Next, we went to Kukui’ula Shopping Village and enjoyed sitting in the sun having a cup of coffee and a pastry. After reflecting on our vacation, we decided we would take a boat tour around the Napali coast next time we visited Kauai. We didn’t get a chance to do it this time but it seems like it should be something on everyone’s agenda. We both really enjoyed a week on Kauai and so the verdict is that Christmas 2021 will see us on the Big Island and Kauai again.
