A 7 day Kauai itinerary works best with two bases, and as someone who lives on the island, I plan it that way: three nights on the south side near Poipu, then three on the north side near Hanalei, with a rest day in between. It adds rain-day swaps and the closures after Hurricane Lowell.
Check these Kauai closures before you plan
Kauai parks have reopened in steps since Hurricane Lowell. Hawaii State Parks’ notice dated November 2 says Waimea Canyon Lookout partly reopened on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The same notice says Kokee Road remains closed until further notice. It also says general Kauai camping remains closed and that other Kauai state parks stay closed.
Separate state notices say Wailua River landing and trailhead access reopened on September 21, 2026, but hiking beyond the trailhead to Uluwehi Falls, often called Secret Falls, remains closed. The state also says no individual kayakers may go to Fern Grotto.
Hawaii State Parks says Haena State Park reopened October 15. The state’s November 2 notice says the Kalalau Trail reopened to permitted overnight camping that day, with reservations required for day and overnight use. For day hiking to Hanakapiai, the state’s Haena page lists current trail status, so check it before you plan that hike.
Logistics come first. In a storm year, closures come ahead of sights, so every stop below has a fallback. I check each official page the day before I go. You should too.
7 day Kauai itinerary at a glance
| Day | Base | Main plan | Backup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poipu | Arrive, easy beach evening | Another south shore beach |
| 2 | Poipu | West side drive, Waimea Canyon Lookout | Hanapepe town |
| 3 | Poipu | Na Pali Coast boat tour from Port Allen | Kauai Museum in Lihue (closed Sunday) |
| 4 | Move north | Rest day, slow drive to Princeville | Stay put and swim |
| 5 | Princeville | Kilauea Point refuge, Hanalei | Hanalei only |
| 6 | Princeville | Haena State Park, Kalalau Trail first 2 miles | Hanalei town |
| 7 | Princeville | Drive to Lihue, museum, flight | Straight to the airport |
The split follows the weather. That is why the rain-day swaps below move you to the other side of the island when one side is wet.
Days 1 to 3: a south side base at Poipu
Day 1 is for landing and sitting still. The Kauai driving table on Hawaii-guide.com lists Lihue Airport to Poipu at 14 to 15 miles, about 30 minutes. Keep day 1 to one plan only. It goes better after a long flight.
Poipu Beach Park is the usual first stop. Our guide to the best beaches on Kauai lists other sand to try. Ask a lifeguard before you swim.
Day 2 heads west. Hawaii-guide.com puts the drive from Poipu to the Waimea Canyon Lookout at about 1 hour. Right now, that lookout is the one open viewpoint, so treat it as a short stop, not a full day. Hawaii State Parks says it is open daily during daylight hours. Confirm the road is open before you leave.
Spend the rest of the day in Hanapepe. Our guide to places to eat in Hanapepe covers the town.
Day 3 is the Na Pali Coast by boat, if a tour is running for your date. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources reopened the Port Allen launch ramp on October 2, 2026, and says harbor slips and moorings are still closed because of Hurricane Lowell damage. Call your operator and get your date confirmed in writing. The Port Allen Harbor Office is at 808-335-8400.
Ask any operator what its rough-sea plan is before you pay. Operators cancel for rough seas, and I would rather lose a day than sail in them. For reef time on calm days, see our guide to snorkeling on Kauai.
Day 4: a rest day and the move north
A week of early starts wears you out. A planned empty day fixes that. Sleep late, swim, read, and leave around noon.
Hawaii-guide.com lists Lihue Airport to Princeville at about 30 miles, about 60 minutes, and says to add about half an hour in rush hour. Plan the drive north with that in mind. Past Hanalei, check road and park status before you drive toward Haena.
Days 5 to 7: a north side base near Hanalei
Day 5 pairs Kilauea Point with Hanalei. Book the refuge first, since it is open only part of the week (details below). After the refuge, drive on to Hanalei for lunch and a walk along the bay.
Day 6 is Haena State Park. Hawaii State Parks lists winter hours of 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Non-residents need entry and parking reservations before they arrive. Entry is $5 per person, with children 3 and under free, and parking is $10 per vehicle. The state says reservations open up to 30 days ahead.
Hawaii State Parks says hiking to Hanakapiai Valley, the beach and the falls is included with a Haena entry or parking reservation, and it lists Hanakapiai Falls at 8 miles round trip from Haena. Check the state’s Haena page for current trail status first.
Day 7 is for leaving. Hawaii-guide.com lists Lihue Airport to Princeville at about 60 minutes. Add time for traffic and the airport. If your flight is late, stop at the Kauai Museum at 4428 Rice Street in Lihue first. It is closed on Sundays.
Na Pali Coast views by boat or on foot
You have two ways to see the Na Pali Coast on this plan. The boat tour on day 3 is the wider view. The Kalalau Trail on day 6 is the close one.
Hawaii State Parks lists the Kalalau Trail at 11 miles. It says anyone going beyond Hanakapiai Valley needs a Napali Coast camping permit. The state’s November 2 notice says the trail reopened to permitted overnight camping that day, so a camping permit is the way past Hanakapiai. For day hiking to Hanakapiai, confirm trail status on the state’s Haena page.
Download or print your reservation before you leave the hotel.
Waimea Canyon and Kokee in a 7 day Kauai itinerary
Normally, Waimea Canyon and Kokee would take most of a day. Right now, they cannot. Hawaii State Parks lists Kokee Road as closed and the Waimea Canyon Lookout as the only reopened lookout.
Plan for the lookout stop in this itinerary, and treat the upper canyon and Kokee as a future trip. If you are reading this later, check the Hawaii State Parks Kauai notices page. A full reopening would give day 2 a bigger role.
Kilauea Point refuge hours and tickets
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge hours as Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors must arrive before 3:30 p.m. The refuge is closed on major holidays and on the Saturday before them. So day 5 has to fall on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday.
Reservations are required for all adults 16 and older, made on Recreation.gov. The agency lists the adult 1-day entry at $11.00 with the reservation fee. Interagency pass holders pay $1.00. Parking has no extra fee. Walking in is not allowed because of the steep, narrow driveway, so you arrive by vehicle or bike. Our Kilauea Point lighthouse guide covers hours and tickets in more detail.
Rain-day swap list for your 7 day Kauai itinerary
One wet morning can sink a beach day. Use this list to swap in place. The rule is simple: if it rains on one side of the island, check the forecast and drive to the other.
- Kauai Museum, Lihue. The museum’s own site lists Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is closed on Sundays. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors 65 and up, $10 for ages 8 to 17, and free for children 7 and under. Guided tours start at 10 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Hanapepe and Waimea. Browse Hanapepe’s shops and cafes instead of beaches.
- A long lunch and a slow afternoon indoors.
Updated November 2026.
7 Day Kauai Itinerary FAQ
Should you use one base or two on Kauai?
Two bases cut the driving. Hawaii-guide.com lists Lihue Airport to Poipu at about 30 minutes and Lihue Airport to Princeville at about 60 minutes.
Can you hike the Kalalau Trail right now?
Day hiking to Hanakapiai is the usual plan, but confirm first. The state’s November 2 notice says the Kalalau Trail reopened to permitted overnight camping that day, and the state’s Haena page lists current trail status. Non-residents need a reservation.
Do you need a reservation for Kilauea Point?
Yes, for adults 16 and older. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says to book on Recreation.gov. The refuge is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Is Waimea Canyon open?
Only the Waimea Canyon Lookout, since October 24, 2026. Hawaii State Parks says Kokee Road remains closed until further notice.
Are Na Pali boat tours running?
Check with your operator. The state reopened the Port Allen launch ramp on October 2, 2026, while harbor slips and moorings remain closed. Ask the operator to confirm your date in writing.
Conditions change quickly after a storm. Check park, county and operator pages before you go.
