Your Perfect 7 Day Kauai Honeymoon Itinerary
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You’ve made the great decision to head to Kauai for your honeymoon. Only now comes the tough work of actually making a plan to see the sights while balancing relaxation. How do you make the most of your time on the Garden Isle? This 7-day Kauai honeymoon itinerary will take you on unique adventures, to beautiful beaches, and suggest the most romantic dining options.
Is Kauai Good for a Honeymoon?
Kauai is a great option for a honeymoon. If you’re looking to get away from the busier Hawaiian islands and the mega-resorts, a honeymoon in Kauai might be perfect for you. On a Kauai honeymoon, you can expect to have plenty of outdoor adventures like snorkeling the Nāpali Coast and hiking to waterfalls. But you can also find quieter beach spots and romantic restaurants to make your honeymoon feel extra special.
Not quite sure if Kauai is the right spot for your honeymoon? This article helps you compare Kauai and Maui to decide what is better for your honeymoon.
How Many Days Do You Need on Kauai?
As a general rule, we like to recommend spending at least 5 days on any main Hawaiian island, including Kauai. That gives you time to arrive, get settled, and see the sights without needing to rush off. But if you can stay longer, don’t worry about being bored. We’ve had 10-day trips to Kauai and we’ve had plenty to keep us busy.
Don’t have 7 days to spend on Kauai? Our 3 day Kauai itinerary will take you to the must see spots on a shorter trip.
7 Day Kauai Honeymoon Itinerary
Ready to start planning? You can dive in below or just download our done-for-you Kauai itinerary that will take you to all of the best spots, so you don’t miss a thing.
Get The Kauai Itinerary
The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights. You’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t miss stops no matter how limited your time is.
Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Kauai.
Day 1: Land and check into your hotel
You’ve arrived! Welcome to your honeymoon. While not at all necessary, it sure is fun to be greeted at the airport with a honeymoon lei. Learn about the customs of Hawaii leis and the best lei greeters on Kauai.
After a hopefully uneventful flight, you’ve rented your car and you’re on your way to your resort. There are a lot of great hotels to choose from, but we do love the Koloa Landing Resort.
If you’re searching for a car, check out Discount Hawaii Car Rental. We use them on all of our trips and have saved hundreds of dollars on rentals from the national carriers.
Once you’ve settled into your hotel, it’s time to stretch those legs. Head down to Kiahuna Beach, one of our favorite beaches on Kauai. Here you can take a beachfront walk, enjoy the soft golden sand, and marvel at the clear blue water. Bring your suits and go for a dip. What a way to start your honeymoon.
After your walk, head up to the bar Lava’s on Poipu Beach for some welcome drinks. Toast each other with Mai Tai’s while enjoying the view of the beach.
You’re probably pretty tired after a long travel day, so grab a quick bite to eat and head back to your hotel. Skip the fancy dinner tonight (you have plenty of other evenings for that) and enjoy a quick bite and an early bedtime. Grab fish tacos from Da Crack and eat them on your lanai.
Related read: Not sure where to stay? We’ve got you covered with a list of the best honeymoon resorts on Kauai.
Day 2: Explore the North Shore
Honeymoons are meant for sleeping in. But because Hawaii is likely many time zones behind wherever you’re traveling from, you’ll likely be up and at em early. Take advantage of jet lag with a big trip up to the North Shore.
Start off your morning and head out on your 1.5 hour drive. Make a stop en route at one of the best coffee shops on Kauai, Small Town Coffee. Grab a coffee and a pastry to nibble on for the rest of the drive.
Head past Hanalei Town and go to the end of the road, Haena State Park. Here you’ll find Ke’e Beach, arguably the best beach on the island. Note: you do need to plan well in advance for reservations to Haena State Park.
There is plenty of hiking to do once you’re done with the beach, but instead of hitting the trails, you’ll make the 20 minute drive back to Hanalei. Here you can grab lunch from a food truck, enjoy a shave ice, and take a walk down the pier.
Get our list of the best shave ice spots on Kauai.
Once you’ve had enough, dry off and head for dinner at AMA. This outdoor restaurant offers amazing views and delicious food. It’s the perfect way to end your day on the north shore.
Day 3: Relax on the South Shore
You’ve had two very busy days, so let’s build in a little relaxation. That’s what a honeymoon is for, isn’t it?
Head for amazing acai bowls and coffee at Little Fish in Poipu. Once you’ve had your fill, you can continue your walk (or drive) down to Poipu Beach. Don’t forget your snorkeling gear because Poipu Beach has some of the best snorkeling on the island.
Enjoy your swim and beach time before heading back to your hotel for lunch and a little relaxation by the pool. Or, if you’re ready to get out of the sun, head for a lomi lomi massage at the spa at Koloa Landing Resort.
After a very relaxing day, enjoy some fine dining at Merriman’s in Poipu. They offer an amazing atmosphere, great views, and delicious food.
Related read: Don’t miss the 5 best snorkeling spots on Kauai.
Day 4: Napali Coast Snorkel
You’re up and at ‘em early again for another day of adventure. But this is a can’t miss experience on Kauai. You’re heading to the Nāpali Coast to enjoy the stunning cliffs and crystal clear water. There’s no way to drive to the Nāpali Coast, so to view it you either need to enjoy it from a helicopter, from a boat, or by hiking the Kalalau Trail.
Today, you’re going to get a view from a boat while also enjoying some world-class snorkeling. Our recommendation? Make a full day of it with a snorkeling trip up the Nāpali Coast and off the coast of Niihau.
The tour will take most of the day. After it’s over, head back to your hotel to relax and enjoy dinner.
Related: Our favorite Napali Coast snorkeling adventure.
Day 5: Beach Day
You’re going to visit another one of the south shore beaches today and spend the day near your hotel. Start your morning by heading to Shipwreck Beach. Not the easiest spot for swimming, here you’ll be able to enjoy watching the experienced boogie boarders ride the crashing waves.
Know what to pack for the beach: Complete Kauai Packing LIst
Once you’ve had enough beach time, strap on your shoes and take a hike. Head on the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail. This trail is 2 miles each way and takes you from Shipwreck Beach to the much quieter Maha’ulepu beach, along a scenic coastal path. It is very hot and there is no shade, so bring plenty of water. And don’t forget to stop and take plenty of pictures along the way.
After the hike and the day exploring more of the south shore beaches, head back to your hotel and relax before going to dinner at Tidepools. Fish fan? Definitely get the catch of the day while you sit and enjoy a very memorable dining experience.
Day 6: Waimea Canyon
Another jaw-dropping sight on Kauai is Waimea Canyon. Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific (though much smaller), this is a large canyon that spans 10 miles long and is 3,000 feet deep.
Head out from your hotel and make a couple of stops on your way to Waimea. First, stop off at the swinging bridge in Hanapepe. This is a fun stop as you explore the small town of Hanapepe, the inspiration for the town in Lilo and Stitch. And if you’re hungry, stop in at Midnight Bear Breads. Grab pastries, coffee, or sit down for a more filling breakfast or lunch.
Continue your drive up to Waimea Canyon State Park. There are plenty of spots to pull over and take in the views. Don’t miss the overlooks. Parking and entrance fees must be paid, but it’s worth it for the views. Continue your drive into Koke’e State Park and enjoy a stop at the Kalalau Lookout. This gives you a view of the Nāpali Coast and on sunny days, you’ll get some spectacular photos.
From here you’ll head back down the hill. If you’re hungry, make a stop in Waimea. We love Coconut Corner for their delicious smoothies and sliced fruit, but there are plenty of other options to choose from.
Related read: Before you depart, have a professional Hawaii photo session to capture your honeymoon.
Day 7: Waterfall viewing and say goodbye
Today is sadly your last day in paradise before you say goodbye and head back to the mainland. After packing and taking in one last meal, you can fit in a little sightseeing on your way to the airport. Kauai has impressive waterfalls and today you’ll take a drive past two that you can see right from the road: Wailua Falls and Opaeka’a Falls. Take a meandering drive past these two spots before heading back south toward the airport.
Plan Your Perfect Vacation
Ready to plan your Kauai honeymoon? To make your trip planning even easier, check out our done for you itinerary. This instant download gives you 5 excursion days that take you around the island to give you a tour of what makes Kauai so special.
“The itineraries were great and gave us many great ideas to plan our adventures each day! They were helpful in planning our 2 week trip to Maui and Oahu. Thanks a million, we were very happy.” – David B.
Check out our Hawaii itineraries to help make your honeymoon even better.