Kauai Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in Hanalei and Poipu Hawaii
This trip is one we’ll always remember 🌺 It was our delayed honeymoon, celebrating five years of marriage, and it ended up being one of the most meaningful trips we’ve taken together. The kind where you slow down and don’t want it to end.
We flew into Lihue and went straight to Hanalei. I had been to Kauai once before with my family, but this was Dylan’s first time, which made it feel even more special. Somewhere in those first few days, I realized how much I love Hanalei. This trip being our delayed honeymoon made it extremely special! Right after getting married we were so focused on other goals like growing our businesses, moving across the country, and buying our first house and wanted to wait until the right time to take this trip. A little reminder that you can do things on your own timeline in a way that works for you! 🩷 Taking our honeymoon all these years later was just as special and brought back all those newlywed feelings which we loved.
North Shore: Hanalei (3 Days)
Hanalei has this calm energy, it’s quiet, and deeply peaceful. If you’re drawn to wellness and a slower pace, Hanalei is a place I would recommend.
We stayed at 1 hotel and LOVED it, it was so worth it. We booked with Amex, which gives you a lot of perks, and we definitely recommend that.
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The spa was so good! Before our last beach day, we did contrast therapy and massages. It set the tone for everything that followed.
Hanalei Favorites
We found ourselves going back to the same places, which says everything. Welina Terrace became our go to for sushi at sunset, which is located in 1 Hotel. Sitting there as the sky changed colors felt like a ritual by the end of the trip. After dinner, we’d usually end up at the sunset bar for drinks.
The breakfast buffet was consistently incredible. Sandbox by the pool, became our favorite lunch, genuinely so good!
We 100% fell in love with Hanalei. We spent time walking, stopping for coffee, and going back to Wishing Well for shaved ice & coffee more times than I can count. It’s one of those places you keep thinking about after you leave.
For any of my girls planning weddings, you NEEED these vacation heels!! 🐚 ✨
For beach days, Tunnels stood out for surfing. Beautiful and exactly what you picture when you think of the North Shore. Hanalei has a way of slowing everything down and we loved it!! Extremely magical!
South Shore: Poipu
After Hanalei, we headed to Poipu, and the shift in pace felt really good.
We rented a home through Parish Collection Kauai, and it gave us more space and a different rhythm. It felt less like visiting and more like living there for a week!
Poipu Favorites
Little Fish Coffee became our breakfast spot every morning, so good and always worth it. We also loved Java Kai for lunch and matcha. You MUST get the turkey bagel and egg bagel along with spartan smoothie!
If you’re looking for a workout, walk on over to the Poipu Athletic Club and do a drop in class on the MindBody app. I did Pilates a few times and loved the instructor!
Tidepools for drinks and appetizers first, and then dinner a different night, which so many of you recommended, we LOVED. We went to The Beach House for dinner, and it turned into one of those nights you wish you could replay. A little nicer and right on the water, SO stunning!
Keoki’s Paradise was a casual favorite. The coconut shrimp was our favorite. Also Dyl loved the Mai Thais there!
Beach days were split between Baby Beach and Shipwreck, depending on what we were in the mood for. Dylan surfed at Waiʻohai Reef break, and we built our days around that.
Another favorite from Poipu was Living Foods market which we loved for healthy groceries and quick lunch on the patio! If you are health conscious they have all the wellness brands we love.
If you’re planning a trip and want something slower, more intentional, and genuinely beautiful, Kauai is it. We hope to bring our future family back one day! Also, if you were considering doing a delayed honeymoon and waiting a little bit, we loved it so much and would highly recommend.
Xx
Taylor ✨
