7 day itinerary feedback

Question

Background: family of 4 with 2 teen boys, all active and adventurous. Rarely visit same place twice so trying to maximize our time spent here. I realize we have packed the trip full but want to make sure it’s still doable! We are visiting in early January and staying at an oceanfront condo in Wailua. Would love suggestions/feedback. Thank you in advance!

Friday: arrive at Lihue airport at 6:45. Get rental from Rainbow Skai Ride or Pineapple Express.

Saturday: use GuideAlong app to travel to north side, see sights along the way. Visit Anini Beach, mini golf at Kauai Mini Golf and Botanical Gardens. Stop at Wishing Well Shave Ice and visit Hanalei Beach. Dinner at Kilauea Fish Market. I realize water is rough in January so we won’t be swimming, just want to see beauty along the way!

Sunday: get up early to go to Waimea Canyon State Park, see lookouts and hike Canyon Trail. Possibly go to Polihale State Park if car rental allows? If not then relax rest of day. Dinner at Lava Lava Beach Club near our condo.

Monday: Na’Pali coast tour and snorkeling with Captain J’s on their super raft all morning until 12:30. Relax rest of day.

Tuesday: Lydgate Farms tour. After lunch pick up golf club rental from Kauai Golf Club Rentals and golf at Poipu Bay Golf Course. 2 of us don’t golf and will get massages at our condo from Aloha Massage Kauai.

Wednesday: rent kayaks at 7am and go to Secret Falls. Chill after lunch. Go to Smith Family Luau for dinner.

Thursday: surf lessons with Kauai Surf School in morning at Kiahuna Beach. Puka Dog for lunch. See Spouting Horn. Go to Shipwreck Beach and hike Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail. Visit Poipu Beach Park to see turtles at sunset.

Friday: rent bikes at Hele on Kauai Bike Rentals, stop at Wailua Shave Ice. After lunch possibly snorkel or just enjoy beach at Lydgate Beach Park. Visit Wailua Falls. Plane leaves around 10:10pm.

Answer

Your 7-day Kauai itinerary looks very well planned for an active family with teens, and it captures a lot of the island’s highlights. Overall, it’s ambitious but doable as long as you’re prepared for early starts, long drives, and some flexibility in case of weather or road conditions, especially in January when the north shore can be rough.

Here’s a day-by-day feedback with suggestions:

Friday: Arrival day looks manageable. Renting a car right at the airport is ideal. Allow extra time for traffic or rental procedures since you’ll be arriving early in the morning. Consider a light breakfast stop near the airport before heading to your condo.
Saturday: North shore drive with GuideAlong app is great. Stopping at Anini Beach, Hanalei, and mini golf should be fine. Keep in mind that Anini Beach and Hanalei Beach can be rough in winter—great for viewing but swimming may be unsafe. Wishing Well Shave Ice is a perfect mid-trip treat.
Sunday: Waimea Canyon is a long drive from Wailua (~1.5–2 hours each way), so start very early. Hiking the Canyon Trail is doable, but consider limiting to one or two lookout points for a shorter hike if time or energy is tight. Polihale is further west and requires a high-clearance vehicle; it’s ambitious for the same day, so might be better skipped if the rental car isn’t suitable.
Monday: Na’Pali coast tour is well-timed for the morning. These tours can be rough if the ocean is choppy, but the super raft is good for teens. Afternoon relaxation is smart after a high-energy morning.
Tuesday: Lydgate Farms tour in the morning and golf/massage split in the afternoon is a good balance for active vs. downtime. Make sure to schedule golf tee times in advance, and confirm Aloha Massage Kauai availability.
Wednesday: Early kayak to Secret Falls is excellent; be prepared for muddy trails after kayaking. Smith Family Luau is a fun evening activity, giving everyone a chance to rest after an active morning.
Thursday: Surf lessons in the morning is perfect for teens. Puka Dog for lunch is iconic. The afternoon activities (Spouting Horn, Shipwreck Beach, Maha’ulepu Trail, Poipu Beach for turtles) are doable but may feel rushed. Consider prioritizing either Maha’ulepu Trail or Poipu Beach depending on time.
Friday: Renting bikes in the morning is a nice way to wind down. Wailua Shave Ice is a good stop. Afternoon snorkeling or beach time is flexible, depending on energy levels. Wailua Falls can be visited on the way to the airport if timing allows, but check sunset timing so you’re not rushed.

Additional general tips:

Drive times on Kauai are longer than they appear on maps due to winding roads, especially on the north shore and to Waimea Canyon.
Check weather conditions daily, especially for north shore beaches, Na’Pali tours, and Secret Falls kayaking.
Always carry water, snacks, and reef-safe sunscreen for outdoor activities.
Flexibility is key: some days may require adjusting stops based on weather, road conditions, or energy levels.
Consider making reservations ahead for restaurants, especially for dinner at popular spots and the Smith Family Luau.

Overall, your itinerary is very rich and adventurous, offering a mix of sightseeing, adventure, and local experiences. With early starts, attention to weather, and slight flexibility, it should provide a memorable Kauai experience for your active family.

7 day itinerary feedback

More Kauai Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions