Dreaming of an island vacation, but have only one long weekend to enjoy it? There is no better place to spend 3 or 4 days on a tropical island than Kauai.
Last updated: August 23, 2024
How to Spend a Long Weekend (3-4 Days) on Kauai
Many travelers believe that a tropical island, such as Kauai, Hawaii, needs more than a weekend to explore and enjoy many activities and sites it offers. And so, when the time comes to planning a vacation, even Americans often overlook it, settling for less extravagant options.
The truth is you don’t need a month-long vacation to enjoy island life. It’s absolutely possible to explore most of Kauai in 3 to 4 days. Basking in the sun, swimming in the ocean, hiking to picturesque waterfalls, and indulging in juicy tropical fruits is closer than you think. So, join me on an epic adventure of exploring Kauai over a long weekend (3 or 4 days).
READ MORE: 20 Things to Know Before Traveling to Kauai, Hawaii
11 BEST THINGS TO DO ON KAUAI OVER A LONG WEEKEND (3-4 DAYS)
1. Wailua River State Park
Wailua River State Park is a place that can’t be missed once on Kauai. Even if you get a little bit lost and don’t have clear directions, drive in the east direction from Kapaa. It takes approximately 15 minutes to reach the destination.
A small parking lot just off the road instantly attracts with its lush greenery and palm groves nearby. To the left, an inconspicuous lookout point uncovers secrets behind the popularity of Wailua River State Park. From this tiny observation deck, you can see it all: green trees, jungle-like vegetation, and the lush valley intersected by the river – all you need to make your 3 or 4-day Kauai vacation unforgettable.
But it’s not the typical green color of the plants. It’s, shall I say, the tropical green, slightly lighter and softer. The Wailua River is the only interruption to this green idyll. Yet it doesn’t spoil the overall picture. On the contrary, the river establishes balance and harmony to the park.
The coconut grove with chickens running wild is another reason to add Wailua River State Park to your 4-day Kauai itinerary. This part of the park is especially popular with visitors with kids. And kids being kids can’t get enough of chasing the feral birds.
2. Opaekaa Falls
About a 5-minute drive from the Wailua River State Park lookout point, and another natural wonder of Kauai comes into view. Opaekaa Falls is located in Wailua River State Park. This 151-foot natural site is one of a few waterfalls you can see from the road.
Two massive streams, flowing over basalt from volcanic eruptions that happened millions of years ago, create a visual balance to the green tropical realm. Many visitors of Kauai enjoy Opaekaa Falls from a distance. Yet it’s absolutely possible to hike down to the bottom of the waterfall.
TIP: The tail is steep, though. So the hike can be challenging, especially for travelers with kids.
3. Kamokila Hawaiian Village
Kamokila Hawaiian Village takes you back in time, to one of the authentic Hawaiian settlements. The site was rebuilt from scratch on the remains of a once existing village.
The place features different kinds of huts that once served as places of gathering and eating. For adventurous visitors of Kauai, it offers kayak rentals, guided canoe tours down the Wailua River and waterfall hikes.
NOTE: As of 2022, Kamokila Hawaiian Village was permanently closed.
4. Kilauea Lighthouse
The historic Kilauea Lighthouse sits on the far end of Kilauea Point in the western corner of Kauai. Thanks to its spectacular surroundings that consist of lush greenery and raging ocean waves, the lighthouse is one of the best places to soak in the natural beauty of Kauai with a touch of human intervention.
The impeccable structure towers 180 feet above the ocean and is open to visitors Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Although the lighthouse doesn’t serve its purpose any longer, it’s an important part of the island. The iconic structure still reminds of the time when its beam reached up to 22 miles away from the shore.
5. Queen’s Bath
A cherished jewel of the north shore of the island, the Queen’s Bath is a natural tide pool surrounded by igneous rocks. Yet despite its reputation as one of the most alluring and secret spots of Kauai, the Queen’s Bath can be a dangerous place.
The untamed ocean is the reason behind it. Big surf that usually happens from October through May can present life-threatening situations for oblivious visitors. Fatal accidents have been registered after people were swept off the rocks.
6. Waimea Canyon State Park
The moment you pull over in front of a large canyon with predominantly red, brown, and green hues, your mind immediately takes you back to one of the natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon.
Waimea Canyon State Park indeed has some characteristic features that earned it the nickname of the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. Approximately 10 miles long and over 3,000 feet deep, Kauai’s park entices with astounding views, challenging hiking trails, and cascading waterfalls.
7. Kalalau Lookout
A visit to Kauai can’t be complete without enjoying the views from the Kalalau Lookout. The famous observation deck is located 4,000 feet above sea level, the highest elevation on the island that one can reach by road. Thanks to its easy accessibility and such an elevated position, the lookout opens the best views over the Kalalau Valley, one of the most recognized places in all of Hawaii.
The pristine beauty of the valley didn’t go unnoticed by Hollywood that used it as the backdrop for such blockbusters as King Kong, Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young, and Six Days Seven Nights.
8. Shipwreck Beach
Shipwreck Beach is a small, moderately busy beach in front of the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Despite its almost central location, the beach doesn’t attract many visitors. Large waves, permanent attendants of this part of Kauai, forcefully crush against the shore, making swimming exceptionally difficult.
Watching sunsets on Shipwreck Beach, on the other hand, is one of the easiest things to do on Kauai especially if you’ve booked your 4-day stay at the hotel behind the beach.
9. Spouting Horn
An old Hawaiian legend says that a giant lizard named Kaikapu was guarding the southern coast of Kauai many years ago. Nobody dared to enter the area except for one young boy named Liko.
The lizard didn’t like the uninvited guest and tried to attack him. In order to escape, Liko swam under the lava shelf and scrambled through a small hole to the surface. Kaikapu was not that lucky and got stuck in the lava tube. To this day, the angry lizard sits there, roaring and spraying her breath from the blowhole.
Science, however, has a different explanation of the appearance of Spouting Horn. The Poipu surf goes into a natural lava tube and releases a huge spout of water that can reach up to 50 feet in the air.
READ MORE: Nakalele Blowhole – Maui’s Beautiful and Dangerous Jewel
10. Hanalei Bay Beach
Spending time on a beautiful beach such as Hanalei Bay Beach is one of the must-do activities on Kauai during your 3-4 day vacation. This 125 feet wide area with over two miles of sand fascinates with green mountains in the background and two large coral reefs on both sides of the bay.
The beach offers plenty of opportunities for surfing, boogie boarding, and swimming. The best thing, Hanalei Bay Beach never gets overcrowded even on weekends as the majority of the visitors gravitate toward the more popular Ke’e Beach.
11. Sleeping Giant Trail
The Sleeping Giant Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails on the island. Yet if your 3-4 day Kauai vacation is not long enough to explore this path, connecting all unmarked dots in order to see a sleeping man from a distance can be another interesting thing to do when on Kauai. The massive mountain is visible almost from everywhere in the Kapaa area.
Read Next
- HAWAIIAN CULTURE: What Makes Hawaii so Irresistible
- KAUAI’S LOCALS: People that Made Our Kauai Trip So Memorable
- MAUI ITINERARY: How to Spend 4 Day on Maui (Spring Itinerary)
Beautiful place, and so many things to do! But, I’d rather just sit and savor the lush beauty of the place. 🙂
Author
We did a lot of that, too 🙂 But in order to enjoy the beautiful places, you need to get to them first. If hiking is not your thing, there are so many location with car access.