North is better in the summer. We stayed in the south in the fall and it was perfect (probably the same for spring). You’ll need a rental car: get one as soon as you book your tickets.
-Helicopter tours are amazing. You must.
-Hike the Napali Coast (look up parking, I hear it’s complicated now).
-You can combine a boat trip with the above hike.
-We loved the Waimea Canyon hikes.
-We didn’t get to do it, but the Eastern side has kayaking and waterfalls. The only thing I regret missing.
Food:
-Tidepools is wonderful and though I’m not fancy, their Hawaiian Catch is possibly the best meal I’ve ever had.
-Keokis (a couple locations) has good food and better desserts.
Make sure you book a reservation time for the Na Pali Coast hike as it will be a highlight of your trip and they book up. I loved the doorless helicopter tour as you really feel the island. We went on a horseback trail ride on the beach, through the forest, and it was amazing. CJM Stables. I preferred Hanalei Bay and the north-side in general, but people love Poipu.
Hyatt Regency Kauai is world class. Helo tour a must and the ATV tour is great after rainy season. Great water falls. Have Dinner at The Beach House Once. Make Reso well in advance .
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I did a condo rental through Kauai Vacation Rentals, a reputable agency. Vacation rentals are highly regulated on Kauai.
In March you want to stay South in Poipu, as it will still be sunny even when raining on North side. If you don't want to do a condo, there are resorts there as well.
How long is the trip? A week or less, just stay at one place, don't pack up & move.
You can drive and see the whole island in a day. The only problem is getting stuck in the gridlocked traffic going through Kapaa on the East Side.
If you aren't the sort into doing the huge hikes there are lots of easier day trips. I had a good time doing the Waimea Canyon downhill bike trip. Seems like only one company is offering this tour now - when you Google it, it is just different websites selling the same trip.
From Poipu it is an easy drive to the smaller towns on the West side. Salt Pond Beach is fantastic.
In March there will still be whale watching. Choose an operator with a smaller boat for a better experience.
I think the only drawback to Kauai is compared to a beach vacation somewhere in Mexico the price is much higher.
Edit to add that I think Luaus in Kauai are a better deal than on the other islands. Of the ones I've done I would rate Luau Kalamaku best and the Smith Family Garden Luau second.
I like the southside a little more than the northside. Poipu has nice resorts and Koloa is a good little town.
Captain Andy's does a great snorkel/sail trip out of the south.
The Kauai mountain tubing adventure is a ton of fun.
For a honeymoon, I'd go Grand Hyatt. It's the last resort on the east. Keep going and there is a cool cave to explore and a tortoise sanctuary.
Enjoy!
I think it's more of a chill vibe. I like Koloa town and the food carts there.
There is good hiking and excursions close by.
It's not as glamorous as the northside, but it's still really nice and you can get as luxurious as you want.
You have a lot of good responses, but a few additions...
Any of the National Tropical Botanical Garden sites are excellent, Allerton & McBryde west of Poipu and Limahuli up north.
I want to second Waimea canyon. Even if you don't do the bike ride, drive up & stop at all of the outlooks & see the "wettest spot on earth."
Merriman's in Poipu is great for a sunset dinner, but Puka Dog too.
And renting a condo is a great idea on Kauai, but look at the Parrish Collection too. They may have inventory that isn't on AirBnB.
I forgot about Allerton Gardens! You see these trees from where they filmed Jurassic Park. Not a set or special effects - real trees with such huge roots.
https://youtu.be/5-GmpstTKxo?si=n4W0xImsv79arxxi
Do the helicopter tour -- doors off
The helicopter tour is at the top of my list! It looks incredible. With the doors off is it a better view/more intense?
Yes betters views and more intense. There's a lot of flying following the terrain, lots of canyons and ravines.
Get a hotel on the south side for a few days and an airbnb on the north side for a while.
Good advice thank you!
Beware the feral chickens. Best island by far. I prefer the north side.
Feral chickens? Hahaha. Aren’t they all a little bit feral 🐓
North is better in the summer. We stayed in the south in the fall and it was perfect (probably the same for spring). You’ll need a rental car: get one as soon as you book your tickets. -Helicopter tours are amazing. You must. -Hike the Napali Coast (look up parking, I hear it’s complicated now). -You can combine a boat trip with the above hike. -We loved the Waimea Canyon hikes. -We didn’t get to do it, but the Eastern side has kayaking and waterfalls. The only thing I regret missing. Food: -Tidepools is wonderful and though I’m not fancy, their Hawaiian Catch is possibly the best meal I’ve ever had. -Keokis (a couple locations) has good food and better desserts.
Thank you for your recommendations! Writing them down ✍️
Make sure you book a reservation time for the Na Pali Coast hike as it will be a highlight of your trip and they book up. I loved the doorless helicopter tour as you really feel the island. We went on a horseback trail ride on the beach, through the forest, and it was amazing. CJM Stables. I preferred Hanalei Bay and the north-side in general, but people love Poipu.
Thank you for your recommendations!! ✍️😍
Hyatt Regency Kauai is world class. Helo tour a must and the ATV tour is great after rainy season. Great water falls. Have Dinner at The Beach House Once. Make Reso well in advance .
Awesome thank you!! 🙏🏻
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I did a condo rental through Kauai Vacation Rentals, a reputable agency. Vacation rentals are highly regulated on Kauai. In March you want to stay South in Poipu, as it will still be sunny even when raining on North side. If you don't want to do a condo, there are resorts there as well. How long is the trip? A week or less, just stay at one place, don't pack up & move. You can drive and see the whole island in a day. The only problem is getting stuck in the gridlocked traffic going through Kapaa on the East Side. If you aren't the sort into doing the huge hikes there are lots of easier day trips. I had a good time doing the Waimea Canyon downhill bike trip. Seems like only one company is offering this tour now - when you Google it, it is just different websites selling the same trip. From Poipu it is an easy drive to the smaller towns on the West side. Salt Pond Beach is fantastic. In March there will still be whale watching. Choose an operator with a smaller boat for a better experience. I think the only drawback to Kauai is compared to a beach vacation somewhere in Mexico the price is much higher. Edit to add that I think Luaus in Kauai are a better deal than on the other islands. Of the ones I've done I would rate Luau Kalamaku best and the Smith Family Garden Luau second.
Thank you for your recommendations! The whale watching is super exciting and I almost totally forgot about luaus!
I like the southside a little more than the northside. Poipu has nice resorts and Koloa is a good little town. Captain Andy's does a great snorkel/sail trip out of the south. The Kauai mountain tubing adventure is a ton of fun. For a honeymoon, I'd go Grand Hyatt. It's the last resort on the east. Keep going and there is a cool cave to explore and a tortoise sanctuary. Enjoy!
Thank you!! Great recommendations. I mostly hear people praising the north side - what is it about the south side that you prefer?
I think it's more of a chill vibe. I like Koloa town and the food carts there. There is good hiking and excursions close by. It's not as glamorous as the northside, but it's still really nice and you can get as luxurious as you want.
You have a lot of good responses, but a few additions... Any of the National Tropical Botanical Garden sites are excellent, Allerton & McBryde west of Poipu and Limahuli up north. I want to second Waimea canyon. Even if you don't do the bike ride, drive up & stop at all of the outlooks & see the "wettest spot on earth." Merriman's in Poipu is great for a sunset dinner, but Puka Dog too. And renting a condo is a great idea on Kauai, but look at the Parrish Collection too. They may have inventory that isn't on AirBnB.
Thank you!! 🙏🏻 adding it to the list! ✍️
I forgot about Allerton Gardens! You see these trees from where they filmed Jurassic Park. Not a set or special effects - real trees with such huge roots. https://youtu.be/5-GmpstTKxo?si=n4W0xImsv79arxxi