Kauai Travel Guide For Families: Where to Stay & Things To Do

Planning a trip to Kauai with kids? This Kauai travel guide for families covers where to stay, the best kid-friendly beaches, scenic waterfalls and lookouts, family activities, and local favorites to help you plan an unforgettable family vacation. After multiple visits to the island, these are the places we keep coming back to and recommend the most!

First off, Kauai, is known as the “Garden Island,” and it’s the ultimate escape into nature – our favorite reason our family can’t get enough of this Hawaiian island. Kauai’s gorgeous green lush mountains dip into carved out canyons contrasted by the most jaw dropping aqua blue ocean, make for the sweetest getaway.

Where to Stay in Kauai

Kauai has four distinct areas to stay: North Shore, South Shore, and the East Side. I have sectioned out each area of the island to help you plan where to stay and plan your day trips around the different areas of the island.

Kauai South Shore Guide

South Shore is the sunniest of all regions in Kauai! If you want to have the highest chance of sunny days on your trip, I would highly recommend staying in Poipu in the South Shore. I don’t know about you, but if I am taking a tropical vacation, I want to soak up as much sunshine as I possibly can! Other areas like the north shore tend to get more rain.

Poipu has one of the best beaches on the island with great snorkeling as well as nearby shopping centers with plenty of restaurant options, so you don’t have to wander too far at night for dinner. The south shore is quieter and feels more like the perfect retreat for those who want a relaxing vibe.

Kauai South Shore Family Friendly Beaches

Poipu Beach:With daily visits from Hawaiian Monk Seals and an abundance of fish and sea life just a few feet into the ocean, Poipu Beach situated on the South Shore of Kauai, is one of the best beaches on the island! Bring your snorkel gear (or stop at Safeway in Lihue to pick one up) and head to the east side of the beach just after where the water breaks. It is here that you will see a variety of fish and maybe a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle if you are lucky! The water is typically calm making it a great area for families with kids!

Just to the left of Poipu Beach is a small cove called Brennecke’s Beach which is a great spot is great for boogie-boarding!The parking lots can get full, so it is recommended to visit Poipu Beach in the morning! Brennecke’s is across the street for the beach and serves seafood, burgers, and sandwiches.

Baby Beach: Located about 1 minute drive past Lawa’i Beach, Baby Beach got its name, you guessed it: because it is perfect for babies! If you have small kids this secluded small inlet with shallow water is perfect to let your little ones get in without having to worry about deep water or waves. The parking here is on the street and limited and there are no public bathrooms. If you have a baby, it may be worth making this your morning beach stop!

Kauai South Shore Family Friendly Hotel Recommendation

Koloa Landing in Poipu is the ultimate family friendly hotel. They feature luxurious and spacious villas with options from a studio to 1-4 bedrooms. My family stayed in a one-bedroom suite, complete with a full kitchen and washer and dryer. I can’t tell you how amazing it was to be able to wash our clothes throughout our trip and to be able to make ourselves a breakfast before we went off on adventures for the day.

My son was 3 on our last visit, and the hotel had a comfortable crib for him. The beds were plush and cozy and the room itself was spacious, modern, and clean.

Let’s talk about the fun stuff! Koloa Landing boasts an incredible pool with two waterslides, a grotto you can swim through, and a waterfall flowing through the middle. They offer a tranquility pool if you need to recharge with a little quiet time for yourself. Koloa Landing has been voted #1 pool in America, the #1 Resort in Hawaii, and the #2 Family Resort in America!

Kauai South Shore Activities, Scenic Stops & Local Favorites

Little Fish Coffee is a cute little spot in Poipu for a coffee, açaí bowl, or breakfast or lunch bagel sandwich. My favorite is the nutmeg latte and I will wait in a line for 30 minutes to get it – it’s that good! Order from the window and grab a stool on the deck. Your kids will love watching the chickens running around but watch out they will be waiting eagerly for you to drop a piece of food!

Anakē’s Juice Bar If you had to pick one place to get an açaí bowl at every day, this would be my number one recommendation! I tried several places on the island and Anakē’s is the absolute best! The juice and smoothie bar is located in the back of a small grocery store and from the outside seems quite unassuming however, the quality of açaí bowls is beyond amazing! The Poipu Paradise was my favorite bowl. The fresh fruit is blended with peanut butter and almond milk and topped with generous amounts of fruit and granola. Not to mention the local honey they drizzle on the top was like icing on a cake!

Kauai Plantation Railway at Kilohana is an absolute must for families! You will embark a 2.5 mile train ride through mango, banana, papaya, and pineapple groves. Our favorite part was disembarking mid-ride to feed the farm animals! The train journey is about 40 minutes in total making it a great stop on your way to the east side of the island or a fun rainy day activity.

The Spouting Horn is a natural blowhole on the South Shore of Kauai located near Poipu. It is a fun quick stop along your day’s adventures. Sea water channels through a lava tube and shoots up about 50-feet in the air. This was one of our rainy morning stops before the train ride.

Kauai East Side Guide

The East Side is another great area to stay in. This part of the island is right in the middle of the action: most hotels, restaurants, beaches, and lookout points. If you are looking to be closer to it all, then you may enjoy the East Side the most. The airport is in Lihue, so if you stay on the east side you will have a short ride to your hotel. There is also Kapaa, the largest and most populated town on the island. You will find local boutiques, a paved walking path, and walkable downtown area.

Kauai East Side Family Friendly Beaches

Lydgate Beach in Wailua is one of the safest beaches on the island because it’s completely surrounded by rocks, protecting swimmers from waves and currents.The water is clear, calm, and great for snorkeling. It is the perfect beach for families with small kids. The water starts off shallow and gets deeper towards the rocks. There are bathrooms, showers, ample parking, and lifeguards on duty.

Kalapaki Beach in Lihue in front of the Royal Sonesta Hotel is Protected by the Nawiliwili Harbor breakwater making it another calm water swimming area ideal for families with small kids. There are public restrooms, lifeguards in duty, and beach equipment rentals on the promenade.

Kauai East Side Family Friendly Hotel Recommendation

The Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort in Kaapa is an oceanfront resort with a picturesque pool looking over the ocean. Families love the children’s pool, fire pits, and complimentary bike rentals to ride along the scenic oceanfront path.

Kauai East Side Local Favorites & Scenic Waterfall Stop

Opaeka’a Falls is 151-foot cascading waterfall located Wailua, boasting dense greenery and scenic Wailua River views. After a day spent at the beach, if you would like to get a little sight seeing in without hiking, stopping at Opaeka’a Falls will be the perfect way to end the day.

Kalalea Juice Hale If you are looking for a local, fresh and organic açaí bowl, Kalalea Juice Hale is another great option! Located on the northeast side of the island, Kalalea Juice Hale, a small barely noticeable smoothie shack is worth the pit stop! They offer smoothies, juices, shaved ice and coffee in additional to açaí bowls!

Java Kai This is my number one recommendation if you are on the east side. If you are spending the day on the east side or heading north stop here for your morning coffee and a breakfast sandwich. It is a cute spot and they make great coffee and a yummy quick breakfast.

Kauai North Shore Guide

The North Shore is by far the most gorgeous part of the island and my absolute favorite to take day trips to, however, the beaches in this area are known to have dangerous, treacherous water certain times throughout the year, so while the ocean is breathtaking sometimes you can’t enjoy actually swimming there.

The North shore is also the rainiest part of the island. Keep this mind should you choose to book a hotel there – sometimes you may have to travel to a different part of the island for sun.

Kauai North Shore Family Friendly Beaches

Anini Beach has an extensive beautiful reef protecting this beach from big waves, creating a calm land shallow lagoon. It’s the perfect spot for those who enjoy snorkeling. During the winter months, the water typically remains calm, although storm swells can breach the reef. Always check the weather and tide reports when visiting during winter months.

Hanalei Bay Beach on Kauai’s north shore boasts a beautiful white sand beach, set to an idyllic scenic backdrop of majestic mountain ridges. The water in this bay is calm May – September. However, from October – April, dangerous ocean swells can make swimming here dangerous and unpredictable. I have visited Hanalei Bay beach 3 times and had calm, clear water each time. even though all three visits, the sky was overcast, the water was warm, and the scenic beauty of this beach were worth coming back to each time.

Kauai North Shore Family Friendly Hotel Recommendation

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is a gorgeous boutique hotel that focuses on wellness. This north-shore hotel has luxurious decor and equally as stunning views of the bay that immerse you into the lush garden island views Kauai is known for. They offer a dedicated family swimming pool and a children’s club with nature focused activities.

Kauai North Shore Activities & Scenic Stops

Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse is located within the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, making it an excellent spot to watch migrating humpback whales December -April and year-round native seabirds. The dramatic coastal views at the Lighthouse are postcard worthy! Plan you visit Wednesday – Saturday and be sure to make your reservation in advance by clicking here.

Hanalei Valley Lookout is a picturesque view point – a quick photo-worthy stop along your way up the north shore Kauai. Take in the panoramic views of emerald-green valleys dotted with a patchwork of taro fields. The dramatic mountain backdrop will for sure create stunning family photos.

Kauai’s West Side – Hiking & Scenic View Guide

When visiting Kauai, don’t miss Koke’e State Park and Wailea Canyon State Park. Located next to each other, visiting these two state parks is one continuous drive through the wilderness and is well worth planning a day here.

Waimea Canyon State Park Encompasses the first 10 miles of the main drive, labeled the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, famous for its 3,600 foot-deep-gorge and stunning red mountainous terrain. Pull over to take in the dramatic views!

Kōkeʻe State Park Begins right after you drive past Waimea Canyon. The topography transforms into misty rain forests and is dubbed the “wettest place on earth.” Unforgettable expansive views of the Napali Coast can be seen from the Kalalau Valley Lookout. Keep driving further down the road to Pihea Trail to see unobstructed views.

Tips: the GPS is spotty once you get to this elevation. I recommend putting Pihea Trail in your GPS and screen-shot directions from Kalalau Valley Lookout – it’s just a two minute drive. This is my absolute #1 recommendation for Kauai visitors because the views are pure magic.

A few notes: the clouds and fog usually roll in mid-morning to early-afternoon and will cover your views. I usually drive past Waimea Canyon and make this my first stop around 9 am to ensure I get to take in my favorite views of the island! The drop is at least 4,000 feet, while the path at the beginning of the trail is wide, be sure to keeps safe by staying far back from the edges – there are no barriers, just cliff drops.

Koke’e Lodge: After you have finished your time enjoying the Koke’e State Park and Wailea Canyon State Park grab a coffee or lunch at the charming Koke’e Lodge. If your kids like chickens they will have fun chasing them around the property! They also make for great company while you sip your iced coffee!