How does this Kauai Itinerary Look?
 

This is for a vacation for my sister and her dh who have never been to Hawaii. They are on a budget. They are arriving April 19th.

Day 1 (Wed): Staying one night at the Garden Island Inn (rental wasn't available until the next night). Eat dinner at Duke's and relax at the beach

Day 2 (Thurs): Helicopter ride with Inter Island (not the landing one), go to Walmart for supplies and Safeway for groceries. On the way to the north, stop at Opaeka'a and Wailua Falls. Eat lunch at CoConuts. Settle into cottage in Hanalei. Enjoy sunset at Hanalei pier and eat dinner at Zelos.

Day 3 (Fri): Snorkeling/Beach day at Tunnels
Optional: Limahuli Garden or visit the caves

Day 4 (Sat): Kayak on the Wailua River (Will a Saturday be too busy? I didn't want them to do a beach day with locals being off work)
Also, are there signs on the river so you know where to go to see the secret falls?
Go to Lydgate Beach to snorkel and shop at Coconut Marketplace.
Dinner at Scotty's or Duanes.

Day 5 (Sun): Breakfast at Polynesia Cafe
Go to Anini Beach to see Polo match
Dinner: Pick up a pizza at Hanalei Pizza and take it to Secret Beach to see the sunset.

Day 6 (Mon.): Hiking the Kalalau Trail with snorkeling at Ke'e Beach afterwards.

Day 7 (Tue): Horseback riding at Princeville Ranch in the AM, then leave cottage to head to the Hyatt. Pool day! Enjoy hula show in the evening at the hotel.


Day 8 (Wed): Drive to Waimea Canyon and possibly hike the Pihea to Alakai Swamp trail.
Get JoJo's Shave Ice and possibly go to Polihale Beach. Lunch or dinner at Tomkat's Grille or Keoki's Paradise.

Day 9 (Thurs): Visit blowhole, relax on Poipu beach.

Day 10 (Fri): Last day before late flight out. Chill out at the hotel, eat dinner at Beach House restaurant or Tide Pools.
Visit Gillens Beach???

They enjoy seafood so where would you suggest they get the best???

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated!

I think it looks like a great vacation. We spent 5 days on Kauai for our honeymoon last year and also split our time in the North and South. The hike along the Na Pali coast is amazing. We went to the Princeville for drinks and appetizers one night. It wasn't as expensive as dinner and the sunset from the hotel was amazing. We also cooked at our condo a couple nights. We didn't go to Poipu beach when we stayed at the Hyatt b/c the hotel was so amazing. I never thought I was really a resort person until going to the Hyatt. I could have spent a few days just relaxing at the resort. If they want a nice dinner, we loved Tidepools at the Hyatt. They will have a great time.

Coconuts is not open for lunch.

Another option for breakfast in Hanalei is the Hanalei Wake-Up Cafe. We had breakfast at both the Polynesia Cafe and Wake-Up. Great breakfast taco at Polynesia, great Portuguese sweet bread french toast at Wake-up. If you like fish, dinner at Polynesia Cafe might be good/relatively inexpensive option instead of Hanalei pizza, and also the grilled fresh "fish of the day" sandwich at Hanalei Mixed Plate was a deal-and-a-half, and delicious.

Instead of steering them towards Coconuts for lunch, send them to Olympic Cafe. Better food at Olympic Cafe, imho....

We got some bad feedback on Zelos from some of the locals when we were there so didn't try it.

Postcards is excellent. It's vegetarian, but they do serve fresh fish entrees. Also Hanalei Dolphin bets great reviews for dinner -- we had lunch there twice, and it was very good.

I also recommend the Shrimp Station in Waimea for lunch on the way back from the Canyon. Try the sweet chili and garlic shrimp. ((b))

Although some comments have already been posted, I'm going to make my reply by taking your intinerary one day at time, 'kay?

1. Excellent start to their visit -- Duke's is an easy stroll from Garden Island Inn.

2. Coconuts is a dinner-only restaurant, but there are many other options for them in Kapa`a. For a truly local plate lunch, they could go to L&L Drive-Inn (near the fire station) without having to drive out of their way at all. Suggest they eat _before_ shopping (or risk having perishables go bad...). Zelo's ratings are on-again/off-again. Polynesia Cafe in Ching Young Village offers a great, very reasonablly-priced diverse menu (and outdoor dining).

3. In addition to Makua (Tunnels), a drive to the end of the road (Ke`e Beach) should be included.

4. The outrigger canoe clubs sometimes have races on the river on Saturdays -- other than that, river "traffic" should be workable for them. The kayak renters have maps (some free; some slight fee). If by "Duane's" you are referring to Ono Burgers in Anahola -- they are lunch-only.

5. Anini is a great idea, but the polo season in summer-only. There are now 2 pizza parlors in Hanalei -- and we're in love with Tiki Man (backside of Tahiti Nui) because of their huge variety of toppings. Prices at both shops, are similar.

6. Perfect day!

7. I'm pretty sure the Hyatt's hula show is Thu-Fri-Sat only now...but there will definitely be some form of entertainment happening in the bar.

8. How wise of them to split their accommodations between north- and south-shores!

9. Yes.

10. Yes. My only concern is that there doesn't appear to be any free time for them to "take the road less traveled"...

For seafood on the northshore, it's either Sushi Blues (they offer much more than just sushi), and the Dolphin (although I've heard recently, that the cooks now are local high school students).

Be careful carrying that pizza down the trail to Secret Beach! It can be slippery!

If surfs up at Makua, Hanalei or Ke'e, they should stay out of the water! Never turn your back on the ocean.

-Bill

I wouldn't do Secret Beach at sunset. Walking back up the bluff in the gloaming or dark might not be much fun. Consider pulling off the road to the Kilauea Lighthouse about a half-mile before the lighthouse itself, or walking to the edge of the bluff at Pali Ke Kua Condos in Princeville.

Definitely visit Secret Beach--it's a must--just don't do it at sunset.

I'd do Roy's before Keoki's in Poipu. Their seafood is spectacular.

What you call Gillin's Beach is Maha-ulepu. They should brave the road and check it out--and go to at least the second parking area. Amazing. I'd do it before Polihale, where so often the winds howl and kick up the sand.

Other great beaches worth considering: Larsen's (they will probably have this one all to themselves), Kahiliwai and Kealia (both great for watching kids body board and surf), and Salt Pond (great local scene). I used to recommend Donkey Beach, but when my wife and I were there in November, it was totally trashed. Lumahai is very beautiful (but be careful). And perhaps our favorite hidden beach is Ninini Beach off the golf course at the Marriott.

How 'bout the Beach House Restaurant Beach for snorkeling in the South?

If they find themselves in Kalaheo and like gardens, they should definitely check out the lovely Japanese garden at Kukuiolono Golf Course. They can follow that up with Pizza at Brick Oven.

Zelo's is lousy. There, I've said it!

A burger at Duane's in Anahola would be great--but expect a long wait.

IMHO, no trip to Kauai is complete without a visit to Hamura's Saimin. Just don't put your gum under the counter.

Wow, sounds like a good budget!

iamq you kill me...secret beach!!!!

If they love seafood then have them grill at sunset at their cottage with amazing fish from Dolqhin in Hanalei. Thats what HaoleDaddy and I will be doing in June!!!

At Walmart they sell great softsided coolers for use on the island and to take home with you. Check the entertainment schedule at Tahiti Nue and Sushi blues.....will make them feel ono local!!

Nice qlanning Ashley!
Good Times!
HD

Well, well, well.....you never could spell....you dawg you!!!!!!!!!