Aloha Reader,

My oldest has been to Hawaii about 12 times. At this point he has opinions.

On our last Kauai trip he decided he wanted to do a serious acai bowl taste test. Every morning, a new spot. He kept mental notes, compared textures and toppings, took the whole thing very seriously. By the end of the week he had a definitive ranking.

Sunrise Coffee won, if you're curious.

That trip is a good example of what Kauai does to people who are ready for it. It slows you down in the best way. There's no massive resort strip, no Waikiki energy. It's quieter and greener and a little more rugged, and for the right family it is absolutely the best island in Hawaii.

But it's not for everyone. Here's how I think about it.

Kauai is worth it if your family is past the first-timer stage. If you've done Oahu, if the kids have their Hawaii legs under them and know what to expect, Kauai is the natural next chapter. The island rewards a slower pace and a little more flexibility, and families who approach it that way tend to love it.

It's worth it if natural beauty is the whole point for you. The Na Pali Coast is one of the most dramatic landscapes I've seen anywhere in the world. The Waimea Canyon looks like something out of a movie. Hanalei Bay on a calm morning is the kind of thing you take a photo of and then realize the photo doesn't do it justice. If your family gets excited about that kind of thing, Kauai will deliver.

It's worth it if your kids are old enough to hike. Some of the best Kauai experiences (the Kalalau trail, the Sleeping Giant, even parts of Waimea Canyon) are better with kids who can actually walk them. Younger kids can absolutely enjoy Kauai, but the island opens up considerably once they're past the stroller stage.

Where it gets complicated: the flights. Most inter-island routes connect through Honolulu, so if you're island hopping, Kauai adds a logistical step. And the North Shore road flooding that's been an ongoing issue means some seasons you need to be flexible about access to Hanalei and beyond. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's worth knowing before you build your itinerary around it.

Poipu on the South Shore is where I send most families as a base. The weather is sunnier and more reliable than the North Shore, the beaches are great for kids, and you're well positioned to day trip in either direction.

I have a full Kauai guide on the site with where to stay, what to do with kids at different ages, and how to decide if the North or South Shore is the right fit for your family.

​Plan Your Kauai Trip →​

Talk soon,

Marcie