Are you thinking about celebrating your honeymoon in Princeville, Kauai? I can’t recommend it enough, and I’ll tell you why!
If you’ve never been to the island of Kauai, let me tell you about it. It’s usually referred to as the quietest of the popular-to-visit Hawaiian Islands, and the most relaxed. This is saying something because Hawaii, in general, is relaxed. Kauai is special, though. It’s small, it’s straightforward when it comes to getting around, and it’s meant to be visited and enjoyed.
The great thing about a honeymoon in Princeville, which is located on the northern shore of Kauai, is that you can stay on the north shore and venturing to the rest of the island if you’d like to. Princeville itself, and the surrounding areas, have ample things to do and see to keep you occupied. However, it’s a short enough drive if you want to see more.
Honeymoon In Princeville, Kauai
This post is going to share with you all about having your honeymoon in Princeville, Kauai. I’m sharing from my own experience. Princeville is where we chose to have our honeymoon, and my husband and I recently celebrated our five-year anniversary there. To us, Princeville is a magical location surrounded by lush greenery, soft beaches, and delicious food. It’s a romantic, yet relaxed time.
Let’s get into it.
GETTING TO YOUR HONEYMOON IN PRICEVILLE KAUAI
Before I go into what to do in Princeville, or Kauai in general, let’s go over the logistics of getting there.
Kauai only has one major airport, located in Lihue. The airport (LIH) is on the east side of the island, close to the south shore. Many major airlines fly into LIH, and it’s a relatively easy airport to navigate. When you arrive, you could plan on using taxi’s or uber to get around, but I recommend renting a car. Having a car on the island will give you a lot more flexibility than the limited public transportation or ride share options, especially when you venture away from Lihue.
To get to Princeville, you drive up the coast towards north for about an hour. During our recent trip (November, 2022), we could predictably hit traffic in Wailua, so be prepared for construction slowdowns. The good news is that there are plenty of places to eat along the way – more on that later.
Beyond these tips, it’s pretty easy to get to Princeville. The drive is pretty, along the coast and then through the forest. It’s hard to get turned around or lost, which is a plus when you’re traveling.
WHERE TO STAY IN PRINCEVILLE
There are a lot of options for lodging on the north shore.
When we went on our honeymoon in Princeville, Kauai, we stayed at the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. Though these villas didn’t have direct beach access, they were great. There are pools on site, views of the ocean in many rooms, inside laundry, and small kitchens for use. The villas felt very comfortable and safe and we loved our stay.
During our second trip to Princeville, we rented an Air BNB. This is a link to a condo very similar and close to the one we stayed in. We loved this location, and would absolutely come back and stay again. There are other Air BNB and VRBO options in the complex, too. They may be a bit big for a honeymoon, though.
This is a great resource for other places to stay in Princeville. Notable mentions include the Club Wyndham Bali Hai Villas, which are condos with a common space and small kitchen. There is also the Hanalei Bay Resort, which was recently updated and has nice spacious rooms for a couple. The Cliffs at Princeville are condos that come with a kitchen and are in a great location as well.
WHERE TO EAT ON YOUR HONEYMON IN PRINCEVILLE, KAUAI
While there may not be as many places to eat in Princeville as you’ll find in major cities on Maui or Oahu, the options are delicious. And, you can absolutely venture out to the nearby locations to see what they are serving up. In fact, for the most part, that’s what we did. Below are some of our favorite finds:
PRINCEVILLE: THE ACTUAL PLACE
Princeville itself is not that big, but we were quite impressed with the local Foodland market. Not only can you find lots of options for your kitchenette, but the raw bar in the deli section is absolutely delicious. On more than one occasion we loaded up with small containers of poke and took it to go. Near the Foodland you’ll find other restaurant options, all of which looked pretty promising.
KILEAUEA: TO THE WEST
When you drive from the airport to Princeville, you’ll pass Kileauea. It’s only about 10 minutes from Princeville, and has some definite food gems. We loved The Kileuea Bakery, which also has pizza, salads, and other yummy goodies. Their pastries were amazing, and the coffee drinks were fun. Kileauea also has Palate Wine Bar and Kilauea Fish Market. Both of these restaurants have great food and service, plus awesome reviews online.
HANALEI: TO THE EAST
Hanalei is the place to go for date night. We absolutely loved Bar Acuda’s small plates and Ama’s ramen bowls. Both of these restaurants book up reservations early, so be sure to book your spot at least a month in advance. If you don’t have a reservation, show up right when they open and they will likely seat you. Hanalei Poke was also really, really good for a take out container that we enjoyed on the beach.
WAILUA: TO THE WEST AND SOUTH
Though Wailua is closer to the airport, it deserves an honorable mention in this section. You’re likely to drive through it while in Kauai, and may need recommendations. We liked Kenji Burger, which has sushi burritos as well as burgers, and Wailua Drive In. Wailua Drive In is delicious, easy to order ahead online and has some great tuna and chicken plates.
WHAT TO DO ON YOUR HONEYMOON IN PRINCEVILLE, KAUAI
Before we get into what to do on your honeymoon in Princeville, Kauai, let’s talk about what to do on honeymoons in general. IE – do whatever you want. Honeymoons are about you, your partner, and enjoying each other. So, if you want to lay around all day, go for it. If you want to have an adventure, do that too. The list below is just suggestions, not essential items for your itinerary. Pick and choose what you like.
GET OUTSIDE
Beaches: Going to the beach is one of the biggest appeals of having a honeymoon in Kauai. In the Princeville area we particularly liked Anini Beach and Tunnels Beach. Anini beach was very easy to find and park at. The sand is soft, and there is lots of shade. Tunnels is harder to find parking, so get there early. The water is very fun at this beach, with waves you can easily play in.
Swimming pools: While beaches are fun, they are sandy. Pools are a great way to cool off without dealing with the sand. I highly suggest you find accommodations that have a pool.
Hiking: There are plenty of hikes in and around the North Shore, but they are often closed off due to poor conditions. We found that the Wai Koa Loop Trail was a beautiful and easy trek that took most of the morning to complete. Beyond that, look at this list of popular trails. Be sure to do your research on hours and availability before you head out to any given location.
TAKE IT EASY
Eat A LOT: As mentioned above, eating is a big part of going to Princeville, Kauai. Fish is usually on the menu, but it’s easy to find foods that suit any diet. Enjoy yourself, eating in beautiful locations.
Relax: Find time to sit around, watch the ocean, lay on the beach. No shame in relaxing when you’re in Hawaii.
Massages: The nearby resorts have massages on their menus, but you can always go to Yelp to find a massage therapist (or two) to come to you. In fact, this is exactly what we did on our honeymoon. Couples massage right in our suite.
GO ON AN EXCURSION
Horseback riding: The nearby Princeville Ranch offers horseback riding. The views are amazing on your ride, and this ranch really knows how to offer an excursion.
Zipline: If you’re into ziplining, you may need to travel a bit out of Princeville and towards the airport. Outfitters Kauai is one of the more popular choices, with great reviews and a very long line to zip down. There are other choices, too, so do your research.
Catamaran: Taking a boat along the coast is a “must do”, but is difficult to find on the North Shore during the fall and winter months. However, Na Pali Experience does operate year-round according to their website, so look into their tours if you’re interested.
DAY TRIPS FROM PRINCEVILLE, KAUAI
While you don’t have to venture out from the North Shore while you’re in Kauai, you may want to. If so, I recommend checking out the following locations. All of them are within an hour or so’s drive, and have their own unique appeals.
- Lihue – This is where the airport is, but you’ll find a lot of action around Lihue as well. There are shops, restaurants, and many resources nearby. If the North Shore feels a bit too quiet for you, head to where more people are.
- Kauai Coffee Plantation – This coffee plantation is a cool destination if you’re into coffee. On the plantation you’ll find coffee tastings, a bakery, a gift shop, and a tiny museum. They offer tours, too.
- South shore – The south shore of Kauai is filled with beaches and more attractions and things to check out. It’s not too far from the North Shore when you really think about it, and probably worth the drive.
- Wailua Falls – There are lots of hiking trails near Wailua, including the hiking trail by Wailua Falls. Be sure to follow the beaten path, look for signs indicating where not to go, and stay safe while you trek. I’ve heard the falls are worth seeing if you’re in good shape and into hiking in mud.
WEATHER AND ATTIRE FOR YOUR HONEYMOON IN PRINCEVILLE, KAUAI
The weather in Princeville is pretty predictable, for the most part.
Yes, it rains a little bit every day. And, the rain can come and go as it wants. However, the temperature doesn’t seem to have big swings. It goes from slightly cool to kind of warm throughout the day and night. It’s quite comfortable. Of course, if it’s sunny, you should wear sunscreen and try and protect your skin. However, you’re unlikely to get too overly heated or deal with cold weather.
If you have your honeymoon in Princeville, Kauai, I suggest that you bring some light layers. Tank tops, light sweaters, and shorts or comfortable pants will get you through most days. Good walking shoes are excellent to bring with you, as this island is great to explore and has some wonderful hikes. Sandals are fine, and it’s absolutely okay to wear them when you’re out and about.
Lastly, don’t forget your swimsuit. The beaches are warm, and refreshing. Plus, if you stay at a place with a pool or hot tub you’ll want to be properly prepared.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Friends, no one ever regrets going on their honeymoon in Princeville, Kauai. It’s beautiful, peaceful, romantic, and so worth the trip. Princeville is relatively easy to get to, safe, and pretty affordable. The food is great, and there is lots to do if you are open to getting out into the world. Happy honeymoon planning!
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