Our Hawaii Babymoon in Kauai
We just got back from our kauai babymoon in Hawaii! It was absolutely magical and we didn’t want to leave!!! TBH We are conspiring on how we can move there in the next few years but until then, we will just bookmark this vacation under dreamy and look back on these photos often!
This little getaway was special in more ways than one…Not only is it the first time we have traveled in over a year because of the pandemic but it is also the last vacation we will take without a little one in tow. We also got to spend time with Leo’s twin brother who we haven’t seen in over a year which was so nice!
We obviously wanted to relax but this was also Leo’s first time to the islands and we wanted to make the most of the five days! Here is a little recap of our trip with details of where we stayed, ate, adventured and lounged!
Prepping for the trip in the wake of Covid-19
These travel rules and stipulations are constantly changing so please make sure to check the Hawaii Safe Travel website before booking any travel to Hawaii
When we traveled as of June 13, 2021 we needed to provide a negative covid test from a certified partner. Walgreens is a certified partner and is FREE!!!! Click here!
The culture of our Hawaiian Islands is steeped in the values of kuleana (responsibility) and aloha. Now that travelers can once again enjoy the islands, they are asking you to join in our efforts to help keep Hawaii safe.
Despite the CDC’s announcement on April 2, Hawaii continues with the state’s Safe Travels(link is external) pre-travel testing program, even for fully vaccinated passengers.
Starting June 15, trans-pacific travelers entering the state who have been vaccinated in Hawaii may bypass the quarantine without a pre-travel test. All other travelers, included those vaccinated outside of Hawaii, must have their negative test results prior to departing as an alternative to Hawaii’s mandatory 10 day quarantine. Although Hawaii’s policy may change in the near future, it remains in place until further notice.
Also starting June 15, inter-county travelers will no longer need to create a trip itinerary in Safe Travels, take a COVID-19 test, or quarantine, regardless of their vaccination status or where they were vaccinated. Some restrictions apply(link is external).
For more information visit hawaiicovid19.com/travel(link is external) and register with the State of Hawaii Safe Travels(link is external) online system. Only test results from Trusted Testing and Travel Partners(link is external) will be accepted.
All incoming travelers are required to have their temperatures checked and complete a health questionnaire online before they can leave the airport. It was all very straight forward and easy.
Alright, now that the logistics of getting there are out of the way… let’s get to the fun stuff!
Day 1
Wednesday 6/16/2021
Getting Around and Rental Cars
We landed around 5:38 PM for our Kauai Babymoon. We had to use the Airport taxi phone to get to our car. It’s a phone you pick up right outside the airport and it connects you to a dispatch. It was simple and fast and I’d say we waited about 20 minutes.
Since there were no rental cars (due to a covid shortage) on the island we hunted online and were lucky enough to find one on Turo LITERALLY the day before our trip! This was super clutch for us to explore the island and get around to our activities! Big advice: if you are planning a trip to hawaii, book that rental car like yesterday or happy hunting on Turo!
Once we picked up our car we headed to our hotel Kauai Shores and ate dinner at the Lava Lava beach club which was conveniently right on the beach outside the hotel! Nothing like a little live music, delicious fresh food, ocean waves and your toes in the sand to start off the first night!
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Day 2
Thursday 6/17/2021
Kauai Babymoon
That morning we had breakfast with our feet in the sand at the Lava Lava club and then headed out for our day.
We wanted to start this Kauai Babymoon off mellow so we book massages at The Kauai beach resort! This place was stunning and peaceful!
We found two little chairs on the beach and honestly could spent all day there after our massages but we were getting hungry!
We decided that lunch was gonna be Poke bowls and we found a local fish market called the fish express! Since I’m pregnant I got fish tacos and just dreamed of the poke!!
Near our hotel at the Coconut MarketPlace. They have a farmers market open Tue and Thurs from 9am – 1pm, we didnt make it in time but it’s worth noting because we really wanted to go!
We went back to our hotel and swam in the ocean and took a dip in the pool.
Out of all the things we did this little ocean swim is the most memorable for some reason. It sticks out as a present moment and I appreciated it so much for this little Kauai Babymoon.
Garden Luau
That night we went to the best Luau on Kauai at Smiths Kauai. They just reopened and are at half capacity still so make sure to book well in advance for this too! It was everything you want from a luau and more!
They have been putting on this show for over 50 years on the sacred Wailua River Valley. They have created a tropical paradise to celebrate the Hawaiian spirit of aloha which you get to tour by tram before you eat. Today, four generations continue to honor that tradition with the most famous of Hawaiian celebrations, the luau.
Of course, the heart of any luau is the pa‘ina, aka the feast, and they make sure you don’t go hungry. Kalua pig roasted in the earthen imu oven which you get to see them remove from the ground. Their family bowl of poi (which Grandma insists you try)! We loved all the food!! ok, maybe not the poi but we did try it!
Food may be the heart of a luau, but music is the soul. At the luau, they celebrate the traditions, as well as the songs and dances from other cultures that live in the tropical paradise. The lyrical sway of the Hawaiian hula, the colorful precision of the Tahitian drum dances and the fiery emotion of the Samoan fire knife dance all speak deeply of the people who have come to call Hawaii home. They proudly share this rhythm of aloha with you through all these different styles on a stage that felt like a Disneyland production!!
Day 3
Friday 6/18/2021
LUXURY HELICOPTER EXPERIENCE
We woke up early Friday morning to take an hour long Helicopter ride of the Napali Coast with Jack Harter Helicopters!!!! It was extremely magical and truly the highlight of our trip!
We chose the luxury experience with the doors on because doors off just seemed a bit much with this difficult pregnancy. You can choose the one with doors off with this company as well. We wanted to explore Kauai from the comfort of an AStar helicopter, designed for providing a smooth and safe ride with all the luxuries.
The helicopter was equipped with noise-cancelling headphones and a plush interior. It was a spacious cabin with floor to ceiling windows for optimal viewing and an air-conditioned cabin, you honestly feel like a celebrity while flying around the beautiful island.
The ride was the 60-65 minute with 6 passengers which was $289 per person.
Our favorite part was flying through the canyons and seeing the Jurassic Park waterfall!
They even played the theme music as we flew over – Na Na Na, Na, Na
It was such a one of a kind experience and we definitely recommend adding it to your Kauai bucket list!
Wailua River Cruise to the Fern Grotto
In the afternoon we grabbed some snacks and took a grotto trip up the Wailua River on a river boat cruise to the fern grotto with Smith’s Kauai again.
During the two mile river journey, we heard songs and stories of ancient Hawaii — like the King’s Highway, sacred Mount Kapu, and the First Hau Tree. In addition, we enjoyed learning the hula during a lessons. It was so fun! Everyone got into the act during the river cruise!
Smith’s famous Wailua River cruise boats are powered by an ingenious rear-engine system invented by Walter Smith, Sr. The spacious, open-air boats provided excellent views from either side during the trip upstream.
The Wailua River is known as “the only navigable river” in all Hawaii. The river’s fresh water pours down from Mt. Wai‘ale‘ale, one of the wettest spots on the planet. Lands along the river were the sacred capital of ancient Kauai and the birthplace of the island’s ali‘i, or royalty.
At the Fern Grotto landing, we enjoyed a short nature walk through the rainforest to the lush Fern Grotto.
The Fern Grotto is a geological wonder of Kauai. Ferns grow upside down from the roof of the grotto, which was formed millions of years ago. Native Hawaiian plants and colorful exotic tropical plants provided a rain-forest atmosphere and it was absolutely breathtaking! The entire tour took about one hour and 20 minutes round-trip.
That night we had dinner at Dukes Kauai and it was wonderful! We love Dukes Malibu so naturally we felt right at home for this Kauai Babymoon!
Day 4
SATURDAY 6/19/2021
Outrigger Kayak Up the River
We wanted to try and be a little active on this Kauai Babymoon so we planned an outrigger kayak paddle up the river to a secret waterfall! We figured we would get a double kayak and if I was feeling sick Leo could do the work. When we got to the location they were over booked and we ended up having two single kayaks and a paddle board. they boys kayaked and I paddled. It was so nice!!!
For as much as time as we were on the Wailua River it really seems to be one of the most special places in Kauai. It was truly an easy-going paddle on a Class Zero river combined with a moderate hike through a rainforest, wading through streams, traversing muddy trails, and walking over a tree root system the size of a large SUV; a definite rock solid adventure for a Kauai Babymoon!!
It was about about two miles of paddling and a two miles hiking round trip. That is 20 minute / one miles paddling up the river, and a 45 min / mile hike to the waterfall, and then back.
Russels for lunch
We were starving and wanted something healthy and refreshing so we found a place right by our hotel called Russell’s (formally known as Eat Healthy Kauai). SUPER CASUAL VEGAN DINING IN KAPAA and we loved it!!
PLANT-BASED INGREDIENTS
They do thier best to source local, organic, plant-based, and wholesome ingredients. All to create a menu of refreshing beverages, decadent baked goods, breakfast, tasty lunch wraps, and the list goes on.
We ordered an ice coffee and some appetizers, The guys got açai bowls and I got a wrap! It was all so delicious we even tried to go back the next day but they were closed. Will definitely make this a regular stop when we are in Kapa’a!
Sunset at Poipu Beach
That night we went to Poipu to watch the sunset and it was so lovely. It’s the most popular beach on the South Shore, which is fronted by Poipu Beach Park, and a few resorts.
Poipu Beach was named America’s Best Beach by The Travel Channel, ranking top among the 10 “best” beaches selected nationwide. This beach is a series of golden sand crescents, strung together where beach-goers will find snorkeling, swimming, a natural ocean wading pool, boogie-boarding and surfing.
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Day 5
Sunday 6/20/21
Beach Front Yoga
Every morning at 8:30am our hotel hosted free yoga on the beach and we took advantage of it this morning! It was so serine with a light flow and singing bowls!! It was a perfect way to start our day off and the baby loved the bowls! I need to book a sound bath asap.
Bike Ride into Kapa’a
Our hotel also offered free bicycles so we took them into town in search of breakfast. Everything was either closed or long waits but we did find a little breakfast place for breakfast burritos and rode back.
Mocktails and Sunsets on the South Shore
Later that day Lex went on a sunset sail that we unfortunately couldn’t go on because I am pregnant but he had a blast and Leo and I went back to Poipu Beach for mock-tails and a sunset for two.
We found two seats outside at Beach House in Koloa which was perfect for some appetizers and a couple Mai Tai’s right on the water!
Wonton Appetizer from Beach House
Shave Ice
We found the best shave ice on the island at Riptides!! You could tell it was legit because everyone that was in line was a local! We got a shave ice and split it but their pork bowls looked delicious!!!!
Day 6
MONDAY 6/21/2021
The last day is always the hardest isn’t it!? Trying to soak in as much as possible on this Kauai Babymoon we went for a swim in the ocean and then packed our things.
We could of stayed for forever to be honest but we will be back soon for sure! Next time with a little surfer boy.
