A golfer’s guide to Kaua‘i: the best courses, when to play them, and flexible days you can adapt to your trip.
For inspiration, here are days we've planned for similar trips. Yours will be tuned for your dates, homebase, travel party, and preferences.
Open with an early round at Princeville Makai—book a morning tee time to enjoy calmer conditions and epic ocean holes. After golf, reset with a Hanalei Bay swim and lunch in Hanalei town. Keep the evening low‑key with sunset at the pier.
Head south for Poipu Bay. The back nine hugs the coastline—wind builds mid‑day, so earlier is better. Post‑round, walk Shipwreck Beach, and hit the Shops at Kukui'ula for shopping and dinner.
Play Kauai's classic municipal course, Wailua, or treat yourself to a round at Hokuala's Ocean Course. Both offer dramatic oceanfront holes. After golf, hit Lydgate to swim/snorkel or hike to ‘Ōpaeka‘a Falls. Casual dinner on the Coconut Coast.
Plug-and-play partial-day blocks to consider.
anytimeNon-golfers in your party (or golfers on a day off) might enjoy this North Shore gem. Equal parts mini-golf and botanical garden, Kaua'i Mini Golf is a unique outdoor course nestled within lush gardens. Here, the playful rhythm of golf meets the rich ecological and cultural history of the islands, inviting visitors to slow down and savor both sport and story.
anytimeIf you have non-golfers in your group, plan a day on the South Shore in which they'll hike the Mahāʻulepū Heritage Trail while you play Poʻipū Bay Golf Course. This out-and-back coastal hike winds a raw, rugged ribbon of shoreline that feels like a step back into Hawai‘i’s elemental past. Parts of the trail skirt the golf course, making it a compelling choice for hikers craving a scenic half-day outing that blends dramatic coastal geology with Hawaiian cultural immersion.
anytimeIf you are looking for a more casual and economical way to get your golf fix (without a five-hour commitment!), check out Kukuiolono Park & Golf Course. Kukuiolono is a walk- or cart-friendly 9-hole public golf course offering sweeping ocean and mountain views, ancient Hawaiian heiau ruins, and a relaxing, value-minded golfing experience. It features a Japanese garden, mini-golf, and scenic walking trails within a hill-top county park.
anytimeNon-golfers in your party (or golfers on a day off) might enjoy this North Shore gem. Equal parts mini-golf and botanical garden, Kaua'i Mini Golf is a unique outdoor course nestled within lush gardens. Here, the playful rhythm of golf meets the rich ecological and cultural history of the islands, inviting visitors to slow down and savor both sport and story.
anytimeIf you have non-golfers in your group, plan a day on the South Shore in which they'll hike the Mahāʻulepū Heritage Trail while you play Poʻipū Bay Golf Course. This out-and-back coastal hike winds a raw, rugged ribbon of shoreline that feels like a step back into Hawai‘i’s elemental past. Parts of the trail skirt the golf course, making it a compelling choice for hikers craving a scenic half-day outing that blends dramatic coastal geology with Hawaiian cultural immersion.
anytimeIf you are looking for a more casual and economical way to get your golf fix (without a five-hour commitment!), check out Kukuiolono Park & Golf Course. Kukuiolono is a walk- or cart-friendly 9-hole public golf course offering sweeping ocean and mountain views, ancient Hawaiian heiau ruins, and a relaxing, value-minded golfing experience. It features a Japanese garden, mini-golf, and scenic walking trails within a hill-top county park.
Yes—especially during winter and holidays. Book earlier starts to avoid wind and to keep afternoons flexible.
Most of the golf on Kaua'i is accessible to visitors, with two notable exceptions. The North Shore Preserve in Princeville and the Golf Course at Kukui'ula are both reserved for member play (with some exceptions). Consider staying at the Lodge at Kukui'ula if a round there is a must.
The South Shore is generally drier and has more golfing options with Poipu Bay, Kukui'ula, and Kiahuna. The North Shore is scenic and features Princeville's Makai Golf Club. The Coconut Coast is halfway between the two, and offers convenient access to Wailua, Puakea, and Hokuala.
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Arrive at your hideaway and let the quiet valley set the tone. Take a cool rinse, settle onto the lanai, and unpack just enough to feel at home. Set out your beach bag so sunset is easy.
✨ A restorative pause balances the day and saves energy for golden hour.
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