If you’re planning to visit Kauai, you’re probably wondering if you need to book anything in advance.
Obviously there are flights and hotels, but what about state parks and other activities? Fortunately, most things on Kauai don’t require reservations, but there are some exceptions.
This travel guide will give some tips on how far in advance you should book Kauai activities. It’s based on my own experience!
Summary: What and when to book
Here’s a quick summary of when you might want to book in advance for things on Kauai:
- Kalalau trail — Book 1-3 months in advance
- Hana State Park / Key Beach — Book 1-4 weeks in advance
- Private trips — Book 1-2 months in advance
- botanical gardens — Book 1-2 weeks in advance
- Restaurants (fine restaurants) — Book 1-2 weeks in advance
- Kilauea Lighthouse — Book within the same week
- Hanalei Bay — No need to book
- Kokee State Park — No need to book
- Wailoa River State Park — No need to book
- Waimea Canyon State Park — No need to book
Note: These are just general guidelines, and things can change slightly depending on the time, day, week and month you are traveling.
Kauai is busiest in the summer (June to August) and winter holidays (December to January), so you may want to book early if you’re traveling at those times, especially on weekends or peak hours.
Views like these are worth the hassle of getting permits (Kalalau)
Things you need to book in advance
• Traffic trail
The Kalalau Trail is one of Hawaii’s most sought-after hiking trails, and camping reservations open up to 90 days in advance.
Permits are more difficult to obtain in the spring or summer months, as the weather is better and it is a generally busy time for tourism on the island.
During the summer, passes sell out within minutes when they become available on the website, so remember to create your account in advance and log in 5-10 minutes before passes become available.
Demand is so high that the state sometimes adds additional seasonal capacity (e.g. +20 permits per night in summer), and additional permits may be available to walk-in applicants at the State Parks office in Lihue.
If you are hiking in the winter months, obtaining permits will be much easier. I actually booked Kalalau passes the same week as my trip before, although I still recommend booking a month in advance if possible.
Keep in mind that even if you have a camping permit for the Kalalau Trail, you also need a separate permit to park overnight at the trailhead. However, you can skip it if someone drops you there.
Read more: How to Hike the Kalalau Trail
Book now: Kalalau camping permits / Parking permits
The Kalalau Trail is one of the most sought-after hiking trails in Hawaii
• Hana State Park
Permits are now required to enter Ha’ena State Park, visit Ke’e Beach, or hike the 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail (as a day hike to Hanakapiai Beach/Falls).
These passes are open for sale 30 days in advance, and the two main options are a parking pass that allows you to drive to Ha’ena in your own car, or a shuttle pass that starts at Waipa or Princeville.
Parking passes sell out almost immediately when they become available, so you’re unlikely to snag one unless you keep checking back later and there’s a cancellation.
Getting shuttle tickets is much easier. There is usually a lot of availability, so you can safely book it the week before.
Book now: Ha’ena State Park Permits
A Ha’ena State Park day use permit allows you to hike two miles of the Kalalau Trail without a camping permit.
• Private tours
If you plan to do any special activities or tours on Kauai, they must be booked in advance.
For something like a scenic helicopter flight or boat tour of the Na Pali Coast, I recommend booking one to two months in advance; Perhaps more if there is a specific time period you want, such as early morning or sunset.
Remember to schedule any important tours to start your trip, that way you’ll have room to reschedule them later if they’re canceled due to weather.
Read More: My Kauai Helicopter Trip Review
Book now: Kawaii helicopter / Boat tour
• Botanical gardens
There are a bunch of different botanical gardens on Kauai to choose from, so if you’re not picky about which one you visit, it’s safe to book it a week in advance.
Otherwise, if you have a specific garden in mind, or have a tight schedule, I will book it two weeks in advance.
Some parks include a tour in the price, while others allow you to visit with a guide.
Book now:
• Restaurants (fine dining)
Some popular dining spots on Kauai recommend making reservations:
- Akoda bar
- Beach House Restaurant
- Eating House 1849
You should be safe to book a week or two in advance. If you’re planning to do a Luau (traditional Hawaiian feast), you’ll need to book in advance for that as well.
Casual restaurants and food trucks typically do not require any type of reservations.
• Kilauea Lighthouse
Since 2022, reservations are required to visit Kilauea Point and the lighthouse. You can book it online before you go.
The good news is that tickets are relatively cheap by Hawaiian standards, and even the most popular time slots rarely sell out, so you can safely make your reservation the same week of your visit.
If you have an “America the Beautiful” card (aka National Park Senior, Annual, Military, 4th Grade, and Access), it is accepted here as well.
Book now: Kailua Point tickets
Reservations at Kilauea Lighthouse are very easy to get
Things you don’t need to book in advance
Still, most things on Kauai don’t need to be booked in advance.
This includes Hanalei Bay and state parks such as Kokee, Polihale, Wailua Falls, and Waimea Canyon.
Parking passes are now required for Koke’e and Waimea, but they are unlimited and you can purchase them on the spot.
Aside from the Kalalau Trail, most of Kauai’s hiking trails can also be done without any permits or reservations.
More travel guides to Kauai
Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoy these tips on what to book in advance on Kauai.
Remember to check out my other Kauai travel guides before you go!
