WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination guide 225
Hawaii · Couples · Two nights

Kauai

The Garden Isle.

Kauai is the oldest and greenest of the main islands, with the deep red gorge of Waimea Canyon, the sheer Na Pali cliffs and the taro fields of Hanalei. Land at Lihue, stay on the sunny south shore at Poipu or the lush north shore at Hanalei, drive up to the canyon overlooks, take a boat along Na Pali and eat fresh fish by the bay.

Canyons & cliffsBeachesResorts
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
Red and green canyon walls on Kauai
Kauai's canyon country.
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to PHLI
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~4225 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~28 hr 25 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

Land at Lihue.

PHLI (LIH), Lihue, is a towered airport at 152 feet with two 6,500-foot runways on the island’s east side, about 25 minutes from Poipu and an hour from Hanalei.

The FBO

Lihue Airport (Hawaii DOT Airports)

Lihue Airport, Lihue, HI

808-274-3800

Long over-water leg from Oahu (about 90 nm); carry flotation and file a flight plan. Mountain obscuration is common over the interior. 100LL and Jet A listed.

Hawaiian flying: steady trade winds with strong gusts and mechanical turbulence near terrain and in the channels between islands, afternoon showers and low clouds over the mountains, sudden obscuration in valleys, and long over-water legs. Carry life vests and consider a raft. Hawaii is about 2,100 nm of open ocean from California, beyond the range of most light aircraft. These guides are for Hawaii-based pilots and for visitors who rent or fly with a local operator, typically from Honolulu (PHNL), Kalaeloa (PHJR) or Kahului (PHOG).

02 / Where to stay

South shore or north shore.

Rates and availability need travel dates. Book early in winter.

03 / Where to eat

Fresh fish and farm cooking.

Reserve weekend dinners.

04 / Things to do

Canyon, cliffs and bays.

Go early before the clouds build.

02

Na Pali Coast

Sea cliffs by boat, air tour or the Kalalau Trail (permits).

Hawaii State Parks
05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse Kauai events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample Kauai weekend. Written for Hawaii-based pilots and visitors already in the islands. No bookings or availability confirmed.

DAY 1

Arrive

  1. Arrival

    Land at PHLI, subject to weather and your actual flight plan.

  2. Afternoon

    Poipu beach.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Merriman’s.

DAY 2

Explore

  1. Morning

    Waimea Canyon overlooks, early.

  2. Afternoon

    A Na Pali boat trip.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at The Dolphin in Hanalei.

DAY 3

Morning & home

  1. Morning

    Hanalei Bay at sunrise.

  2. Before leaving

    Allow time at the airport.

  3. Fly home

    Afternoon clouds cover the mountains; plan the crossing to Oahu early.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Lodging, car and a Na Pali boat.

Crossing

About 90 nm of water from Oahu.

Weather

Mountain clouds build by afternoon.

Best seasons

April to October.

Reviewed · Destination 225

Reviewed November 6, 2026.

Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.