After landing at Lihue Airport (LIH), allow about 1–1½ hours for luggage, rental-car pickup, and getting six people organized with bags. The airport is compact, but the December holiday period can mean longer rental-car lines, so keep your first evening flexible. Once everyone is loaded, drive to Costco Food Court in Lihue—roughly 10 minutes from the airport—for an inexpensive first meal and practical arrival supplies. For a group of six, this is a good place to stock up on breakfast items, fruit, drinks, snacks, and beach basics before heading south; allow about 45 minutes, and remember Costco’s warehouse and food-court hours can change seasonally, so check the holiday schedule beforehand.
Continue south toward Old Koloa Town, approximately 25–30 minutes from Lihue depending on traffic. Park once and wander the historic storefronts along Koloa Road, where you’ll find small boutiques, galleries, sweets, and locally made goods. It’s a pleasant low-key stop before check-in, but many independent shops close in the late afternoon, so aim to arrive with at least an hour before closing. Keep purchases easy to carry and leave some room in the vehicle for luggage; this is a browse-and-stretch stop rather than a full shopping expedition.
From Old Koloa Town, it’s about 10 minutes to Poipu Beach Park. Take an easy first walk along the shoreline and look for the beach’s sheltered swimming area, but don’t feel obligated to swim after a travel day—conditions can change quickly, and December afternoons may bring wind or passing showers. Sunset is a popular time here, so arrive early enough to find parking and keep valuables out of the car. After roughly an hour, drive a few minutes to Eating House 1849 at The Shops at Kukui‘ula for dinner. Expect modern Hawaiian dishes and a relaxed setting, with dinner around $35–60 per person before drinks, tax, and tip. Reservations are wise for six during the Christmas week; if you have luggage in the car, go straight from the beach and keep the vehicle locked and unattended only briefly.
Start early at Poipu Beach Park, especially during the Christmas holiday week when parking fills quickly. From central Poipu, it is only a few minutes by car; arrive around 8:00–8:30 a.m. for the best chance of parking and calmer water. The protected lagoon is the better swimming area for children, while the outer reef can offer decent snorkeling when the ocean is calm. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, and your own towels or chairs if possible—rental options are limited on the beach. There are restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and lifeguards, but always check the posted conditions before entering; winter swell can make even familiar-looking water hazardous. Spend roughly three hours here without trying to pack in every activity.
Walk or drive a few minutes to Brennecke’s Beach Broiler for a relaxed seafood lunch near the shore. Expect about $20–35 per person, with a casual, busy holiday atmosphere; a reservation or early lunch is wise for a group of six. After lunch, continue to Maha‘ulepu Heritage Trail, beginning near Shipwreck Beach. Allow about two hours for the out-and-back coastal walk, which follows exposed cliffs, kiawe forest, and broad ocean views. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water, and avoid getting too close to the cliff edge—the trail is uneven and has little shade. There is no dependable public transit for this sequence, so keep the rental cars and carpool; parking at the trailhead is limited and the access road can be rough.
Return to Shipwreck Beach for an unhurried hour around sunset. This is a beautiful lookout rather than a swimming beach: the shorebreak and currents are powerful, so stay out of the water and keep children well back from the surf line. Sunset timing in late December is roughly 5:55–6:05 p.m., but arrive earlier for the changing light and to find a safe place to sit. Finish with dinner or takeout at Anuenue Café in Koloa, about a 10-minute drive inland from Poipu. Its bowls and breakfast-style plates are practical for a mixed group and usually run about $15–25 per person; holiday hours can change, so check the same day and order ahead if taking food back to the rental.
Leave Poipu around 8:00 a.m. for the roughly 25-minute drive west to Kauai Coffee Company in Kalaheo. The estate is spread across rolling fields, so allow about 1½ hours for the self-guided experience, tasting, and gift shop; tour formats and hours can change, so check the official schedule before leaving. The coffee sampling is complimentary, while paid tours or specialty experiences may cost extra. Bring a light layer—the higher elevation can feel cooler and breezier than the coast.
Continue about 15 minutes west to Salt Pond Beach Park in Hanapepe, arriving in the late morning. This is a good holiday-week stop for a slower swim and picnic under the kiawe trees, with generally calmer, protected water than more exposed west-shore beaches. Pack food and plenty of water, since facilities are basic and nearby lunch options are limited. Check the ocean conditions on arrival, stay within the lifeguarded area when staffed, and allow about two hours rather than trying to rush the beach.
From Salt Pond Beach Park, it is about a 10-minute drive to Hanapepe. Park near the old town and spend an hour crossing Hanapepe Swinging Bridge, then wandering the compact streets lined with galleries and small shops. The bridge can sway noticeably and may be uncomfortable for anyone uneasy with heights; use the handrails and let local foot traffic pass. For lunch, walk or drive into town for Japanese Grandma’s Café, a small, distinctive spot known for light meals and coffee. Plan on approximately $15–30 per person, and verify Christmas Day hours in advance—holiday schedules are especially important for this independently run café.
After lunch, drive about 10 minutes to Glass Beach in Eleele for a brief 30–45-minute look at the sea-glass-covered shoreline. It is more of a quick curiosity than a swimming beach, with uneven ground and little shade, so wear sturdy sandals or shoes and do not remove the glass. Return to Poipu in roughly 25–30 minutes via Kaumualii Highway; with the holiday traffic and six people getting organized, leave Glass Beach by mid-afternoon to keep the evening relaxed.
Start around 10:30 a.m. at Koloa Fish Market in Koloa for an easy early lunch—fresh poke, seafood, or a plate lunch runs roughly $15–25 per person. It is a good day to share a few items rather than ordering six full meals, and calling ahead is wise during the Christmas-week rush. From there, walk through Old Koloa Town to the Koloa History Center, allowing about 45 minutes to learn how plantation-era Koloa developed; hours can be limited or holiday-adjusted, so verify the opening schedule before leaving Poipu.
After lunch, drive about 10 minutes toward Lawai for your reserved afternoon tour at Allerton Garden. Allow roughly 2½ hours door to door, including check-in and the guided tour; this is the one activity that should be booked in advance, and everyone should arrive early because late arrivals may not be accommodated. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water and rain protection, and expect muddy paths if a passing shower comes through. The garden is lush and shaded, but the tour involves uneven ground and is not something to rush.
When the tour ends, continue a few minutes west along Lawai Road to Spouting Horn, where waves force seawater through the lava shelf in dramatic bursts. Spend about 30 minutes at the overlook, keeping children well back from the edge and never climbing onto the rocks—the surf can surge unexpectedly. Finish back in Koloa at The Fresh Shave, a cheerful stop for Hawaiian-style shave ice, about $6–10 per person. Plan on around 30 minutes, then return to your Poipu lodging by car; the full outing is comfortably a half-day-plus, with the garden reservation determining the pace.
Make Port Allen Harbor in Eleele your first stop, allowing roughly 35–45 minutes from Poipu without holiday traffic—and more on a busy Sunday morning. Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before the boat’s stated departure for parking, check-in, restrooms, and a final look at the sea conditions. The harbor is practical rather than scenic, so bring only what you need: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat secured with a strap, a light rain layer, water, and medication taken well before departure if anyone is prone to seasickness. The Nā Pali Experience generally takes about 4–5 hours, and this is a booking-dependent activity: reserve well ahead and confirm the operator’s check-in time, cancellation policy, vessel, and weather call. December ocean conditions can change quickly; do not assume the trip will run until the operator confirms it.
After the boat returns, stay in the harbor area for an unhurried lunch at Kauai Island Brewing Company. Allow about 1½ hours, since six people arriving together may wait for a table and the post-cruise crowd can be hungry. Expect approximately $25–45 per person, depending on drinks; shareable appetizers and burgers or tacos make this easy for a mixed group. The brewery is a good place to decompress rather than squeeze in another attraction, and anyone who has been on the water should take it slowly with alcohol until they are fully settled.
Drive east toward Hanapepe for a quieter late-afternoon stop at Salt Pond Beach Park, about 15–20 minutes from Port Allen. The protected salt-pond area can be pleasant for a swim or shoreline break, but check the water and surf before entering—conditions and currents are not guaranteed, even when the beach looks calm. Bring towels and dry clothes from the boat, and keep valuables out of the car. Give yourselves around 1½ hours here; sunset light is especially nice along the coast, but leave enough daylight to pack up comfortably.
Finish in Kalaheo at Kalaheo Café & Coffee Company, roughly 20 minutes from Salt Pond Beach Park and on the way back toward Poipu. Dinner is usually about $20–35 per person, with a relaxed local-café atmosphere and hearty plates suited to a group after a boat day. Check the current Sunday hours and kitchen closing time before leaving the beach, as island restaurants may shorten service during the holiday season. From Kalaheo, allow approximately 25 minutes back to Poipu, longer if the group stops for groceries or holiday traffic builds.
Leave Poipu around 6:45–7:00 a.m. for the drive west through Koloa, Kalaheo, and Waimea, then up the winding road into Kōke‘e State Park. Allow about 1¾–2¼ hours each way, more during the holiday week. Fuel up before climbing—the mountain has no gas stations—and bring warm layers, water, and sturdy shoes. At Pu‘u O Kila, spend about 45 minutes looking into the upper Kalalau Valley; winter clouds can completely obscure the view, and wet conditions may affect the final road access and trail edges. Continue a short distance to Kalalau Lookout for another 45 minutes and a broader panorama. There is no reliable cell service, so download directions beforehand and check current park and road conditions before leaving.
Warm up with lunch at Kōke‘e Lodge, a rustic mountain stop where meals generally run about $20–40 per person. Hours can vary seasonally, so treat this as a planned stop rather than assuming late service; if the lodge is closed or busy, carry snacks and water as a backup. After roughly an hour, descend toward Waimea and stop at Waimea Canyon Lookout. Give yourself about an hour here, including time for the main viewpoint and nearby pullouts. The red canyon is often clearer later in the day than the high ridges, but visibility changes quickly. Parking fills during the Christmas period, and state-park or county parking fees may apply, so bring a card and some cash.
Before the drive back toward Poipu, stop at Porky’s Kauai for a casual food-truck dinner—about $15–25 per person. Check the day’s hours before setting out, since food-truck schedules can change and holiday service may be limited. Allow around 45 minutes for the meal, then expect roughly 45–60 minutes back to Poipu, depending on traffic and darkness. The mountain roads are narrow and can be slick after rain, so descend slowly and avoid rushing; this is a full day, and getting back safely matters more than squeezing in another stop.
Keep your final morning easy at Lawai Beach, arriving around 7:30–8:00 a.m. for roughly two hours in the water before the beach becomes busier. It is a small, rocky shoreline rather than a broad sandy beach, so water shoes are useful and the entry can be uncomfortable for young children. Check the ocean carefully before snorkeling: December south-shore conditions can change quickly, and there is no reason to force a swim if the water is cloudy, surgey, or breaking over the reef. Bring only what you need and leave valuables locked out of sight in the car.
After rinsing off and changing, drive a few minutes to Kukui‘ula Shopping Village for about an hour of last-minute browsing. This is a convenient place to divide up gifts, local food items, and anything forgotten during the week; most shops generally open in the late morning, so check holiday hours before relying on an early arrival. For a final break, continue to Poipu Shopping Village for shave ice or coffee—plan on roughly $6–15 per person and about 45 minutes. Keep this stop relaxed rather than turning it into a full meal, since you will still need to manage luggage and the airport drive.
Return to your accommodation afterward, collect the bags, and leave Poipu with plenty of margin for Lihue Airport (LIH). The drive is usually about 25–30 minutes, but holiday traffic, fueling, rental-car return, and airport queues can make the full door-to-door process closer to 1½–2 hours before departure; allow more if your group has checked bags or a very early flight. Top off the tank near Lihue if needed, follow the rental-car return signs, and keep passports, medications, electronics, and valuables with you rather than in checked luggage. December flights and security lines can be slow, so follow your airline’s recommended arrival time and treat the shopping stops as optional if the morning runs late.
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