Are you thinking about planning a trip to Kauai in September? Find out some of the best things to do in Kauai in September that are worth adding to your itinerary!
This list of things to do in Kauai in September was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Quick answer: September is one of my favorite months to send families to Kauai. School’s back in session on the mainland, so the crowds thin out, hotel rates dip, and the weather is still summer-warm with less rain than you’d think.
The one exception is hurricane season, which peaks right around now. I’ll get into what that actually means for your trip below, but if you’re booking soon, read that section before anything else on this page.
I’ve made a career out of being a professional tourist in Hawaii, with 40+ trips under my belt, and I still get a little giddy every time I land at Lihue Airport in September. Here’s everything I’d tell a friend before they booked.
Is September Actually a Good Time to Visit Kauai?
Short answer: yes, and it’s underrated. September falls into what locals call shoulder season, the stretch after summer break ends and before the winter holiday crowds show up.
The hotel rates are typically less expensive, flights are easier to find, and popular spots like Poipu Beach and the Na Pali Coast boat tours aren’t nearly as packed as they are in July.
Kauai actually welcomed 102,105 visitors in September 2025, a small bump from the year before, and those visitors spent about $211 million on the island that month, according to state tourism data. That’s still a real number of people, but it’s noticeably calmer than peak summer.
The one thing I always tell people planning a September trip: this is peak hurricane season for Hawaii. NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center outlook is calling for an above-normal season this year.
Direct hits on Kauai are historically rare. But this isn’t a hypothetical caution I’m tacking on for the sake of covering myself.
As I update this post, a major hurricane is being tracked with a real chance of approaching Kauai within days, and county officials are already telling residents to prepare.
That’s exactly why I don’t give specific storm details in an evergreen post like this one. They’re outdated within days.
What doesn’t go out of date: check the National Weather Service’s Honolulu office and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency before you book, again a few days before you fly, and again once you land.
Buy travel insurance if you’re booking close to your trip dates. And if you’re reading this while a storm is actively approaching Kauai, close this tab and go check an official source instead of a blog post.
If you want the deeper planning breakdown, I cover shoulder season strategy and money-saving timing in my free 5-day email course on saving money in Hawaii, and I talked through fall travel timing on a recent episode of my podcast, Why Fall Is the Best Time to Visit Hawaii.
What’s the Weather Really Like on Kauai in September?
Here’s the honest version, not the brochure version. Daytime highs on Kauai in September typically land in the low-to-mid 80s, with an especially warm day occasionally pushing toward 87°F. Overnight lows sit around 71 to 73°F, so you’ll still want a light layer for evening luaus or sunset walks.
September is one of the drier months on Kauai, especially compared to winter, with average rainfall running under two inches for the whole month on the south and west sides.
The ocean is warm, usually in the low 80s, which makes it one of the best times all year to snorkel.
That said, “dry” is relative to Kauai standards. The north shore, especially around Hanalei and Princeville, tends to catch more rain than the south side no matter what month it is, so pack accordingly if you’re staying up there.
Quick stats: Kauai in September
- Average daytime high: low-to-mid 80s°F
- Average overnight low: 71-73°F
- Average monthly rainfall (south/west side): under 2 inches
- Ocean temperature: around 80-81°F
- Hurricane season: June 1 through November 30, with September historically one of the more active months
Where Should You Stay on Kauai in September?
This depends entirely on what you want your week to look like. I always steer families toward the south side first, because Poipu tends to have the most reliable sunshine and the shortest drive to a lot of the attractions on this list.
If you’re trying to keep costs down, Kapaa and Lihue are your best bet. You’re more central, closer to the airport, and the hotel rates are usually friendlier than Poipu or the north shore.
| Area | Vibe | September Weather | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poipu / South Shore | Resort-heavy, sunny, calm beaches | Warmest, driest side of the island | Families who want reliable sun and easy beach days |
| Kapaa / Lihue | Central, more local, budget-friendly | Moderate, occasional showers | Road-trippers who want a home base close to the airport |
| Princeville / North Shore | Lush, dramatic, quieter | Wetter than the south side year-round | Couples or families chasing waterfalls and jungle views |
I like Expedia for booking on Kauai since you can see cancellation policies up front, which matters more than usual during hurricane season.
Wherever you land, my Kauai Travel Guide for Families walks through a full 7-day itinerary broken out by which side of the island you’re staying on.
One more logistics note for this specific September: the Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon runs through Koloa and Poipu on September 6, 2026, starting around 6am.
If you’re staying in that area that weekend, expect some road closures in the early morning, and just build in extra time if you’re heading to breakfast or the beach.
What Events Are Happening on Kauai in September 2026?
Kauai’s event calendar is smaller and more local than Oahu’s, which I actually love. Here’s what’s confirmed for this September:
Makai Music & Art Festival takes place September 9 at Princeville Makai Golf Club, with live music and local art vendors in a gorgeous oceanfront setting.
Hawaii Line Dance Festival runs September 11-12 at the Kauai Veterans Center in Lihue. It’s a low-key, family-friendly event with open line dancing, workshops, and a Saturday craft fair, and proceeds go toward the Kauai Veterans Center. Line dancing may not be the vacation activity your kids ask for, but the food and craft vendors make it worth a stop even if you only stay for an hour.
Artisans & Crafters Fair happens September 12 at the Koloa Neighborhood Center, a good stop if you’re already staying on the south side and want to pick up locally made gifts.
Kauai Mokihana Festival is the big one this month, running September 20-26 at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihue. It’s a week of Hawaiian culture, including a composers’ concert, hula competitions, and a daily craft fair called the Mokihana Makeke. Competition tickets typically run $30-35. If you only make it to one cultural event on this list, make it this one.
If you’re on the island on a Friday, check out Aloha Friday Art Nights on Kress Street in downtown Lihue, or Hanapepe Friday Art Night on the west side, both free and running most Fridays year-round with local art, food, and music.
The Kauai Made Craft Fair also pops up most Fridays at the Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort if you want to browse local products without waiting for a specific festival date.
Event dates can shift (especially with storms), so I’d double-check the Kauai Festivals calendar close to your trip.
The Best Things to Do on Kauai in September
Now for the actual list. These are the spots I keep sending people back to, in no particular order.
1. Waimea Town
Waimea is one of the most historically significant towns on the island. This is widely believed to be near where Captain Cook first made contact with the Hawaiian Islands in January 1778.
Today it’s a low-key plantation town with good local restaurants and shops, and it’s also your gateway to Waimea Canyon if you want to combine both stops in one day. I’ve got a full Waimea Canyon guide if you’re making the drive up.
2. Wailua Falls
This 173-foot, twin-tiered waterfall is one of the most photographed spots on Kauai. You’ll probably recognize it even if you’ve never been. It’s the waterfall from the opening credits of the old Fantasy Island TV show.
You view it from a roadside lookout, no hiking required or allowed, which makes it an easy stop with kids. I’d go earlier in the day for better light.
If waterfalls are your thing, I break down all the best ones in my Kauai waterfalls guide.
3. Spouting Horn
This natural blowhole on the south shore sends seawater bursting through a lava tube, sometimes 50 feet in the air, with a low roar that Hawaiian legend attributes to a trapped lizard spirit.
It’s free to visit, there’s a paved viewing path, and it’s an easy stop on the way to or from Poipu. Stay behind the railing. The rocks get slick and the surge is stronger than it looks.
4. A Na Pali Coast Tour
You cannot drive to the Na Pali Coast, and that’s exactly what keeps it so wild and undeveloped. To actually see the sea cliffs, waterfalls, and sea caves along this stretch, you’ll want to book a tour.
| Tour Type | Best For | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|
| Snorkel/boat tour | Families who want time in the water | 4-5 hours |
| Helicopter tour | Limited time, want the whole island’s view | 45-60 minutes |
| Sunset dinner cruise | Couples or a special-occasion night out | 3-4 hours |
If you only have one shot, I’d pick the boat tour with kids old enough to handle open water. It’s the best value of the three, and it gets you into the coastline instead of just looking down at it from the air.
You can compare current snorkel tours, helicopter tours, and dinner cruise options through Viator before you book.
5. Tunnels (Makua) Beach
Tunnels is one of the better snorkeling beaches on the island in calm summer conditions, with a reef shelf that’s home to sea turtles, tropical fish, and eels.
One thing to know: there’s no official lifeguard tower at Tunnels itself, though county lifeguards based at nearby Haena Beach Park patrol the area and monitor the reef.
Parking is limited, so go early. North shore beach access rules have been shifting lately too. Kee Beach already requires reservations, so confirm current parking and access rules before you drive out.
6. A Luau
Luaus can feel like a tourist checkbox, but a good one earns its spot on this list, especially if it’s your family’s first trip to Hawaii.
You’ll get live music, hula, and a proper spread of local food, and it’s one of the more approachable ways to learn about Hawaiian culture with kids in tow.
Not every luau is worth the ticket price, though, which is why I’ve reviewed Luau Kalamaku at Kilohana Plantation, the Aulii Luau at the Sheraton, and the Tahiti Nui Luau in Hanalei individually.
My full breakdown of which Kauai luaus are actually worth your money is a good place to start, or catch the audio version on my podcast episode on whether luaus are worth it.
7. Mahaulepu Heritage Trail
This is one of my favorite hikes on the island for families, mostly because it’s flat, scenic, and forgiving for kids.
It follows the coastline from Shipwreck Beach to Mahaulepu Beach, past sea cliffs, sand dunes, and tide pools.
There’s zero shade for most of the trail, so go early morning, bring more water than you think you need, and expect wind.
8. Kauai Museum
If you get a rainy afternoon, this is where I send people. It’s small, but it packs in a real history of the island, from early Hawaiian settlement through the plantation era.
As of this update, admission runs $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for kids 8-17 and kama’aina, and free for kids 7 and under.
They’re also currently running a hula exhibit and offer guided tours a few days a week, so it’s worth calling ahead if you want the full tour experience.
9. Glass Beach
This one is odd in the best way. Located near Port Allen in an old industrial stretch of the island, the “sand” here is decades of tumbled sea glass in blues, greens, and browns.
It’s not a swimming beach, but it’s a fun 20-minute detour. Hawaiian monk seals occasionally haul out here to rest, and if you spot one, admire it from at least 50 feet away.
They’re endangered and protected by federal law, and they need that space to rest undisturbed.
10. Ziplining
Kauai has several zipline courses, but Koloa Zipline on the south shore is the one I recommend most for families, since it’s close to Poipu and doesn’t require a full-day commitment.
You’ll get real elevation and real speed without needing a whole vacation day to do it.
Check current tour times and book ahead, since slots do fill up.
11. Waimea Canyon
I’d be doing you a disservice leaving this off. Mark Twain reportedly called it the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” and while I can’t confirm he actually said that, the canyon earns the comparison on its own.
September’s slightly drier weather means better odds of clear views instead of clouds. Give yourself at least half a day. My Waimea Canyon guide breaks down which lookouts to prioritize.
12. Poipu Beach
If you only have one beach day, make it Poipu. The bay’s natural sandbar creates a calm, shallow area that’s about as good as it gets for younger kids, and it’s one of the more reliable spots to see Hawaiian monk seals resting on the sand.
I go through all my favorite family beaches, Poipu included, in my best Kauai beaches for families guide.
13. Wailua River Kayaking
September’s calmer water makes this one of the better months to kayak the Wailua River out to the Fern Grotto trail or Secret Falls.
It’s a legitimately good workout, so it’s best for families with kids old enough to paddle or at least sit still in a tandem kayak for a couple hours.
Wherever you land on this list, a few things are worth packing no matter what: reef-safe sunscreen, since regular sunscreen is banned for sale in Hawaii over reef damage concerns, a light rain jacket for the north shore, and water shoes if you’re doing any of the rockier beaches or trails.
Planning Your Kauai Trip
If this is your first time on the island, start with my 10 things to know before planning a Kauai vacation and my guide to how many days on Kauai you actually need.
For getting around once you land, I break down your options, rental car included, in how to get around Kauai, and I’d recommend comparing rates through Discount Hawaii Car Rental, which is the site I point people to for Kauai rentals.
If you want family photos from the trip without lugging your own tripod around Waimea Canyon, Flytographer is worth booking, and that link saves you $20 on your session.
And if you’d rather not plan this whole thing solo, this is exactly what I do for a living. I offer one-on-one Hawaii travel consultations where we build out your actual itinerary together, not a generic list.
That’s the job of a Hawaii travel expert, in my opinion: knowing where families waste money and time so you don’t have to find out the hard way. I’m a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert with 40+ trips behind me, and I’d rather save you both.
FAQ: Kauai in September
Is September a good month to visit Kauai?
Yes. It’s shoulder season, so crowds and hotel rates are lower than summer, and the weather is warm with less rain than you’d expect. Just keep an eye on hurricane season, which runs through November.
Is it hurricane season in Kauai in September?
Yes, September falls within the Central Pacific hurricane season (June 1-November 30) and is historically one of the more active months. Direct hits on Kauai are rare, but check NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center before and during your trip.
What is the water temperature on Kauai in September?
The ocean typically sits around 80-81°F in September, among the warmest of the year, which makes it an especially good month for snorkeling and swimming.
Is Kauai busy in September?
It’s noticeably quieter than June through August, since mainland schools are back in session. You’ll still find some crowds around Poipu and popular tours, but far less than peak summer.
What should I pack for Kauai in September?
Warm-weather clothes, reef-safe sunscreen, a light rain jacket for the north shore, and water shoes for rockier beaches and trails. Evenings can dip into the low 70s, so bring one light layer.
Which side of Kauai has the best weather in September?
The south shore, especially Poipu, tends to be the sunniest and driest year-round, including in September. The north shore around Princeville and Hanalei sees more rain regardless of season.
Do I need a rental car on Kauai in September?
I’d say yes for most families. Kauai’s attractions are spread across the whole island, and public transportation is limited. I break down all your options, car included, in my how to get around Kauai guide.
September on Kauai has become one of my go-to recommendations for families trying to time a trip right, and after 40+ visits to this island, that’s not a recommendation I make lightly.
Keep an eye on the tropics, book your Na Pali tour early, and you’ll have one of the calmer, prettier weeks Kauai has to offer all year.
If you want help turning this list into an actual day-by-day plan, that’s what my consultations are for, and I’d love to help you build it.
P.S. Join our Hawaii Travel with Kids Facebook group to get connected with other families planning a trip to Hawaii!
 | About the author: Marcie Cheung is a Hawaii travel expert who has visited Hawaii more than 40 times. She is the founder of Hawaii Travel with Kids and host of Hawaii Travel Made Easy. She plans Hawaii vacations for couples, honeymooners, families, and other travelers. |