Kauai Help!

Question

Hi! We are a family of 6, 4 kids ages 17-8. We will be coming the first week of April. I'm struggling keeping track of what we need reservations for vs what we can just go do. We are interested in some hiking, some sight-seeing, and of course beach sitting with boogie boarding and snorkeling thrown in as well.

My main question is: what do we need a reservation for?

Second question: what food places do we need to hit up? For reference, we've been to Maui a few times and prefer places like Coconut's Fish & Chips, Paia Fish Market (is the one on Kauai open yet??), Da Kitchen (pre-Covid), Island Grindz.

Thanks for the help!

Answer

Great questions! Planning ahead for Kauaʻi is smart, especially with a family of 6 — some things really do require reservations, and knowing where to eat is half the fun. Here's a breakdown of what you should reserve, what you can likely do more casually, plus food-spot recommendations that your family (especially with kids) will probably love.

What do you need to reserve in Kauaʻi (for hiking, sightseeing, etc)?

Kalalau / Nā Pali Coast Trail Permits — If you’re planning to hike the Kalalau Trail, you will likely need a permit. The DLNR requires a day-use reservation (if you’re just doing the first 2 miles to Hanakāpīʻai) or a camping permit if you plan to go past that.
- Camping permits are very competitive: they open 90 days in advance at midnight HST.
- You also need a parking/shuttle reservation for Hāʻena State Park (where the trail starts) because parking is very limited.
Haʻena State Park (Kee / Hāʻena area) — Even if you’re only hiking or going to lookouts / beaches, you need to reserve access to Hāʻena State Park.
Boat / Snorkel Tours — If you plan to do a Nā Pali Coast boat tour, especially a snorkeling or sightseeing tour, it's strongly recommended to book in advance. These tours are very popular, especially in spring.
Other Activities — For high-demand activities like tubing, zip-lining, or ATV tours, some Redditors report that booking ahead is wise if you have specific times in mind.

What you probably don’t need to reserve (or at least, not for all hikes):

Many of Kauaʻi’s shorter day hikes (aside from Kalalau) do *not* require a permit. As one traveler noted: > “You don’t need any permits for any hiking on Kauai, only camping … you will need a day pass … for Haʻena State Park if doing those walks.”
Beach time, snorkeling from shore, or boogie boarding at the more accessible beaches generally don’t require a reservation—but note conditions, parking, and lifeguard presence vary.

Where to Eat — Food Places to Hit on Kauaʻi

You’ve got a great baseline with what you like (Coconut’s Fish & Chips, Paia Fish Market, Island Grindz), and Kauaʻi has its own local gems that are similar, plus some unique finds. Here are recommendations tailored for your family: casual, kid-friendly, and island-local.

Pono Market (Kapāʻa) — A classic deli-style spot with Hawaiian plate lunches (rice, macaroni salad, protein) plus poke and lau lau.
Hamura’s Saimin Stand (Līhuʻe) — A longtime favorite for saimin (Hawaiian noodle soup), very casual, great for kids, and very authentic.
Coconut’s Fish Café (Kapāʻa) — Given that you like Coconut’s on Maui, you’ll probably enjoy this version: fresh fish tacos, shrimp, island-style fare.
The Musubi Truck (Kapāʻa / Līhuʻe area) — A fun, local food truck focused on musubi (Spam musubi and other creative versions).
Pat’s Taqueria (Hanalei) — A food truck doing fish tacos, burritos, and other Mexican / island fusion.
Kountry Kitchen (Kapāʻa) — Wonderful breakfast or lunch spot, known for island-style American classics like loco moco and hearty pancakes.
Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant / Fish Market (Hanalei) — More seafood-centric; great for a nicer lunch.
Wishing Well Shave Ice (Hanalei) — Perfect treat for the kids (and adults!) after a day exploring — classic Hawaiian shave ice.

Other useful food / dining tips for your family:

Some of the “restaurant-ish” spots (farm-to-table, sit-down) like JO2 Natural Cuisine in Kapāʻa may require reservations — especially for dinner.
For a special dinner, The Beach House Restaurant (in Poʻipū) is a favorite for its view and seafood, though this may be more for a night out than a casual family meal.
Visit local farmers markets — Kauaʻi has great ones, and they're excellent for picnic-style lunches, fresh fruit, and local snacks.

Putting It All Together — My Advice for Your First Week of April:

Decide early which hikes are “must-dos” (especially if Kalalau is on your radar) — get permits if needed.
Plan your non-hike days around beach / snorkeling / boogie boarding — no permit needed there, but pick beaches that are good for kids and swimming.
Mix up food: do some food trucks + plate lunches + a few sit-down meals so kids don’t get bored and you get “local flavor.”
Make dinner reservations for any nicer sit-down places; for trucks and casual spots, go when your family is hungry (often the best time to hit food trucks is midday).

In summary: yes, some things require reservations (Kalalau hike, Haʻena Park, certain tours), but you’ll also have plenty of flexibility to hike, hit beaches, and eat great food without over-planning. With a family your size, balance is key — reserve for the big-ticket experiences, and leave plenty of room for spontaneous beach time and food truck stops.

Have an amazing trip — Kauaʻi is a magical island, and your first week of April is a lovely time to explore with your kids!