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Early Checkout, Late Flight on Kauai? What to Do

Early Checkout, Late Flight on Kauai? What to Do

You and your party have a standard early checkout from your accommodations on Kauai, and a late flight off the island. What do you do with your luggage, and your last day?

First, there is the issue with your luggage. Like any tourist destination, thefts from vehicles are not uncommon. You will not want to worry about your luggage in your rental vehicle (especially if it’s a soft-top Jeep or convertible) while you see more sights on your last day in Kauai.

Many if not most hotels and condo front desks will store your luggage until you are ready to retrieve it for your flight home. But if you’re staying on the far end of the island away from the airport, for example in Waimea or Hanalei/Princeville, and are planning to see other areas, then you may not want to drive back to retrieve your luggage.

One solution is to store your luggage for the day at one of the self-storages near the airport in Lihue. Reportedly, it’s $6 a day per piece of luggage. This may be less or more, so call to confirm rates and availability.

Nevertheless, if you don’t find a luggage storage solution, many of the locations mentioned in this article have parking close to the attraction so that you can keep an eye on your vehicle and personal items.

Next up, what to do on your last day on Kauai? If you want to hang out at a pool, some resorts and hotels offer day passes (for a fee) that includes use of restrooms and shower facilities.

But Kauai is small enough so that you can see and do just about anything on your last day depending on your flight time. If you are staying in Poipu or Waimea, a drive to the North Shore might be in order, or vice versa, a drive from the Hanalei/Princeville or Kapaa areas might take you to Poipu or Waimea Canyon and the Kalalau Lookout, with a swing through the Kauai Tree Tunnel.

If you want to stick closer to the airport, there are many points of interests nearby. Wailua Falls is a short drive from Lihue. The scenic Menehune Fishpond is just past Nawiliwili Harbor, which is near the airport.

Kalapaki Beach

Nearer the airport is beautiful Kalapaki Beach and Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club (former Kauai Marriott). The Kalapaki Beach area has several restaurants, including the favorite Duke’s Restaurant. The Harbor Mall is also in the area, along with other shops and restaurants, for last-minute souvenirs and dining.

Our favorite is Mariachi’s Restaurant for authentic Mexican cuisine. Skinny Mike’s Hawaiian Ice Cream and Pietros Pizza are also some of our favorites. Also, be sure to check out Beachrail for an incredible collection of collectibles.

The Kauai Escape Room in Lihue is a nice activity for couples and families looking for something fun to do on last days and rainy days in Kauai. Escape rooms are live action games where participants work together to solve clues and escape the room within a set time limit. The excellent Kauai Museum in Lihue is also a good choice.

Lydgate Beach

Lastly, if you’ve worked up a sweat on your last day, there are public showers at Lydgate Park so that you can fly home clean and refreshed. Another option for a shower is to schedule a massage or spa treatment at a place that has showers, a great way to end a Kauai vacation.

Also, we mentioned Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club at Kalapaki Beach above, and we have to admit we’ve rinsed off and cleaned up in the poolside showers at the resort before a flight!

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