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Lihue Airport
LIH • PHLI
3 km • 10 km drive
Primary airport for Kauai with interisland and mainland flights. Open-air terminals and easy car-rental access.
Transport: Rental cars on site, Taxis and limited rideshare, Hotel shuttles
Logistics · Destination Guide
Lava caverns, summer runs to Niihau, and year-round reef life on the Garden Isle
Updated Oct 30, 2025 • 20 sources
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Fly into Lihue Airport (LIH) with nonstop and interisland service. Most dive hubs are on the south shore near Poipu and west at Port Allen for Niihau trips.
Lihue Airport
LIH • PHLI
3 km • 10 km drive
Primary airport for Kauai with interisland and mainland flights. Open-air terminals and easy car-rental access.
Transport: Rental cars on site, Taxis and limited rideshare, Hotel shuttles
Renting a car offers maximum flexibility. The Kauai Bus runs fixed routes between major towns with limited frequency. Rideshare and taxis exist but can be scarce away from Lihue and Poipu.
Hawaii is a U.S. state. U.S. citizens travel domestically with government ID. Non-U.S. visitors follow standard U.S. visa or ESTA rules. Agriculture inspections restrict fresh produce and plants.
Shops provide AL80s and weights, with 32% nitrox widely available. Bring SMBs and lights for caverns. Pack reef-friendly sunscreen, booties, and a light wind shell. Expect early meet times for charters.
United States Dollar (USD)
Cash and cards are widely accepted. Small vendors and food trucks may prefer cash.
ATMs in Lihue and resort areas; withdrawal limits vary by bank.
120V • 60Hz • A, B
Standard North American sockets. Bring a travel surge protector for camera gear.
Communications
Major U.S. carriers cover Lihue, Poipu, and Hanalei towns. Valleys and remote coasts can have weak or no signal. eSIMs work on compatible phones.
Language
English is primary. Learn simple Hawaiian words like aloha and mahalo. Respect place names and cultural sites.
Insurance
Carry travel and dive insurance. DAN membership and coverage are recommended for boat days and remote Niihau operations.
Packing list
3 mm suit, booties, SMB, and light. Reef-friendly mineral sunscreen, rashguard, wind shell, dry bag, and seasickness meds for channel crossings.