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Princeville, Kauai, HI
Princeville, Kauai
Cliff-top golf over Hanalei Bay — the Garden Isle at its most cinematic.
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The place
Princeville sits on the bluffs of Kauai's north shore, where taro fields, waterfalls and Hanalei Bay compose the most cinematic backdrop in Hawaiian golf. The Makai Course is the anchor — a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design whose ocean-cliff par-3s belong on the short list of the Pacific's great holes. The trip doubles as an island tour: the Nicklaus-designed Ocean Course at Hokuala plays along Lihue's coastline, Poipu Bay brings major-adjacent pedigree on the sunny south shore, and Wailua's oceanfront municipal is one of the best-value rounds in the islands.
The courses on property
| Course | Designer | Notes | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princeville Makai | Robert Trent Jones Jr. | Ocean-cliff par-3s above the Pacific and mountain views inland — the north shore's crown. The must-play. | resort |
| Ocean Course at Hokuala | Jack Nicklaus | A long oceanfront closing run beside Lihue — a strong second marquee. | resort |
| Poipu Bay | Robert Trent Jones Jr. | The stately south-shore course with big-event history and whale-watching tee boxes. | resort |
| Wailua Golf Course | — | The famed oceanfront municipal — island golf the way locals play it, at a fraction of resort fees. | public |
Where you crash
The resort
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
The clifftop resort above Hanalei Bay — infinity pools, spa and sunset views that end every argument about where to stay.
◆ The private house
The Private House
A Princeville home on the bluffs — lanai facing the mountains or the bay, hot tub, and the Makai first tee five minutes away. North-shore rentals range from comfortable to spectacular.
4-6 BR · sleeps 8-12 · ~$2,000–$6,000/nt
The 5-day plan
- 1
Fly in & Hanalei sunset
AM Land at Lihue and drive the garden coast north to Princeville.
PM Check in, swim at Hanalei Bay, sunset from the bluff, dinner in Hanalei town.
- 2
Makai Course
AM The cliff-top headliner — cameras out on the ocean par-3s.
PM Beach or pool; mai tais and the first standings review at the house.
- 3
South-shore double
AM Drive south for Poipu Bay's big-event fairways.
PM Optional Wailua add-on on the way back; shave ice mandatory. Dinner on the south shore.
- 4
Hokuala — the Cup
AM The team match along the Ocean Course's coastline finish.
PM Trophy dinner back on the north shore; cigars on the lanai over the bay.
- 5
Bay sunrise & the flight home
AM Sunrise swim or a farewell walk on the bluff trail, then the drive to Lihue.
Why it wins
The Makai Course hangs par-3s over the Pacific on Kauai's greenest coast, Hanalei Bay curves below the resort, and the island's supporting rotation — a Nicklaus ocean course, a stately south-shore host, a legendary muni — makes the full lap of Kauai part of the fun.
Booking notes
North-shore weather is greenest in winter and driest May through September — build flex into the golf days and let the concierge sequence the south-shore rounds around it. Book Makai times and north-shore dinners ahead; fly into Lihue.