Located on the northernmost tip of Kauai, Kilauea Lighthouse was built in 1913 and served as a beacon for traveling ships approaching the island. Nowadays, although outdated and no longer in service, this lighthouse still serves as a popular beacon for tourists visiting one of the most frequently visited attractions on the island. Situated within the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, you'll have to pay admissions in order to enter. We serendipitously showed up on one of the admission-free day without even realizing it, so was only subject to the $1 reservation fee. There are several parking lots after you pay, all of which fill up fast. However, the ranger will direct you where to find available spots. The walk to the lighthouse will treat you to some breathtaking views of the cliffs and water below. And if you're lucky, some nice variety of marine life in addition to the plethora of birds flying around. We happened to see a swimming sea turtle at one point at the cliffs below thanks to the crystal-clear Hawaii waters. And although you can walk right up to the lighthouse to take pictures, entrance into the lighthouse itself is barred as they have suspended tours inside. read more

Super beautiful lighthouse lookout ! Loved stopping by here- drive slow this is NeNe territory ! read more

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Reserved a few weeks ago ($1). Unfortunately government shutdown meant visitors center was closed, but thanks to volunteers Nancy and Nicole who were present by the lighthouse to answer questions. Gorgeous views, amazing birds, lighthouse currently under restoration so that itself was closed, but I knew that going in... Birds were amazing!!! read more

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Kilauea lighthouse is located at the Kilauea point national wildlife refuge on Kauai. It's a fun place to visit to see the lighthouse and also the bird sanctuary. You can see a lot of the Hawaii state bird, the Nene, the albatross, and the red footed booby. You do need reservations to enter, but they do have both military and kamaina discounts. The kids enjoyed it very much! read more

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The lighthouse is only open in the summer months until 4pm. For $11 you get to explore the lighthouse for 1 hour. The free binoculars you can use were nice and really helped since the built in binoculars didn't do much. There was a very enthusiastic worker that was explaining a lot about the birds, the sanctuary, and the views. While there are many signs posted throughout with details, it was nice being able to hear about it while knowing where to look. The 1 hour was up way too fast, in my opinion. It was very empty the day I went, so it would've been nice to stay longer. It's not like anyone one came up to me to tell me I had to leave, but still. It honestly is such a beautiful and unique view of the surrounding areas. I think $11 is a bit pricey when they limit you to only 1 hour. I feel like I spent half of the time simply walking to and from. I would've liked to look more into the books and info they had within the little house there, but I had zero time to do so. I did get a few cute things from the giftshop including keyrings and fancy brochures. Most of what I saw seemed decently priced and good quality. The guy that was working there was also super friendly and personable as well. read more

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Bummer the lighthouse was being fixed up from storm damage but still a cool place to checkout for 30-45 minutes. I got a reservation online for $22 for two people and felt it was worth it especially since it goes to helping take care of the land. There were nice views, bathrooms, a gift shop, and a few things to checkout. There is also some parking before the entrance but be sure to pay and park your car inside, I saw people getting turned away for trying to walk in. I believe they accept ticket purchases there without reservation unless it's full. read more

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This is such a nice area and so clear! Apparently whales spawn here and travel through this area on their migration. The facility was undergoing some renovation, so was not accessible to the public until June or so. I would not mind working the lighthouse with such a wonderful view and nice surroundings too. read more

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The lighthouse which was built in 1913, is inside the Kilauea Point Wildlife National Wildlife Refuge area and is accessible by a short uphill walk, about 5 minutes, unless like me you stop and gaze at the beautiful view. There is an entrance fee as for all National Parks, it's also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I think the fee was $10 but I have a free handicap parks access so check price to make sure it's current. Nene (Hawaii goose ) are plenty in the refuge, in the area near the lighthouse and crossing the access road, so please be extra careful; Nene are protected and are the Hawaii state bird. Nene strut like they own the place, which they do; aren't afraid of humans, and are closely related to the Canada goose. There were a lot of other birds nesting on the cliffs nearby, and flying around between nests and keeping an eye out on the people walking the grounds. The birds flying above you are Petrels, Black-footed Albatross, Auks, Red-footed Booby, Frigate birds and Terns; do look at the panels along the way to read about them, the ones I didn't mention. Humpback whales migrate along this shore from Alaska for mating season December to April. Inside the lighthouse its history is written on panels; read the cool story of the "Bird of Paradise" flight in 1927 saved by the lighthouse beacon. Docents are on site should you want more information on the Refuge as well as the lighthouse. In 2013 it was officially named for US Senator Daniel Inouye. Enjoy your visit ! read more

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I made a reservation to the Lighthouse just because the pictures looked awesome, but aside taking a couple pictures of the lighthouse, the big surprise were the birds and how informative the staff were (Nicole especially, but Mark was close second). In a short period of time I learned how miraculous several species of bird were. I was expecting a so-so time, and I had an amazing time. I want to go home now and learn more about the birds (like how they can smell plankton from miles away which lets them fly to where their food is waiting - fish feeding on plankton). Highly recommend you make reservations s early and visit on your next visit!!! read more

To be honest I was a bit disappointed with the activity. I am not into birds for the most part but respectful of the conversation effort of the refuge. For me, I really only wanted to see the lighthouse and take in the view. The view was nice but not worth the effort to make the reservation and pay the fee. Know in advance...there is a timed entry and view time limitation for a reason. Parking is very limited. Visit if you have time but this is not a 'must do' activity when on the island. read more

Kilauea Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Kilauea, Hawaii

My husband and I drove here close to when the sun was setting. Unfortunately the lighthouse, wasn't open on that day so we couldn't pay to in, but they have a little parking lot where you can park and observe the lighthouse and view from the lot. It's a stunning view! Lots of gorgeous birds and a cute little bird reference sign so you can try to identify the different bird types! read more

Kilauea Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Kilauea, Hawaii

Beautiful views at the Lighthouse both of the lighthouse itself and the landscape around it. Accompanied by free binoculars and a nice little museum/gift shop. Nice bathroom facilities on the premises. A bit pricey for admission - $10 a person - but probably goes to upkeep and preservation efforts. Worth it to stay a while if it's cloudy/rainy to see the views open up when the sun comes out. We also spotted a few whale spouts. read more

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If I could give this 10 stars I would! This place is absolutely stunning! Make sure you purchase your ticket online ahead of time because parking is very limited. If you can't get in or you'd rather bypass the lighthouse, you can still get great views off of a small parking lot where you can walk up and see it from afar. You can even spot whales here if you catch them during whale season & you have luck. We were able to, but didn't get great photos. There is plenty of wildlife, gorgeous views, and a wonderful breeze! This is a must stop, in my opinion. read more

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Came here twice but both days they are closed. So unfortunate ayt! Haven't had the chance to see the lighthouse closer which is kind'a bummer. Anyhow from afar it is still a picturesque view and I always had a great time staring from afar and the horizon makes it perfect for photo-ops. The lighthouse was active for 62 years providing a valuable navigational aid. It was then preserved and its habitat surrounding area and is home for migratory birds. I recommend you bring binoculars with you to have appreciation of the place. It is still worth the time to come here even if the place itself is closed. Take note that it is only open on Wed-Sat 10am to 4pm & reservation is required. There is also a fee to enter unless you are military or pass holders. For more detailed information go check out their website. Mahalo for reading & happy juandering fellow Yeeps. read more

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I'm not sure if my review is justified. But the last three times I've been here over the past 2 years, they were closed. I don't know if the hours are reduced, they happened to be closed during the times I went, or they just don't open the gates anymore since covid. The best we could do was park outside the gate, walk up to the fence, and look at the lighthouse and cliffside in the distance. It is beautiful, don't get me wrong. But I want to go inside the gates and near the lighthouse. read more

Kilauea Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Kilauea, Hawaii

While we didn't get a chance to see the lighthouse from up close (they're closed Sun-Tuesday), we did get a chance to get to the gate entrance. From there, they had a few parking spots to park at so you can get a view of the lighthouse from a distance. The viewpoint from the entrance is one you see from movies! It really is beautiful, and you can see the lighthouse from a distance. I wish I was able to get up close and personal, but I guess it just leaves us with something to check out next time we make it out to the island. PSA: They accept the America the Beautiful pass here if you have it, so don't forget to bring it with you from the mainland. read more

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The view! The birds! And if you're lucky the whales! There is an entrance fee but it's worth it.

Beautiful ocean views at the Kilauea Lighthouse. A bit off the main road. The preserve and lighthouse itself are closed however there's still an area to pull off the road and appreciate the overlook. We stopped around 9:30am on a Wednesday. It was quiet. Maybe 3 other cars parked and we were only ones there by the time we left. read more

Kilauea Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Kilauea, Hawaii

This Kilauea Lighthouse or otherwise known as Kilauea Point according to Google Maps, is a masterpiece of a vantage overlook for capturing the colorful Kauai coastline. Seriously, it's like out of a postcard! When you stop by here and witness the views of Kilauea Lighthouse in the distance along with the crystal blue Pacific Ocean waters, you'll be blown away by the setting in my opinion. It is so worth it to make a quick visit, even if you're not exploring the actual Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge. That leads to 2 options... - Admire the sceneries from high above (which it appeared most tourists were doing) or.... - Make advanced reservations (which are required) for getting an up close and personal view of the lighthouse and the largest population of nesting seabirds in Hawaii. If you arrive solely for taking pictures from the vista point, parking is free. It'll take you 10 - 15 minutes to enjoy the sights. You will be impressed! Beside the fencing area of the Kilauea Point Refuge Sign, there were specific instructions about the reservations required for entering and driving your car down to the lighthouse parking area. It said.... - Make reservations at recreation.gov - Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. - Or, download the recreation.gov App. - Spontaneous Drive-Up Reservations are accepted after 12:30pm as long as parking space permits. - Hours for the refuge are 10am - 4pm daily. - Entrance fees are $10 per person with discounts applied to senior citizens and active military personnel. Children 15 years and under are admitted for free. And...a lot of folks were interested in doing more than briefly standing at the viewpoint. The viewpoint takes a few minutes, so most people (not realizing they needed advanced reservations) wanted to get more out of the experience. Ultimately, it's probably worthwhile to explore down at the Wildlife Refuge because it's so cheap for entry ($10) and you'll capture even closer glances at not only the lighthouse, but the unblemished sceneries from "atop a 180-foot ocean bluff" according to fws.gov (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service). Whatever route you decide, make it a priority to come by this Kilauea Lighthouse Point. At the least, you will be rewarded with an inspiring memory from Kauai, one of the prettiest Hawaiian islands to visit. read more

Kilauea Lighthouse - Love this coastline perspective of Kīlauea Lighthouse from the overlook viewpoint. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Kilauea, Hawaii

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Beautiful location. Extraordinary views. We even managed to see some humpback whales. If you come here, know that parking at the top is free but sparse. You can't walk down to the lighthouse. If you want to visit the lighthouse direct you need reservations. The view is spectacular, the staff, surly at best. Rude rangers who talk without listening. I guess dealing with tourists can do that to you. If not for the ranger, this would be a five star review. Either way, be advised. read more

Kilauea Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Kilauea, Hawaii

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Must reserve your reservation ahead of time! Easily done. It's a bit of a windy drive up to the small parking lot. The day we went, it was pretty windy. So hold onto your hats! The scenery was beautiful. The lighthouse had great history, and breath taking cliffs around it. Stroller accessible. read more

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Thank Gawd I'm one of those travel nerds whom spends more time researching the destination than the actual time I'm at the destination...be sure to make a Reservation weeks before coming here! Parking is extremely limited, so you'll likely get turned away at the security gate if you don't have one! Its $11 a person, and worth it! The gorgeous lush Hawaiian landscapes and panoramic ocean views are spectacular. Free binoculars are available to borrow as well. You probably won't need more than an hour here. read more

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Beautiful lighthouse and photo spot. We did not pay the extra fee to go in/near the lighthouse but even from high above, you can easily capture good photos from afar. Near the lighthouse is a shopping outdoor plaza, where you can stop for bathroom/food/shopping. Lots of cute stores. read more

Kilauea Lighthouse - Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Kilauea, Hawaii

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This is a nice little stop when you are exploring the island. We didn't want to pay to go in to the actual park, but there is a small parking area with an overlook, and it is a very nice view. read more

Kilauea Lighthouse - Lighthouse from the overlook area - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Kilauea, Hawaii

RESERVE YOUR SPOTS A DAY AHEAD OF TIME! Can't just drive up, at least not around Christmas. Loved it! Saw whale spouts! Super beautiful! read more

This is a nice lighthouse! There are a good variety of educational bird displays to read and of course the view is great! Do visit this lighthouse! Mahalo! read more

Kilauea Lighthouse - Phew I got pooped holding up the lighthouse! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Kilauea, Hawaii

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Sight seeing on the Island of Kauai, Hawaii... When my penpal asked me where I wanted to go, I said, "Ninini Lighthouse... because it's close to the airport." He discouraged me because Ninini Lighthouse isn't as well kept as Kilauea Lighthouse. "But Kilauea Lighthouse is 40 minutes from the airport!" I guess we had time since I was able to catch an earlier flight and spend more time on Kauai. Haha! After passing a few directional signs, we drove towards the ocean and ended up at a cool lookout. The park wasn't open for tours, but the parking was free! If you have time to drive out to Kilauea, you might get to see the wild Nene Goose along the road. They are the State Bird of Hawaii and used to be on the endangered list. We also saw birds nesting in holes in the dirt! According to the sign, other animals such as whales can be spotted from this lookout. Overall, a unique place to visit! read more

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Visited the Kilauea Lighthouse since I had time. It is still breathtaking to me. U can still see baby birds in their cave nests. Pretty view of the ocean. Can be a little chilly even in the afternoon, so bring a jacket. It is quite a drive to get here in my opinion so drink coffee or tea to keep awake. There are abandoned cars along the road that people live in, so keep an eye on your car. read more

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This is a great place to stop by and check out on the north shore of Kauai! It has a lighthouse but it is also a national wildlife refuge as well! Self guided tour. The views are beautiful and it's so cool to read the history and see all of types of birds that nest and fly around. The visitor center is great too for history and learning and to shop for souvenirs. While this place isn't considered a national park, you can still collect a stamp for the lighthouse and national wildlife refuge. If you have the annual national parks pass (America the Beautiful pass), the $10 fee is waived (up to 4 people). You would just have to pay the $1 reservation fee per person. Just make sure you make the reservation online before you go. Cell reception there is not that great. It's worth it! read more

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Wow just wow! I loved visiting this part of the island and having a chance to go to the lighthouse for the views alone. The walk up to the lighthouse from the parking lot is fairly easy. They had a informative nature center with the friendliest volunteer staff. They even had free binoculars to borrow to bird watch. I could of spent hours up here, it was one of my favorite spots on our trip to Hawaii! read more

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What a great way to see some of the local birds and hello the view is amazing! The people in the nature center were incredibly kind and were excited to show off the baby birds. read more

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This is an amazing place! The views are spectacular and lots of different birds to be seen here. Boobies and Nenes and more. This is the most western point of the Hawaiian Islands and the light house with its unique double blink gave sea and air travelers thier signal. Last time we were here we could go up to the top. Now it's closed for now due to covid. We were lucky and spotted many Humback whales who come to these waters and mate. They were too far out for pictures but you could see them come up. Across the waters you can see where the birds nest and make thier home. The gift shop offers a lot of information on flora, history and wildlife. I find lighthouses fascinating and they are rich in history. Definitely recommend and a must do and visit. read more

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A very scenic place with multiple observation points where one can view many types of birds. Some of the most gorgeous views on Kauai. One can also learn a lot about nearby marine life and the lighthouse's history at this place. Would recommend coming here! read more

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Beautiful lighthouse located inside Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge, although you can't go inside, which is a bummer. You can still get beautiful photos outside though! read more

Kilauea Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Kilauea, Hawaii

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LOVED this lighthouse. I have always been fascinated by lighthouse and wanted to give this a try on my first visit to Kauai. It did not disappoint! Clean bathrooms, helpful staff, informative about the history and birds native to the land. Although it was a little expensive for what it was, I thought of it as more of a donation than anything and I was overall very pleased with my visit. Go early before the crowds and heat hit. Lighthouse is visible from the street in the distance which is free of charge but if you make the trip that far, you might as well see the whole thing and get the full experience! read more

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The place was closed but you can still get great photos from the fence. We arrived around 10:30 and beat the rush. The parking lot started to fill up quite quickly after we arrived. You can walk up to the lighthouse but you need reservations. read more

Kilauea Lighthouse - Lighthouse - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Kilauea, Hawaii

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We made a reservation in August 2023 for our October 2023 vacation. We thank goodness got a 10 am reservation and arrived 25 minutes early. We got pictures of the lighthouse from the distance then waited in line at the gate for them to open. Gates opened exactly at 10 am. Views are beautiful from the lighthouse and volunteers were there to help us with pictures. The gift shop is very nice and bought a watercolor of the lighthouse to remember or special vacation to Kauai. They had drinking fountains and restrooms. read more

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When I was a teenager and still living at home, my mom had a fascination with lighthouses. We decided to go on a road trip from our home in Southern California all the way up the coastline through Oregon and Washington stoping at all the lighthouses along the way. As a teenager, all I cared about was girls and getting to drive moms car every chance I got. So I thought what the heck, let's road trip it! My thought process: I'll drive and hopefully see some cute girls along the way. So off we went! Looking back, it was actually a really good bonding experience with my mom and to this day I still remember how fun it was and the excitement we each felt as we knew we were coming up on the next lighthouse of our trip. ----------------------------------------------------- During our many visits to Kauai, my wife and I have made the trek from Poipu towards Princeville and always enjoy the slow pace behind the wheel. Having done it many times over the years to the Island, we naturally have our favorite spots to stop and eat, places to pull over and check out the views and of course heading the the Kilauea Lighthouse. The lighthouse is located on the North shore of the Island and is inside the National Wildlife Refuge. There is a small entrance fee, but Military and dependents get in at no charge. The lighthouse itself is well maintained and is a great photo op with a background and surrounding area that is absolutely picture perfect. Definitely a great place to come stretch your legs after the drive around the Island and take some great family photos. For me, it takes me back to that road trip with my mom many years ago and to this day I know both her and I have a continued fascination for lighthouses and all their mysterious beauty. I hope you too enjoy the Kilauea Lighthouse and it's breathtaking views. read more

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On my bucket list is to visit the Kilauea Lighthouse on a clear day, and to go inside the lighthouse. No problem you say? The only times I visited the Kilauea Lighthouse in the past was on rainy and windy days. And no access to the Lighthouse except by tour, where you have to sign up in advance. We only can get openings in Kauai in exchange for our timeshare between December and March. And the Kilauea Lighthouse is located on a peninsula in the northernmost area of the Hawaiian Island chain, where the weather is very wet on an almost daily basis between December and March. Repairs were completed on the lighthouse, and now they hold tours on Wednesday and Saturday at 1030am, 1130am, 1230pm,130pm, and 230pm and Thursday tours at 1030am and 1130am, limit of 15 people per tour. No charge for the tour aside from the $10 per person over age of 15 entrance fee to the grounds. Saturday we drove 38 miles from our timeshare exchange in Poipu, 2 hour round trip, with intermittent rain along the ways. Got to the lighthouse at 10:25am to find the 10:30 tour filled. Signed up in person for the 11:30am tour, and got a 40 minute personal history. The lighthouse was built as a beacon for ships from the Orient sailing to Honolulu, visible from 20 miles away, completed 1913. The structure was closed in 1975, and then refurbished and reopened in 2013 for it's centennial anniversary. Place is quite muddy on the grass surrounding the lighthouse, and no shoes allowed inside the pristine refurbished lighthouse. Got to leave them outside on the doorstep with a very small roof, along with 15 other pairs of shoes -hope it is not raining too hard to soak your fancy designer leather shoes too badly! Talks held at the both the first and second floor, the latter accessible with a long and narrow circular staircase. Triangle shaped air vents that can be opened or shut. Glass openings in the top floor. 360 degree circular screw mechanism for moving the searchlight. Finally, each person gets a maximum of 50 seconds to climb the last few stairs from the second level to see the actual glass prism. The engine for turning the search light has been removed, as well as the mercury basin in which the prism rests removed. On the first Saturday in May at 7pm, the public will be able to see the search light turned on,but not rotating. Unfortunately the chances of me seeing that are nil. We finish our tour, and at the front door step are my almost new $100 Hoka shoes in dark blue with shocking neon green shoelaces. Nobody took them as not many guys can fit a size 7EE shoe! read more

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The Kīlauea Lighthouse, in the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge in Kauai was built in 1913 as an aid to navigation for ships bound for Hawaii. The beacon was automated in the seventies and in 1976, the Coast Guard shut it down, replacing it with more advanced navigational systems. Today the lamp is lit only for ceremonial purposes. read more

Kilauea Lighthouse - Kilauea Light - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Kilauea, Hawaii

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