Opaeka'a Falls

4997

2253

36360

12 days ago

Kauai is my favorite place in the world period. It fits my outdoor,water centric shorts and tee shirt nature perfectly. Over the years I've seen hundreds of waterfalls on the Garden Isle. Several I'll never see again as,it was a long impossible once in a lifetime hike However,Opaeka'a Dallas is easy. Right off a main road it takes little effort for a big payoff. I recommend sunrise or evening viewing for the best outcome. Take it in for your wakeup call ! * Yet Another Missing Review. I distinctly remember doing this one sitting in the car having my morning coffee. Now,Gone poof! That's a lot Yelp for respecting my work read more

Opaeka'a Falls - Just one of hundreds of waterfalls on the Garden isle Just happens to be easiest to see right off the road - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Alex C.

2660

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4 months ago

Although paths to Opaeka Falls are officially blocked off for safety reasons, you can view the falls from a distance from the safety and comfort of Opaeka Falls Lookout located along Kuamoo Road. The Lookout is easily accessible by car and offers free parking and restrooms. This is a good stopping point before heading off to the much more well known and impressive Wailua Falls. read more

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Savannah R.

197

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4351

5 months ago

I visited ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls in Kapaʻa, Kaua'i, Hawaii [Hwy 580] on Saturday, 01/24/26, around 2:45 PM. This waterfall offered a truly beautiful and scenic view. Right off Highway 580, there was a convenient parking area where visitors could park and take a short walk to the overlook. Although the falls were viewed from a distance, the sight was still absolutely breathtaking and well worth the stop. I also appreciated seeing the Wailua Heritage Trail sign, which shared meaningful history and cultural background about ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls and the Wailua River Valley. It added a thoughtful and educational element to the visit. Overall, this was a quick stop with gorgeous scenery. I highly recommend pulling over to take in a piece of Kauaʻi's natural beauty. read more

Opaeka'a Falls - Wailua Heritage Trail sign - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Opaeka'a Falls - ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Kevin L.

3

550

5

2 days ago

This place is not free as advertised. It is a state park and they charged us $30 for the 5 minutes we spent taking pictures. Watch out, the people collecting money have a bit of an attitude. They are probably tired of all the questions and excuses people give them read more

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Michele G.

9

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3 days ago

Falls were beautiful. It was only a few steps from the parking area. You're also able to cross the street and see the Wailua River. Just be aware that Kauai is charging $10/car and $5/person to park there. It's less if you are a resident. read more

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Travis P.

258

1715

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7 months ago

A small little overlook where you can see the falls. Has parking enough for about 8 cars or so as well as a bathroom. The falls is far so the view aren't too great but it is a free activity so it's worth checking out. read more

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Kathleen K.

0

3

4

3 months ago

No longer free. The Hawaii State Parks $10 tourist parking fees and $5 per person fees have gone into effect with the majority of locations on Kauai. Whether you are merely going to view the falls from afar at the lookout or spending the day at Wailua State Park, you will need to pay this daily fee. The falls are beautiful. read more

Opaeka'a Falls - Opaekaa Falls after heavy rains. - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Molly L.

321

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421

2 years ago

It's a beautiful and easily accessible waterfall. It has plenty of parking and bathrooms. I've seen some folks disappointed with it, which is surprising to me. Kauai has a lot of waterfalls and they are all beautiful. This one has a nice overlook down the path and across the highway. There is a crosswalk and motorists are pretty good about stopping. I think it's worth stopping here even for a Quick Look. read more

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Feb W.

189

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3 years ago

Want to see a falls that doesn't require you to do hike? Well this one is for you. Witness this waterfall from a distance and let your eyes feast the greenery thats surrounds from it. This churning waterfall is located on the Opaeka'a Stream in Wailua River State Park on the eastern side of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. This is just a few minutes from airport so definitely you can make this a side trip. Plenty of parking spaces are available so parking is not a problem as people just come & go here. It's just like a lookout where you enjoy it in a shirt period of time. There's nothing much to do except taking photos and staring on the waterfall from a distance. Although if you are a hobbyist photographer you would definitely love this area. There's also bathroom available here making it a convenient place to stop to go pee-pee. Mahalo for reading & happy juandering fellow yeeps. read more

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Jennifer W.

567

1234

15605

3 years ago

10/20/23 Another one of the most photographed & iconic places in Kaua'i: Opaeka'a Falls. Once again, a must see place whenever in Kaua'i, visit Opaeka'a Falls. Whilst traveling from the airport (Lihue) towards the direction of Kapaa & onward to the northeast part of the island, turn left on Kuamo'o Rd. It's at the corner where Hubby & I call Elvis' hotel, the now torn down Coco Palms. If you pass this old defunct hotel, you've just missed the turn off. It's about a 1.5 mile up on this winding road. You'll see it on your right where a bunch of tourists are taking loads of photos. There's a fair amount of parking spaces & also a restroom. Watch out for Foghorn Leghorn & his entourage/harem (otherwise the ever present prime time locals, chickens!). read more

Opaeka'a Falls - 10/17/22 Hand hygiene is still key..... - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Opaeka'a Falls - 10/17/22 glorious morning in Kaua'i--Opaeka'a Falls - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Opaeka'a Falls - 10/20/23 Another one of the most photographed & iconic places in Kaua'i: Opaeka'a Falls - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Catherine D.

29

363

611

1 year ago

Brief stop right off of the road. Beautiful overlook of the falls. There is ample parking, restrooms and an accessible platform to overlook. A local told us to go further up the street for a great restaurant and access down to the falls. We were on a schedule so couldn't stop but figured I'd pass it along! read more

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Vinkin Ken T.

583

1202

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2 years ago

After visiting Wailua Falls this fall doesn't seem as impressive. The parking lot is far, so you'll be using your zoom to take photos. Parking is free. There is a restroom near by. I don't think it's worth the 20 minutes drive from Wailua Falls. You shouldn't need to spend more than 5-10 minutes here. Skip it if it's your first visit to Kauai. read more

Opaeka'a Falls - The falls with 3X zoom on iPhone 15 pro - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Opaeka'a Falls - The falls with no zoom - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Benny H.

2463

2665

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4 years ago

Pretty basic. Waterfall is at a pretty far distance, but it's a looker. GPS took us to the wrong spot as well. Not much to do here. You'll be done in a few minutes and then move on to somewhere else. read more

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Brian M.

814

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3 years ago

Beautiful falls that you can see from a distance or take a hike and see closer. In the parking lot they have a ramp up so you can stand and surprisingly see them better (only about a foot or two higher than the base). There is plenty of parking. We went twice it was raining the first time we went and you definitely see them better when you aren't wiping your face from the rain! We did not do the hike. read more

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Tim L.

6

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2 years ago

Beautiful place! Parking may be a challenge depending on tourist. The view turnoff coming back is also worth a stop. read more

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Staci W.

75

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3 years ago

There is no real signs of the falls or description of the name meaning anywhere. The falls are beautiful without a doubt! read more

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Alissa J.

54

344

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3 years ago

Waterfalls are aplenty in Hawaii, however the scale and beauty of Opaeka'a was unreal. You'll find it off one of the main roads in Kauai, HI. It wasn't too crowded and there was a public restroom close by along with plenty of parking. I wish there was a trail to walk around some more but it was a unique experience to visit here. read more

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Courtenay O.

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3 years ago

Only 3 stars today for several reasons: GPS took us to the side of a road, with no falls in sight, and when we did find the parking area for the Falls, it was cloudy, far from the Falls, and the bathrooms had no soap or towels. read more

Opaeka'a Falls - Falls far away - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Sarah L.

142

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5 years ago

There is plenty of parking and only 10 or so minutes away from Wailua falls. Driving here was easy from Kapa'a. This was actually our first sightseeing spot after getting off the plane. I was expecting to have to hike down to see it like many of the falls back home in Oahu, but this was literally RIGHT there. You park the car, get out, walk a few feet and bam, waterfall. Granted the waterfall is not up close, but it was still beautiful and I didn't have to hike for an hour and get eaten by mosquitoes. There is a restroom located on premises as well. read more

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Shantelle R.

263

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2 years ago

Beautiful waterfalls view rt off the road that you can drive to if you don't feel like hiking.

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Leanne D.

48

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4 years ago

Opaeka'a falls is beautiful from a distance. It was a dry sunny day so I don't believe the falls were in it's full glory but beautiful just the same. The nice thing about this stop is you also have a great view across the street of the wailua river valley. We were able to see the same river we kayaked down the day before from up above. Unfortunately you are not able to hike closer to the falls. But it is definitely worth seeing at least once if you have never seen it before. read more

Opaeka'a Falls - The falls from a distance. - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Opaeka'a Falls - Wailua river from above - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Harley S.

0

44

22

2 years ago

We stopped by on the way back to the airport on our last day - it's a beautiful 151-ft waterfall that you can admire without hiking into the mountains at all. Look up on google map: Opaekaa Falls View, Kuamoo Rd, Kapaʻa, HI 96746 It's about 1.6 miles (4-min drive) from Kuhio Highway 56. It was a short 5-min stop for us, but loved it. read more

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Marshall G.

59

2291

5034

4 years ago

This set of falls is across a small valley. More ribbons of water than a full waterfall. Very pretty and plentiful parking. Across the street is the view in the distance of the Ancient Hawaiian Village below on the River. Nice stop if you plan to see both the waterfall sites. We did. read more

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Nyla K.

874

987

2272

4 years ago

This is the first water fall we saw on our drive. I thought we would have a closer view but it was still very nice to see. Lots of tourists but a great vies! read more

Opaeka'a Falls - Falls - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Al D.

4

69

745

2 years ago

Beautiful falls. No need to hike. Good for those with mobility problems or health problems preventing them to walk read more

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Monica H.

17

241

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4 years ago

This waterfall viewpoint is easy to get to with minimal effort. Parking is just a short walk away and a walk across the street are views of the Wailua River. This can be a quick stop on the way back down from the north. read more

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Helen H.

180

3017

7680

4 years ago

Opaeka'a translates to rolling shrimp. It didn't take much effort to get here and it was a quick pit stop. We viewed the 151 foot double cascade from a distance. read more

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Steve Z.

65

541

1738

7 years ago

A sublime treat for all those who admire and appreciate waterfalls. This particular location boasts of twin runoff streams similar to Waimea Falls. A true photography gem with many vantage points to capture that defining shot of your visit to the "Garden Isle." A very easy drive from Kapa'a or Lihue, a visit here will be appreciated by all visitors of every age. Recommend you do what we did and rent a car to visit all the beautiful scenery and sites of Kauai rather that purchase a bus tour (although if you prefer not to drive through the infamous 2-lane "Kapa'a Crawl", then a bus tour may be your best option). Remember that after 1200, the roads are crawling from Kapa'a to Lihue (South), so if you're heading west or south, try to get going early in the morning. Coming back north to Lihue or Kapa'a in the afternoon isn't so bad. All in all, we loved our first visit to Kauai and hopefully you will too. Thank you for reading my review. read more

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Danae L.

914

1292

476

4 years ago

Another parking spot to admire those waterfalls from a far. A handful of tourists will hike down to the area and swim, but you don't have to do that to enjoy the scenery. If this is your first time to this island, keep in mind that there are very limited public restrooms but you can find most of them at a local park. The only downside is they don't have hand soap to thoroughly wash your hands during the pandemic. I highly recommend Traveling with a small bottle of hand soap so you can stay sanitized! read more

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Jeff A.

37

554

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3 years ago

Literally 5 minutes from the Fern Grotto boat terminal. It's a no brainer to check it out. GPS will locate the actual waterfall. Parking lot is 1/3 mile before on the right. It's free, the view is cool. You might as well check it out. read more

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Jean-luc B.

0

16

6

3 years ago

Really not much to see. Very easy to get to. I heard that it was not flowing much when I was there, maybe that is why (08/27/23) read more

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Bernice P.

26

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5 years ago

Beautiful hike right off the main road so there's no need to hike to view and right across the street is a perfect view of Wailua River. read more

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Mike B.

13

833

0

4 years ago

Went on a van tour, and one of our stops was the Opaekaa Falls. The falls are okay, but the observation point is so far away, that there's really nothing spectacular about them. However, when you cross the road and look down into the valley, with the Wailua River running through it....now that's spectacular. Definitely worth the stop, and great photo ops on that side. read more

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Vickie C.

1

21

1

3 years ago

This waterfall does not require and Hiking. Just a short walk on a Sidewalk. It was a quick stop as we headed from Poi Po up to the North side of the island. read more

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Margaret A.

183

456

6705

8 years ago

08/22/2017 The 151 foot falls span 40 feet wide and can be observed at the overlook. The parking lot leads to a small sidewalk offering safe viewing of the falls. Another outlook is located across the road with views of Wailua River. The falls flow throughout the year. The name Opaeka'a means rolling shrimp. Long ago, native freshwater shrimp were plentiful and could be seen rolling down the falls. There are no paths leading down to this waterfall. State Park officials have installed a steel blockade for the trails leading down since 2006. From what I've read the blockades were put in after several hikers fell to their death. Such a calm, peaceful strikingly beautiful location. I'm sure the picnic tables get used in the parking area when the bugs take a lunch break. If you'd like to see this waterfall from the bottom I'd recommend taking a tour with Wailua River Guides down the Wailua river. Ask for Ryan. Once you reach the shore it's about a 2 mile hike in before you reach the falls. read more

Opaeka'a Falls - The sidewalk leading from the parking lot. We tried to save each other from the gnats. No biting, just pestering. - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Mary R.

38

61

6

4 years ago

This was the hardest to find! We yelped then mapped it told us to park elsewhere. Much inconvenience! We finally found it on our own driving the main road. Overall okay. read more

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Sara B.

Elite 23

150

223

778

4 years ago

Plenty of parking with a restroom stop here. You walk alongside the walkway by the falls. There was also a lookout that we drove by on our way in - I can't find the actual name of it, but it overlooked the Wailua River. NOTE: the chickens by this lookout are a little intense lol (there were no chickens by the falls lookout) read more

Opaeka'a Falls - The lookout looking over Wailua River - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Stephen W.

493

2151

6813

8 years ago

We stopped at the scenic view, as do 99% of the people, to see the falls. They are good but not the best on the island or in Hawaii. The falls are conveniently located, just about 2 miles from Wailua Bay. Worth the drive. We asked if there was a trail to hike but were told no at the visitor center. Parking is easy and turnover is fast. Omnipresent chickens abound. read more

Opaeka'a Falls - The falls - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Opaeka'a Falls - Near the falls - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Opaeka'a Falls - Old Hawaiian village - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Opaeka'a Falls - Near falls - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Lon H.

Elite 23

624

913

5078

7 years ago

This fall is easy to get to and worth it, if you're a fan of waterfalls. You get to see two runoff streams that allows you to enjoy the beauty of The Garden Isle. There's a small parking lot you can drive into, park and enjoy the views. No hiking necessary, so there's no excuse not to check it out. If the lot is full, wait a few minutes, since people don't stay very long. There are public restrooms to use if needed. read more

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Theresa C.

159

338

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7 years ago

After our tubing expedition with Kauai Backcountry Adventures, we began our tour of Kauai's North shore. Our first stop was the Ōpaekaa Falls overlook. This waterfall is visible from the highway...no need to hike. This is a quick stop to snap a few pics. read more

Opaeka'a Falls - Ōpaekaa Falls - Parks Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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More info about Opaeka'a Falls

Hwy 580
Kapaa, HI 96746
Directions

Hours

What time does Opaeka'a Falls open?

What time does Opaeka'a Falls close?

Outdoor Amenities

Does Opaeka'a Falls have bike parking?

Yes, Opaeka'a Falls has bike parking.

Does Opaeka'a Falls have parking?

Yes, Opaeka'a Falls has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Review Highlights - Opaeka'a Falls

“The view point across the street is of the Wailua River and you get an idea of what kayaking the river would be like.”

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Wailua Falls

4.4

(329 reviews)

1.4 mi

I visited the Wailua Falls in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, Hawaii [Maalo Rd; Hwy 583] on Saturday, 01/24/26,…read morearound 3:30 PM. Wailua Falls offered an incredibly close view, which made the experience feel special. I was able to truly appreciate the waterfall's beauty up close. One fun highlight was spotting a rooster sitting right near the edge, which was such a classic Kauaʻi island moment because roosters are everywhere on the island. I also noticed a touching memorial sign dedicated to Kavika Luna, "Mr. Aloha" - The Flying Hawaiian (May 1960 - September 2024). The message spoke about rainbows appearing as he chanted and the magic of Wailua Falls coming alive. It felt meaningful because I actually caught a mini rainbow during my visit, which made the moment even more breathtaking and memorable. Overall, I was very pleased with this stop. Wailua Falls is absolutely worth checking out for its natural beauty and history.

Located at the end of Maalo Road, this beautiful double waterfall cannot be safely or legally…read moreaccessed due to the notoriously steep, muddy, and very slick unmaintained trail down. But you can however view it safely from the designated roadside lookout. The parking lot here, although free, is very small and often filled to the brim with cars. The lot itself is also in desperate need of maintenance as it is filled with potholes, so getting in and out may be tricky. There are also vendors who fill up the front part of this lot, which further add to the chaos. Located in a sacred royal valley once known as the capital of Kauai, ancient Hawaiian chieftains and warriors use to test their bravery by leaping from the top of this nearly 200ft tall waterfall. There's not a lot to do once you get up to the top of the lookout except to snap a few photos. So it is debatable if it is worth the drive all the way out to here and dealing with the whole parking lot situation.

Wailua Falls

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Rooster on the edge!

Lydgate Beach Park

4.4

(242 reviews)

1.7 mi

Initially coming here to kill a little time before a reserved tour, my wife and I really admired…read morethe planning and execution of the building/landscaping of this family park. Named after a pillar in the community who came to Kauai in the late 19th century, Lydgate Beach Park is 62 acres, with the Lydgate Park pathway encompassing 2.5 miles, a small part of the much larger Ke Ala Hele Makālae costal trail. There is plenty of parking, with both dedicated surface lots and street parking on the paved road. We immediately noticed surfers on electric surfboards out pretty far, even on this windy day. At the northern part of the park is where most people gather, close to modern facilities and a manned lifeguard station and a large covered event area with plenty of parking. Closer to the shore, we saw a seal just lying on the land, bathing in the sun, completely ignoring the people milling by. The very large safe man-made swimming/tide pools are great for the kekei and others, with constant refreshing of sea water over the lava rocks. There are picnic tables nearby as well with a lot of green space. My favorite feature are the man-made protected swimming pools, What I loved about it was how spread out everything was, with so many amenities. It just never felt crowded, even if a lot more people came. As we were leaving, my wife mentioned that Lydgate Beach is one of those rare parks where an ocean-loving family would intentionally live close by, just to be near this park.

Beautiful beach. The pond area is great for swimming and there are a decent amount of fish in it…read more We were able to swim even with higher than average swells.

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Protected pool to left

Kapaia Swinging Bridge

4.8

(10 reviews)

4.0 mi

While researching things to see on Kauai, I came across the Kapaia Swinging Bridge. But it wasn't…read moresomething I found right away. It took me a while to find it which is great because that means not too many other tourist know about this. So the day we fly to Kauai was a holiday. As soon as we got the car, we headed straight to Waialua Falls. Once done there, we made our way to this swinging bridge, less than 10-mins away. It's in a small neighborhood. And parking was nonexistent. So I pulled into a business' parking lot and told my family to go look around and I'd stay in the car and wait for someone to tell me to move. But I got out of the car for a bit just to look around real quick when I noticed the sign on the business said they were closed for the holiday. Then I realized, that day WAS a holiday. And so I was able to enjoy the grounds with my family. And, no other tourist were around. Just a homeowner working on his surfboard. The surroundings are beautiful. Super quiet. Bridge was a bit shaky. And then I walked up the stairs at the end of the bridge where it took us to the church where there's plenty of parking. So if you plan on visiting, park at the Immaculate Conception Church. Yes, highly recommend.

Don't miss this quick stop for a beautiful view. We loved the gorgeous scenery and photo stop.read more

Taking in the view

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There she is

Kapa'a Beach Park

3.8

(17 reviews)

3.5 mi

A small beach park in the Kapa'a town. I went to have a small picnic to myself here. There is one…read moregazebo with a bench. Nice place to watch people fish or take a walk. The parking has a bunch of spaces. I definitely recommend watching the sunrise here. There's grass and rocks to enjoy.

Nice long beach, has a nice trail for walking, running or biking. Beach is a bit grainy sand and…read morethe beach is filthy with debris of large pieces of wood, sticks, and old dry vegetation- you can tell the beach doesn't get raked or cleaned. You have to clear off an area for your beach towel or you'll be sitting on all the wood and crap.

Nice bike and walking trail

Dirty drift wood all over beach

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Kauai Path

4.7

(21 reviews)

4.7 mi

This is a famous paved bike and walking path along the ocean in Kauai…read more 5 miles long (10 miles RT) I cycled it end to end and back using the beach cruiser from the hotel. I also walked the North 2 mile section round trip. It's relatively flat with a gradual incline as you head from South to North. Some sections are near stores and some sections are remote near large estates. It's a place locals go to walk and bike before and after work and on weekends.

Very nice if it wasn't consistenty muddy after rain which is almost daily. There are also too many…read moremotorized vehicles like ebikes, skateboards, and even smaller motorcycles on it. Nobody enforces the no motor signs as they all speed on the path. Someone will get seriously injured eventually.

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Waimea Canyon State Park

4.8

(449 reviews)

19.5 mi

If I could only visit 1 spot during my time in Kauai, I would without any hesitation choose Waimea…read moreCanyon State Park. Affectionately nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific", it is easy to see how this canyon gained its affectionate moniker. Stretching 14 miles long, 1 mile wide and more than 3,600 feet deep, the Waimea Canyon provides breathtaking panoramic views of crested buttes, rugged crags and deep valley gorges. Even at the first rest stop you come across, you are already high enough that the view would have made the trip worthwhile. There are 5 rest stops on your way up to the top, each offering restrooms, trash cans, and their own respective viewing points; each stunning in its own rights. You can choose to simply stop at each stop on your way up like we did, or drive all the way to the top and work your way back down. Keep in mind it takes almost an hour to drive up to the very top without stopping. And the fog starts rolling in later on in the day obscuring visibility into the canyon. So you'll want to make sure you start your day off early if you're opting for the later strategy. For us, we started on the bottom and worked our way back up. We never made it all the way to the top as the fog had already rolled in by the time we hit the higher levels which made viewing anything on those levels impossible. There is now some construction being done for safety improvements and roadwork patching. Much of which is past due and much needed. As we started to encounter quite a few gigantic potholes on the higher elevations that often required either maneuvering around into oncoming traffic or traversing very slowly over the shallower parts of the potholes. We were quite thankful we were in a SUV because we were fairly certain we would not have made it past some of the potholes if we were in a lower profile vehicle such as a sedan or convertible. While driving the canyon is free (outside of parking), you can also splurge and view the canyon unobstructed from an ariel vantage through either a chartered plane or helicopter ride.

Fantastic views - sometimes can be cloudy at the top $10 a vehicle and $5 a person but stunning…read moreviews ! Spectacular ! The road going up is quite windy - give your self some time to get there it takes a bit but breathtaking

Waimea Canyon State Park is on the west side of Kauaʻi | Rees's Roots

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End of Waterfall

Na Pali Coast State Park

4.6

(22 reviews)

3.2 mi

I'd like to be transparent, I'm a little bit confused about a few things…read more.. I had reservations made ahead of time to hike the famed Kalalau Trail 2 miles to Hanakapi'ai Beach and another 2 miles to Hanakapi'ai Falls. Upon driving to the Kalalau Trailhead, I entered Ha'ena State Park. I thought to myself, "oh, wow, cool, I didn't even know Kalalau Trail was within a state park!". Now, lol, after parking my car and reviewing the Kalalau Trail hiking guidelines, it was time to venture over to Hanakapi'ai Beach. Not even 1 minute into the trail, there was a clear sign stating I was now entering Na'Pali Coast State Wilderness Park. What??? But I thought Kalalau Trail was part of Ha'ena SP?! So both? What's the difference between Ha'ena SP and Na'Pali Coast SP? I guess the only thing to do is venture over to Google and search for the answer... The only reasonable solution I discovered on Google is Ha'ena SP hosts the parking lot for Kalalau Trailhead. But, once you start hiking on Kalalau Trail land, you're officially now entering and located within Na'Pali Coast boundaries. And with this info...I believe there are more options for activities within Ha'ena State Park, although I never got around to do any exploring. Now, if you're specifically visiting here for the Kalalau Trail, I'm convinced it's Na'Pali Coast territory, lol. Finally, trying to get to the bottom of this strange mystery, is when visiting Kokee State Park on the opposite side of the island of Kauai, most of the overlooks and lookout points there showcased the Na'Pali Coast. But I guess for Kokee SP, you're not actually inside Na'Pali Coast State Park land, you're just admiring the views and sceneries of the Na'Pali Coast from high above. Lol, yes...maybe I should have been better prepared ahead of time. With all this said...let me quickly return to the Kalalau Trail and provide a few highlights about the experience and what you can expect inside Na'Pali Coast State Wilderness Park... - While hiking to Hanakapi'ai Beach, a lot of the beautiful Na'Pali Coast setting will be revealed. There were moments to take a break from the trek to appreciate the landscape. - When the clouds went away and the sun shined, the coastline illuminated the Pacific Ocean waters. - You'll also capture a vantage point of Kauai's lush green island vegetation and rain forest appearance. In total, that's what I believe made Na'Pali Coast State Wilderness Park rewarding. It's hiking among nature until Kauai's colorful coast comes into appearance. The surroundings exude that vintage, tropical, Hawaiian image that tourists anticipate when visiting. At the time of visiting Kauai, I found it difficult to understand whether I was hiking Kalalau Trail within Ha'ena SP or Na'Pali SP. After completing some detailed internet research, I'm confident the popular hike is connected with Na'Pali. And with that understanding, Na'Pali Coast is a winning state park.

Amazing! After driving a bit off road, we parked on an ocean side cliff. Walked down to see the…read moretortoises and the cave. Ended up on a pristine beach.

Hiking among a rainforest setting.

The entrance sign

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Sacred Temple Garden/Rudraksha Forest

4.7

(9 reviews)

2.2 mi

On our last day on Kauai, we stayed near the airport area and decided to drive up into the…read moreneighborhood in Kapaa and visit the fall and see where the road takes us. Initially we drove past the sacred temple and thought it was the neighborhood park. Coming back down, I saw the sacred temple sign and turned in. I didn't expect this. There's a small area with a beautifully maintained garden with the statue of Hanuman (looks like a monkey). While my sisters were exploring, my sister told me to follow this path as. It came up and walked through the bamboo tunnel that was called entrance to the First World. Very tranquil. And that's it. However, the temple itself is elsewhere that we did not have time to visit. I've seen other people's photos and it looks amazing. Free entrance and free parking. I would recommend seeing it for yourself.

Amazing stop along the road coming back from a hike. Very peaceful and spiritual. We did not…read morewalk all the way to the temple, just enjoyed the walk through to the First Realm. Enjoy!!!

Bamboo along the walking trail

The only Rudraksha forest in America

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10/17/22 Flora surrounding the temple gardens

Salt Pond Beach Park

4.2

(147 reviews)

18.8 mi

10/30/24 Stunning, unspoiled beauty, one of the smaller beach parks but definitely worth a visit…read morefor swimming, snorkeling & picnics. This beach park is located adjacent to an actual salt pond that is operational for locals. There are a few benches & shaded structures you may have a barbecue or picnic. There is a manned lifeguard tower. Parking is plentiful. There is a homeless encampment here, you don't bother them, they won't bother you. Enjoy the beach!

Very nice beach with shower and bathroom. I like that there are a lot of palm trees for shade on a…read morehot day. Also some tables and shaded areas here.

10/30/24 Great for kids

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Wailua Municipal Golf Course

3.8

(66 reviews)

2.2 mi

Most beautiful municipal course I've ever played on! You can't be playing on the water in Hawaii…read morefor this price! They do reservations a week in advance, I highly recommend staying on top of it when planning your trip!

Best value in Kauai for golf. $90 per player with cart. Challenging course since it is typically…read morea bit breezy. Greens are in excellent shape and fair speed. Clubhouse under construction but that is no biggie for the golfing experience.

Amazing views on this 3 par...yes we both parred the hole!!!

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Sleeping Giant Trail

4.6

(102 reviews)

1.3 mi

This was much harder than I expected. The valet at the hotel told me to try it, and I didn't…read morerealize that it was gonna be slippery with rocks and roots throughout. Once it started raining, I was slipping and sliding the whole way absolutely gorgeous, but definitely wear tennis or hiking shoes.

Went after a VERY raining night and were unprepared for such slick conditions…read more it was a true moderate hike regardless and could be done in worn down running shoes. View was 100% worth it!

That's the peak behind that handsome guy

Made it to the 1.25 mile post at 12:21p

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Hoopii Falls

4.5

(82 reviews)

4.1 mi

Wow, this trail was something. I came to Kauai for a jungle…read moreadventure, and I definitely got one here! It is such a magical path First of all the trailhead is pretty hard to find and kind of hilarious. There is literally no official signage, except a sign that reminds people to stay quiet since they're in a neighborhood. There is a designated parking lot may be about a quarter mile away, so you're not supposed to park in front of peoples houses. As you're walking from the parking lot towards the trailhead, someone's house is labeled with a cute story between frog and toad that says that the trailhead is three houses down. There's the most narrow little entryway into the trailhead. We also thought it was funny after our hike that almost all the yelp reviews talk about how easy this hike is. We're a pretty fit family, and I'll just say that after a week of rain, this trail was quite treacherous, so part of our experience may be that we got unlucky with the weather. We had to try really hard not to slip at every step. There's areas down to the river in the waterfalls that are really really steep where we had to grab onto trees and branches to not cause a landslide. We were caked in mud from the knees down and on our hands for most of the hike . Definitely need shoes with good grip - our Keens worked well since we were able to rinse out some of the mud in the river. It rained on and off during our hike, but luckily there were so many trees that the rain itself was not too bothersome, but most of the trail was soaked in mud puddles . We only made it to the first waterfall because of the conditions but still had a blast ! We had a lot of fun but I wouldn't have brought my older parents for example so be wary depending on the rain !

A relatively short and easy hike. The whole thing took just over an hour for us, which includes the…read moretime we took to stop for photos and admire the views. We did read that it can get very slippery and muddy at times, but luckily we didn't run into that issue. The ground was pretty dry when we went, and I had no issues with my super old shoes that had no traction left. There are also few areas when going down to the falls where you need to navigate down some steep/rocky areas, and then back up when coming back. Shouldn't be an issue for those who are able-bodied, but just something to keep in mind if you were hoping to come with those who aren't (maybe not the best idea). The falls were a bit small when we went, but overall the hike was pretty with lots of lush greenery. We saw some people jumping into the water, but we were way too lazy for that. We also read that septic tanks from the neighborhood may leak into the water. Since the trail starts in a residential neighborhood, please be respectful and mindful when walking past homes to the trailhead, and don't be too noisy or trespass. We also parked our cars nearby at Kapahi Park. The neighborhood roads are small and I can see why residents would get annoyed with people constantly cluttering up the street to go hiking. Overall, a great option if you're looking for an easy but beautiful hike. Maybe consider hiking shoes if it has recently rained heavily since apparently it can get muddy.

10/20/22 found myself a walking stick

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Second falls

Makana Charters and Tours

4.7

(395 reviews)

20.5 mi

Locally owned & operated

20 years in business

Capt. Mike and crew were absolutely amazing!! The father/son crew were very friendly and outgoing…read more Incredible service from start to finish. We booked this trip during our Hawaii cruise and super glad we did. The boat handled the waters beautifully, with minimal water coming over the bow, and the seas were very choppy the day we went out. Saw a bunch of amazing sites, caves, beaches, and waterfalls! Highly, highly recommend this charter.

Super-highly recommended. Our crew was A'a and Liliana, both terrifically competent and let…read moreeveryone take turns sitting near the bow, where the view is best. We were also blessed with terrific weather and smooth morning water which makes a huge difference. Reportedly the water can become choppy in the afternoon.

The famous open ceiling cave on the NaPali Coast

Snorkeling on our NaPali tours

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Getting up close to waterfalls on the NaPali

Na Pali Coast Hanalei

4.8

(227 reviews)

13.7 mi

We had such a great time with the crew! They were incredibly knowledgeable about the history and…read morenavigated the waters with skill. The views were breathtaking, and the snorkeling was the perfect finishing touch. One of our favorite activities. We love that this is a Hawaiian-owned and operated business -- support local!

The staff were excellent and very knowledgeable of everything in the tour…read more David and Zak were both standouts. A very exciting and rewarding day. They gave special attention to detail Highly recommend this for everyone young and old!