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Things to do in Poipu, Hawaii (HI): The Best Nature & Parks
Kauai’s South Shore is home to some of the country’s best beaches—for swimming, diving and all sorts of water sports. If sunbathing on a gorgeous beach isn’t relaxing enough, try a spa (where many treatments incorporate local ingredients). And if you’re in Poipu for a romantic escape, splurge on an oceanview room—the sunsets are spectacular.
Restaurants in Poipu
1. Allerton Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,246 reviews
NTBG’s Allerton Garden Garden is located on the south shore of Kauai in the picturesque Lawai Valley. Tours run daily and include a ride from the Visitors Center in Poipu along a scenic coastal route and continue along the valley rim on a former sugarcane train railbed. Visitors disembark on the valley floor to explore this former private estate, named by National Geographic Traveler magazine as one of the 50 places to see in a lifetime. Plants form the walls of outdoor rooms, the canopy of trees the ceiling. Housed within are elegant statuary and water features. A popular spot for photos is the ‘Jurassic trees’, with their massive curving roots.National Tropical Botanical Garden is a nonprofit institution, dedicated to saving and studying tropical plants.
Reviewed By EthM_12 - Mission Viejo, United States
If you’re going to visit the botanical gardens, I highly recommend the Sunset Tour which includes a visit to the Allerton House along with the extensive gardens. Sabrina, our guide was very knowledgeable with both the history of the home, its owners and the various plants throughout the grounds. She also regaled is with some Hawaiian history, including the life of Queen Emmalani. The evening concluded with a nice dinner at the Allerton house after a short tour of the various rooms. We really enjoyed this tour, easy walking and full of information. Thanks also to Sabrina for making it so enjoyable.
2. Poipu Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,745 reviews
Reviewed By elsalita
We love this beach, we swim and snorkel here every couple of days when we visit Kauai. It is safe, there are 2 life guard stations. We typically swim and snorkel in front of the Marriott. We see beached monk seals almost every time we are there. There's plenty of fish to see and variety of fish is really good, humu's, wrasse's, moorish idol's, puffer fish, trigger fish, tang's trumpet fish and more, we have occasionally seen turtles and eels. The waves are sometimes a little large but it's usually pretty easy to get in the water. There's also covered table area's if your spending the day and bathrooms and showers as well. There's lots of free parking.
3. National Tropical Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 686 reviews
NTBG’s McBryde Garden and Allerton Garden are located on the south shore of Kauai in the picturesque Lawai Valley. Individual tours of each garden run daily and include a ride from the Visitors Center in Poipu along a scenic coastal route and continue along the valley rim on a former sugarcane train railbed. Visitors disembark on the valley floor to explore these outstanding gardens. McBryde, NTBG’s flagship garden, is home to the world’s largest collection of native Hawaiian flora, many endangered or having gone extinct in the wild. It is a “botanical ark”, filled with palms, flowering trees, ornamental flowers, and unusual plants from the tropical world. Allerton is a former private estate, named by National Geographic Traveler magazine as one of the 50 places to see in a lifetime. Plants form the walls of outdoor rooms, the canopy of trees the ceiling. Housed within are elegant statuary and water features. A popular spot for photos is the ‘Jurassic trees’, with their massive curving roots.National Tropical Botanical Garden is a nonprofit institution, dedicated to saving and studying tropical plants.
Reviewed By dennybruno - Merlin, United States
Just this weekend my daughter and I took the Allerton Tour and it was AMAZING! Wear your walking shoes and make sure your camera is fully charged as the vegetation and designs are INCREDIBLE! So much to see and learn! I MUST return to take this tour again as well as the others offered! Great for all ages above 16yrs.
4. Shipwreck Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,177 reviews
Reviewed By Cartoon25 - Kalispell, United States
An awesome beach with soft sands, a cool cliff rock walk, and big jagged rocks in the ocean that create exciting surf. This beach is a public beach close to the Grand Hyatt Hotel location. Easy to walk to, and you chill on the beach or explore the cliffs. Beach goers can watch the brave people jump into the ocean from the large cliff rocks above the beach. For a super great view, walk up the foot trail up to the tops of the cliff rocks. Once up top, walk along the cliff edge for dramatic views of the pounding surf, feel the warm sunshine on your face while the salty sea breeze keeps you invigorated and comfortable. The scenery is stunning morning, noon, or sunset. A must see spot while visiting Poipu!
5. Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 951 reviews
Reviewed By 3johnb - Valparaiso, United States
Great hike, sandy and many off trails that let you gaze at the ocean and cliffs. We wanted to go to the end but as you approach the golf course you will see signs of "sacred place". Next time I would stop here ( BIG stone wall to your left). From here on you walk over little rocks, then through a gold course to a path that seems to go don to the beach. Wonderful walk
6. Baby Beach
7. Mahaulepu Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By lynnem151
This is a great beach to hang out at but its not the greatest is you want to actually play in the water. Lots of mature trees for shade and great hiking along the shore bluffs. The road in can still be challenging although was graded within the last year so its not bad.
8. McBryde Garden
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 406 reviews
NTBG’s McBryde Garden is located on the south shore of Kauai in the picturesque Lawai Valley. Tours run daily and include a ride from the Visitors Center in Poipu along a scenic coastal route and continue along the valley rim on a former sugarcane train railbed. Visitors disembark on the valley floor to explore this outstanding garden, known for its diverse collection of tropical plants. McBryde, NTBG’s flagship garden, is home to the world’s largest collection of native Hawaiian flora, many endangered or having gone extinct in the wild. It is a “botanical ark”, filled with palms, flowering trees, ornamental flowers, and unusual plants from the tropical world.National Tropical Botanical Garden is a nonprofit institution, dedicated to saving and studying tropical plants.
Reviewed By Prius909 - San Diego, United States
We had a very interesting and informative guided tour at McBryde Gardens. We took the new Wailele (Waterfall) Tour. It is a great tour and highly recommended. We were fortunate to have Clayton as our driver/guide. Clayton is very knowledgeable on most subjects in the garden, be it fauna or flora. He made the tour much more enjoyable. We even got up close and personal with several head of cattle, as we crossed some pasture land on foot, enroute to the falls. In addition to the falls, we stopped at the Canoe Garden, the native plant garden, and the tree of life trail. Experiences may vary, as each guide will give you different looks at the property.
9. Spouting Horn
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5,424 reviews
Water forced through a lava tube produces hissing and a plume of spray.
Reviewed By jodagayton - Oakland, United States
Great quick stop - spouts every minute - watch for swimming sea turtles in the breaking waves - lots of vendors setting up I guess for large tour groups - go early to avoid crowds - small platform to see spouts - worth a visit!
10. Moir Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By stefnpsp - Palm Springs, United States
What a great garden to wander thru and enjoy, part of the history of Kiuhana Plantation. Who knew succulents and ca it would grow so well in a beach environment?
