Top Things to do in Waimea
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Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Waimea, Hawaii (HI)
Discover the best top things to do in Waimea, United States including Puuo Kila, Koke'e Mountains, Waimea Canyon State Park, Polihale State Park, Canyon Trail, Aunty Liliko'i, Waipo’o Falls, Puu Hinahina Lookout, Kukui Trail, Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park.
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1. Puuo Kila
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 140 reviews
Reviewed By maitaimike2015 - Laguna Hills, United States
The long drive to the end of Koke'e road, lets you view one of Kauai's natural treasures. Being one of the rainiest (#8 by one account) places on earth. Most visitors have to get here very early to have a chance at a good view. If you have enough time, the visibility might improve if you wait. Our early October summit, had us at the Pu 'u O Kila overlook well before 10:00 am. Not only was the view stunning, but the normally muddy Pihea trail was dry enough to walk out & back 100 yards easy. This can get you to the Kilohana lookout via the Alakai swamp trail. Nice views from the platform, but use caution getting near the trail edge as vegetation hides the cliff ledge. Parking is limited, when busy. The nearby Kilalau lookout is an option, with more spaces, and it also has restrooms. Tips: Be prepared for muddy conditions if hiking the trail. Walking sticks a very good idea. The site has brushes to clean mud off boots, but they were a mess. Use a stick. Keep younger children on the paved paths and fenced platform area. Mahalo
2. Koke'e Mountains
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 148 reviews
Mountains on Kauai that offer many hiking trails.
Reviewed By briangBaildon - Queensbury, United Kingdom
Continue driving up from Waimea canyon to the end of the road and look down on the Na Pali coast 4000 feet below. There is a dirt track to the right of the official lookout which is worth a short walk to get better views down to the coast and back to Walaleale
3. Waimea Canyon State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8,194 reviews
"The Grand Canyon of the Pacific," Waimea Canyon is 10 miles long and 3,600 feet deep.
Reviewed By Starlinghall
Beautiful sites that I think every person visiting Kauai needs to see... the highlight for us was going to the very highest lookout point at the end of the road at the top of the mountain. We looked out across the ocean and it took our breath away!
4. Polihale State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 946 reviews
A historical state beach park with breathtaking views and landscape.
Reviewed By genyit
Yes, the dirt road is rutted, potholed, and can easily take 40-50 minutes to get to the beach. I had a Jeep Wrangler 4x4 and it didn't make the trip any faster, but I wasn't worried about bashing the undercarriage or stressing the shock absorbers. I personally think it would be foolish to try this ride with a regular car (think rain, mud, sand, hard-as-rock potholes, etc.) just make sure you've paid for the rental car insurance if you do. As far as the beach is concerned, it was worth every bone jarring bounce to get there and back. I was there on a beautiful sunny day, there were only a handful of other people for miles of gorgeous beach. Recommendation: bring a towel, umbrella, maybe a light weight chair, and lots of drinking water. Note: on my visit the bathrooms were closed. Although I wore a bathing suit I never gave any thought to going in the ocean. The surf was big and wild with a serious undertow. It was amazing to watch the huge waves roll in and then explode as they neared the beach. If you look to the North end of the beach you see the mountains frame the beach. If you look south you see miles of pristine beach and dunes, really quite stunning.
5. Canyon Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 438 reviews
Reviewed By DBM1961 - Quebec City, Canada
We are two middle-aged adults who did the Canyon Trail to atop Waipoo Falls, adding on the the cliff trail overlook. It was rated as a moderate hike on the park's website and I agree. We did not find it too physically challenging, but we did go slow. One does have to plan where to step so the "technical" aspect for me was more challenging than the endurance aspect. But that made it fun. I would suggest going early in the day to beat the crowds. I would also suggest checking the weather before going. I would not want to do this hike if it was wet. The views, especially the cliff trail overlook, are amazing!
6. Aunty Liliko'i
7. Waipo’o Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
Reviewed By travelttolive - Sonoma County, United States
Beautiful and fun and rewarding and so many beautiful stops along the way to get there! The clay can be slippery so wear good shoes like hiking boots or hiking sandals. It was rainy on and off and people had a difficult time who were just wearing tennis shoes. If you take kids, be careful close to the canyon!
8. Puu Hinahina Lookout
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By TowpilotKen - San Diego, United States
This was the best lookout spot that I found to see Waimea Canyon. The parking lot is the biggest on the highway and it's at a great spot to see a lot of the canyon, while being far enough away from the sightseeing helicopters that they aren't bothersome.
9. Kukui Trail
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By E692WLscottl - Minneapolis, United States
This trail is a serious adventure and not for the average hiker. You need to be in GOOD physical condition and I would only recommend this for an experienced hiker. If I was rating the trail, I would say this is an advanced to expert trail based on the climb out alone. The trail is 6 miles round trip.
10. Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 369 reviews
Russian Fort Elizabeth/Paʻulaʻula o Hipo is a National Historic Landmark and is administered as the Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park just southeast of present-day Waimea on the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaiʻi. It is located at the site of the former Fort Elizabety, the last remaining Russian fort on the Hawaiian islands, built in the early 19th century by the Russian-American Company as the result of an alliance with High Chief Kaumualiʻi. The star fort was employed by the Kingdom of Hawaii in the 19th century under the name Fort Hipo (Hawaiian: Paʻulaʻula o Hipo).
