Top Ten Kauai Hawaii Natural Wonders
Opaeka's Falls
It’s hard to imagine another 550 square miles with as much natural beauty and diversity as Kauai. Towering cliffs, misty mountains, hidden waterfalls, lush rainforests, and rocky coasts. It’s all here, from Waimea Canyon to shimmering Hanalei Bay.
Here are the Top Ten Kauai Natural Wonders that should be part of any Kauai vacation.
1) Na Pali Coast. Accessible only by sea, air, or an arduous, 11-mile hike, the Na Pali Coast is one of the most spectacular places on earth. The backdrop for movies like Jurrasic Park, King Kong, and Raiders of the Lost Ark, it’s an absolute Kauai must-see.
2) Waimea Canyon. Ten miles long, two miles wide, and 3,600 feet deep, the Waimea Canyon is the largest in the Pacific. You can drive from sea level to 4,176-ft. Pu’u o Kila Lookout for breathtaking views of the crashing sea and Kalalau Valley below. Or hike one of the trails in Koke’e State Park.
3) Hanalei Bay. No trip to Kauai is complete without a visit to Hanalei Bay, a gorgeous two-mile crescent of sandy beach backed by waterfalls and mountain peaks. It’s beautiful from the shore, but be sure to walk out on the pier for views in every direction.
4) Polihale Beach. If you’ve ever dreamed of having a beach all to yourself, Polihale may be the answer to your prayers. The fifteen miles of uninterrupted white sand are only accessible during summer, and even then, you’ll need four-wheel drive. The incredible sand dunes here are over 100 feet high and 300 feet wide.
5) Kilauea Point. The northernmost point of the Hawaiian Islands, Kilauea is best known for its lighthouse. But the bluff and seaside cliffs provide one of the best viewing spots for sea birds and whales during migration season. The island just offshore is a bird sanctuary.
6) Hanakapi’ai Falls. Four miles from Ke’e Beach, off the Kalalau Trail, Hanakapi’ai Falls plunge 100 feet down a sheer rock wall into a pristine pool. Plan a full day for the hike with a stop at Hanakapi’ai Beach.
7) The Queen’s Bath. Once known only to locals, the Queen’s Bath is a natural seaside swimming pool carved from a lava shelf not far from Princeville. Off-limits during winter, it’s one of the most inviting spots on Kauai during summer when you’ll likely share the pool’s crystal clear water with only a few others and some fish.
8) Waialeale Crater. With more than 460 inches of rain a year, this is the wettest spot on earth. The Blue Hole at the base is fed by dozens of streams and waterfalls. The four-hour hike is a strenuous one, but the misty landscape here is unlike any other.
9) Opaeka’a Falls. Visible from Highway 580, Opaeka’a Falls tumble 151 feet down a basalt cliff. The twin cascade is best photographed in midmorning.
10) Spouting Horn. Not far from Poipu Beach, Spouting Horn is a blowhole where water rushes under a lava shelf and then shoots out of a hole in the rocks. During high tide, the spurts often reach a height of fifty feet.
