THE 10 BEST Poipu Parks & Nature Attractions
Nature & Parks in Poipu
- Traveler favoritesThings to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
- Traveler rankingHighest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews.
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Nature & Parks
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14 places sorted by traveler favorites
Top-Rated Outdoor Activities (12)
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Beaches • Geologic Formations
Historic Sites • Parks
Koloa
What travelers are saying
- einstein2Colorado91 contributionsWe were able to witness several turtles on the beach - a very impressive sight. Please obey the cones that are setup and give some distance to the wildlife.Written June 8, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- LisaMNUSASaint Paul, MN871 contributionsGo early, otherwise it's hot. Bring water and hat with you. The beaches along the way are beautiful, not much different from other beautiful beaches though. We walked along the trail and got coast views. On the way back, it was hot, we walked through the tail with shade without the coast views.Written May 21, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Madison_BoehmMadison, WI9 contributionsProbably a bit less impressive than the hype, but worth a quick stop if you’re in the area - particularly if you have younger kids.Written March 19, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- S M3 contributionsWe loved touring the Allerton garden and having dinner on the lanai of the Allerton house! The garden was beautiful, views were amazing, food was delicious, and Ron, our tour guide, was excellent! Can’t wait to go back and tour the McBryde garden.Written June 4, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AidsobeatsLos Angeles, CA10 contributionsThe Allerton gardens are stunning. The tour covers the history of the gardens and explains the various flowers, plants and trees. The various 'rooms' are beautifully curated and the tour itself is so calm and serene. You get to see the 'Jurassic Park trees' but the highlight was trying various fruits I had never even heard of before.Written May 1, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MSue197 contributionsLoved spending sunrise either on the Cliffs or on walking this beautiful beach. Much to my surprise, Shipwreck beach ended up being one of my favorite beaches on all of Kauai and we visited multiple times during our 6 days south. No large crowds like Poipu, but a beautiful veiw perfect for sunbathing and wave jumping. One afternoon we watched a Grand Hyatt employee fishing with a large net. It was quite impressive to see his skill and the large amount of fish he collected in the waves! Don't miss this one!Written April 9, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- James F237 contributionsThe cliffs are nice to look at from Shipwreck Beach. The trail from the beach to the top of the cliffs is not too difficult. The view of the ocean and the beach is very nice from the top.
We had our only while sighting while in Kauai from the top of the cliffs. Warning: some unwise people actually jump from these cliffs despite the warning signs. Don't watch.Written February 20, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - JunglehikeLas Vegas, NV163 contributionsPoipu Beach by Local BUS
Yes you ca mostly reach Kauai by bus which we did for our 5 days stay in the North (Princeville). We took the bus from Lihue Airport to the North about 1.5 hrs - but it doesn't bother us: 1. It's cheap ($1-2/trip) 2. Someone is doing the driving so we can sit in AC and enjoy scenery of Kauai. 3. Tell Bus driver where you are going and they will tell you where to transfer and get off/on. All bus drivers are super friendly and helpful.
We went to Poipu Beach from Princeville and later take the shuttle bus to Poipu Beach. Just a short walking distance from Bus stop. We made a mistake trying to get back by crossing to the other side of the road. No, where you get off the bus is the same bus you will be getting on to take you back. This is a loop to the other side. We waited for 1 hr and finally someone told us to get on the bus where we got off. Remember this. This is a shuttle bus (25-50 cents ride), so it's a shorter route than the normal route. Beautiful beaches. We were lucky to see so many giant turtles resting on the beach on that day. Normally there's 1 or 2 said the Life guard. We were going to walk to Shipwreck beach from Poipu but it was too far. Yes you can take the shuttle but make sure you did the right timing/schedule as the bus wait is 1 hours. Poipu is beautiful. You can stop on old town Koloa for an hour to shop around and catch the next shuttle. There's a Poipu Village shops across from Kiahuna Plantation resort with a few hi-end restaurants. Great place to visit Poipu.Written January 30, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Caleb J6 contributions2 hours sounds like a long time to walk around, but it flew by for us! They had a ton of different variants of plants with historical timelines of them. The "Spice of Life" trail is in development and we are excited to head back when it's completed! The other walkthrough of historical plants was really interesting, it showed the types of plants that would be growing 400 million years ago - today. (The tour guide was also really knowledgeable about the history of the gardens and gave an excellent presentation as we drove to the site)Written October 28, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Theresa BSalmon Arm, Canada511 contributionsThis is a gorgeous beach that is somewhat out of the way so not too many people are there. The water is somewhat calmer as well so it's good for swimming.Written December 1, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- JDSouiMakawao, HI6,463 contributionsThe fact this beach is a bit of a challenge to find makes it so appealing. The beach is isolated and with few people. The is an elevated point to the west offering a great view of the beach and surrounding area. Whether visiting for a brief or long visit, this is worth the stop.Written December 26, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- LTVacayPuyallup, WA23 contributionsI walked through these gardens more than once and enjoyed it each time. So many beautiful orchids and other interesting plants, flowers and trees to see. Best of all it's free and was next to our resort and on the way to the shops and restaurants.Written December 5, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mike BMineral, VA950 contributionsNot much to see, but the story behind Prince Kuhio is pretty neat. But it's very ironic that the statue honoring someone who did so much for native Hawaiians, literally has as a backdrop, a neighborhood with million dollar homes.Written October 12, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Jeri FTulsa, OK281 contributionsThis forest reserve has several trail heads. The drive to the area is beautiful. We didn't have time for a long hike. It is free as a State Park.Written July 8, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Poipu
- These experiences are best for nature & parks in Poipu:
- Kauai's Ultimate South Island Zodiac Boat Snorkel Adventure
- Kauai Waimea Canyon and Wailua River Boat Tour
- Secret Kauai Canyons & Coastlines Tour
- Ultimate Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Kauai (Na Pali, Waimea), Hawaii
- Poipu and Koloa E-Bike Scenic Tour
- These places are best for nature & parks in Poipu:See more nature & parks in Poipu on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for kid-friendly nature & parks in Poipu:See more nature & parks for kids in Poipu on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for couples seeking nature & parks in Poipu:
- Makawehi Lithified Cliffs
- Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail
- Poipu Beach Park
- National Tropical Botanical Garden
- Shipwreck Beach
- These are the best places for groups seeking nature & parks in Poipu:See more nature & parks for groups in Poipu on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for budget-friendly nature & parks in Poipu:
- Makawehi Lithified Cliffs
- Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail
- Poipu Beach Park
- National Tropical Botanical Garden
- Shipwreck Beach
- These are the most romantic places for nature & parks in Poipu:
- Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail
- Poipu Beach Park
- National Tropical Botanical Garden
- Shipwreck Beach
- Allerton Garden