West Side of Kauai | Go Hawaii

West Side

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Kauaʻi West Side

About an hour's drive from Līhuʻe and other major towns on the Coconut Coast, Kauaʻi’s West Side feels like it’s a world away. Here, spectacular natural wonders and historic sites meet funky small towns, rewarding visitors with a glimpse of Kauaʻi mainly seen by locals.

The most famous attraction on the West Side is breathtaking Waimea Canyon, also called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Hiking trails and scenic overlooks offer sweeping views of rugged crags and plunging valleys dipping more than 3,600 feet into the earth. There’s nothing else in Hawaiʻi quite like it.
 
Neighboring Kōkeʻe State Park offers 45 miles of trails and endless opportunities to see native plants and wildlife. At the north edge of the park, Kalalau Lookout and Puʻu o Kila Lookout provide panoramic views of the vibrant, green cliffs of one of the valleys of the Nāpali Coast—two of the best (and safest) ways to see Kalalau Valley from land.

The two small towns of Waimea and Hanapēpē are also worth a visit on the West Side. In 1778, Captain James Cook first landed in the Hawaiian Islands here at Waimea Bay. Today, a statue of Cook stands in Waimea Town commemorating this historic event. About seven miles south of Waimea, Hanapēpē is the island’s art capital, with eclectic galleries, shops and eateries lining the streets of “Kauaʻi’s biggest little town”—a perfect place to shop for made-in-Hawaii gifts and souvenirs.

Regions of Kauaʻi

Opaekaa Falls
This towering falls is an incredible sight (and photo opportunity) during your East Side adventure.
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Wailua River
One of Hawaiʻi's only navigable rivers offers plenty of fun for kayakers and other paddlers.
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Fern Grotto
Take a boat ride to this remote, fern-filled cave to see a different side of Kauaʻi.
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Kapaa Town
This historic enclave is home to local boutiques and delicious dining options.
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Waimea Canyon
The scenic vistas at the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" are truly beyond belief.
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Waimea Town
The oceanfront town at the gateway to Waimea Canyon is a fun stop during your West Side adventure.
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Kokee State Park
This beautiful state park has dozens of miles of trails and incredible overlooks.
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Hanapepe Town
Hanapēpē Town offers interesting local galleries, boutiques and more.
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Daniel K Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse
Interesting history and awe-inspiring photo opportunities await.
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Napali Coast
The best views of these cathedral spire-like peaks is with a helicopter or boat tour.
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Hanalei Town
This laid-back town is the perfect place to unwind.
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Waioli Mission House and Church
Take a trip back in time to the arrival of missionaries on Kauaʻi.
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Poipu Beach Park, Kauai
The family-friendly Poʻipū Beach Park on Kauaʻi’s South Shore was once voted “America’s Best Beach.”
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Old Koloa Town, Kauai
Old Kōloa Town is a charming area with a historic plantation past.
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Koloa Heritage Trail, Kauai
Kōloa Heritage Trail spotlights significant cultural, historical and geological sites.
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Spouting Horn, Kauai
Spouting Horn Park features a blowhole that’s one of the most photographed spots on Kauaʻi.
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Allerton & McBryde Gardens
Allerton Garden is home to the giant Moreton Figs made famous in the film "Jurassic Park," and both gardens feature a wide variety of trails and plant species.
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Kauai Museum
Located in Līhuʻe, the Kauaʻi Museum features amazing collections from the artisans of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.
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Alekoko Fishpond
According to legend, the Menehune built ʻAlakoko Fishpond on Kauaʻi’s southeast shore in one night.
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Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls is an easily accessible, 80-foot-high waterfall located north of Līhuʻe.
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Kilohana Estate
Past Līhuʻe is Kilohana, a restored 1930s-era plantation estate renowned for hosting one of the island’s most iconic lūʻau.
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Grove Farm Homestead Museum
Founded in 1864, this 100-acre sugar plantation museum in Līhuʻe provides a fascinating look into Kauaʻi’s plantation past.
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North Shore
The North Shore of Kauaʻi
Home to dramatic natural beauty like the cliffs of the Nāpali Coast, this area is an outdoor lover's paradise.
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East Side (Coconut Coast)
The East Side of Kauaʻi known as the Royal Coconut Coast
Kauaʻi's East Side is sometimes called the Coconut Coast for the groves of coconut palms that grow there.
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Līhuʻe
Aerial shot of the Wailua Falls in Līhuʻe
The island's government and commercial center is surrounded by natural wonders like Wailua Falls.
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South Shore
South Shore of Kauaʻi
You'll find sites with cultural, historical and geological significance alongside beautiful beaches on the South Shore.
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West Side
Hiking on the West Side of Kauaʻi
Discover charming, art-filled Hanapēpē Town, the scenic vistas of Kōkeʻe State Park, and much more.
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West Side Highlights

Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon

The scenic vistas at the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" are truly beyond belief.

More
Waimea Town

Waimea Town

The oceanfront town at the gateway to Waimea Canyon is a fun stop during your West Side adventure.

More
Kokee State Park

Kōkeʻe State Park

This beautiful state park has dozens of miles of trails and incredible overlooks.

More
Hanapepe Town

Hanapēpē Town

Hanapēpē Town offers interesting local galleries, boutiques and more.

More

View the Digital Hawaiian Islands Official Visitors’ Guide

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