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.
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
This towering falls is an incredible sight (and photo opportunity) during your East Side adventure.
Learn MoreOne of Hawaiʻi's only navigable rivers offers plenty of fun for kayakers and other paddlers.
Learn MoreThe oceanfront town at the gateway to Waimea Canyon is a fun stop during your West Side adventure.
Learn MoreThe family-friendly Poʻipū Beach Park on Kauaʻi’s South Shore was once voted “America’s Best Beach.”
Learn MoreSpouting Horn Park features a blowhole that’s one of the most photographed spots on Kauaʻi.
Learn MoreAllerton 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.
Learn MoreLocated in Līhuʻe, the Kauaʻi Museum features amazing collections from the artisans of Kauaʻi and Niʻihau.
Learn MoreAccording to legend, the Menehune built ʻAlakoko Fishpond on Kauaʻi’s southeast shore in one night.
Learn MorePast Līhuʻe is Kilohana, a restored 1930s-era plantation estate renowned for hosting one of the island’s most iconic lūʻau.
Learn MoreFounded in 1864, this 100-acre sugar plantation museum in Līhuʻe provides a fascinating look into Kauaʻi’s plantation past.
Learn MoreNorth Shore
Home to dramatic natural beauty like the cliffs of the Nāpali Coast, this area is an outdoor lover's paradise.
Learn MoreEast Side (Coconut Coast)
Kauaʻi's East Side is sometimes called the Coconut Coast for the groves of coconut palms that grow there.
Learn MoreLīhuʻe
The island's government and commercial center is surrounded by natural wonders like Wailua Falls.
Learn MoreSouth Shore
You'll find sites with cultural, historical and geological significance alongside beautiful beaches on the South Shore.
Learn MoreWest Side
Discover charming, art-filled Hanapēpē Town, the scenic vistas of Kōkeʻe State Park, and much more.
Learn MoreWest Side Highlights
Waimea Town
The oceanfront town at the gateway to Waimea Canyon is a fun stop during your West Side adventure.
MoreKōkeʻe State Park
This beautiful state park has dozens of miles of trails and incredible overlooks.
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