5 Breathtaking Natural Wonders on Kauaʻi

With its lush rainforests and fewer crowds, Kauaʻi feels wild and uncharted.

As the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands, its beauty has been shaped by millions of years of wind, rain and waves, and its natural wonders are unrivaled.

Here are five incredible landmarks on Kauaʻi that you won’t soon forget.

1. Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon is a striking and unexpected landscape on the lush Garden Isle.
*Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Ben Ono*

With its rugged crags painted in desert hues, Waimea Canyon is a striking and unexpected landscape on the lush Garden Isle. The canyon is about 14 miles long, 1 mile wide and more than 3,600 feet deep. There are plenty of hiking trails to explore here, including one leading to the 800-foot Waipoʻo Falls. You can also take in panoramic views from the Waimea Canyon Lookout.

READ MORE: The Best State Parks in Hawaiʻi

2. Nāpali Coast

The fabled Nāpali Coastline is marked by emerald-hued cliffs with razor-sharp ridges that plunge into the Pacific Ocean.
*Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Vincent Lim*

One of Kauaʻi’s most iconic natural wonders is the Nāpali Coast. Spanning 17 miles along the island’s north shore, emerald-hued cliffs with sharp ridges plunge into the Pacific Ocean, and lush valleys, waterfalls and secluded beaches dot the coastline.

There are only three ways to see the fabled coastline: by boat, by hiking the Kalalau Trail or by helicopter. If you opt for a helicopter tour, you may even see Mānāwaiopuna Falls, a backdrop in the film “Jurassic Park.”

3. ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls

ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls plunges into a pool leading into the Wailua River.
*Photo: Getty Images/ Matt Anderson*

The beautiful ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls plunges about 151 feet into a pool that feeds into the Wailua River. ʻŌpaekaʻa means “rolling shrimp” in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, which were once abundant in the stream. The waterfall is located within Wailua River State Park on the island’s east side. A convenient roadside lookout on Kuamoʻo Road offers sweeping views of the cascading falls.

4. Wailua Falls

In the morning at Wailua Falls, you might even catch a rainbow when the light is just right.
*Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/Kirk Lee Aeder*

Near the south end of the Wailua River is another waterfall, Wailua Falls. Here, two streams plunge roughly 80 feet into a pool below, though after heavy rainfall the flow can appear more dramatic. Surrounded by verdant foliage, these falls are always a spectacular sight. In the morning, you might even catch a rainbow when the light is just right.

Wailua Falls is located off Māʻalo Road, just north of Līhuʻe. Visitors can enjoy the views from the designated lookout area at the top of the falls.

5. Waiʻaleʻale

Waiʻaleʻale is considered on the wettest spots in the world.
*Photo: Getty Images/ Stefan Kuerzinger*

Meaning “rippling water,” Waiʻaleʻale holds deep cultural significance as a sacred site for Native Hawaiians and is mentioned in many moʻolelo. Some stories recount aliʻi making pilgrimages to the mountain’s waterfalls to praise and give offerings to the Hawaiian god Kāne.

The shield volcano is referred to as the piko, or navel, of Kauaʻi. Its summit, Kawaikini, is the highest point on the island at 5,243 feet. Waiʻaleʻale is considered one the wettest spots in the world, averaging 400 to 450 inches of rainfall annually.

Due to its remote location, treacherous terrain and frequent rainfall, one of the best ways to witness Waiʻaleʻale’s dramatic cliffs and waterfalls is by helicopter tour.

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