Wailua Valley & Waterfalls Audio Driving Tour

• Wailua Falls

  15 minsAdmission Ticket Free

  Wailua Falls is an iconic 173-foot waterfall surrounded by jungle forest. This spot is just a quick photo op as there’s no hiking to the falls. It’s one of the most epic falls on the island, so you’ll definitely want to make the stop.

• Lydgate Beach Park

  1 hoursAdmission Ticket Free

  Lydgate Park is a cool place for kids both young and old alike. Little ones will love the gigantic Kamalani playground. There are also rock-enclosed pools that make swimming safe and fun. The protective pools were constructed so that reef fish can still come and go as they please.

• Holoholoku Heiau

  15 minsAdmission Ticket Free

  An ancient Hawaiian temple in the Wailua River State Park area, Holoholokū Heiau was a sacred site tied to Kauaʻi’s aliʻi (chiefly class) and royal births. Today, its stone platform stands as a powerful reminder of the island’s deep spiritual and political history.

• Poli'ahu Heiau

  5 minsAdmission Ticket Free

  A sacred temple site within the Wailua Complex of Heiaus, Poliʻahu Heiau is believed to have been dedicated to ritual and chiefly ceremonies. Though only stone foundations remain, the site carries strong spiritual significance and reflects Kauaʻi’s powerful ancient ruling center along the Wailua River.

• 'Opaeka'a Falls

  15 minsAdmission Ticket Free

  Located in Wailua River State Park, 'Opaeka’a Falls is a spectacular 150-ft waterfall that flows over volcanic basalt rocks. This is another stop for a photo op right next to the parking lot as there’s no hike to the falls.

• Kauai's Hindu Monastery

  45 minsAdmission Ticket Free

  Nestled on the outskirts of Wailua State Park, you’ll find a 363-acre Hindu monastery that’s considered one of the holiest sites in the Hindu religion. This Kadavul Temple is home to the largest quartz crystal on earth, surrounded by 108 golden statues of the Hindu god Siva.

• Kuilau Ridge Trail

  30 minsAdmission Ticket Free

  The Kuilau Ridge hike is a relatively flat trail with a broad shaded path through an old-growth forest. It’s quite long, but we recommend just hiking the first mile or so.

• Keahua Arboretum

  30 minsAdmission Ticket Free

  This is technically more of a leisurely walk than a hike. Here, you’ll see local plant species like monkeypod trees. If you’re lucky you might even spot a rainbow eucalyptus tree!

• Sleeping Giant Trail

  1 hoursAdmission Ticket Free

  The first is Sleeping Giant (Nounou Mountain) - West Trailhead. Technically, Sleeping Giant has three hikes of varying difficulties, but our tour takes you to the Sleeping Giant West Trail, which is the easiest.

• Ho'opi'i Falls

  1 hoursAdmission Ticket Free

  If you’re looking for the chance to hike to a waterfall, you might want to skip Sleeping Giant and head straight to the nearby Ho'opi'i Waterfall Hike. On this hike, you’ll meander along a forest trail until you reach the first of two waterfalls. If you want to swim, you’ll have to continue past the first fall to the second where you’ll find a rope swing that you can use to jump into the pool below.

• Kapaa

  45 minsAdmission Ticket Free

  Kapa’a Town is a seaside neighborhood with cute restaurants, a few hotels, and some historic landmarks. Spend the afternoon learning about these sites, walking around the town, visiting local shops, and trying some Hawaiian food!

• Pono Market

  30 minsAdmission Ticket Free

  We recommend Pono Market for a poke plate lunch, but we’re sure you’ll notice all the cute little cafes and restaurants in Kapa’a. Take your pick and refuel.

• Sleeping Giant Trail

  5 minsAdmission Ticket Free

  After lunch, we have one more scenic spot on the tour. You’ll pull over into a parking lot to learn about Sleeping Giant and view the mountain from a completely different vantage point.