Kauaʻi from Hanalei to Waimea Canyon
From the green north shore past a seabird lighthouse and waterfalls, around the south shore to the red walls of Waimea Canyon and the Nā Pali cliffs.
- Distance
- 116 km (72 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 17 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- States
- HI
- Updated
- May 24, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 116 km (72 mi) with 8 stops, from Hanalei to Kalalau Lookout. About 1 h 17 min of driving in total.
Route description
No road circles Kauaʻi: the Nā Pali Coast cuts it off, so this route crosses the island from one end of the road to the other. Start in Hanalei, with taro fields, a long bay and one-lane bridges, then drive east to Kīlauea Point, where a lighthouse overlooks nesting seabirds (reservation required).
Continue south along the east coast to Wailua Falls, a twin waterfall seen from the road just above Lihue, the island’s main town and airport. From there, the Kaumualiʻi Highway (HI-50) heads west toward the drier south shore.
Detour to Koloa and Poʻipū for Spouting Horn, a blowhole that roars at high tide. Then continue to Waimea, the small town where Captain Cook landed in 1778.
Waimea Canyon Drive climbs into the mountains to the lookouts over Waimea Canyon and then to Kalalau Lookout, high above the Nā Pali cliffs. Clouds often fill the valley later in the day, so go in the morning. Non-residents pay entry and parking fees at the state parks.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Hanalei
HI - 213 km
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
NatureKilauea, HIA 1913 lighthouse on a cliff above nesting seabirds, with whales offshore in winter. A reservation is required.
- 326 km
Wailua Falls
NatureLihue, HIA twin waterfall about 80 feet high, seen from a roadside viewpoint just above Lihue. Morning light is best.
- 48 km
Lihue
HI - 520 km
Spouting Horn
NatureKoloa, HIA lava-tube blowhole on the south shore that shoots sea spray into the air with a loud hiss, strongest at high tide.
- 624 km
Waimea
HI - 715 km
Waimea Canyon Lookout
ViewsWaimea, HIThe main viewpoint over a red and green canyon about 3,600 feet deep, often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
- 811 km
Kalalau Lookout
ViewsWaimea, HIA viewpoint at about 4,000 feet over the fluted cliffs of the Nā Pali Coast. Come early, before the clouds fill the valley.
