What To See On Kauai – Limahuli Valley – Kauai – Hawaii
If you are ready to experience Kauai as the ancient Hawaiians did, be sure to visit Limahuli Valley on the north shore of Kauai. This beautiful valley looks much like it did 1,500 years ago when the Hawaiians called it home. Limahuli Valley is one of of the last easily-accessible valleys with intact archaeological complexes, native forest, pristine stream, and the presence of the descendants of the valley’s original inhabitants caring for it. It is one of the five gardens of the non-profit National Tropical Botanical Garden.
The goal for Limahuli Garden and Preserve is the ecological and cultural restoration of Limahuli Valley, using the ahupua’a system of resource management as a template for this work. Limahuli has won several awards in recognition of their work. These include the “Best Natural Botanical Garden” award from American Horticultural Society for demonstrating the “best environmental practices of water, soil, and rare plant conservation in an overall garden design;” and the Koa Award for their dedication to the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture.
Home to dozens of endangered plants and birds found nowhere else on earth, Limahuli Garden and Preserve highlights native and culturally-significant species in an authentic Hawaiian landscape. Choose from self-guided or guided tours.
Tours:
Self-Guided Tour
Ancient terraces, ancient wisdom, life and relationships with the land, the forest, and the water… the stories unfold as you open your guidebook and make your way through this special place. Envision what the valley might have looked like when the first Hawaiians arrived as you follow the path through the native forest walk. Discover the plants that traveled with them in their canoes and how their culture was inseparable from the plants that sustained them. Contemplate the impact of plant invaders and learn what is being done today to protect fragile ecosystems. Ascend to the Whale Trail and take in the dramatic panorama of the ocean. Feel the spirit of Limahuli.
No reservation needed.
Limahuli Garden Guided Tour – Walk the garden with a docent
Explore this timeless place with a small group as the inextricably interwoven stories of Hawaiian history, culture, natural history, and plants unfold during your visit. As you enjoy legends that abound about this ancient valley, you’ll see the features that inspired them. A guided tour offers you a deeper understanding of the delicate balance of the ecosystem in both ancient and modern times, and how today’s stewardship of the land is modeled after the traditional practices of its earliest inhabitants. Our docents are knowledgeable, enjoy ‘talking story’, and are passionate about sharing this living Hawaiian landscape.
Reservations required.
Limahuli Garden Family Tour – Walk the garden with an education specialist
Explore Limahuli Valley as an outdoor classroom. Listen to the singing birds of the forest, the splashing waters of the stream, and hear stories of the valley that teach lessons about relationships and behaviors. This is recommended for families interested in guided tours.
Reservations required. Your family group must include at least one child 12 years of age or younger.
Limahuli Garden Specialty Tour – Walk the garden with an expert in your area of interest
Are you looking for a group experience built around a particular theme or topic of interest, perhaps one that could be a mix between a guided tour and a hands-on component designed to reinforce the lessons of the day? We offer an opportunity to build a custom experience that includes elements of Hawaiian history, culture, natural history, sustainability, plants, and more in such a way that is tailored to your group’s interests.
Phone or email reservations required; (808) 826-1053, limahuli@ntbg.org
Limahuli Garden Private Tour – Walk the garden with a senior docent or director
Have an exclusive VIP experience that is tailored to your schedule and interests.
Phone or email reservations required; (808) 826-1053, limahuli@ntbg.org
Location:
Hanalei , HI 96714
Limahuli Valley is between Princeville and the end of the road, just before Ke’e Beach. It is about a 20 to 30 minute drive from Kauai Vacation Rental at Honu Point.
For more about the history of Limahuli Valley, go to the National Tropical Botanical Garden website.
For more garden options on Kauai, go to the right-hand side of this page and find the blog category “Gardens”.
TripAdvisor Review – March 14, 2018
We were so pleased we made a trip to LIMAHULI Gardens!! It was mentioned in the 12 best things to do in Kauai, so we gave it a shot!
What a precious jewel! From the terraced Taro plantations, we climbed up beside the waterfall to the gardens of lush plants and trees…into the rainforest area and then descended on the other side of the loop ..with the mountains on one side and the sea in front of us..
Beautiful experience, and so inexpensive @ only $20 per head! This is located just before Ke’e beach on North side of Kauai.
Highly recommend this for it’s natural botanical gardens and the amazing backdrops!!
For more of my blogs or to subscribe, go to our Guides page. For more information about our luxury vacation rental, Honu Point, on the north shore of Kauai, go to any other page of this website. We would LOVE you to follow us on Instagram. Mahalo!
We are planning to come tomorrow.