The southern region of Kauai has preserved its rich history due to its many cultural sites and artifacts that span from the days when ancient Hawaiian villages dotted the land to the sugar plantation era of the early 1900’s. This tour covers a small portion of the island, but packs a lot in! In addition to historic sites, you’ll visit beaches, a garden, a hike, a limestone cave, a blowhole and an ancient fishpond!
Note: This tour has two starting points, one in Poipu, the other in Lihue. No matter where you start you’ll visit the same spots.
*This itinerary starts in Poipu*
MORNING
We recommend starting the tour by 10 a.m. This tour takes about 4-6 hours and has a total of 14 stops.
Prince Kuhio Park
Approximate time: 5 minutes
Pull over for a quick look at this park that’s named after a revered Hawaiian prince, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. We’ll tell you all about this historic Hawaiian figure who is considered a hero to the Hawaiian people.
Lawai Beach
Approximate time: 30 minutes
Time to hit the beach! Start the day with a quick dip in the ocean. The beach is small, but it’s a great spot for snorkeling and swimming. While you’re there, look out for Hawaiian sea turtles! If you see them, keep your distance -- these are protected animals and getting to close will result in a large fine.
Spouting Horn
Approximate time: 15 minutes
At Spouting Horn, watch as the waves roll in, and a blowhole shoots water up to 50 feet in the air! This is more than a natural wonder, the site also has a mythical backstory that we’ll tell you along the way. Note, this spot has plenty of parking and public restrooms.
Koloa Landing & Bay
Approximate time: 10 minutes
We’ll guide you to another pullover spot to learn about a former Kauai shipping port. Koloa Landing doesn’t look like much now, but in the mid-1800’s this was the main port for the entire island. Back in the day when ocean voyages across the pacific easily took months to complete, this spot was used to replenish supplies and provisions because of its ideal position between the Americas and Asia.
Ancient Hawaiian Heiau
Approximate time: 10 minutes
A Heiau is an ancient Hawaiian temple, and although this site may not look like more than a pile of rocks, it was once an ancient community. While you’re here, please be respectful of this spot of great meaning to Hawaiians.
Moirs Gardens
Approximate time: 30 minutes
Go for a leisurely stroll through a well-kept garden where you’ll find cascading pools, Koi ponds, rare cacti, bromeliads, orchids and many other plant species. If you have time, meander to the end of the garden, and cross the street to Kiahuna Beach. It’s a white sand beach, good for beginning surfers, snorkeling and boogie boarding.
Kāneiolouma Cultural Complex
Approximate time: 10 minutes
This tour packs a lot of culture in a small radius. At Kāneiolouma Cultural Complex you’ll visit another cultural site. This ancient fishing village dates back to the 1400’s and spans 13 acres. Here you can find remains of houses, fishponds, religious shrines and altars with carved idols that have lain undisturbed for centuries.
Brennecke's Beach Broiler & Poipu Beach
Approximate time: 1+ hour
Poipu Beach, Kauai
Grab a bite to eat at Brennecke’s Beach Broiler before heading to Poipu Beach. Brennecke’s is known for its pupu platters, ahi burgers, and variety of seafood options to choose from. After lunch, head to the beach for some snorkeling. Pro Tip! The next beach is one of our favorites on the tour, if you just want to grab a bite then head to Shipwrecks, skip Poipu Beach.
Shipwrecks Beach & Hike
Approximate time: 45+ minutes
Start your visit to Shipwrecks with a hike up the Shipwrecks Beach Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail for some panoramic views of the bay. We’ll tell you how to find it on the tour. From there, spend some time enjoying this breathtaking beach with expansive white sand and pristine water.
Makauwahi Cave
Approximate time: 30 minutes
Explore a historic sinkhole and learn more about Hawaii’s geology in Makauwahi
Just a few miles from Shipwrecks Beach is a Makauwahi Cave, which is a sinkhole inside a large limestone cave. Geologists believe that the cave began its formation up to 400,000 years ago as a sand dune. Take a hike down into the cave, at the end, there’s occasionally a volunteer with turtles to tell you about the caves and these animals.
Volcanic Cone
Approximate time: 5 minutes
Here we will pull over to see a cinder cone, which you can think of as a mini-volcano. This cinder cone along with lava rocks on the beach, and other volcanic features that dot these islands, tell the story of how Hawaii came to be.
Koloa Jodo Mission Buddhist Temple
Approximate time: 20 minutes
There’s loads of history on this tour, and the Koloa Jodo Mission Buddhist Temple is no exception. It’s a little temple that was built back in 1910 by Japanese immigrants who came to work in the sugar cane fields.
Alekoko Menehune Fishpond
Approximate time: 15 minutes
Learn more about Hawaiian history by visiting the Alekoko Menehune Fishpond
After Jodo Mission you can take a drive a couple miles out of town to see a beautiful valley with a historically significant fishpond. This ancient fishpond was said to have been created by the legendary Menehune, who are believed to be the first people to inhabit Hawaii. This fishpond is a masterpiece of engineering invented in ancient Hawaii, and the scenery that surrounds it is beautiful.
Koloa Town
Approximate time: 45 minutes
Dusk Falls on Koloa Town, Kauai, Photo by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) Tor Johnson
End your day visiting the unique shops and boutiques in Koloa Town. While you’re there, stop by the free history center with pictures from the town’s old plantation days. Take your time to walk around the town here and absorb its unique heritage. There’s also some great spots to grab dinner. We recommend Koloa Fish Market which has phenomenal poke bowls and other great local food plates.
Return to Poipu
After you’ve explored Koloa Town, we’ll guide you back towards Poipu where you can end your day at the beach, grab some dinner if you haven’t yet or do some shopping.
When you’re in Hawaii, we ask that you act respectfully towards the locals, land and wildlife. Please pick up your trash; never touch any marine life, plants, or other animals; and avoid spots that are unsafe. Hawaii’s natural resources are precious, it’s up to all of us to help preserve these resources.
Ready to take the Poipu and Koloa Town Driving Tour? Here's everything you need to know before you go!
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