Limahuli Garden & Preserve, National Tropical Botanical Garden - Hanalei, Hawaii

Melissa A. K.

What a treasure! The garden the public has access to isn't large (the preserve itself is apparently much larger) but was extraordinary- we greatly appreciated the recreated ilipa'a and learning about the canoe plants and water management system, and absolutely loved the (mostly rare) native plants garden. I wish we had had more time for a visit! We did the self-guided tour but imagine the guided tour would have been incredible.

Jeanne K.

A Magical Walk Through Kauai’s Natural Beauty

Visiting Limahuli Garden & Preserve was one of the highlights of our trip to Kauai. Even with a little rain, the experience was absolutely magical—in fact, the mist only added to the lush, mystical atmosphere of this stunning botanical garden.

The self-guided tour took us through breathtaking landscapes, with vibrant native plants, terraced gardens, and sweeping views of the Makana Mountain and the Pacific. The garden is not only incredibly beautiful but also rich with history and cultural significance, offering insight into Hawaii’s indigenous plants and traditional agricultural practices.

The walking paths are well-maintained and easy to navigate, and the educational signs along the way provided fascinating context about the plants and their importance. We were in awe of how Limahuli is dedicated to preservation and sustainability, making it feel like we were stepping into a sacred, living piece of Hawaiian history.

Rain or shine, this is an absolute must-visit for anyone who loves nature, culture, and the true essence of Kauai.

Y M.

What a beautiful place! We loved it so much walking around looking at this beautiful nature and flowers. The views were breathtaking. We did reservations in advance so we didn't have to wait to get in. I highly recommend it.

Roy R.

Take the time and drive up to this garden. It’s a 3/4 mile trail that takes you up and down through some beautiful places. Be sure to get a tour booklet as it goes into much greater detail than the plaques. Plus there’s notes that recommend you look at different things - which you will have to go to so you can see them for yourself.

Laurie L.

Beautiful self-guided tour, they said it would take about an hour, we took an hour and a half. Lots of places to sit and enjoy the gardens and the views. Take your shoes off to connect with nature, per the native Hawaiians! 🥰 Make reservations, or you may not get in.

Carole D.

A beautiful botanical garden that highlights the history of plants originating in Hawaii and those transported through the centuries. It highlights species at risk and promotes environmental awareness. Definitely worth the time.

Penny L.

This was a great place for plant nerds to take a crash course in flora on the tropical side of Kauai! We were very happy with our 9am Friday online reservation. It was very easy to find parking early in the morning. When we got back to the car in the afternoon, all the parking spaces were taken.

The book that they give you on the self-guided tour is great! Labeled stops along the path correlate with descriptions, a little history and some legends listed on each page. There are many benches (by the stream, in the forest, or looking out over the ocean) where you can sit and read the longer paragraphs, like the description of the archeological site.

We took longer than most do, because we are so interested in plants and because we often return to the island to visit family. There are some great photo backgrounds here, just because it is all so beautiful! Limahouli stream, mountain silhouettes, huge Monstera leaves, Taro terraces, big boulders and rock walls with ferns on them. And we were here in November! I'm sure the flowers are eye-popping in summer! Hibiscus were blooming some. I like the lush green landscape.

It was windy, so while we did see some orange butterflies, there was no chance of catching them in a photo with only a phone camera. We did see a few honeybees on the Beach Naupaka and on what iNaturalist called "Bushbeans" (pink flowers). We did hear some songbirds, but did not see them. Two ducks were cleaning themselves in a fallow Taro pond as we left.

This trip took some planning and online reservations (as almost everything on the island does now), but I am very happy with the outcome! We treated it like planning for a short backpacking trip. We had breakfast a Holey Grail donuts in Hanalei (pre-ordered online). After the garden tour, we ate our picnic lunch at Ha'ena Beach. There was some drizzling rain - otherwise I didn't expect to find a parking spot here! Note: You cannot picnic at the gardens, so throw a few snacks in a backpack. Make sure to pack out all your trash! There is a restroom at the parking lot near the Visitor Center, but try to go before you come anyway. Space and resources are very scarce on this part of the island, so follow the Scouts rule and "Be Prepared!" I brought gallon ziplocks to put our guidebook and field guides in to keep them safe from rain. Bring a hat and a loose, light-colored, polyester fishing shirt to throw over your shoulders if you are wearing a tank top. You just don't know if you're gonna get sun or rain or both! The hike isn't long, but you will be going up/down stairs and slopes. Bring reusable water bottles or a daypack with a bladder. They do have a water bottle refill station.

Chris D.

Superb collection of native indigenous plants of Kauai and the Hawaiian Islands Beautifully done. It’s located at the far end of SR 50 past Hanalei. Make a reservation if you want to visit. Well worth a visit.