Kalalau Valley Lookout
At the end of Waimea Canyon Drive, a 4,000-foot overlook presents the Kalalau Valley where the majestic Napali Coast rises from the sea. The light changes constantly from moment to moment so each glimpse is different. The Kalalau Valley Lookout is a must visit for photographers.
Nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," Waimea Canyon is one of Kauai's lush valleys and tropical forest canopies. There are numerous lookouts if sightseeing by car, as well as over 40 miles of hiking trails. The high elevation's air is cool, so pack a jacket or sweater.
Waimea Canyon Drive
Waimea Canyon can be appreciated from several lookouts along Waimea Canyon Drive. This road continues into the mountains and ends in the cool forests of Koke'e State Park.
Koke'e State Park
Koke'e State Park encompasses more than 4,000 acres on a high plateau covered in forest, sprinkled with wild flowers and crisscrossed with hiking trails. The Lodge at Koke'e provides cabins and a restaurant with souvenirs. At Koke'e Natural History Museum, there are exhibits on the unique flora of the area, along with maps of hiking trails and nature walks. Rangers can offer suggestions as to which trail will most suit a person's interests and abilities.
The Descendants, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Soul Surfer, Tropic Thunder, Jurassic Park I, II, III, King Kong, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Six Days Seven Nights and South Pacific, to name a few, were all filmed here on Kauai. With the dramatic backdrop of towering mountains and cascading waterfalls in an almost primal setting, it makes any screenplay come to life.
Over 70 feature films and television shows have been shot on location on Kauai. Take a tour to these famous movie locations and see if you can recite a line or two. Learn fascinating details about the stars and find out what they did when they were here. You can practically picture a Tyrannosaurus Rex running through the jungle!
