Waimea Canyon Highlights Day Tour

Kauai Island Tour : Journey to Waimea Canyon & More Highlights runs through Dynamic Tour Hawaii. Rated 4.6 across 33 reviews. Runs 7 hours (approx.). From $189.99.

Check park access before you go. Stops inside state parks (Waimea Canyon, Koke'e, Wailua River and Secret Falls) follow current DLNR notices and can be closed. Check the booking page for which stops are running on your date.

Overview

This is a roughly seven hour loop of Kauai's west and south sides, run by Dynamic Tour Hawaii, built around the two big canyon lookouts and a string of smaller stops in between. Pickup is included, though the operator does not collect from north of Lihue Airport; travellers staying there meet the group at Times Supermarket in Lihue. The group is capped at 14 travellers.

The route starts on the west side at Hanapepe, with stops at the valley lookout and the swinging bridge, then continues to the Captain James Cook Statue in Waimea before climbing to Waimea Canyon Lookout and Kalalau Lookout, with Koke'e State Park and Waimea passed along the way. After the canyon, the day eases toward the south shore: lunch at Port Allen Sunset Grill and Bar, a visit to Kauai Coffee Company, and Spouting Horn, with the Tree Tunnel and Poipu passed along the way. A final stop the listing labels Hawaii 50 comes next, and the day closes at Pu'u Hinahina Lookout before the drive back.

Food is covered. Bottled water and chips are supplied through the day, and lunch is a plate of teriyaki chicken or coconut shrimp with rice and salad. Several reviewers called the meal good or tasty. The tour suits visitors who want the canyon and a broad sweep of the island in one day without driving themselves, and it works well for cruise passengers, with one reviewer noting a timely return to the ship.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Pickup and drive westHotel pickup is included, but there is no pickup from north of Lihue Airport; those travellers meet at Times Supermarket Lihue. The listing allots 2 hours and 50 minutes of the day to travel time between pickup and drop off.
2. Hanapepe Valley LookoutA 20 minute stop with free admission, followed by the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge, a 30 minute stop, also free.
3. Captain James Cook StatueA 20 minute free stop in Waimea before the climb toward the canyon.
4. Waimea Canyon Lookout45 minutes here, with admission included.
5. Kalalau Lookout30 minutes at Kalalau Lookout with admission included, inside Koke'e State Park, with Waimea passed along the way.
6. Lunch at Port AllenA 45 minute stop at Port Allen Sunset Grill and Bar for the included lunch: teriyaki chicken or coconut shrimp with rice and salad. On Mondays lunch is at No 1 Chinese BBQ.
7. Kauai Coffee Company and Spouting HornA 30 minute free stop at the coffee company, passing Poipu, then 30 minutes at Spouting Horn, passing the Tree Tunnel.
8. Hawaii 50 stop and Pu'u HinahinaA one hour free stop the listing labels Hawaii 50, then 30 minutes at Pu'u Hinahina Lookout with admission included, followed by the drive back for drop off.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things shape the day, from the weather at the lookouts to how the small group runs.

• Weather at lookouts. The tour requires good weather and can be cancelled for it, with a different date or a full refund offered.
• Group feel. The cap is 14 travellers, and one reviewer described a bus that held 12 people, while another rode in a smaller vehicle. Reviewers often praise the guides as knowledgeable and friendly, with several singling out their sense of humor.
• Food and drink. Bottled water is provided as needed, with chips as snacks, and lunch is included. Reviewers generally call the meal good or tasty. Gratuities are not included, so bring cash if the guide earns it.
• Pace and stops. It is a full day with many stops spread across the island. How the day feels will depend on the pace that day.
• Photos. Ask the guide if you would like help with photos.
• Accessibility and kids. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, but pushchairs are fine and infant seats are available. The listing says most travellers can participate.

Common issues. The tour needs good weather and a minimum number of travellers; if either fails, the operator offers a different date or a full refund. One reviewer reported a guide falling ill mid tour, a long wait for a replacement and a broken speaker system, so staffing hiccups can happen. Gratuities are extra.

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