Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Driving Tour app

4.5
(122 reviews)
Kauai, USA

4 to 6 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English and 1 more

Embark on a breathtaking journey through Kauai’s dramatic landscapes on this self-guided driving audio tour. Wind through the awe-inspiring “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, delve into lush valleys, and ascend to ocean vistas of the Nā Pali Coast—all while listening to immersive storytelling about the island’s geology, culture, and legends.

Enjoy total freedom: start anytime, pause to hike canyon trails or Waipoʻo Waterfall, sip local Kauai coffee, cross the charming Hanapēpē swinging bridge, and explore artisan shops—all at your own pace.

With offline GPS navigation and lifetime access, you’ll experience both must-see highlights and hidden gems without the constraints of group tours.

Highlights include Waimea Canyon Lookouts, Kalalau Valley vantage points, historic town of Waimea, and local favorites like shave ice stops.

Simply download the tour, follow the route, and let evocative narration guide you through one of Kauai’s most unforgettable adventures—on your terms, in your time.

What's Included

Take the tour when you want
Tours NEVER expire
Freedom to explore at your own pace
Tour Start is Customizable
Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
Meals & Refreshments
Entrance Fees
Waimea Canyon State Park
Waimea Canyon State Park

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Poipu

Departure Point: Start the tour in Kapa'a or Princeville Dates: See Availability

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 4 to 6 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Kauai Coffee Company

    Be sure to check out the Kauai Coffee’s visitor center. They offer free coffee samples in a large variety of flavors, what a great way to start off your morning!

    1 hour Admission ticket not included
  • 2

    Visit this once an impressive fort, with 20 feet high and 17 feet wide walls that shaped like a star

    30 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 3

    Here in Waimea Town, there are some local places to shop and eat. Stop by if you need a quick snack for the road, but other than that we suggest you skip this spot for now and save it for your return trip. We’ll guide you back, we promise!

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4

    If you’ve been to Hawaii, you’ve probably seen a few waterfalls, but this waterfall is particularly unique. It runs through Kauai’s red dirt instead of lush green jungle which is what you normally see. Stop by for a quick picture and then continue into the park.

    5 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 5

    While you're on the trail, check out the interpretive signs that describe the native plants. The trail is actually named after a rare, exotic plant -- the iliau or Kaua'i greensword -- that is found nowhere else in the world but here on Kaua'i.

    15 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 6
    Waimea Canyon Lookout

    This is the first of two lookouts of Waimea Canyon. This lookout has some of the best views on a clear day. Stand atop the lookout to take in the expansive views of this natural wonder.

    15 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 7

    We’ll guide you to pull into a small parking lot for a view of an 800-foot waterfall that cascades into the canyon.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 8
    Pu’u Hinahina Lookout

    This is the second of the two lookouts for Waimea Canyon. Here at the end of the parking lot is the trailhead for Canyon Trail. The trail signs are a little confusing, so read the description under Hiking in our app Highlights before hiking.

    10 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 9

    Here is our first major hike for the day! The trail starts at the parking lot, and you’ll travel about ¾ of a mile through lush jungle to a spot called Cliff Viewpoint.

    1 hour Admission ticket not included
  • 10

    The lodge and museum at Koke'e are located at a small plateau in the mountain. The lodge is a sit-down restaurant with decent food if you are hungry. If you are lucky, sometimes they have live music! At the museum, there is a display of native plants, animals, and birds.

    20 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 11
    Kalalau Lookout

    Here you will find your first view of the glorious Na Pali Coast. However, don’t be upset if dense fog prevents you from seeing any views. It’s typical at this altitude. Try waiting it out a few minutes as the fog tends to come and go in waves.

    15 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • (Pass by)

    From this lookout, you get a view of the iconic Na Pali coast. You can also see the peak of Mt. Wai’ale’ale and a swamp called Alaka’i Swamp - one of the wettest places on the entire planet with about 450 inches of rain a year.

    Admission ticket free
  • 12

    Their shave ice comes in a wide range of tropical and traditional flavors. We recommend getting one of their combos with vanilla or macadamia nut ice cream. Their small size is plenty big enough to share.

    10 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 13

    At the base of the mountain, just past the old swinging bridge is a hidden gem that reveals a fascinating part of Kauai's past: the Menehune Ditch. You might be thinking to yourself, what’s so cool about a ditch? Well, we’ll tell you the story of the Menehune who constructed this ditch thousands of years ago.

    20 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 14

    In 1778, Captain Cook became the first Westerner to discover Hawaii. The place where Cook first set foot in Hawai'i is right here in Waimea. We'll point out his statue in the middle of town.

    20 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 15

    Here in Hanapepe, there are a few quaint art boutiques, restaurants, murals, and an interesting little bookstore called Talk Story. In fact, it’s the westernmost bookstore in the United States! Feel free to stop anytime as we do a quick drive through the town.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 16
    Hanapepe Swinging Bridge

    If you’re interested in checking out a cool swinging bridge, there's one in Hanapepe. Look for the sign when you're walking around town.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Hanapepe is only a few minutes from Lawai, where you started the tour. We’ll guide you back in that direction with a fun story about Kauai's "state bird" along the way.

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Shaka Guide Apps
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Tags

Day Trips
Half-day Tours
Bus Tours
Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Audio Guides
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Nature Walks
Car Tours
Excellent Quality
Adventure Tours
Best Conversion
Additional fees
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

4.5 Based on 122 122 reviews
5 stars
92
4 stars
15
3 stars
6
2 stars
2
1 star
7
from per group (up to 15)
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