Koloa Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Locality

Facts and practical information

Located on the stunning island of Kauai in Hawaii, the census-designated place of Koloa offers visitors an unforgettable tropical experience. With its breathtaking natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture, Koloa is a true paradise destination.

One of the main attractions in Koloa is its beautiful beaches. Poipu Beach Park, often regarded as one of the best beaches in Hawaii, is a must-visit for sunbathers and water sports enthusiasts. With its crystal-clear turquoise waters, soft golden sands, and gentle waves, it is an ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling, and even surfing. The beach is also home to a variety of marine life, including endangered Hawaiian monk seals, making it a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

For those interested in history, Koloa offers a glimpse into its past as a former sugar plantation town. The Koloa Heritage Trail takes visitors on a self-guided tour through the town, showcasing historic sites and landmarks. One of the highlights is the Old Koloa Town, where you can explore charming buildings dating back to the late 19th century and learn about the town's sugar industry heritage.

Nature lovers will be amazed by the lush landscapes and natural wonders surrounding Koloa. Just a short drive away, you will find the magnificent Waimea Canyon, often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Its vibrant red and green hues, towering cliffs, and cascading waterfalls create a breathtaking sight that is a photographer's dream.

To immerse yourself in the local culture, make sure to visit the Koloa Plantation Days, an annual festival celebrating the town's heritage. This week-long event features live music, traditional hula performances, local food vendors, and various activities that showcase the unique spirit of Koloa.

After a day of exploring, indulge in the local cuisine. Koloa is home to a vibrant culinary scene, offering a fusion of traditional Hawaiian flavors and international influences. From fresh seafood caught daily to mouthwatering tropical fruits, there is something to satisfy every palate.

Alternative names: Population: 2.1 thous.Area: 1.25 mi²Elevation: 59 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 21°52'54"N, 159°27'54"W

Location

HawaiiUnited States

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Koloa Top Attractions

Koloa Attractions - What to See and Explore

Koloa offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Makauwahi Cave, Poipu Beach Park, Manawaiopuna Falls, McBryde Garden. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Natural attraction • Park • Trail
Makauwahi Cave
The Makauwahi Cave is the largest limestone cave found in Hawaii. It lies on the south coast of the island of Kauaʻi, in the Māhāʻulepū Valley close to Māhāʻulepū Beach, and is important for its paleoecological and archaeological values.
Beach • Park • Outdoor activities
Poipu Beach Park
Poʻipū Beach Park is located in the community of Poʻipū on the southern coast of Kauaʻi island in Hawaii. The beach is a park has lifeguards provided by county of Kauaʻi.
Nature • Natural attraction • Waterfall
Manawaiopuna Falls
Manawaiopuna Falls is a privately owned waterfall in the Hawaiian Islands, located in Hanapepe Valley on Kauai Island. It is 122 metres tall. It featured in the background of several scenes in the 1993 Steven Spielberg film Jurassic Park. The waterfall is only accessible by helicopter.

Botanical garden • Beach • Park
McBryde Garden
McBryde Garden is a botanical garden located on the south shore of Kauai, Hawaii. It is one of five gardens of the non-profit National Tropical Botanical Garden. The garden is situated above Lāwaʻi Bay, in a valley transected by the Lāwaʻi Stream.
Historical place • Church
St. Raphael Church
Saint Raphael Catholic Church in Koloa is a parish of the Roman Catholic Church of Hawaii in the United States. Located in Koloa on the island of Kauai, the church falls under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Honolulu and its bishop. It is named after Saint Raphael. The oldest Catholic Church in Kauai, St.
21°54'12"N • 159°27'50"W
Kauai ATV
Nature and wildlife tours • Hiking and camping tours • Tours
Geologic formation • Park • View point
Spouting Horn Park
Spouting Horn is a blowhole located on the southern coast of Kauai in the Koloa district. This area of Kauai is known for its crashing waves.
21°54'35"N • 159°28'8"W
Old Sugar Mill of Koloa
The Old Sugar Mill of Kōloa was part of the first commercially successful sugarcane plantation in Hawaiʻi, which was founded in Kōloa on the island of Kauai in 1835 by Ladd & Company. This was the beginning of what would become Hawaii's largest industry. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark on December 29, 1962.

Day trips

Koloa – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Koloa, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Kilauea Light (Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge), Fern Grotto (Kauai), Waioli Mission District (Hanalei).

25 milesN
Gear rental, Outdoor activities, Lighthouse
Kilauea Light, Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Kīlauea Lighthouse is located on Kīlauea Point on the island of Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi in the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.
13 milesNE
Natural attraction, Cave, Park
Fern Grotto, Kauai
Fern Grotto is a fern covered, lava rock grotto located on the south fork of the Wailua River, which is on the eastern side of Kauai in the Hawaiian archipelago. Several boat companies give river tours which lead to the grotto.
22 milesN
Museum, History museum, Gothic Revival architecture
Waioli Mission District, Hanalei
The Waiʻoli Mission District at Hanalei Bay, on Route 560 along the north shore of the island of Kauaʻi, is the site of a historic mission. The first permanent missionaries to the area arrived in 1834, and the district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
5.6 miNE
Nature, Natural attraction, Outdoor activities
Kipu Falls, Lihue
Kīpū Falls is a waterfall in East Kauaʻi, Hawaii. Kīpū Falls has a dangerous reputation due to drowning deaths of five people in a five-year span, as well as numerous other injuries.
23 milesN
Natural attraction, Waterfall, Park
Hanakapiai Falls, Kauai
Hanakapiai Falls or Hanakapi'ai Falls is an approximately 300 feet high waterfall located in Hawaii, United States on the Na Pali side of the island of Kauai. It requires a hike of approximately 2 miles from Hanakapi'ai Beach. The waterfall is described as "gorgeous but challenging".