What is Limahuli Garden?
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Limahuli Garden is one of three botanical gardens on Kauai which are part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden Institute. (NTBG) This non-profit, which also has a garden on Maui and Florida, “is dedicated to discovering, saving, and studying the world’s tropical plants and sharing what is learned.” Click here to learn more about their important work.
Limahuli Garden and Preserve consists of 17 acres of Garden along with 985 acres of the Limahuli Valley. Initially acquired in 1967 by Juliet Rice Wichman, she gifted the 17 acres to the NTBG in 1976 and in 1994, her son, Chipper and his wife, Hau’oli Wichman donated the remaining 985 acres.
Where is Limahuli Garden?
Hidden away on Kauai’s North Shore, Limahuli Garden is approximately 9.7 miles from the Princeville Center. Although the address is given as 5-8291 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei, the Garden is actually in Haena. Just take the main (one and only) road, which is Kuhio Highway (Route 560) towards Hanalei from Princeville and keep going.
Allow 25-30 minutes drive time as the road is narrow, winding and very scenic! When you pass Hanalei Colony Resort on your right you are getting close. Continue on, and start looking for the Garden on your left after you pass Haena Beach Park. There is a sign along the road so it’s easy to find if you are looking for it. If you arrive at the parking for Ke’e Beach, turn around! You’ve gone too far. Easier still is to just Google Map Lumahai Garden. You’ll get there with no problem whatsoever!
Limahuli Garden – What you need to know before you go.
All tours are self-guided, and must be booked in advance on their website. Tours and parking are limited. As an alternative, visitors are encouraged to use the shuttle service via GoHaena.com. (Departs from Waipa.) No reservation is required for visitors arriving by shuttle. Tours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 9:30 AM to 4:30PM. Click here to go to the website to book. If you are Kama’aina bring your driver’s license for a discount. $25 for adults, $10 for Kama’aina and children under 17 are free.
Although tours are limited, it’s fairly easy to get a reservation within a few days. Still, it’s best to book earlier to avoid disappointment. Social distancing is required but masks are only needed if entering the gift shop. An hour and a half is the suggested “tour” time although you can go as fast or slow as you wish.
There are numerous steps throughout the tour, and some rise in elevation, but none is too strenuous for the average person. Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes as the ground and steps may be uneven or slippery if it’s been raining. Benches are situated throughout Limahuli Garden to rest or simply sit and admire the beauty.
Drinking water is not available at the Visitor Center or in the Garden so bring your own. Picnics are not allowed! Don’t forget your hat, (this hat does it all!) sunscreen (get reef safe so you can use it in the water too!) and mosquito repellant. Also, bring your umbrella and/or rain jacket (women’s) (men’s) as showers are frequent. (We love our Columbia gear!) Restrooms are available across from the Visitors Center. Need a complete packing list for Kauai? We have that for you here!
Arriving at Limahuli Garden
Upon arrival, guests must check-in at the Visitor Center at their appointed time. The receptionist will give you brief instructions along with a booklet. The Limahuli Garden booklet is your “guidebook” for your tour. The map on the inside cover listing all 42 points of interest while the remainder of the booklet explains each point in detail. It is yours to keep!
Touring the Limahuli Garden
You can adjust your time in the 17 acre Garden to suite your level of curiosity and fitness. Some may prefer to linger and read each detailed description of the points of interest while you may prefer a faster pace.
The Valley is home to nearly 250 plants and birds, about 50 of which are nearing extinction. There are also innumerable archaeological and cultural sites. We easily covered the area in an hour even while doing a video of our experience, however, this was not our first time. It’s such a magical and beautiful place, you can easily return again and again!
A sneak peek of the Limahuli Garden Tour.
We took the tour one rainy day and brought our recording apparatus to make a video for you. If you like surprises, then don’t view it. But, if you really want to pique your interest, go to our YouTube channel and check out our complete Limahuli Garden video tour here.
In conclusion
- Plan your visit in advance as daily tours are limited.
- Book online for a specific date and time on the NTBG website.
- Masks are only required to enter the gift shop.
- Bring water, sunscreen, wear a sunhat and sturdy shoes. Bring an umbrella or rain poncho.
- Check in at the Visitor Center and HAVE A GREAT TIME.
Want more of Kauai?
Thanks for coming along with us. We hope you enjoyed this post and that you enjoy your time in Limahuli even more.
If you ‘d like more of Kauai, please visit our Ultimate Guide of the Cabins in Koke’e. Interested in Ke‘e and Hā‘ena State Park? Your complete guide is here and our video tour is here. You may also like to pick up one of these excellent Kauai Guide Books to prime you for your visit. We checked out all the best souvenirs for your here. Take a look!
Looking for guided tours on Kauai? GetYourGuide and Viator have some great ones! We’ve used both vendors ourselves when traveling and have enjoyed the tours immensely!
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