Waimea Canyon and Koke'e Tour on Kauai: Red cliffs and coffee

Red cliffs and native forest in one morning, coffee tasting included

This guided tour of Kauai covers Waimea Canyon (nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific for its striking red soil and deep valley gorges) plus Koke'e State Park, a coffee plantation, and the coastal spray of Spouting Horn, all with hotel pickup and live narration from your driver. Lunch is on your own at Koke'e Lodge with a 10% discount for tour guests. A $3 donation to the Koke'e Natural History Museum is included. The tour runs 10 hours and suits all fitness levels, though it includes an easy nature walk with a gradual uphill section at the start.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Spouting Horn15m
2. Waimeapassing by
3. Waimea Canyon45m · entry included
4. Kokeʻe State Park1h
5. Russian Fort Elizabeth15m
6. Kauai Coffee Company35m

Explore Waimea Canyon and Koke'e Park

• Visit Spouting Horn
• Pass by Hanapepe Valley
• Cross historic suspension bridge
• Pass through Waimea town
• View Waimea Canyon from Pu‘uhinahina Lookout
• Walk nature trail in Koke’e State Park
• Lunch at Koke’e Lodge
• Visit Russian Fort Elizabeth
• Relax at popular beach
• Tour Kauai Coffee Estate and sample coffee

The experience

The day starts at your Kauai hotel and moves through the island's west side, beginning at Spouting Horn, where waves crash through lava rock and send jets of salt water skyward: one of the most photographed sites on the island. From there, the route passes through Hanapepe's valley views and a historic suspension bridge built in the early 1900s, then into Waimea, a quiet town with shops and restaurants rooted in paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) heritage.

Waimea Canyon itself is the centerpiece: the red cliffs and deep gorges covered in wild green sugarcane and native vegetation stretch across the landscape. Your guide provides live narration throughout. The canyon's main lookout is currently closed for repairs through December 2025, so the tour uses Pu'uhinahina Lookout as the primary viewpoint, with adjusted timing to give you more time at other highlights along the way. After the canyon, you'll visit the Kauai Coffee Company, the largest coffee farm in the United States, where you sample Kauai coffee before heading to Koke'e State Park.

At Koke'e State Park, lunch is your choice at Koke'e Lodge (with your 10% discount), and then you walk an easy nature trail surrounded by native Hawaiian plants and wildlife. The path starts with a gradual uphill stretch of about 30 yards, then levels out as it follows the hillside contours. Before returning to your hotel, you'll stop at Russian Fort Elizabeth, a historical trading post established by Russians in 1815, and finish at a popular beach where you can walk on warm sand. The air-conditioned vehicle and professional driver handle all the logistics and narration for the full 10 hours.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at your Kauai accommodation.
• live narration from a professional driver/guide throughout the 10-hour tour.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• entry to Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Park.
• a guided nature walk in Koke'e.
• a $3 donation to the Koke'e Natural History Museum.
• a 10% discount at Koke'e Lodge for lunch (meal purchased separately).
• and coffee sampling at the Kauai Coffee Company.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Friday and SaturdayDeparts at 07:15

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 47 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Polynesian Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying at a Kauai hotel and want a full-day drive covering four major sites with a guide's narration. The itinerary and transportation are set, so you just show up.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Spouting Horn and why is it on this tour?

Spouting Horn is a coastal site on Kauai where crashing waves force jets of salt water through lava rock: one of the most photographed spots on the island. It's the first stop on the tour and gives you a dramatic introduction to the island's raw power before moving inland to the canyon.

How difficult is the nature walk in Koke'e State Park?

The walk is easy and suitable for all fitness levels. It starts with a gradual uphill section of about 30 yards, then the path levels out and hugs the hillside contours, so most of the trail is relatively flat. You're surrounded by native Hawaiian plants and wildlife as you stroll.

Is lunch included, and what are my options?

Lunch is on your own at Koke'e Lodge, where tour guests receive a 10% discount. A $3 donation to the Koke'e Natural History Museum, which supports preservation efforts, is included in your tour price.

What happens at the Kauai Coffee Company?

You visit the Kauai Coffee Company, the largest coffee farm in the United States, where you sample pure Kauai coffee. It's a chance to taste the local product and learn about the estate before continuing to Koke'e State Park.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at your Kauai hotel are included. If you're arriving by cruise ship, port pickup and drop-off are available as an option at checkout.

What is Russian Fort Elizabeth?

Russian Fort Elizabeth is a historical trading post established by Russians during a brief period in Hawaii in 1815. It's one of the final stops on the tour before you finish at a beach.