Limahuli Garden and Preserve

Just stunning. Incredibly serene and beautiful. Adorable benches scattered throughout the garden to sit on. We spent 1.5−2 hours there and saw it all, but we could’ve stayed longer. You will have to walk quite a bit uphill, so wear appropriate shoes (quite a few people were wearing flip-​flops but I think something a little more secure would be better). Do not miss!!!

A really great way to see the more jungle-​like parts of the North Shore without hiking or winding up on someone’s private property. Plan on giving yourself plenty of time for the self-​guided walking tour (it’s nice to wander and hang out), read the really well-​prepared booklet (especially the Hawaiian legends of the area), and be ready for some great view points to get photos of the nearby mountains and the ocean.
If you’re going to be on Kauai for a bit, it’s worth it to purchase an annual membership to the Botanical Gardens, which will give you free access to Limahuli and Mcbryde (and maybe Allerton?). I think you save money on the membership and you won’t feel rushed to do the whole garden in one day.

A botanical garden in the lushest part of the Garden Island has a lot to live up to, and this does. It is gorgeous, with an educational self-​guided tour, and lots of opportunities to learn about Hawaiian culture, history, and language. Even on the hottest day, it feels a bit cooler thanks to the shade, benches, and water coolers.
My three-​year-​old loved exploring the garden and spotting tadpoles and teensy toads. If you can’t hike the Napali coast, take this walk nearby its famous peaks.

Breathtaking. Kauai is such a majestic island, and LimaHuli captures the essence of this magical paradise! It’s a must see

Absolutely breath-​taking views, not to mention a beautiful drive up there! I would only caution that it’s a Preserve, not so much what most people believe a «botanical garden“is meant to be. Still worth the drive!

One of the things I love about Kauai is that there’s always something new to discover. This garden shows native plants in a beautiful setting just off the highway.
She: It’s $ 20 per person
Me: Okay, there’s two of us (opening my wallet)
She: Oh you live here… it’s Kama’aina Day (yes, I have a Hawaii ID)…so it’s free!
Me: Well, here’s a donation for all the work your organization does.
We had a map of the trail and started walking. We actually found this botanical garden by accident, so we really weren’t prepared to walk the trail in slippahs. We didn’t go that far on the trail because of our footwear, and it was hot! Someone thought I was from Hilo… wth? But I guess I look local… LOL!
Apparently we missed the fire throwing ceremony the evening before which would’ve been great to see. I will definitely be back the next time to walk the whole trail. It does seem pretty expensive, but the money goes toward the upkeep.

Are you searching for a more authentic slice of the Kauai Island pie? Then check out Limahuli Garden and Preserve! View some of the rarest, near extinct native Kauaiian plant life in an idyllic, lush setting amount an ancient Hawaiian settlement. Learn when and how the beautiful landscape you see driving around the island changed
– for better or worse– over a period of time. In addition to learning about some of the ancient traditions of the Hawaiian culture, flora and animal life, you’ll probably learn more about your familiar, everyday fruits and plants. Plus, the drive alone is unbelievable as you wind through tropical landscapes of ocean views, one-​lane bridges, streams, meadows and emerald green hilltops. Considering about 90% of the plants you see are not native to Kauai, please take the time to visit this beautiful nonprofit preserve to discover the ancient and natural wonders of this amazing place.

Beautiful area if you are wanting to see plants that are on the hikes near Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast.
If you love to explore the scenery, but unable to get around that would allow you to hike, then one of these gardens is the next best thing. $ 20 a person may seem alittle high, but the entrance fee helps go towards the conservation and preservation of the reserve.
It took us about an hour and half. The gate closes at 4pm, but if you are already in the ground, then you have til 5pm. We arrived at 3:30 without a problem… and there were only 2 other people exploring.
It is only ¾ of a mile, small incline going up and easily enough going back down with 3 water stations and benches throughout.

Today we visited the Limahuli Garden and Preserve at the northeast end of Kauai. We signed up for the 2.5 hour guided walking tour.
Our guide Jane explained about the preserve’s efforts to reestablish native, and especially endemic to the Limahuli valley, plants which are being overrun by invasive species. She pointed out a myriad of plants of the endemic, native and invasive varieties.
I was a bit apprehensive about the 2.5 hour walking tour, with some ‘steep sections,’ but the pace was slow with plenty of stops to learn about the plants along the trail.

Never got to see the garden. The girl who was tending the service desk just ignored us while she was on a personal phone call. She had a look on her face like she was being bothered by our presence. We waited 15 minutes and left.
I continue to be struck dumb by the apparently unhappy people that live in paradise.

Limahuli is one of three National Tropical Botanical Gardens on the island of Kaua’i. This stunningly beautiful valley surrounded by towering peaks and cliffs is the site of one of the earliest settlements by Polynesian voyagers. The ancient Hawai’ians developed a system of natural resource management as a means to live sustainably in this island ecosystem. Fresh water from the mountains was channeled to irrigate lava-​rock terraces for growing their staple food kalo (taro) and other edibles and plants used for their fibers or medicinal purposes. The conservation efforts at Limahilu are substantial. Some of the rarest plants endemic to Kaua’i and in danger of extinction can be found here.
Open 5 days a week from Tuesday — Saturday, 9:30am-4:00pm. A well written, informative booklet leads the visitor on a self-​guided tour through the garden. (Guided tours are available once a day at 10am). The very well-​reasoned $ 20 entrance fee for adults will help protect and preserve this heritage and one of the last remaining pristine ecosystems in all of the Hawai’ian islands. Step into the past and marvel at the beauty all around you! Limahuli was one of the highlights of our visit.

Must see gardens.
As you walk thru the gardens, you are taken through time from the earliest settlers to the present. learning about the different species of plants introduced to the islands.

Lovely gardens indeed though not sure it is worth the $ 20 (pp) fee. It does give you a bit of island history especially as it relates to plants and its uses. Some of the views along the way are amazing. I think my wife enjoyed it more than me, but then that’s to be expected.

Limahuli is on the north shore of Kauai, and sits in the shadow of the mountain most would know as «Bali Hai» (from the movie «South Pacific»). While this garden was smaller than the two other National Tropical Botanical Gardens on Kauai (at least, with regard to the public areas), it also seemed to be the best presentation for visitors. Each visitor is provided with a guidebook that includes a map, interesting notes about the plants, and historical data. Water features, rare and endangered plants, tiered plantings, a jaw-​droppingly beautiful backdrop, and knowledgeable personnel all worked together to make this a truly unique and memorable visit. I can definitely recommend this extraordinary garden to my fellow Master Gardeners from throughout the country. You will not be disappointed!
P. S. — I second the information provided by Margaret L. (review two below this one). She’s correct that you just keep going long after you believe you must have passed it!

If you want to step back in time and see what a true, undisturbed, and natural embodiment of old Hawaii looks like go to Limahuli Gardens.
Stepping into the valley you immediately feel a calmness as the valley walls create a sense of solitude and respite from the rest of the world.
Walk along the paths and thru the gardens, listening to the water running thru ancient flumes. Feel the breeze as you stand high on the mountain wall looking out towards the beautiful Kauai coastline.
What an amazing place.

Wow, what a beautiful hike!
The girl that answered said the directions where «it’s going to seem like you went too far, but just keep going until the road ends» That is the best possible way to describe the ride here. It’s windy, far, and it feels like you’ve missed it halfway through the ride. But its there, on the right hand side… almost as you’ve lost hope.
Get your comfortable shoes on and sunscreen and get ready to see plants, flowers, trees, and ocean views.
There is natural bug spray they have there for free if you would like to spray yourself. SPRAY YOURSELF.
Its a self guided tour, they give you a book and if you actually read it as you are going from one place to another it will even tell you the direction to go as well as really cool information about the plants.
There is mostly trees and plants rather than a full on flower garden. It took us about 2.5 hours to finish the whole thing.
You end up going through what it seems like a jungle, its really beautiful and gives you an incredible sense of the island. You see the gorgeous cliffs from the other side of the mountain and I cant imagine something of this scale to be replicated anywhere else.

Limahuli Gardens is so much more than a garden: it is a piece of Hawaiian culture and history, made accessible for the pleasure of the greater public. The $ 20 entry fee for adults (kids are free) is fair and worth every penny. Your $ 20 gets you a booklet replete with not only botanical information, but also a fantastic breakdown of the cultural timeline of the island and how the plants reflect this history; as well as a few engaging folklore tales that are truly touching. This booklet allows you to wander the garden at your own pace and discover all its wonders. The layout is divided between Canoe Garden (named for the plants introduced by the two migrations of Polynesians, who traveled by way of canoe); plantation garden (plants introduced 200 years ago); Hawaiian native forest (many of which are gravely endangered); and invasive forest (inclusive of several plants that one might associate with Hawaii, including the banyan tree). You get a phenomenal view of Makana, the legendary peak that was used as the backdrop for «Bali Hai» in the 1957 film version of «South Pacific». You wander along streams, and at the end of an extremely mellow hike (which my mosquito bite-​ridden feet did in flip-​flops) are looped back to the crown jewel of the place, a reproduction of an ancient Hawaiian hale. I cannot recommend this place enough. For someone who was wanting a fulfilling but easily navigable activity on the North Shore, this more than delivered. Footnote: their gift shop is filled with unique and quality souvenirs, including island-​made jewelry, teas, soaps, spices, and remedies. My absolute favorite is the Icy Heat Noni Lotion, made in Hawaii from the plant: it helps soothe my vicious mess of mosquito bites (thanks, North Shore)! And the $$ goes toward preserving this treasure for future visitors, so do yourself a favor and forgo the cheap crap they sell at Kilauea Lighthouse (sorry National Forests) and stock up here. Highly, highly recommended!

the setting with great views of Makana (Bali Hi from ‘South Pacific’), many rare plants, now with a reconstructed Hawaiian thatched house. Definitely the best and most robust of the Gardens on Kauai. don’t waste time at Allerton and McBryde, which are just a rich person’s back yard with lawns and fancy ammenities.

Singlehandedly without question the best thing I did during my week on Kauai. The garden is exceptionally maintained and provides a protected area for many natives that are being crowded out by invaders from the mainland.
I opted for the self tour. I walked right behind a guided tour and it wasn’t that great. Pretty much everything he said was also in the guidebook, and I enjoyed doing things at my own pace with the book anyway so I would recommend the self tour unless you don’t care to read while you walk.
The garden goes in a certain order and it’s pretty long. This is not something that you just go for a few minutes and then leave. Bring some comfy sneaks and maybe sunscreen if you’re of the whiter persuasion.
Oh and one other thing – the ride is pretty far. It looks like its just barely past Hanalei but it’s much farther.

My wife and I were looking to experience the unique Hawaiian gardens. We had the pleasure of Jennie as a guide for a wonderful 3 hours. More low key than a luau this was a great view of the culture told through the perspective of the native and imported plants.
As a way to spend time on the garden isle I would highly recommend this.