Sight guide · Kauaʻi · United States
Visiting Hanalei Valley Lookout
Just past Princeville, this roadside lookout faces a patchwork of wetland taro fields in the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, with the river winding through and steep green mountains behind.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Kauaʻi · Photo: The original uploader was Ulfl at German Wikipedia ., Public domain
Quick answer
Hanalei Valley Lookout is a viewpoint in Princeville, Kauaʻi. Allow 15 minutes; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Viewpoint
- Area
- Princeville
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, views, photo spot and nature
- Best months
- February and April–May
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About Hanalei Valley Lookout
Just past Princeville, this roadside lookout faces a patchwork of wetland taro fields in the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, with the river winding through and steep green mountains behind.
Tip: Stop in the late afternoon, when the light picks out the taro patches, and look for endangered nēnē geese and wetland birds.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 15 minutes.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not needed; you can simply turn up.
- Where: Princeville, clifftop resort community above Hanalei Bay.
Best time to visit Hanalei Valley Lookout
Hanalei Valley Lookout is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- February: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, busy crowds.
- May: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- April: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 14 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-February the sun sets at about 18:35 local time (calculated for Kauaʻi).
When to visit Kauaʻi has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Kauaʻi itinerary visits Hanalei Valley Lookout on day 3, together with Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout and Poʻipū Beach Park.
- No. 6 of the 17 sights in our Kauaʻi things-to-do list.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Kauaʻi.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Kauaʻi.
If you like Hanalei Valley Lookout
- Nā Pali Coast — North and West Shores, Half a day
- Waimea Canyon State Park — Waimea and Hanapēpē, Half a day
- Hanalei Bay — Hanalei, Half a day
- Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout — Kōkeʻe, 2–3 hours
Staying near Hanalei Valley Lookout
Stay in Princeville ($$$$) to walk here: clifftop resort community above Hanalei Bay. All areas to stay in Kauaʻi.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Hanalei Valley Lookout?
Plan 15 minutes.
+Is Hanalei Valley Lookout free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Hanalei Valley Lookout?
February and April–May for the most comfortable weather. Stop in the late afternoon, when the light picks out the taro patches, and look for endangered nēnē geese and wetland birds.
+Do I need to book Hanalei Valley Lookout in advance?
No: it is free to visit, so you can decide on the day.