📸 Kīlauea Lighthouse | Kauai, Hawaii
📝 My Story:
Perched dramatically on a rocky peninsula at the northernmost point of Kauai, the Kīlauea Lighthouse offers one of the island’s most iconic ocean views.
Even though the lighthouse grounds were closed when we visited (a friendly reminder: it’s closed on Sundays and Mondays!), the view from the overlook was still breathtaking. Towering above the crashing waves of the Pacific, this historic lighthouse has stood as a beacon since 1913.
Beyond the stunning lighthouse itself, Kīlauea Point is also part of a National Wildlife Refuge — meaning it’s one of the best spots on the island to observe seabirds like frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, and wedge-tailed shearwaters soaring through the salty air.
🌎 Location:
📍 Google Maps: Open Kīlauea Lighthouse on Google Maps ➔
📌 Quick Info:
🏙️ City: Kīlauea, Kauai
🅿️ Parking: Small parking lot at Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (can fill up fast)
🚻 Bathrooms: Available at the visitor center
🚲 Bike Rentals: Not at site, but available nearby in Kīlauea town
🧭 Travel Tip: Check hours before visiting — closed Sundays and Mondays
📸 Photographer’s Note: A zoom lens helps capture birds in flight
🛐 Etiquette: Respect the wildlife — stay on paths and keep noise down
🕰️ Best Time to Explore: Morning for best light and bird activity
♿ Accessibility: Limited — some viewpoints accessible, some uneven paths
💡 Pro Tip:
Even if the refuge itself is closed, the entrance gate area still offers excellent photo opportunities. Don’t skip it!
📸 Photography Tip:
Bring a zoom lens or good smartphone zoom to photograph the nesting birds on nearby cliffs — and if you catch a rainbow behind the lighthouse, you’ve hit the jackpot.
🎉 Fun Fact:
The Kīlauea Lighthouse was once home to Hawaii’s largest clamshell Fresnel lens, helping guide early trans-Pacific flights across the ocean!
🌺 Return to Main Hawaii Travel Story
Want to read the full story of our unforgettable adventure across Kauai and Maui?
👉 Click here to explore our complete Hawaii Travel Journal ➔
🗺️ Planning Your Own Hawaii Adventure?
If you’re planning your own trip to Kauai (or anywhere across Hawaii), you can find this hidden gem — and many more — on my public travel map:
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