Tour stop
Waimea and Na Pali Driving Tour
There is a road closure on Waimea Canyon Drive that impacts the tour route Monday-Friday. The road is open on weekends and holidays.
About The Tour
The Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast are two of the most scenic locations in all of Hawaii. This tour will guide you through the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” until you reach the Na Pali overlook to view landscapes hundreds of thousands of years in the making. Kauai’s rugged terrain will come to life as we share stories and legends along the way.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Stop for local Kauai coffee
• Hike in Waimea Canyon
• Hike to Waipo’o Waterfall (difficult)
• Visit Koke'e Lodge & Museum
• Take in views of the Na Pali Coast
• Visits artsy town of Hanapepe & walk across a swinging bridge
Current Access Update: Kōkeʻe Road and some park areas remain closed or have limited access while recovery and repair work continues. Other roads and trails may also have temporary restrictions. Before starting your tour, check the latest Hawaiʻi State Parks and road conditions, follow all posted signs, and skip any stops that are closed or inaccessible.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Stop for local Kauai coffee
• Hike in Waimea Canyon
• Hike to Waipo’o Waterfall (difficult)
• Visit Koke'e Lodge & Museum
• Take in views of the Na Pali Coast
• Visits artsy town of Hanapepe & walk across a swinging bridge
Current Access Update: Kōkeʻe Road and some park areas remain closed or have limited access while recovery and repair work continues. Other roads and trails may also have temporary restrictions. Before starting your tour, check the latest Hawaiʻi State Parks and road conditions, follow all posted signs, and skip any stops that are closed or inaccessible.
About the tour
The Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast are two of the most scenic locations in all of Hawaii. This tour will guide you through the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” until you reach the Na Pali overlook to view landscapes hundreds of thousands of years in the making. Kauai’s rugged terrain will come to life as we share stories and legends along the way.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Stop for local Kauai coffee
• Hike in Waimea Canyon
• Hike to Waipo’o Waterfall (difficult)
• Visit Koke'e Lodge & Museum
• Take in views of the Na Pali Coast
• Visits artsy town of Hanapepe & walk across a swinging bridge
Current Access Update: Kōkeʻe Road and some park areas remain closed or have limited access while recovery and repair work continues. Other roads and trails may also have temporary restrictions. Before starting your tour, check the latest Hawaiʻi State Parks and road conditions, follow all posted signs, and skip any stops that are closed or inaccessible.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Stop for local Kauai coffee
• Hike in Waimea Canyon
• Hike to Waipo’o Waterfall (difficult)
• Visit Koke'e Lodge & Museum
• Take in views of the Na Pali Coast
• Visits artsy town of Hanapepe & walk across a swinging bridge
Current Access Update: Kōkeʻe Road and some park areas remain closed or have limited access while recovery and repair work continues. Other roads and trails may also have temporary restrictions. Before starting your tour, check the latest Hawaiʻi State Parks and road conditions, follow all posted signs, and skip any stops that are closed or inaccessible.
STARTING POINTS
-Past Lawai outside of PoipuRECOMMENDED START TIME: 9:00 a.m.
OUR SHAKA PROMISE
• Reliable customer support
• Tours crafted by real people
• Satisfaction guaranteed
• Tours never expire
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Now Playing
1. Welcome to Waimea & NaPali Tour Preview
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2. Kaua'i Coffee
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3. Pa'ula'ula (Russian Fort)
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4. Waimea Town
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5. Pull Over for Viewpoint
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6. Red Dirt Waterfall
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7. Iliau Nature Loop
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8. Return from Waimea Canyon Lookout
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9. Turn Left for Waterfall Parking
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10. Canyon Trail
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11. Pu'u Hinahina Viewpoint
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12. Koke'e Lodge & Museum
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13. Turn for Kalalau Lookout
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14. Pu'u O Kila Lookout & Pihea Trail
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15. Turn Left to Waimea Town
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16. Shave Ice to Your Right
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17. Arrive at Ditch
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18. Hanapepe Town
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Waimea and Na Pali Driving Tour Map
Explore Tour Map
Waimea and Na Pali Driving Tour Stops
Things to do on the Tour Include:
Tour stop
Red Dirt Waterfall
Tour stop
First Viewpoint
Tour stop
Waimea Town
Tour stop
Pa'ula'ula State Historic Site - Old Russian Fort
Tour stop
Kalalau Lookout
Tour stop
Pu'u O Kila Lookout & Pihea Trail
Tour stop
Pu'u Hinahina Viewpoint
Meet the Creators
Gray Gleason
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Creators behind the Waimea and Na Pali Driving Tour
Gray Gleason
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Andrew Fowers
Writer/Editor
“I started this business because I believe that when you connect a story to a place, it transforms your journey. It allows you to step beyond being just a tourist and become an informed traveler, fully present in the moment. Our hope is that you come for the guide, but stay for the stories that bring these destination to life.” - Andrew Fowers
Rita Fowers
Writer/Editor
Favorite Quote:
"What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him." - Viktor Frankl
Robin Montgomery
Writer
Favorite Quote:
“The mountains are calling, and I must go.” - John Muir.
Andrew Shults
Producer & Data Team Manager
Favorite Quote:
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” - Douglas Adams
Purchase Options
1.
Waimea and Na Pali Driving Tour
$ 22.99
There is a road closure on Waimea Canyon Drive that impacts the tour route Monday-Friday. The road is open on weekends and holidays.
Gift A Tour!
Gift the joy of travel! During checkout, select "Gift this Purchase" to schedule your delivery and write your personalized message.
Don't worry - they'll get a gift receipt, not the bill. No pricing information included.
Waimea and Na Pali Driving Tour FAQS
Information
Conditions can change fast. Please check these links for closures, alerts, and local conditions before your trip. Stay informed so you can ensure a smooth ride for your trip.
Important Update!
Aloha Shaka Guiders,
Coffee orchard strolls, fresh samples and the stories of Waimea town still make a welcoming West Kauaʻi outing! Plan about 2–4 hours for these selected lower tour stops, driving and a food break, depending on your starting point and pace.
The Kōkeʻe Road/Waimea Canyon Drive junction reopened October 2, but Kōkeʻe Road beyond it remains limited to local traffic. Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe state parks are still closed after Hurricane Lowell, so the canyon and Nā Pali lookouts remain unavailable and our normal 6–8-hour tour cannot be completed.
Check official park notices, HDOT road access and Kauaʻi Coffee’s visitor hours while planning and again before departure. Respect recovery closures, enjoy the available stops and consider an estate-shop souvenir to support a local business. Mahalo!
Amy
Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions:
- More than a map and directions — your tour, fully guided
- Audio storytelling that plays as you drive
- Music and immersive sound to upgrade your drive
- Human-created, professionally narrated tours
- Pre-planned route with turn-by-turn directions
- Itinerary mapped out with must-see stops
- Expert travel tips
- Offline access – works without data or wifi
- Flexible, self-paced experience
- One purchase per vehicle (not per person)
- Lifetime access (tours never expire)
- Reliable customer support
Exclusions:
- Private transportation (use your own or rental vehicle)
- Meals
- Attraction admission or park entrance fees
- Parking fees
- Live tour guide or in-person services
- Trip planning or booking services
- Fully customizable navigation like Google or Apple Maps
- On-demand route planning or custom directions
- Open-ended navigation tools
Tour FAQs
1. Where does the tour go?
The tour begins just past Lawai outside of Poipu and travels up through Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Parks, ending at Kalalau Lookout. Don’t worry, we will guide you back to Poipu the same way you came with stories and music along the way.
Here are some of the popular spots you can explore on the tour!
Kauai Coffee
Waimea Canyon
Iliau Nature Loop
Waimea Canyon Lookout
Canyon Trail
Waipo'o Waterfall View and Hike (hike needs advance preparation -- see itinerary below)
Pihea Trail
Koke'e Lodge & Museum
Kalalau Lookout
Waimea Town
Hanapepe Swinging Bridge
Access to some stops may be temporarily limited due to current park recovery work or road closures, so check current conditions before starting your tour.
For help planning your day check out our Waimea Canyon and Na Pali suggested itinerary and here's everything you need to know before you go.
Here are some of the popular spots you can explore on the tour!
Kauai Coffee
Waimea Canyon
Iliau Nature Loop
Waimea Canyon Lookout
Canyon Trail
Waipo'o Waterfall View and Hike (hike needs advance preparation -- see itinerary below)
Pihea Trail
Koke'e Lodge & Museum
Kalalau Lookout
Waimea Town
Hanapepe Swinging Bridge
Access to some stops may be temporarily limited due to current park recovery work or road closures, so check current conditions before starting your tour.
For help planning your day check out our Waimea Canyon and Na Pali suggested itinerary and here's everything you need to know before you go.
2. What should I pack and budget?
We recommend bringing:
Sneakers or hiking shoes
Comfortable hiking clothes
Raincoat or umbrella
Water
Bug spray
Towel
Swimsuit and sandals
Sunscreen
Sunglasses or a hat
Snacks
Car charger or power bank
Camera
How much you spend depends on the stops and activities you choose, but here are some costs to plan for:
Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Parks: $10 per vehicle plus $5 per person for non-Hawaii residents. Children 3 and under are free. Hawaii residents enter and park free with a valid Hawaii ID.
The same parking pass is valid at both Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Parks.
We also recommend budgeting extra for meals, drinks, snacks, and optional purchases along the route.
Fees and access conditions can change, so check the latest Hawaiʻi State Parks updates before your visit.
Sneakers or hiking shoes
Comfortable hiking clothes
Raincoat or umbrella
Water
Bug spray
Towel
Swimsuit and sandals
Sunscreen
Sunglasses or a hat
Snacks
Car charger or power bank
Camera
How much you spend depends on the stops and activities you choose, but here are some costs to plan for:
Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Parks: $10 per vehicle plus $5 per person for non-Hawaii residents. Children 3 and under are free. Hawaii residents enter and park free with a valid Hawaii ID.
The same parking pass is valid at both Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Parks.
We also recommend budgeting extra for meals, drinks, snacks, and optional purchases along the route.
Fees and access conditions can change, so check the latest Hawaiʻi State Parks updates before your visit.
3. Can I join the Waimea and Na Pali Driving tour along the route?
Yes! Feel free to join the tour along the route. Just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting from. If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.
4. Can I take the tour in the opposite direction?
No, this tour can only be done in one direction.
5. How is Shaka Guide Different from Other Navigation Apps?
Shaka Guide isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s like having a local tour guide in your pocket.
As you walk, the app shares stories, history, local insights, and directions based on where you are. We’ve planned the route for you, but you can still explore at your own pace, pause the tour, skip stops, or spend more time wherever you like.
It’s not just about getting there—it’s about discovering the stories behind the places you’re visiting.
As you walk, the app shares stories, history, local insights, and directions based on where you are. We’ve planned the route for you, but you can still explore at your own pace, pause the tour, skip stops, or spend more time wherever you like.
It’s not just about getting there—it’s about discovering the stories behind the places you’re visiting.
6. Other Questions? Contact Us!
Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.
What is an Audio Tour Guide?
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.