Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge: Seabird Sanctuary and Historic Lighthouse on Kauai
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, at the northernmost tip of Kauai—the largest Hawaiian island—safeguards nesting seabirds on its rugged coastal cliffs and marine mammals in the offshore waters. Public access is limited to a scenic viewing area centered around the iconic Kilauea Lighthouse, where panoramic views and detailed interpretive panels highlight the diverse species.
Along the short three-minute trail from the entrance station to the lighthouse, Crater Hill's steep slopes to your right buzz with white seabirds. Predator-proof fencing creates a safe haven for red-footed boobies, while Laysan albatrosses favor the flatter western clifftops. Keep an eye out for Pacific golden-plovers, red-tailed and white-tailed tropicbirds, and the endangered nene Hawaiian goose. Knowledgeable docents offer free binoculars. At sea, spinner dolphins appear year-round, with humpback whales breaching in winter.
Completed in 1913, the 52-foot Kilauea Lighthouse was decommissioned in 1976, having been shuttered during World War II to deter Japanese aircraft. Free tours to the top run Wednesdays and Saturdays, hourly from 10:30am to 2:30pm. Spots are limited—sign up immediately upon arrival.
To get there, head oceanward from the highway at Kilauea's gas station, turn left onto Kilauea Road, and follow signs for 2 miles.
