Kauai South Shore - Poipu

Island of Kauai

What To See - Po`ipu

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Moir Gardens is part of the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation property. The property was once the manger’s estate of Koloa Plantation. The gardens
were planted by Alexandra Moir, the wife of the plantation manager during the 1930s. There were numerous cacti and orchids planted and they thrived. The garden opened to the public in 1954 and orchids and lily ponds were added. This renowned garden is worth a visit. They are open the public for free.

Poipu Beach Park (Virtual Tour)

Pack a picnic basket for an all-day adventure at this favorite family spot, which is also Kauai's best beach for swimming, snorkeling and bodysurfing. It's the perfect white-sand for building sandcastles, collecting for sea shells, checking out the tidepools or swimming in the protected pool of water surrounded by lava boulders.

Just west of Po`ipu, you’ll see Prince Kuhio Park. A monument marks the birthplace of Kaua`i’s favorite son, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. Prince Kuhio was the first royal and first Hawaiian in Congress, when he represented the Hawaiian Territory He was so revered by Hawaiians, his birthday (March 26) is a state holiday. On the park grounds, you can still see the foundation of the house and remains of a heiau. Kuhio Park is on Lawa`i Road just west of Po`ipu.

National Tropical Botanical Gardens, Lawa`i Road, reservations _ 808-742-2623. The entrance is on Lawa`i Road, right across the street from Spouting Horn. This is the only tropical botanical garden with a charter from the United States Congress and it includes McBryde Gardens and Allerton Gardens (see below). You can walk around the grounds here at no charge and browse among the bananas, pineapples and bamboo trees, among many, many other plants. Here is where you can make your reservations for tours of McBryde and Allerton Gardens as well. If you made your reservations by phone (recommended), this is where you’d meet for your tour. The gardens were once owned by Queen Emma in the late 1800s.

McBryde Gardens. Self-guided tours require a 15-minute tram ride to the gardens. Tram rides are daily at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 am, 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 pm. Adults $20; children six-12 $10; children five and under are free. McBryde Gardens has a wonderful collection of Hawaiian plants. It’s considered to be the largest collection of native plants in existence. There are also various species of palm trees, coffee, ginger plants and coral trees. The selfguided tour takes approximately 1½ hours.

Allerton Gardens. Guided tours are held Monday through Saturday at 9 am, 10 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm. Adults $35; Children 10-12 years old $20. This is a stunning estate that is an absolute feast for the eyes. The land lies on 100 acres at the mouth of the Lawa`i Stream. The land belonged to architect Robert Allerton, who designed one wonder after another. You are guided by an incredibly knowledgeable tour guide as you stroll through the “rooms.” There’s the Diana Fountain, which features a statue of the goddess Diana overlooking a reflection pool and fountain. There’s the Thanksgiving Room, which used to host the Allterton Thanksgiving feasts. The three pools feature natural waterfalls. You’ll also see the huge ficus tree that was featured in Jurassic Park. There’s a tremendous collection of plants from all over the world that you must see to believe. The tour of Allerton Gardens lasts about 2½ hours.

Spouting Horn is part tourist spectacle, part shopping destination and part natural wonder. The phenomenon of Spouting Horn occurs when incoming waves rush through a hole in the rock, then water shoots back out through the hole and creates a crying sound. Legend has it that there’s a lizard stuck in the rock who cries when there’s an incoming wave. You can frequently see honu (turtles) here and whales during the winter months. People like to venture out on the rocks around the blowhole. I’m certainly not one of them. Please use common sense if you do this. Waves can come up and sweep you into a lava tube or out to sea. Do not, under any circumstances, stand between the blowhole and the ocean.

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