Crater Hill Hike

The Crater Hill Hike at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is an amazing hike traversing the bluffs above the 32-acre peninsula and historic lighthouse. There are sweeping sea-to-mountain views of Kauai’s north shore, and up-close glimpses of the winged wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages Kilauea Point, is once again opening this hike. Reservations are being taken for limited guided hikes during National Wildlife Refuge Week, Oct. 11-17. Weekly hikes may resume in 2010, likely in the summer and fall when nene goose nesting season ends.

The Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places on the main Hawaiian islands to view wildlife, and is home to the largest populations of nesting seabirds in Hawai‘i. Here you can see the red-footed boobies, laysan albatrosses, frigate birds, wedge-tailed shearwaters, and other seabirds in their natural habitat. In the Marine Sanctuary waters that surround the refuge visitors also have a chance to view spinner dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles, and humpback whales (during the winter). In 1985, the Kīlauea Point NWR was established to preserve and enhance seabird nesting colonies. In 1988, the refuge was expanded to include Crater Hill and Mokolea Point.

Call (808) 828-0762 for reservations or more information.

Photo credit USFWS