Kilauea Point Lighthouse & National Wildlife Refuge

Kilauea Point Lighthouse & National Wildlife Refuge

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge & Kilauea Lighthouse

03-23-2026

Tori C. Derrick

President & certified Hawaii travel expert with 15+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.

Kīlauea Point Lighthouse

Kīlauea Point is the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands. Built in 1913, the lighthouse was originally fitted with the largest hand-blown clamshell lens in the world — replaced with a beacon in the 1970s. Today it remains one of Kauaʻi's most photographed landmarks, sitting inside the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on dramatic sea cliffs above the Pacific.

Kīlauea Point Lighthouse — Quick Facts

  • Reservations required: Book tickets at Recreation.gov — up to 2 months in advance. Popular dates sell out quickly.
  • Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (last entry 3:30 p.m.)
  • Admission: $10/adult + $1 booking fee. Children 15 and under: free. Note: Interior lighthouse tours currently suspended; exterior and grounds access only.
  • Location: Kīlauea Rd, Kīlauea — about 30 min north of Lihue on Hwy 56
  • Wildlife: Red-footed boobies, Laysan albatross, frigate birds (8-ft wingspan), plus seasonal whale, turtle, and dolphin sightings offshore
  • Free overlook: The top overlook at the end of Kīlauea Rd is accessible without tickets for views of the lighthouse and Na Pali coastline
  • Built: 1913 — originally fitted with the largest hand-blown clamshell lens in the world

Nearby is the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, home to a diverse population of nesting seabirds and the only such sanctuary in the islands. Residents include red-footed boobies, the Laysan albatross, the red and white-tailed tropic bird, and the great frigate bird with its 8-foot wingspan. During certain seasons green-sea turtles, humpback whales, and dolphins can be seen frolicking in the waters.

Reservations Now Required 

This location has permanently moved to a reservation systemTickets are available up to two months in advance on Recreation.gov

Visiting hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry at 3:30 p.m.). Admission is $10 per adult (plus $1 reservation fee); children 15 and under are free. They are closed some Saturdays before major Federal holidays. Note: Interior lighthouse tours are temporarily suspended; only exterior and grounds access is currently available.

The top overlook at the end of Kīlauea Road remains accessible to view the ocean, seabirds, Kīlauea Point and the lighthouse from a distance.

2026 Fees & Reservations

Reservations required via Recreation.gov (book up to 2 months ahead). Open Wednesday–Saturday, 10 am–4 pm only.

Planning your trip? Hawaii has introduced new visitor fees and reservation requirements for popular attractions, beaches, and state parks. It pays to plan ahead — some sites require advance reservations or turn away visitors who arrive without paying.

Get Your Free Kaua'i Guide

Instant access — opens immediately

  • Beaches, activities & top spots
  • Restaurant & dining recommendations
  • Maps, itineraries & insider tips

Directions

As you continue to drive north past Kapa'a you'll pass through the town of Anahola around mile marker 13. To reach the lighthouse and Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge continue north along the Kuhio Highway (Hwy 56) until you come to Kolo Road shortly after mile marker 23. The road will be on your right. After you have turned onto Kolo Road you are going to want to take Kilauea Road makai (towards the ocean) to Kilauea Lighthouse and the national wildlife refuge that has been set up there. You have also now officially entered North Kaua'i. Before heading down to the lighthouse parking lot on the peninsula, take a moment to stop at the upper lot and view the lighthouse from the overlook. Then continue on down to the lower parking lot.

Kilauea Lighthouse Reviews

Guidereview:
A (based on 473 visitor reviews)

Geolocation Data

Geographic Coordinates

Latitude: 22.23036827
Longitude: -159.4008067

Open in Google Maps

Kilauea Point Lighthouse & National Wildlife Refuge Photo Gallery
 thumbnail
 thumbnail
 thumbnail
Recommended Tours Nearby

Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn commissions from some travel partners (like Amazon or Expedia) which helps us maintain this site. These links are at no extra cost to you and don't impact our honest & unbiased recommendations. Remove all the ads →

Kilauea Lighthouse