Visit The Northernmost Point Of The Inhabited Hawaiian Islands For An Unforgettable Experience
By Megan Shute|Published November 08, 2018
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
Hawaii is comprised of eight main islands as well as several atolls, islets, and seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii to the Kure Atoll, a place most humans will never get to visit. Anyone can, however, visit the northernmost point of Hawaii’s inhabited islands, and let me tell you, it’s absolutely gorgeous.
Located along the coast of Kauai is the northernmost point in Hawaii’s inhabited islands. Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is an absolute must-visit — for more than just its geographic location.
Not only is Kilauea Point the northernmost spot in Hawaii’s inhabited islands, but it is also home to a picturesque lighthouse and wildlife refuge. If this spot hasn't made its way onto your Hawaii bucket list yet, you're missing out.
There is something so inherently serene about lighthouses, and this enchanting lighthouse in Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is no different. First illuminated in 1913, the Kilauea Lighthouse had the largest "clamshell lens" in the world and could be seen up to 90 miles out to sea. Because the lighthouse is no longer used for navigation, its lens has been replaced by a low-maintenance high-intensity light.
This picturesque Kauai lighthouse stands amongst rocky sea cliffs that tower above the crystalline turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean, home to the endangered monk seals, humpback whales in the winter, and honu.
On land, you’ll find the Pacific golden plover, Laysan albatross, and the nene (the Hawaiian state bird). You see, this gorgeous landscape is not only one of the best places on the eight main Hawaiian Islands to view wildlife, but it is also home to some of the largest populations of nesting seabirds in the state.
While the wildlife is certainly incredible, most visitors are looking for that killer shot of the lighthouse. Luckily, the Kilauea Lighthouse is just a short walk from the parking lot and the perfect place to take a few photos and stand in serenity looking out at the beautiful Pacific.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit the northernmost point of Hawaii’s inhabited islands today, and take a few photos of its natural beauty while you’re there!
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $5 per person. Children under 16 years of age are free. (Note: make sure you have cash — your credit or debit card won’t be accepted here.)
Have you ever been to the breathtaking Kilauea Lighthouse? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below.
You might also want to add the southernmost point in the United States, Ka Lae, to your Hawaii bucket list while you’re at it.
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