Sunsets at Poipu’s National Tropical Botanical Garden

While it might be winter white on the Mainland, February in Hawaii is always tropical green. In fact, Kauai (also known as the Garden Isle) is world-famous for its abundant lush, verdant landscape.

One of my favorite spots to take in the kaleidoscope of greenery and tropical flora is the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) in Poipu. Near the world-famous, iconic Spouting Horn and nestled in the Lawai Valley, NTBG is actually comprised of two beautiful, yet distinct gardens – The McBryde Garden and Allerton Garden. Both are rich in history expanding from the early Polynesian voyagers to the Hawaiian monarchy and the booming sugar plantation era.

The McBryde Garden

Named after the McBryde family (of the McBryde Sugar Company fame) and set back deeper into the valley, McBryde Garden contains the largest collection of indigenous (native) Hawaiian flora in the world with most of the plants being endemic (found nowhere else) to Hawaii – and some exclusive only to Kauai, making this assemblage crucial for conservation, research, and education.

Interesting in this collection is the 27 “canoe plants” the original Polynesians brought with them on their voyaging canoes. Daily self-guided tours.

Allerton Garden

Further down the valley, Allerton Garden is a series of garden rooms running alongside the Lawai Stream, ending at the Pacific Ocean. The valley walls are awash in the vibrant red, pink, and purple colors of bougainvillea originally planted by Queen Emma when she resided there during the late 1800s. Many might recognize Allerton’s (as it is known by those that live here) from the movies Jurassic Park and Honeymoon in Vegas. Daily 2.5 hour guided tours hourly between 9am-3pm.

For a truly special treat, catch the Sunset Allerton Estate Tour to visit the inside of the oceanfront estate home (the only one on the beach) and enjoy pupus and refreshments on the lanai while watching the setting sun. Sunset tour offered Tuesday-Saturday, varying times based upon sunset time.

Live Nearby

Another fabulous place to bask in the setting sun is from the private ocean side cabana at 4464 Lawai Road, located across the street from NTBG. The floor plan of this two-story home is strategically designed to capitalize on the magnificent panoramic ocean and coastline views. The expansive lanai (decks), cabana, and beach fire pit create the perfect setting for relaxing, recharging, and entertaining.

4464 Lawai Road (MLS# 280027)

More Information

Poipu on Kauai’s south shore offers so much to its residents and vacationers alike. For more information about 4464 Lawai Road or any other Kauai real estate offerings, call me, JJ Leininger R(B), at 808.635.6580 or view more at JJ.HawaiiLife.com. A Hui Ho!