Birding at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

On the northwest side of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, you can see birds that spend most of their lives at sea. The Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1985 to help protect and preserve seabird nesting colonies.

Thousands of avid bird watchers and migratory birds flock to the refuge each year.  Expect to see tons of spotting scopes, zoom lenses, and binoculars.  The birds are there to nest, forage, and rest. The refuge is an incredible place for birders to check off life list birds quickly.

Birds you may see at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.

Laysan albatross can be observed at the refuge. These graceful seabirds are an incredible site. They are incredible soarers and can travel hundreds of miles with few flaps of their wings. They also live exceptionally long lives. The oldest known was 65 years old. 

Red-tailed tropicbird can be seen. These beautiful seabirds can easily be distinguished by their white plumage, red bill, black mask, and long red tail streamers that stretch about twice the length of their bodies. 

Some others that can be spotted include the great frigatebird, red-footed booby, wedge-tailed shearwater, pacific golden plover, and the world’s rarest goose, the Nēnē or Hawaiian Goose, which is also the official state bird of Hawaii. 

Visit the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse

While visiting the refuge, take time to check out the very picturesque Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark.  

If you plan on visiting the refuge, make arrangements ahead of time. It is a popular spot, with hundreds of thousands visiting annually. In fact, it’s so popular the refuge has implemented a timed entry program that can be reserved online.