A few miles northwest of Kahuku town heading toward Turtle Bay, this rare freshwater wetland provides habitat for four of Hawaii's six endangered waterbirds: the ʻalae kea (Hawaiian coot), aeʻo (Hawaiian black-necked stilt), koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck) and ʻalae ʻula (Hawaiian moorhen). During stilt nesting season, usually mid-February through mid-October, the refuge is off-limits to visitors, but there are free guided tours the rest of the year. Check the website for details.
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
Windward Coast
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
22.58 MILES
This somber memorial is one of the USA's most significant WWII sites, commemorating the Pearl Harbor attack and its fallen service members with an iconic…
25.52 MILES
Hawaii’s version of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, the Bishop Museum showcases a remarkable array of cultural and natural history exhibits…
27.48 MILES
No other place evokes a more poignant sense of Hawaii’s history. The palace was built under King David Kalakaua in 1882. At that time, the Hawaiian…
27.84 MILES
This exceptional fine-arts museum is among the best of its kind anywhere. The collection is effectively a 'best of' summary of major art movements…
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
22.47 MILES
One of the USA’s most significant WWII sites, this National Park Service (NPS) monument narrates the history of the Pearl Harbor attack and commemorates…
6.76 MILES
With deep-blue waters, a varied coastline and a mix of lava and white sand, Pupukea, meaning ‘White Shell,’ is a very scenic stretch. The long beach…
27.36 MILES
With its vibrant, thought-provoking collections, this public art museum brings together traditional and contemporary art from Hawaii’s multiethnic…
7.07 MILES
It may be a beauty, but it’s certainly a moody one. Waimea Bay changes dramatically with the seasons: it can be tranquil and flat as a lake in summer,…
Nearby Windward Coast attractions
0.8 MILES
Take a tractor-pulled wagon tour through the taro patch and fruit orchards at this family farm – sampling included. Then stop at the gift shop for bath…
1.56 MILES
A short walk along the beach east of Kuilima Cove is this beautiful, curved, white-sand beach backed by ironwoods. The rocky bottom means it's not great…
3. Kahuku Land Farms Roadside Stand
1.79 MILES
A number of local farm stands group together just west of the Turtle Bay Resort entrance. Stop here for a fresh-cold coconut water ($3) and to peruse the…
2.03 MILES
Just east of Turtle Bay Resort is beautiful little Kuilima Cove with its perfect, protected Bayview Beach. On the bay's right-hand side is an outer reef…
2.07 MILES
Immediately west of Turtle Bay Resort, Turtle Bay was named because of the green sea turtles that used to lay their eggs on the beach. Not any more,…
2.61 MILES
West of Turtle Bay Resort, a 1.5-mile shoreline trail runs over to Kawela Bay. In winter you might spy whales cavorting offshore. After walking round…
7. Malaekahana State Recreation Area
3.46 MILES
The long, relatively uncrowded beach with buff-colored sand is popular with families. Swimming is generally good here year-round, although there are…
3.57 MILES
When the tide is low you can wade from Malaekahana State Recreation Area's southern Kalanai Point to Mokuʻauia (Goat Island), a state bird sanctuary about…