Koko Crater Botanical Garden
Koko Crater Botanical Garden
4
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
185 reviews
Excellent
68
Very good
81
Average
27
Poor
7
Terrible
2
ITRT
Virginia45,109 contributions
Mar 2022
This garden is a plumeria paradise. Located in Hawaii Kai and there is a golf course on either side of it. The garden specialty is the cultivation of cacti, aloes, dryland palms, plumeria and bougainvillea. The loop around the garden is approximately two miles. We did not walk to the portion featuring species from Madagascar and Africa. The blooming plumeria and bougainvillea were a sight for sore eyes. We visited in March when the flowers were in bloom and the fragrance was amazing. Go in the morning and you will likely have the place to yourself. Free parking is available. It is open dawn to dusk.
Written 15 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NikkyD
Cochrane, Canada89 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Beautiful walk through the crater with all kinds of tropical plants and trees. We enjoyed the quietness of the park, only a handful of people we met. It was really hot in the crater, so make sure to bring plenty of water. There are no facilities, you can't buy any food or water there. Only one outhouse in the entire park.
Written 10 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phim B
Columbus, OH278 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
While we didn’t visit the botanical garden, we had the best volcano crater experience to date. Personally, I had a better experience walking down the solidified lava compared to a volcanoe in visited in Iceland. While the one we visited in Iceland gave us a view from above the cauldron, this experience gave me and my wife, the chance to walk down the cascading solidified lava rocks from the volcano!
We had to slowly choose where our feet would land, making sure we step on portions without sand. Stepping on a steep sandy lava rock would surely make you lose your footing! Remember to walk sideways and not directly downwards!
If you plan to visit the Koko Crater, make sure to go on rubber shoes! Take my word for it!
No facilities/restroom.
We had to slowly choose where our feet would land, making sure we step on portions without sand. Stepping on a steep sandy lava rock would surely make you lose your footing! Remember to walk sideways and not directly downwards!
If you plan to visit the Koko Crater, make sure to go on rubber shoes! Take my word for it!
No facilities/restroom.
Written 23 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kg
Oahu, HI2 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Absolutely beautiful! Stop and smell the different tree blossoms and you will smell a beautiful variety of jasmine, lemon, peach, rose and vanilla in the blossoms. You can taste the peach scent. Never made it out of the plumeria grove.
Written 18 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C-Z-1982
Reno, NV733 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
This is an interesting place, certainly worth the visit. The biggest downfall is that the identification of the many trees could, and should be greatly improved. The complementary folder available at the beginning of the tour suggests that you will be able to identify the many interesting trees. Unfortunately, as you walk around it turns out to be a hip hazard experience. Some trees are well identified, others are not. Also, the signs identifying the trees, very, making recognition challenging. Too bad, there are so many interesting trees and the educational experience would be greatly enhanced by ensuring better identification and marking of the trees in a consistent manner.
Written 18 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary H
152 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
This is a small free botanical garden featuring local plants and plants from diverse regions around the world. We took a slow wander around on a warm afternoon. We enjoyed the flowers and unusual trees. There is a washroom available. The parking lot had a security guard. The highlight apart from the plants was spotting a few mongoose in the bushes. Bring water and wear walking shoes.
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael N
Mesquite, NV141 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
I love botanical gardens. This is an easy 2 mile loop walk through absolute beauty. It contains plants from all over the world. The cactus section was my favorite. I especially enjoyed sitting in the plumeria grove with its intoxicating fragrance.
Written 25 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HawaiiKaiGail
Las Vegas, NV950 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
We live in Hawaii Kai...only about a 1/4 mile away. Had wanted to do this before we sell our home and move back to The Mainland this year. And so we did...today, Sunday, 2/11. This is what we found...
WEAR GOOD SNEAKERS or HIKING BOOTS and take a bottle of water....
The road to the garden is paved until the tail end...then it is dirt with many holes. Parking free...along with FREE admission. That is where the good STOPS.
A lone volunteer sits to the side and there is a sign w/information on what you are to see. There is a mailbox with paper inserts that have a map and description of the gardens. Take one. And, off you go...
The "trail" is VERY BASIC...read, almost non-existent. If you have any type of walking issue, do not go. MANY large stones, holes, and uneven paths with many ruts...etc. Expect what I am telling you and IF you don't see it that way, well, you are ahead.
Right away, we could tell these gardens are what one would call "natural"...READ...NOT maintained. Close to the entrance are many old Plumeria trees...that generally are in full bloom in April/May. They would be very nice to see. At the fork in the path, the map tells you to go the left...we went right. Close by is the CACTUS area. It is nice to view...BUT, EVERYTHING needs to be tidied up and name/info signs need to be placed by the specimens. It's nice to look up at the crater...Koko Head, and to think where you are.
So, the "trail loop" is confusing in many places...MOST places, as, well, there are hardly any signs/arrows, etc. to point one in a a comfortable direction. We were always guessing.
The majority of the "trail loop" has nothing one would go to a garden to see...it is all overgrown and has no general maintenance. The "path trail" is rough"...I will say that again. There are a few benches and even picnic tables to sit at. Like anyone would bring a picnic lunch out here?? I don't think so.
Rough walking "trail", dirty with overgrowth, no signage, not much to really see...well...it's FREE.
Again, like I said at the very beginning, that's the highlight. FREE.
I cannot recommend taking time out of your vacation to visit here. Please give me a Heads Up vote if my review is helpful to you or yours. Aloha.
WEAR GOOD SNEAKERS or HIKING BOOTS and take a bottle of water....
The road to the garden is paved until the tail end...then it is dirt with many holes. Parking free...along with FREE admission. That is where the good STOPS.
A lone volunteer sits to the side and there is a sign w/information on what you are to see. There is a mailbox with paper inserts that have a map and description of the gardens. Take one. And, off you go...
The "trail" is VERY BASIC...read, almost non-existent. If you have any type of walking issue, do not go. MANY large stones, holes, and uneven paths with many ruts...etc. Expect what I am telling you and IF you don't see it that way, well, you are ahead.
Right away, we could tell these gardens are what one would call "natural"...READ...NOT maintained. Close to the entrance are many old Plumeria trees...that generally are in full bloom in April/May. They would be very nice to see. At the fork in the path, the map tells you to go the left...we went right. Close by is the CACTUS area. It is nice to view...BUT, EVERYTHING needs to be tidied up and name/info signs need to be placed by the specimens. It's nice to look up at the crater...Koko Head, and to think where you are.
So, the "trail loop" is confusing in many places...MOST places, as, well, there are hardly any signs/arrows, etc. to point one in a a comfortable direction. We were always guessing.
The majority of the "trail loop" has nothing one would go to a garden to see...it is all overgrown and has no general maintenance. The "path trail" is rough"...I will say that again. There are a few benches and even picnic tables to sit at. Like anyone would bring a picnic lunch out here?? I don't think so.
Rough walking "trail", dirty with overgrowth, no signage, not much to really see...well...it's FREE.
Again, like I said at the very beginning, that's the highlight. FREE.
I cannot recommend taking time out of your vacation to visit here. Please give me a Heads Up vote if my review is helpful to you or yours. Aloha.
Written 12 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
darkswede218
Fall City, WA304 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
What a treat to walk among cacti, succulents, trees and plants from all over the world!! Madagascar, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Africa, WOW. But I give it only 3 stars. It would have been a 5-star had there been an adequate brochure or signage to explain what you were looking at. There is a Tri-fold pamphlet that provides a rudimentary guide to the 2 mile walk but nothing in terms of unique plant adaptations, how animals & humans utilize the plants, rate of growth, etc.
Granted, the botanical garden is FREE and I didn't see any donation box, so I am appreciative of the (volunteer?) staff time and effort to make this available. Maybe seek some grant money to design and print a more educational self-guided tour brochure and buy some numbered signs/posts to prompt guests to read about the plant. Also, install a bomb-proof donation box and ask for $2.00 per brochure.
One port-a-potty above the Plumeria.
No drinking water.
Not steep but the 2 mile path is uneven and not suitable for frail or elderly.
See plenty of birds - bring your binoculars
See Mongoose
Granted, the botanical garden is FREE and I didn't see any donation box, so I am appreciative of the (volunteer?) staff time and effort to make this available. Maybe seek some grant money to design and print a more educational self-guided tour brochure and buy some numbered signs/posts to prompt guests to read about the plant. Also, install a bomb-proof donation box and ask for $2.00 per brochure.
One port-a-potty above the Plumeria.
No drinking water.
Not steep but the 2 mile path is uneven and not suitable for frail or elderly.
See plenty of birds - bring your binoculars
See Mongoose
Written 14 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aletta S
32 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
Koko Crater Botanical Garden is not your typical heavily watered, lush, fully landscaped botanical garden. It is also not jam-packed with people nor is it expensive - unusual for any excursion near Honolulu. It's free! It is interesting and worth visiting because it showcases some beautiful Hawaiiana along with a cacti forest and collected trees from Africa and Madagascar that have been introduced to the Hawaiian Islands. We also visited Kaua'i and Hawai'i , and recognized far more of our surroundings because of our visit to the Koko Head Crater garden. The plumeria grove was past it's bloom, but we could still see enough of the blossoms to appreciate the extensive variety. The bouganvillea are just lovely. I never knew spurge could look so amazing - I'm almost convinced to let some spurge grow in my garden in Northern California.
We visited relatively early in the day, 9:30-11:30am in mid-December. Gentle inclines but a fairly rough, uneven 2 mile trail - best to wear sneakers, tevas, a hat, etc. Port-o-potty was clean and even had toilet paper. No water on site so bring plenty for yourself. I would point out that because it was dry, mosquitos were not an issue.
We had a 10 year-old along who really enjoyed herself - she pointed out the ant highway (the irrigation lines), saw her first mongoose, saw interesting spider webs, kept us on the trail and found the markers, etc., using the self-guided pamphlet. The teens in our group kept themselves amused by posting plant info and photos of birds and curious trees on Instagram.
We visited relatively early in the day, 9:30-11:30am in mid-December. Gentle inclines but a fairly rough, uneven 2 mile trail - best to wear sneakers, tevas, a hat, etc. Port-o-potty was clean and even had toilet paper. No water on site so bring plenty for yourself. I would point out that because it was dry, mosquitos were not an issue.
We had a 10 year-old along who really enjoyed herself - she pointed out the ant highway (the irrigation lines), saw her first mongoose, saw interesting spider webs, kept us on the trail and found the markers, etc., using the self-guided pamphlet. The teens in our group kept themselves amused by posting plant info and photos of birds and curious trees on Instagram.
Written 5 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The bus system on O'ahu is pretty amazing, it covers about the entire island, Koko Crater Botanical has multiple bus routes right around it, so you should be good to go, check their website or app to be sure the times. Enjoy the hike, its pretty amazing!!! Aloha
Written 11 October 2018
What months are best to see the flowers?
Written 26 June 2018
For the plumeria, April, May, June. There are other flowering plants in the botanical garden.
Written 27 June 2018
場所は治安の良い方だと思いますが、穴場的な場所で人に会うことが少なく、広大なので人によってはちょっと怖いかもしれません。
天気が良くて早い時間なら大丈夫だと思います。
男性がいれば問題ないでしょう。
ハワイのどこでもそうですが、皆さん日本にいる感覚で行動してしまいがちです。神経質になる必要はありませんが、気を抜かないでハワイを楽しみましょう。
Written 20 June 2018
It is free. Just park outside the fence and walk in.
Written 23 March 2017
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