McBryde Garden History
The land now occupied by the McBryde Garden lies in the southern part of what was once the Hawaiian ahupua‘a (land division) of Lāwa‘i, originally extending along the Lāwa‘i Stream from the Kapalaoa Range to Lāwa‘i Bay.
Located on the South Shore of the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i, McBryde Garden is nestled in the picturesque and historic Lawa’i Valley. The garden is a veritable botanical ark of tropical flora and home to the largest ex situ collection of native Hawaiian flora in existence. Our extensive collections of palms, flowering trees, rubiaceae, heliconias, orchids, and many others have been wild-collected by botanists and biologists from throughout tropical regions around the world and transported to McBryde Garden to research, cultivate and thrive.
Tours of McBryde Garden and the adjacent Allerton Garden depart from the South Shore Visitors Center daily. Visitors are transported into the garden via a short, narrated shuttle ride along the stunning coastline of the South Shore. Be on the lookout for whales, dolphins and other marine life as you make your way into the garden over a historic railroad trestle road and into the magnificent valley.
Your health is our top priority: We have put special measures in place to keep all guests safe both during and after your garden visit.
Stringent Cleaning: We’ve increased the frequency of disinfecting surfaces of high-traffic areas in our facilities. All buses will be sanitized between each departure. Hand-washing stations are located throughout the gardens and at our Visitor Center.
Social Distancing: Guests will stay a safe 6-foot distance before boarding the bus, while in common areas throughout the garden, and in our visitor center. Guests will stay 10 feet apart from other groups while in McBryde Garden When safety-distancing is not attainable face coverings will be used by all staff and guests. Shields have been installed at our Visitor Center registers. We are limiting the number of guests in our Visitor Center to 10 people at a time. Please adhere to these guidelines and practice safety first. Bus capacity is also limited based on the most current mandates/ordinances.
Wellness: If you or anyone in your group is experiencing symptoms of illness, we will work directly with you to cancel or reschedule your tour. Our family of staff and volunteers are also trained to be aware of symptoms of illness. No one comes to work or to volunteer if they are unwell.
The land now occupied by the McBryde Garden lies in the southern part of what was once the Hawaiian ahupua‘a (land division) of Lāwa‘i, originally extending along the Lāwa‘i Stream from the Kapalaoa Range to Lāwa‘i Bay.
Garden Policies for everyone’s benefit
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McBryde Garden visitors can explore 50 acres of diverse plant collections including Hawaiian native and ethnobotanical species, palms, rubiaceae (coffee family), zingiberales (heliconia family), and erythrina (coral trees). See exotic spices from allspice to vanilla on the Spice of Life Trail, and take a journey back in time in the Hawaiian Life Canoe Plant Garden and along the Biodiversity Trail.
View all of the collections at your own pace on this self-guided tour.
For more information please call: (808) 742-2623
Days Available: Wednesday – Saturday
Tour Times: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Departs Visitor Center every hour on the bottom.
Tour Duration:
Recommended minimum of 1.5 hours
Ticket Prices:
Day Pass includes admission into our Visitor Center Garden
Visitor
Adults – $15
Children (6-12) – $7.50
Kama’aina
Adults – $10
Member
Adults – Free
Closed toe shoes required for all tours and garden access. No slippers or sandals. Guests will be rescheduled to another tour if they do not have the appropriate footwear.
Garden Policies for everyone’s benefit
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For visitors who want a taste of both worlds, this is the tour! Our highly-trained interpretive guides takes guests through select Allerton Garden rooms and McBryde Garden highlights. Enjoy the greatest aspects of both gardens. Whether you are seeking that perfect picture of you with the Jurassic Park Trees or have limited time, this is it!
View select rooms in the Allerton Garden, named one of the ’50 Places of a Lifetime’ by National Geographic Traveler. Then have a guided experience through our McBryde Garden, an active conservation and research garden with active interpretation and Hawaiian cultural significance.
Tour Type: Guided Tour
Days Available: Wednesdays & Friday
Tour Times: August @ 11:00 am, September @ 10:30 am (changes seasonally)
Tour Duration: 2.5 hours
Ticket Prices:
Tour fee includes admission into our Visitor Center Garden
Visitor
Adults – $40
Children (6-12) – $20
Kama’aina
Adults – $30
Member
Adults – $20
Closed toe shoes required for all tours and garden access. No slippers or sandals. Guests will be rescheduled to another tour if they do not have the appropriate footwear.
Garden Policies for everyone’s benefit
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Wednesdays & Fridays, @ 12 pm: Native Plants Series – discussions on their importance, history, and examples of their beauty. Hosted by NTBG’s conservation and science teams. Series will be live on Instagram at our @allertongarden page as well as in person. E-mail questions about natives ahead of time to tours@ntbg.org
Thursdays, @ 12 pm: Plant Treasure Hunt or Keiki Story Time – in person only
Saturdays, @ 9:30 am: Body Movement Series for the whole ohana (keiki – kupuna). Take a break from the screen and enjoy some fluid movements to get your body back in alignment and feeling good outside in the fresh air at our Visitor Center. World renown Dr. Eric Goodman, local Dr. Dustin Dillberg and pediatric movement professional Jen Goodman, PT, will instruct a free series for the community at NTBG’s South Shore Visitor Center, 4425 Lawai Road, Koloa. Please bring a towel, water and face covering for when social distancing cannot be achieved. Check-in 15 minutes early (@9:15 at the Visitor Center) to sign-up.
Friday, September 11 at 11:00 am – Free Yoga in the meadow with Naomi. Please bring your own towel and face covering. Social distancing adhered to. Check-in 15 minutes early (@ 10:45 at the Visitor Center) to sign-up.
Questions on hoʻike circle? Call us at 808-742-2623
Days Available: Wednesday – Saturday
Daily Schedule:
Admission Ticket Prices:
Kama’aina & Members
Free Admission
donations welcome
Check-in Required, but free, walk-ups welcome
This year’s online auction theme is “Caring for the People who Care for the Plants.” Our gardeners have worked tirelessly during this extraordinary time. Help NTBG by supporting our ohana who care for our living collections and gardens every day.
Free Yoga This Friday, September 11 Join Naomi for a free garden yoga class on […]
Our South Shore Visitor Center is offering free body movement classes everyday in September! With school back in session, many families are spending more time hunched over their computers. Come enjoy gentle guided movement to work out those kinks.
Go on a scavenger hunt, meet the scientist, or explore a new species! Join our staff for engaging, hands-on Ho’ike Circles highlighting our work and the plants we care for.
The Kampong’s efforts to grow plants native to Florida fulfill a dual role: conservation of native flora and public education.
Nina Rønsted Ph.D., Director of Science and Conservation Schiedea is an endemic Hawaiian plant lineage […]
Diane Ragone, PhD. Director, Breadfruit Institute The Regenerative Organic Breadfruit Agroforestry demonstration in McBryde Garden […]
Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI)’s July 2020 issue of BGjournal includes extensive coverage of NTBG’s […]
