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.
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.
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 and catch the return shuttle to the South Shore Visitors Center at the top of every hour.
For more information please call: (808) 742-2623
Departure: Departs daily from the South Shore Visitors Center
Tour Times: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Departs Visitors Center every hour on the half hour
Tour Duration:
Recommended minimum of 1.5 hours
Ticket Prices:
Adults – $30
Children (6-12) – $15
Children under 5 – Free
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
Departures: Departs daily from the South Shore Visitors Center
Tour Times: 10:30 am & 2:30 pm
Tour Duration: 2.5 hours
Ticket Prices:
Adults – $60
Children (6-12) – $30
Children under 5 – 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.
Explore a hidden section of the McBryde Garden during the NEW Wailele (Waterfall) Tour at National Tropical Botanical Garden. See one of the most private and beautiful sections of the Lāwaʻi Valley, where you will be able to enjoy the tropical forest surrounding the Waihulili Waterfall with your tour group. Afterwards, experience the Canoe Garden and discover which botanical treasures the ancient Polynesian voyagers brought with them from across the sea to settle Hawaii. Sit under a hale (traditional Hawaiian structure) and view our 8′ star compass while the sounds of the stream bring you back in time. Book your tour today!
Tour Type: Guided Tour
Departure: Departs daily from the South Shore Visitors Center
Tour Times: 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Tour Duration:
2.5 hours
Ticket Prices:
Adults – $45
Children (6-12) – $22.50
Children under 5 – Free
Join us for an after-hours tour of exploration and discovery that takes place amongst Allerton Garden and/or McBryde Garden. Guided by the moonlight each tour is unique and the path will be dependent upon the season, weather, and Mother Nature in her most secretive time, twilight. Feel the gardens come alive from a whole new perspective.
This tour is limited in availability and size; dates are dependent upon the lunar phase. The tour is approximately 2 ½ hours long with up to 2 hours of walking on light trails; appropriate attire and shoes are required, no slip-ons or heels. Flashlight provided.
For more information please call: (808) 742-2623
Tour Type: Guided Tour
Departure: Varies, Click on Book Tour for availability.
Tour Times: 5:00 – 6:00 (time of year dependent)
Tour Duration:
2.5 hours
Ticket Prices:
$75.00 Regular Adult
$63.00 NTBG Members
$37.50 Sustaining and Supporting NTBG Members
Join us Behind the Science at NTBG to see how we ensure the survival of tropical plants, their ecosystems, and cultural knowledge.
For more information please call: (808) 742-2623
日本語ガイドによるツアーご用意しております。ご予約はメールアドレス：tours@ntbg.orgまでご連絡ください。
Tours available in Japanese. Email tours@ntbg.org to make a reservation.
Tour Type: Guided Tour
Departure: Departs daily from the South Shore Visitors Center
Tour Times: “coming soon”
Tour Duration:
2.5 hours
Ticket Prices:
Adults – $60
Children (6-12) – $30
Children under 5 – Free
Join Holo Holo Charters and National Tropical Botanical Garden on this truly one-of-a-kind Native Hawaiian cultural experience you will never forget. Fill the void for an authentic traditional Hawaiian activity as we take you off-the-beaten path for a unique land and sea exploration.
* Coupons and discounts not valid for this specialty tour.
Tour Duration: 5 Hours
Ticket Prices: Call for group bookings.
It is only available for group bookings.
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