Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is located on the northern-most point of the main Hawaiian islands on a portion of the former Kīlauea volcanic vent and includes spectacular views from atop a 180-foot ocean bluff.

The Refuge is the best places in the state to view seabirds rarely seen from land, like the red-footed booby (ʻā in Hawaiian), great frigate bird (‘iwa), and Laysan albatross (mōlī). The world’s rarest goose and Hawai‘i‘s state bird, the Hawaiian goose (nēnē) is a frequent sight as well. Visitors also have a chance to view spinner dolphins (nai‘a), Hawaiian monk seals (‘Ilio holo i ka uaua), green sea turtles (honu), and humpback whales (koholā, October – April) in the water below. Native Hawaiian coastal plants are also abundant.

The Refuge is also home to the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse, whose 2nd order bivalve Fresnel lens lit the way for seafarers. The lighthouse is part of the Kīlauea Point Light Station, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse played a key role in the first trans-Pacific flight from the West Coast to Hawai‘i and has been part of Kaua‘i’s history since its completion in 1913.