Traipse over the Kauai Swinging Bridges
Kauai has many natural wonders. There are stunning beaches, waterfalls, and photographic mountains. The Garden Island also has many manmade wonders. That includes the Kauai Swinging Bridges.
Come with us on a tour of Kauai’s swinging bridges, and discover other nearby sites to see.
Kapaia Swinging Bridge
You find The Kapaia suspension bridge tucked away between the town of Lihu’e and Hanama’ulu, in the small town of Kapaia. You’ll probably need a phone GPS for directions to the swinging bridge.
The bridge, constructed in 1948, closed in 2006 after years of neglect and disrepair. It was rebuilt in 2018 after an 11 year community effort.
The swinging bridge is a throwback reminder of the sugar cane era on Kauai.
Kapaia swinging bridge is nestled in a lush valley with a stream flowing underneath. It is sometimes called butterfly bridge, for the butterflies lazily flying along the river banks and around the bridge.
Yearly, the bridge is also transformed by Koinobori, the Japanese koi fish kites which hang around the bridge during International Children’s Day in the Spring.
The bridge is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.
Things to Do Near Kapaia Swinging Bridge
Just on the other side of the Kaumualii Highway from the bridge, you find a turnoff road which takes you to Wailua Falls.
The Wailua Falls famously were featured in the opening scene of television’s “Fantasy Island.” Today, you can park in a small lot next to the falls and head to an overlook to watch the cascading falls.
Alternatively, from Kapaia Swinging Bridge you can head a couple of miles into Lihue and enjoy the Kauai Museum on Rice Street.
The Kauai Museum shares the geologic and historic history of the Garden Island, and also has displays about the Hawaiian royal families who reigned in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Hanapepe Swinging Bridge
The larger and more famous Kauai suspension bridge is found in the charming town of Hanapepe, on Kauai’s west side.
The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge is located just behind the Aloha Spice store. This bridge, built in the 1911, was renovated after the devastating Hurricane Iniki in 1992, reopening in 1996.
You definitely feel a sway and bounce as you make your way over the bridge. It is a narrow, 3 foot wide bridge. So, only 15 people can be on the bridge at any giving time, and foot traffic tends to be one-way.
Things to Do Near Hanapepe Swinging Bridge
Hanapepe inspired the animators of Disney’s Lilo and Stitch. Those animators adopted much of the town’s architecture into the animated film.
As such, you discover many tributes to Lilo and Stitch throughout the town. That includes a number of murals adorning the buildings.
You can walk easily through the small town, searching for murals and other artwork. The town has many galleries and small shops worth a look.
Additionally, just southwest of Hanapepe is Salt Pond Beach. The beach, named for the ocean salt Hawaiians still harvest from this beach location.
Final Thoughts
You can visit and traipse over both of Kauai’s swinging bridges in just a short amount of time.
If you are attempting to get away from it all, I recommend the Kapaia location since it is more secluded and has a number of places to quietly relax and enjoying the sounds of the stream, listen to the tradewinds breeze, and watch the butterflies flutter by.
However, if you want to feel the bounce of a bigger bridge, Hanapepe’s swinging bridge is perfect for you. It is one of Kauai’s more popular locations, so there will be more bustle.
Or, get the best of both worlds, and visit both bridges and some of their nearby attractions to make a day of it.
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