Best 8 Botanical Gardens in Oahu: A Floral Paradise on the Island of Aloha(Updated 2023)

Oahu’s botanical gardens are a true feast for the senses, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty and serenity of Hawaii’s lush natural landscapes. You’ll enjoy touring these 8 botanical gardens of Oahu range from exotic plants and vibrant flowers to tranquil ponds and winding paths and gorgeous views of surrounding landscape.

These gardens are a haven for nature lovers and anyone seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life and with so many stunning gardens to choose from, it can be difficult to decide where to start. So, come with us as we take you on a journey through the best botanical gardens on Oahu, where you’ll discover a world of blooming beauties waiting to be explored.

Open year round, the botanical gardens around Oahu are an easy escape from the bustle of Honolulu, as a fun day trip for you to visit and explore the surround attractions nearby.

You’ll love visiting all of these gorgeous botanical gardens in Oahu even if you’re not a plant freak and we share some of the fun places and attractions you can also visit along the way.

Why visit a botanical garden in Oahu?

Even if you’re not a fan of visiting gardens, some of these places have fantastic views, opportunities to hike to waterfalls and even take a dip on some of these fantastic places. if you’re into tropical plants and flowers, indigenous or from all the exotic places around the world wrapped up into a gorgeous garden to explore then check out these amazing botanical gardens of Oahu.

Most of these botanical garden in Oahu are free to visit with the exception to a few private gardens that require entry fees to visit the garden area and one that you can swim around the waterfall area.

Weather and best time to visit Oahu

When planning your trip to Oahu, it’s essential to consider the weather and the best time to visit this vibrant Hawaiian island:

Weather Overview: Oahu enjoys a tropical climate with consistent temperatures year-round. The island experiences two primary seasons: the dry season and the wet season.

Dry Season (April – October):

• Best Time to Visit: Oahu’s dry season, particularly from April to October, is the most popular time for tourists. Expect warm, sunny weather, making it ideal for beach activities, outdoor adventures, and exploring the island.

Wet Season (November – March):

• Rainfall: Oahu’s wet season, from November to March, brings occasional rain showers, especially to the windward (eastern) side of the island.
• Considerations: While it’s the wetter season, Oahu still enjoys pleasant temperatures, and the rain typically doesn’t last all day. This time can be less crowded and more budget-friendly.

Festivals and Events:

• Honolulu Festival (March): A celebration of Pacific Rim cultures with parades and performances.
• Hawaii Food and Wine Festival (October): Food enthusiasts can indulge in this culinary event featuring the best of Hawaiian cuisine.

Weather Tips:

• Sun Protection: Regardless of the season, pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats to protect yourself from the strong tropical sun.
• Rain Gear: If visiting during the wet season, it’s wise to have an umbrella or rain jacket on hand for unexpected showers.

Conclusion: The best time to visit Oahu depends on your preferences. The dry season, from April to October, offers the most reliable weather for outdoor activities. However, if you prefer fewer crowds and don’t mind occasional rain, the wet season can be a more budget-friendly option. Regardless of when you visit, Oahu’s stunning landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality await your exploration.

Explore these 8 gorgeous botanical gardens in Oahu

It is fantastic that most of these gardens are free and open for the public to visit and explore all the amazing flora and native plants thrive in these tropical botanical gardens around Oahu.

Be inspired to see lush gardens, beautiful tropical plants and flowers, flowering tropical trees and beautiful mountain and valley views to many of these botanical gardens of Oahu.

Waimea Valley and Botanical Garden

One of the best botanical gardens in Oahu is located on the North Shore at Waimea Valley, the Waimea Valley Botanical garden is a wonderful day trip to explore the gardens, historic and cultural villages and a fun hike and swim to Waimea falls.

You can sign up for a docent tour of the gardens, mock village and ancient peoples that lived in the area or do your own DIY tour of the various gardens which hosts a variety of native plants, orchids species, heliconia and a host of beautiful tropical plants and flowers.

Check out my post to visiting Waimea Valley Botanical garden for more images and details.

Why visit Waimea Valley Botanical Garden

It is beautiful with many individual gardens, a mock ancient Hawaiian village to tour and even a waterfall that you can swim in with a lifeguard present. The trail to the waterfalls is paved and easy to walk the less than a mile distance through the valley floor.

You can also take a docent lead tour of the gardens and a mock ancient village that shows the types of structure and daily lives of the ancient people that lived in this valley.

The botanical gardens Oahu at Waimea Valley are lush and diverse and for family visiters, there’s an extra of being able to actually swim at the waterfall here with a lifeguard on duty.

59-864 Kamehameha Highway, Haleʻiwa, (808) 638-7766, Check their website at Waimea Valley.net

Here’s a family friendly video tour of Waimea Valley Botanical Gardens

Lyon Arboretum

Located in Manoa valley and next to the popular Manoa Falls, Lyon Arboretum is lush and dense even though it is not to far from the commercial and business center of Honolulu.

One of the best botanical gardens in Oahu that is a short and easy drive from Honolulu, Lyon Arboretum is urban and also very tropical with views of the mountains, lush and mature trees and plants that makes this a wonderful urban garden to visit on the outskirts of the city.

Why visit the Lyon Arboretum

Located in Honolulu area and close to Manoa Falls (a popular waterfall attraction), the Lyon Arboretum is a short drive from downtown and you are transported into a lush tropical jungle with stunning views of the Pali mountains and surrounding areas.

This botanical garden in Honolulu is lush, mature and feels like a world away even though its a very short drive from downtown Honolulu to this arboretum.

Within the two hundred acres of the arboretum, you can find over 5,000 tropical plant species. Within the arboretum, you can explore the various gardens to include a native garden, an herb and spice garden, The Betty Ho Memorial garden and even a sweet waterfall setting at Aihualama Falls on the property.

3860 Manoa Road, Honolulu, website at Lyon Arboretum | A University of Hawaii Research Unit

Check out the highlights to visiting the Lyon Arboretum

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden 

One of the oldest botanical gardens in Hawaii is Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden. One of the most popular botanical gardens in Oahu mostly with visitors that have made the garden famous by taking selfies on the palm tree lined streets with the gorgeous pali mountains in the background.

The Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden is popular in visiting the variety of gardens, fishponds and lush green mountain backdrop of the dramatic Ko’olau mountains. Kids love to visit the water ponds and enjoy feeding the ducks and other birds along with the wildlife hanging out in the gardens.

Why Visit Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

One of the largest and most expansive places to visit with several gardens, large pond areas and views to enjoy and capture in photographs, the garden is also free to enter. The road entryway with lined palms is famous and a popular place to capture an Instagram shot.

** parking and taking pictures on the main road entry lined with palms is not allowed due to the extremely popular photo spot which has made this a very trendy spot online mostly found on social media like Instagram.

This expansive 400-acre botanical garden is broken up into sections that feature plants of Sri Lanka, India, The Philippines, Africa and Polynesia.

45-680 Luluku Road, Kaneohe, check their website at HBG Ho`omaluhia (honolulu.gov)

Check out this road trip visit to the Ho’omaluhia gardens below

Wahiawa Botanical Garden

One of the most underated botanical garden in Oahu is the Wahiawa Botanical Garden. Located in the town of Wahiawa, the botanical garden is filled with gorgeous tropical plants to include many orchid flowers blooming in season, Heliconia and ginger flowers and a host of other tropical plants that thrive in this beautiful environment. An intimate garden that is only 27 acres and located in a ravine that is cooler in climate, the garden feels like little jewel and is fun to explore some of the trails and jungle areas of the botanical garden especially on the edges of the ravine and walking down to the bottom section.

Why visit the Wahiawa Botanical Garden

A hidden garden gem, this garden used to be an experimental arboretum for the sugar cane plantation owners since the 1930s. Entrance is free to the 27 acre garden through old growth and lush plantings and flowering trees and tropical flowering plants.

1396 California Ave., Wahiawā, Check updates to visiting on their website at friendsofhonolulubotanicalgardens.com/Wahiawa.htm

Check out this walking tour of the Wahiawa garden below

Foster Botanical Garden

Located in the heart of Honolulu and a convenient drive from the city and Waikiki, Foster Botanical garden hosts mature tropical trees and many specimen plants from the islands and other exotic varieties of tropical plants and flowers in this 14-acre garden. Started in 1853, this garden hosts many of the oldest and tallest tropical trees and canopy plants in all of Hawaii. There are many rare plant collections to explore including the butterfly garden, conservatory and also an extensive orchid zone and collection of flowering orchids that is fantastic to experience on your visit here. The entrance fee to the garden is nominal and helps to support the ongoing care of the gardens.

Why visit the Foster Botanical Garden

Another botanical garden in Honolulu area, the Foster Botanical Garden is located right in the heart of the downtown area.

Right in Honolulu downtown area, this botanical garden in Honolulu is a lush 14 acre garden is mature and fun to explore with easy parking access in the area. Lot’s of mature trees, specialty gardens and an orchid area that is colorful and filled with blooming orchids in season.

This historic Honolulu botanical garden is easy to get to and experience with lush plantings and mature gardens to enjoy in a very convenient location downtown that you can take public transportation to.

180 N. Vineyard Blvd., Honolulu, check the website at  honolulu.gov/cms-dpr-menu/site-dpr-sitearticles/568-foster-botanical-garden.html

Enjoy this botanical tour of the Foster gardens below

Koko Crater Botanical Garden

Located close to its famous counterpart, the Koko Crater which it is located in (a very popular hiking spot to the top of the crater via some strenuous railroad steps to the top), the gardens specialize in arid, dryland and Mediterranean climate plants but also hosts an international collection of plants from around the world.

Why Visit Koko Crater Botanical Garden

This is a very unique feature in the crafter floor with this garden that features mostly cactus, mediterrannean and arid plants that thrive in the sun and heat of the protected crater area. The entrance is free and the loop trail is easy and a fun exploratory trail to walk through.

You can explore the two-mile loop trail within the 60 acres of gardens that makes this a fun experience to check out the extensive exhibits of plants and makes this one of the best botanical gardens to visit in Oahu.

7491 Kokonani St., Honolulu, visit their website for details at honolulu.gov/parks/hbg/honolulu-botanical-gardens/182-site-dpr-cat/572-koko-crater-botanical-garden.html

Here’s a fun walking tour of the Koko Crater garden below

Liliu’okalani Botanical Garden

Located in Honolulu is named for the last queen of Hawaii, Liliu’okalani and hosts a variety of native plant species. This was her garden to the people of Honolulu and Oahu and the garden is free to enjoy and open daily from 7am to 5pm.

Why visit the Liliu’okalani botanical garden

Another botanical garden in O ahu, this garden is small but dedicated to Hawaiian indigenous plants and flowers and entrance is free to visit the garden. Enjoy the Nu’uanu stream and waterfalls to view and meditate and you can also visit the Foster Botanical garden which is very close to this garden.

123 N. Kuakini Street, Honolulu, visit their website at HBG Liliuokalani (honolulu.gov)

Stroll along the Liliu’okalani botanical garden below

Moanuloa Gardens

Created by King Kamehameha V, the king built the historic Kamehameha V Cottage with the huge Hitachi tree named for the giant Monkeypod tree that is over a hundred years old with huge limbs that spread out over the garden. The gardens are a popular venue for weddings and events that can be held on the property grounds.

Moanalua Road, Honolulu, website at MOANALUA GARDENS

Tips for visiting the botanical gardens in Oahu

Bring bug repellent – many of the lush gardens are filled with mosquitos that are vicious so plan on bringing spray and protecting yourself while exploring these gardens

Locate the garden on your google app or GPS to locate each garden and parking lot more efficiently

Grab a map of the garden – check out the information center and grab a map layout so you don’t get lost and go around in circles

Support the botanical garden – many of these gardens offer gift shops, café foods or hand made snacks or desserts and operate on shoe string budgets – it would be fantastic to keep them operating for everyone to enjoy and supporting them with a purchase would be easy enough

Sign up for a docent lead tour to get a better idea about the various plantings, local indigenous native plants and other interesting facets about these tropical gardens of Oahu.

Even on cloudy days, the sun rays in exposed areas of each garden can create sun burns so cover up or use sunscreen when visiting any of these beautiful gardens.

Check out these other Oahu places of interest and topics

Best hikes around Oahu

Best places to eat in Oahu

Popular waterfalls of Oahu

Snorkeling around Oahu

Virtual tours of Oahu

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Which is your favorite botanical garden in Oahu?

Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer, or simply seeking a moment of peace and quiet, the best botanical gardens on Oahu are sure to delight and inspire you. So, come and immerse yourself in the blooming beauties of Oahu’s botanical gardens – you won’t be disappointed!

Which are your favorites so far? Please share what you have seen in the comments section below and add any fun tips to our audience.

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Conclusion to visiting the best botanical gardens in Oahu

A visit to any of these 8 Oahu botanical gardens are a must for anyone seeking a peaceful retreat into Hawaii’s natural beauty. With their stunning plant life, tranquil water features, and winding paths, these gardens offer a glimpse into the island’s lush landscape and provide a sense of tranquility and rejuvenation.

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If you found some other cool places to explore from this post, please share your experiences in the comments below for everyone to enjoy. Or even if you have any questions about visiting, I would be more than happy to answer them below.