Grand Canyon of Hawaii
The Grand Canyon of Hawaii is one of the most majestic natural wonders you will see in the state of Hawaii. It can be found on the island of Kauai.
Officially Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of Hawaii got its nickname from the fact that it is reminiscent of the Grand Canyon, located in Arizona, on the mainland.
Waimea Canyon is also called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”
Although visually somewhat similar, the Grand Canyon in Arizona is of course MUCH larger than Waimea Canyon.
Check out the table below to see how the Grand Canyon of Hawaii stacks up against the Grand Canyon on the mainland!
Grand Canyon of Hawaii vs. Grand Canyon of Arizona at a Glance
| Feature | Grand Canyon of Hawaii | Grand Canyon of Arizona |
| Official Name | Waimea Canyon | Grand Canyon |
| Size | ~ 10 miles long ~ 1 mile wide ~ 3,600 feet deep | ~ 277 miles long ~ 10-18 miles wide ~ 6,000 feet deep |
| Formation | Erosion by Waimea River + collapse of the Kauai shield volcano | Erosion by the Colorado River |
| Landscape | Volcanic iron-rich basalt oxidized to a rich red color, forested, Wai’poo Falls | Layered sandstone in shades of pink and brown, desert, majestic rock formations |
| Climate | Tropical, with rainy season and dry season | Desert, with temperature extremes, snow in winter |
| Accessibility | Single road runs along the west rim of the canyon | Can access West Rim, South Rim, North Rim or East Rim! |
| Best For | Scenic drive, hiking, helicopter tour | Scenic drives, hiking, helicopter tour |
| Top Hikes | Waimea Canyon Trail (rim), Kukui Trail to the bottom | Rim-to-Rim, Bright Angel Trail or South Kaibab Trail to the bottom |
Grand Canyon of Hawaii versus Grand Canyon of Arizona
Grand Canyon of Hawaii vs. Grand Canyon of Arizona — More Information
Grand Canyon of Hawaii vs. Grand Canyon: Size
The Grand Canyon in Arizona is jaw-dropping massive and, at a length of 277 miles and width up to 18 miles in places, is exponentially larger than the Grand Canyon of Hawaii, which is around 10 miles long (some measures put it at about 14 miles long) and about a mile wide at its widest.
The Grand Canyon in Arizona is also almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon of Hawaii, a testament to the carving prowess of the mighty Colorado River.
But despite the disparity in absolute size, the Grand Canyon of Hawaii does punch above its size when it comes to inspiring awe and wonder.
After all, the whole island of Kauai is only 25 miles long from north to south! Waimea Canyon runs about half of that length, making it truly impressive in relative terms.
Grand Canyon of the Pacific vs. Grand Canyon: Appearance
As befits the colorful tropical island of Kauai, the Grand Canyon of Hawaii is a vibrant sight, imbued with shades of red, brown, and green.
The bright red color comes from the volcanic origin of the island. The rock here is volcanic basalt, rich in iron oxides, which oxidize to form the famous “red dirt of Kauai.” In fact, Waimea River, at the bottom of the canyon, also features reddish colored water that gives it its name.
While the green shades at Waimea Canyon can look a little faded in the dry season, the brightness will knock your socks off if you visit in the wet season. The jewel colors will want to make you reach for your camera or smartphone again and again.
Also unique to Waimea Canyon is the breathtaking Wai’poo Falls, a two-tiered waterfall that plunges 800 feet down the far side of the canyon.
The Grand Canyon in Arizona features a palette of colors ranging from brown to green, gray, orange, and pink. But the colors are overall more sedate, and the predominant effect is a pinkish brown color with not much vegetation.
And there’s no dramatic waterfall in Grand Canyon National Park, although there are beautiful waterfalls in the Havasupai Indian Reservation portion of the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon of Hawaii vs. Grand Canyon: Visiting
Both the Grand Canyon of Hawaii and the Grand Canyon in Arizona are huge draws for visitors.
In the Grand Canyon of Hawaii, you can enjoy the scenic Waimea Canyon Drive, with its many lookouts offering sensational views over the canyon, go hiking, hone your photography skills and observe the local flora and fauna.
You can also soar over Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of Hawaii, on a helicopter tour of the island or on a flightseeing tour.
As befits its much larger size and its location on a larger land mass, the Grand Canyon in Arizona can be approached from all four sides. The West Rim is part of the Hulapai Reserve, while the other rims are part of Grand Canyon National Park. You can enjoy scenic drives, hike, capture photos and videos, and look for wildlife.
Helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon in Arizona are also hugely popular. You can opt for a helicopter tour from Vegas or a tour from Grand Canyon Village.
Top-Rated Waimea Canyon Tours