7 waterfalls in Hawaii you will love to see!

ALOHA!

One of the must-do things during your Hawaii vacation no matter which Hawaiian island you will visit is to see waterfalls!

You can see waterfalls on all of the major Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai.

So whether you are going to Hawaii by cruise ship or staying a few days on land, you can make it a waterfall day on any of the islands.

You can make it an epic Hawaii experience by hiking to see waterfalls, by doing a helicopter to see waterfalls, or you can even just make it a quick stop to see them!

Below I will give you the short list of the best waterfalls you must consider visiting during your trip to Hawaii!

 

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For your ultimate waterfalls tour when you are staying on land in Hawaii, you will want to consider Maui for the famous Road to Hana waterfalls tour or the Big Island for the Kohala waterfalls tour that comes with a chance to go swimming and a botanical garden visit.

For your shore excursions, you can get a bunch of different Hawaii experiences, including waterfalls, through the Big Island top attractions tour from Hilo.

For an epic Hawaii experience, you can also do a waterfalls helicopter tour to see waterfalls flowing into the valley.

Most of Kauai is not accessible by road, and that makes the Kauai waterfall safari the one you may want to choose.

On Maui, the Hana coast is known for tons of waterfalls, so you may want to choose the Hana rainforest tour.

 

Otherwise, it’s also possible and reasonable to see waterfalls on your own too.

In most cases, it’s better to rent a car to see waterfalls (and other things as a part of your day!), but there are a couple of notable waterfalls in Hawaii that you can get to by bus too.

 

 

I’ve seen tons of waterfalls in Hawaii, some easy stops and others hiking to see the falls, and here’s what you need to know about what’s popular!

 

 

1. Akaka Falls (Big Island | Hilo)

One of the iconic Hawaii waterfalls that you’ve probably seen in pictures is Akaka Falls on the Big Island.

You’ll go to Akaka Falls State Park to see the waterfalls.

Once there, do the full Akaka Falls loop trail to the waterfalls!

There’s a shorter more direct way to the waterfall overlook, but you’ll get more of a Hawaii rainforest feeling by doing the circle loop trail.

And, it’s a more dramatic approach to go the long way, I think!

You’ll also want to stop by to see a banyan tree along the way. You can even walk through it! (Yes, through!)

The “long” way is still not that long, it’s like a half a mile.

It’s a 30 minute drive from Hilo cruise port to Akaka Falls. (map)

 

 

The best of the Big Island in a day tour makes a stop at Akaka Falls.

 

 

2. Rainbow Falls (Big Island | Hilo)

Another one of the iconic Hawaii waterfalls on the Big Island that you’ve probably seen in pictures is Rainbow Falls.

It can be a quick stop in Wailuku River State Park to see Rainbow Falls and it’s an easy walk from the parking lot.

Once you’re done seeing the waterfalls, look for the banyan tree walking area.

It’s a 15 minute drive from Hilo cruise port to Rainbow Falls. (map)

Because of its proximity to Hilo town, these waterfalls are often a part of tours that go to a bunch of the Big Island’s top attractions.

There are some Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tours that make a stop at Rainbow Falls.

 

Rainbow Falls is close enough to town that I have seen someone say that they’ve taken an uber to Rainbow Falls. But this same person said the cost of the uber was not worth it because they didn’t think a 5 minute visit to Rainbow Falls was worth the cost of an uber.

So, better to do it as a part of a bunch of other things!

And also, look for the banyan tree! Yes, you can see a banyan tree alongside your visit to these waterfalls too!

I think it’s easy to miss if you’re just there for the waterfalls. You might be like, oh, I’ve seen the waterfalls… and then ready to get on with your next stop!

The banyan tree also doesn’t take much time, but I think it’s a unique Hawaii thing to see!

 

 

 

3. Waimea Falls (Oahu | Honolulu)

One of the iconic Hawaii waterfalls on Oahu is Waimea Falls.

Waimea Falls is about an hour drive from both Waikiki (map) and Honolulu cruise port (map).

The waterfalls are located at Waimea Valley (entry fee required) and is often a part of North Shore tours and circle island tours.

 

It’s a 30 minute paved walking trail to get to the waterfalls. Along the way, you can stop by to see the botanical garden and Hawaiian cultural sites.

It’s possible to go swimming at Waimea Falls, as long as the day’s weather conditions allow for it, and there are life jackets that are provided.

 

Alongside your Waimea Valley waterfalls visit, one of the best luaus on Oahu is at Waimea Valley, which is the Toa Luau. This has a fire knife show as a part of it.

 

 

Luaus with a fire show are the best! As a separate evening activity if you’re staying in Waikiki, you can get a shuttle to the Mauka Warriors luau.

 

 

4. Wailua Falls (Kauai | Nawiliwili)

The most iconic waterfalls to see on your own on Kauai is Wailua Falls.

It’s a 15 to 20 minute drive from Nawiliwiliw cruise port and Lihue Airport. (map) (You’ll probably get your car rental from the airport.)

You can also make it a Kauai waterfalls and more tour. (With the “more” part being some more of Kauai’s top natural attractions.)

Kauai is also a perfect place to have your first helicopter ride. On the doors-off helicopter tour, you can see at least 3 waterfalls (Wailua Falls, Waipoo Falls, Manawaiopuna Falls) and the Na Pali coast.

 

 

5. Twin Falls (Maui | Kahului)

One of the closest easy waterfalls to see whether you’re visiting Maui by cruise ship or staying for a few days on land is Twin Falls.

Twin Falls is located towards the beginning of the Road to Hana, so you don’t have to drive too far on the curvy Hana Highway to see these waterfalls.

In fact, I wouldn’t even really say you’ve experienced the Road to Hana if Twin Falls is as far as you go, but if waterfalls is all you’re after, then you can be happy with Twin Falls!

It’s around 20 minutes from the town of Paia, which is the unofficial start of the Road to Hana. From Kaihalulu airport to Paia is around a 15 minute drive. You’ll get your car rental from the airport if you arrive by cruise ship.

So from the airport to Twin Falls is around a 40 minute drive. (map)

 

Twin Falls does have limited parking, and there is a parking fee.

From the parking lot, there’s a short walk to get to the lower falls, and then you can keep walking further to get to the upper falls. People go swimming at both the upper falls and lower falls.

If you’re planning on swimming, be sure to bring water shoes!

If you’re planning on going to the upper falls, bring water shoes even if you are not planning on swimming! You might be wading through shallow water. (A true Hawaii experience, right?!)

 

 

 

6. Waimoku Falls (Maui | Kahului)

Waimoku Falls is located towards the end of the Road to Hana.

If you want to see a bunch of waterfalls in just a few hours, the you must do the Road to Hana!

The Road to Hana is located in the lush and green East Maui.

You can make your “final destination” can be the hike to Waimoku Falls, and on your drive there, you can stop by a bunch of waterfalls!

There are some waterfalls you might actually want to get out of the car to see.

Otherwise, you can also see waterfalls from the car while you’re driving!

The other option is to drive straight to the Waimoku Falls hike, and then on your way back stop by the waterfalls. That way, you can have a better judge of time.

A straight drive from Paia to the start of the Waimoku Falls hike is 2.5 hours. To see lots of waterfalls (and to go the safer route), you want to drive the route that takes you through Hana. (map)

Although, you might want to make one stop on your way there, the famous Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread stand, because it might not be open on the way back!

 

You’ll hike the Pipiwai Trail to get to Waimoku Falls.

The Pipiwai Trail is a bamboo forest hike, and it’s located in the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park.

The Kipahulu district is in a completely different area from the famous Haleakala National Park summit.

But if you do go to the summit, you will want to go to the Kipahulu district within 3 days of that, because you can use the national park entry fee that you pay for either district will give you a 3-day pass. See national park entry fees.

When I drove pretty much straight to Kipahulu as my first activity of the day from Paia, I encountered little traffic. I would like to think this is because I started early (it was around 8am from Paia) so I missed most of the traffic that the Road to Hana is sometimes known for!

 

 

If you’re on a cruise that has an overnight on Maui, you’ll want to do the Road to Hana on day 1 so you don’t need to worry about being back to the cruise ship at a certain time.

For a Maui waterfall tour, you’ll want to consider the East Maui waterfalls and rainforest tour.

 

 

7. Manoa Falls (Oahu | Honolulu)

Waterfalls that are somewhat near downtown Honolulu and Waikiki is Manoa Falls, so it makes it reasonably easy to get to.

You can do a guided Manoa Falls hike through the jungle, but you can also get to Manoa Falls Trail without a car!

 

 

You can get to the Manoa Falls trailhead by bus from Waikiki and downtown Honolulu.

The easiest way to figure out how to navigate the bus on Oahu is through google maps! Just look for the public transit icon! (bus directions)

The easiest way to pay for the bus is through a HOLO card. It’s basically a public transportation cash card. Get one at one of the many ABC Stores in Waikiki, and then if you need to load up more money on the card, you can do so online.

If you plan to do more than 3 individual bus rides in one day, the HOLO card will save you money.

Otherwise, you can pay for the bus fare in cash with exact change. I’ve gotten dollars bills on the cruise ship from guest services.

 

 

More Hawaii travel ideas:

• Things to do in Hawaii
• Best Hawaii hikes you need to do!
• Best Hawaii beaches you need to see!
• Best Hawaii food you need to eat!
• Things to do in Honolulu without a car
• Oahu on a budget (50 cheap travel ideas)
• Best snorkeling in Waikiki (Honolulu)
• Things to do near Hilton Hawaiian Village (biggest hotel in Waikiki)
• How to get from Honolulu cruise port to Waikiki

 

Happy seeing waterfalls in Hawaii!