Find the best prices here. One of the most unique tours on this list, the Waterfalls of Kohala tour takes you on a helicopter journey that allows you a unique birds-eye view of some of the prettiest waterfalls on the Big Island. Hiilawe Falls is a great waterfall to visit and is one of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaii. Take a full-day waterfall adventure tour of the Big Islands Kohala Coast. You can swim in this one! As you travel, youll stop at the famous Big Island Candies store, where youll be treated to some of the best candy on the Big Island! Its not a difficult hike to get to the foot of the waterfall, so you wont need any special gear to visit this beautiful waterfall. Which Hawaiian island has the best waterfall hikes? The day pass includes access to amazing hiking trails, tropical gardens and a total of four waterfalls - with Kulaniapia Falls being our favorite. Thankfully they didnt, as there appeared to be rocks under the shallow water at the bottom of the falls. Many people stop their journey at the lower waterfall. If you prefer places that are not busy, then you will love Peepee Falls. Read more about the Rainbow Falls on our website. Aside from waterfalls, youll also be able to see red-hot lava flows, the Kohala Mule Station lookout, and more! You dont want any surprises that could ruin your trip. The website World of waterfalls is an excellent resource to find out more about the smaller waterfalls on the island. Access costs $12 per person (walk-in fee, no pre-bookings required), which also buys you access to their garden. Here you will find a delightful selection of art galleries and gift stores as well as several cafes. Hiilawe Falls is visible only within the valley or from the air, as the Waipio Valley is very steep. ), make small hikes, and admire the sweeping views and scenic coastlines and rugged valleys. Check out the latest prices and details. Always a classic, this, Located just a mile upstream of Rainbow Falls on the Wailua River, Peepee Falls feeds a series of several pools known as the boiling pots. I highly recommend checking out Viator for some of the best tours in Hawaii. With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. We like to get up and close to any waterfall we see, and know the same is true for many of our readers. Top 9 Waterfalls on The Big Island Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls Hi'ilawe Falls Rainbow Falls Pe'epe'e Falls Umauma Falls Kulaniapia Falls Onomea Falls Wai'ilikahi Falls What is the best way to visit all these waterfalls? No experience necessary! Are you planning to travel to the Big Island of Hawaii? One of the most spectacular waterfalls in Hawaii is Onomea Falls. Whether you want to soar over the falls or dive right in and swim them, we have the tour for you. This is a 120ft waterfall on the Waiau Stream situated on the lower slopes of Mauna Kea not far from Hilo. Kayak & Swim in the Umauma River. Enjoy spectacular views of Mauna Kea and the Pacific Ocean, awesome photo spots, swim in a private pond and really experience off-road Hawaii. Stunning Big Island Hawaii Waterfalls Worth a Stop, planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, Courtyard by Marriotts King Kamehameha Beach Hotel, Check out the latest prices and more details, discounted Kohala Waterfalls Adventure Tour, Legends of the Waterfalls and Volcano Tour, budget-friendly things to do on the Big Island. Although it is dwarfed in size by its beautiful neighbors, the Peepee Falls and the Ayaka Falls, its unique feature that inspired its namesake makes it worth a visit. One of the coolest ways to experience Kulaniapia Falls is by booking a spot in one of the Experience Packages available at the property. Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. Akaka Falls are extremely accessible, as the trail to the waterfall stretches only 0.4 miles long. Amidst the countless natural attractions on the Big Island, Ive picked seven of the top waterfalls on the Big Island to check out! All partners and related links comply with our Advertising Disclosures. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. Keep in mind that youll need to clear a full day of your itinerary for this. You might hear that people go swimming here, but dont do it! So, if youd rather sit back and enjoy a guided tour past some of our best waterfalls you could consider one of the following tours: This is a small-group adventure tour that lets you explore the beautiful and historic north Kohala forests and waterfalls. Plan to hike on slippery rocks, uphill slogs, tree roots, mud, and unmaintained trails. The waterfall is split into two waterfalls that fall into a pool below. Which waterfall can you swim at on the Big Island? A couple of the best waterfalls near Hilo can be seen in Akaka Falls State Park, including Akaka Falls (422 feet) and Kahuna Falls (100 feet). The lush landscape alone is enough to warrant a hike here. On the Hamakua coast: 'Akaka falls, Kolekole falls, Umauma falls, Onomea falls, Nanue falls, Hanapueo falls + lower Umauma falls. Its 93 miles across and has all sorts of terrain and natural wonders. Starting in Hilo town, this tour takes you on a slow-paced kayaking trip through the waters of Hilo Bay, where youll learn about some of the culture and history of the area. Take a comfortable ride through stunning countryside up to the hiking trailhead. Make sure your tour includes all of the waterfalls you want to see. Check out the latest prices and more details. Do you like waterfalls a LOT and are you also visiting another island in the Hawaiian island chain? Zip with up to 65 miles per hour on 9 long lines, over 14 rushing waterfalls, suspension bridges, and treetops of the lush Hamakua coast rainforest. Download and/or view the map of all 9 waterfalls here. Read THIS first! A tour across the Hamakua Coast that stops at Akaka Falls State Park, Rainbow Falls and Richardson Beach Park. They are one of the best helicopter companies in Hawaii. While theyre all worth seeing, we must warn you that most of them do not have a swimming hole or pool available. The gigantic waterfall stands out from the dry, rocky background of the red-walled canyon. The most spectacular waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii Rainbow Falls Pe'epe'e Falls Wai'ale Falls 'Akaka Falls Onomea Falls Umauma Falls Kulaniapia Falls Hi'ilawe Falls Map of the Big Island waterfalls How to decide which Big Island waterfall to visit? They offer a variety of tours to see the falls with ziplining being our favorite way to see the falls. You can visit their website at the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls for additional details. Hiilawe Falls (or Hi'ilawe Falls) was one of those waterfalls where it seemed it had a reputation that it can no longer live up to. Read more on the Umauma experience website. Good to know: The river feeding Hiilawe is used for irrigation purposes. Waimoku Falls is a 400 foot waterfall that you see pictured on the cover of many of Maui's guidebooks and is one of the tallest waterfalls on Maui. While some are hidden behind long and strenuous hikes, many waterfalls on the big island and other islands are visible from the road or after an easy hike. This is a great family-friendly waterfall as there are no strong currents or falling rocks around. This is what the falls look like after a good rain upstream. Kulaniapia Falls is located inside a 42-acre private property in Hilo, Hawaii. Most waterfalls can be found on the slopes of the Mauna Kea volcano close to Hilo and on the Hamakua coast. In addition, if weather and conditions permit, you may be able to swim, kayak or paddleboard under the waterfalls. Visiting the Big Island of Hawaii is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and weve done all the work for you to help plan your trip. Wading through these pools is not recommended. The total height of the falls is about 1,450 feet (442m), with a highest direct drop of 1,201 feet (366m)! Maunawili Falls What is the best way to visit all these waterfalls? This remote, Makaleha Trailhead, 7290 Kahuna Rd, Kapa?a, HI 96746, USA, Makapipi Falls is visible from the Road to Hana, and is unique in that the waterfall plummets into a striking blue pool. This, Upper Waikani Falls, Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA, Perhaps one of Oahus most stunning hidden waterfalls, this trek through the mud is never uphill for too long and offers the opportunity to jump in a beautiful waterfall at the end. Overview . If you are short on time, we recommend that you limit yourself to the more spectacular Akaka and Rainbow waterfalls. While youre enjoying these natural attractions, be sure to take lots of pictures! To be exact, you can visit Hiilawe Falls by going to the Waipio Valley at the Kohala Coast in Hawaii. Farmers Markets. I highly encourage taking a helicopter tour through the Kohala Coast if you want to see these waterfalls, unless you are a very experienced hiker looking for some adventure. Because these incredible destinations are fed waterfalls, it is important to issue a friendly warning about the risks associated with flash flooding, and leptospirosis bacteria found in many of Hawaiis natural pools. On the bright side, they did not jump off the falls as they planned to. I have seen other people recommend Peepee Falls as another great option. While transporting logs over to build the base might be a nuisance, the beach offers a wealth of advantages that . Mahalo! Hiilawe Falls is best seen at a distance, as public access to the base of the falls is not possible. What are the best hikes on the Big Island? It aims to take you on an unforgettable journey through the Hamakua Coast. Check out the latest prices and details! Please keep in mind that the falls are not accessible to the general public. However, they have started opening the grounds to the public for a $49 day pass. On the paved uphill Akaka Falls Loop Trail, you'll venture past these two beautiful waterfalls . Credit: John McCollum. To get to the waterfalls you need to make a pleasant and short 0.4-mile hike through the lush rainforest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves and draping ferns. Ultimate Guide to the Polynesian Cultural Center with Kids, Traditional Hawaiian Food: 24 Classic Dishes of Hawaiian Cuisine. To make the process easier you can look directly into Kona jeep rental deals and reserve the one that meets your needs. 9 Hawaii Big Island Waterfalls Rainbow Falls As we all know, a trip to Hawaii can be expensive and doing free or cheap activities is how most of us can afford to travel. Sign up for a discounted Kohala Waterfalls Adventure Tour. If ATVing is a bit too adventurous for you, try this tranquil kayaking tour that starts in Hilo town and takes you past hidden waterfalls. Dont miss them because once you see them, youll never forget them! It will take you about two hours to hike to Nanue Falls, but the path isnt too hard to walk on so youll be fine. The visit is well worth your time, even just to enjoy the tranquility of this Hawaiian rainforest. Get prepared to go off the beaten road (literally) and be stained with mud as you go off-road in a Honda ATV or a Side x Side ATV! You can now drive on a concrete road right to the falls and tropical garden. If you are in the Kona area, I highly recommend Paradise Helicopters. Peepee Falls on the Big Island. The content on this website may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission. Hiilawe Falls is often considered to be the tallest waterfall in Hawaii. Yes, but all of them require some sort of entrance fee. The water can be seen while hiking down the valley, and it should be visible to the left within around 7 minutes into the hike (depending on how fast you walk). The Waipio Valley lookout trailhead is a very steep but short half-mile hike. The Majestic Waterfalls Tour is one of the best tours on this list. This can cause the falls to be (almost) dry even during the wet season. They are a series of small pools fed by the Wailuku River. Swimming is not allowed here, so keep that in mind when you visit. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Which one was your favorite? pro tip for another close-by waterfall: if you continue up Wailuku drive a few minutes longer you get to a bridge crossing the Wailuku river. This waterfall is smaller than the rainbow falls but also far less crowded. The Wailuku River flows along the bottom of the gorge and downstream to Rainbow Falls. Take your first right onto Akaka Falls Road and continue for 3.75 miles until you reach the parking lot. Mahalo! Akaka, Kahuna, Hiilawe, Rainbow, Umauma, Peepee, Kulaniapia, Onomeaand WaiilikahiFalls. All Rights Reserved Have you gone to any of the best waterfalls in Hawaii to swim? Hi'ilawe Falls is a magnificent waterfall located in Waipio Valley on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island. Rainbow Falls One of Hawaii's most stunning waterfalls, Rainbow Falls is named for the rainbows that can be seen in the mist. Hi'ilawe Falls in the Waipio Valley. Akaka Falls is located inside the Akaka Falls State Park in Hawaii. We grouped this one group of Hawaii Big Island waterfalls together as they both are located in Akaka Falls State Park. click here to go to our instagram account, ATV Tours on the Big Island (BIG list of all tour operators), BIG LIST of Kona Coffee Tours on the Big Island, Stand Up Paddle (SUP) boarding: Rentals, Classes and Tours. Swimming here is not recommended, even on days where it feels safe. The largest waterfall in Hawaii is Oloupena Falls, located in Molokai. It is also possible to rappel down along the Kulaniapia Falls. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. These 7 Big Island waterfalls are truly spectacular and well worth checking out during your stay here! These falls are not reachable without trespassing and access to them is restricted. Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Big Island Itinerary complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Nanua Falls is a series of waterfalls on the Hamakua Coast, about 18 miles north of Hilo. Its secluded and quiet, and staying here really forces you to slow down and enjoy many of the natural beauties that Hawaii has to offer. The best time to visit the rainbow falls is in the early morning because this is when you have the most chance to see rainbows in the spray of the waterfall. And these are just the most popular waterfalls on Big Island. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. If you are not interested in these tours, you can pay $12 per person to visit the beautiful botanical gardens. If youre an old soul, this Hilo Bay Waterfalls by Kayak tour was made for you. Where are all the waterfalls in Hilo Hawaii? Content on this site is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical, health, or safety advice. On an especially clear day, you'll be able to see Mauna Kea behind them. Address: 875 Akaka Falls Rd, Honomu, HI 96728, United States. Furthermore, flash floods and strong currents are a real danger there. Hi'ilawe Falls is visible only within the valley or from the air, as the . Table of Contents hide 1 Rainbow Falls 2 Akaka Falls 3 Umauma Falls 4 Wai'ale Falls 5 PeePee Falls 6 Hi'ilawe Falls 7 Private Waterfalls 8 Why Are There So Many Waterfalls in Hawaii? This Upper Waikani Falls, Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA 2. As you tour, youll be able to enjoy amazing photo spots and unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean, waterfalls, and the Mauna Kea. If you plan to camp here, please make sure you obtain the proper permits, as they are required. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. To be exact, you can find it along the Umauma River in Hakalau. We've updated both travel guides with a lot of new great information for potential visitors (and those who've been a time or two as well). Visit the Akaka Falls State Park and take the pleasant 0.4 mile paved foot path loop that takes you to viewing spots of both Akaka Falls (442 feet) and Kahuna Falls (100 feet). Swim, kayak, stand up paddleboard or just relax and enjoy the scenery with your friends and family.