2. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Keep scrolling for the best waterfalls on the Big Island and discover why people love coming back again and again to this magical island destination. Unfortunately, the strength of the falls is often dependent on rainfall - so here's to hoping you catch it on a good day. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Visit the Botanical Gardens website for updated pricing. Standing at around 80 feet tall, this waterfall is a must-see year round on the Big Island. I would plan 10 hours out of your day if you are thinking about doing the hike. The admission fee to view the 422 ft tall falls is $5.00 per car or $1.00 per person for pedestrians. The falls are located in Waimanu Valley. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. Other than water rappelling, the Experiences Package offers a multitude of other activities. There are so many incredible waterfalls, making it hard to know where to start. Hanapueo and Umauma Falls. Alternatively, you can zipline or rappel at the Umauma Falls. As a paradise for active travelers it is rich in experiences that include nature, culinary discoveries, historic landmarks, shopping, nightlife and festivals. Compared to many other Hawaiian Islands, the Big Island is huge. Waipoo Falls. Another popular way to observe the Umauma Falls is through a short 1.7 mile hike within the World Botanical Garden that most consider to be unchallenging. If you are visiting the rainbow falls and have the time and interest to see another set of waterfalls you should check out these falls. This broad waterfall in the Wailuku river is conveniently located within Hilo town. It is one of the most idyllic and beautiful waterfalls in the world. They also offer ATV tours, waterfall rappelling and horseback riding tours to the falls as well. Whether you are looking to Big Island waterfall tours or waterfalls you can swim in on the Big Island, this guide will give you everything you need to plan your next adventure. Access to the falls is right off the road. Maunawili Falls You can contact the State Division of Forestry and Wildlife at 808-974-4221. You can hide and show different layers, or click icons on the map to see the names of waterfalls we mention in this guide. Swimming here can be dangerous and has proved lethal several times in the past. You have to be a guest at the Inn to access the trail leading to the waterfall. Whether youd like to hike or bike along tranquil trails, visit scenic overlooks, snorkel, or just relax on the shore of a sunny beach, the Big Island wont disappoint. Be sure to do both if you have the time. Youre planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, and you want to visit some of the many beautiful waterfalls on this volcanic island. Plus it has numerous attractions, from volcanic rock formations to beautiful waterfalls. Read more about ourHawaii adventureshere. These 7 Big Island waterfalls are truly spectacular and well worth checking out during your stay here! Some of which are so beautiful that they inspired some of Hawaiis most popular songs. The size of these waterfalls and their location in the lush and tropical rainforest makes them a popular and spectacular attraction to check out. It is also possible to rappel down along the Kulaniapia Falls. Several are featured in popular Hawaiian songs. My personal favorites are Polulu Valley, The Puna Trail, and The hike to Makalawena Beach, to name a few. There are different car rental companies in Kona, Hawaii that will set it up for you. The Big Island Waterfalls page is where we narrow our focus of Hawaiian Waterfalls to the Big Island of Hawaii. They are amazing natural wonders that should definitely be on your list of things to do while visiting this tropical paradise! Free cancellation: up to 48 hours before tour. Hawaii's Big Island is home to some of the islands' most accessible waterfalls, and here are five of the most popular. The path to Onomea Falls is stunning in itself. They offer a variety of tours to see the falls with ziplining being our favorite way to see the falls. I hope that these waterfalls and tours will give you an idea of what you can add to your itinerary for your trip to the Big Island! There are plenty of these tours you can take while on the Big Island. The falls are located in the rainforest. The good news is, while youre inside the botanical garden, youll be able to see the beautiful flora and fauna species that are native to Hawaii. the State Parks website for updated pricing. Soak in soaring sea cliffs, remote valleys, and even go for a swim under one of seven waterfalls. As an Amazon Associate, thistraveldream.com earns from qualifying purchases. While transporting logs over to build the base might be a nuisance, the beach offers a wealth of advantages that . This amazingly unique experience takes place on the beautiful landscapes near the Umauma stream, held on pristinely-kept private property. This article covers seven of the Big Islands most beautiful waterfalls! Which one was your favorite? Seeing waterfalls is a great way to save money while on your vacation to Hawaii. Now they have opened up their grounds to a limited amount of daily visitors. However, it is important to note that Umauma Falls is a private waterfall that can only be accessed through small group tours. Its an impressive 1,450-foot natural waterfall with a main drop of 1,201 feet. Located within the Hilo city limits, Wainuenue (Rainbow Falls) is very easy to visit. There are no lifeguards here, so please be extremely cautious. This waterfall is smaller than Rainbow falls, but also way less crowded. This website's use is your expressly conditioned acceptance of the terms, conditions, and disclaimers found within our Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability page without any modifications. Here you will find a delightful selection of art galleries and gift stores as well as several cafes. I have included a downloadable map of these waterfalls at the bottom of this post to help with your planning and navigation. Read more: in our guide to visiting the Rainbow falls. Below we've included links to several of the best waterfalls on the Big Island, most of which you can see without ahelicopter(all falls visible from the air only are noted). Youll be treated to an entirely new and equally beautiful view of the waterfalls. The hike is suitable for the whole family and takes half an hour if you take your time. While youre enjoying these natural attractions, be sure to take lots of pictures! With a 440-foot summit, this waterfall is wildly popular due to the easy 0.4-mile paved loop, which takes you to the viewing spots of both Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls. The falls used to only be open to those staying at the hotel located on the grounds. You can start the hike to this waterfall from the Waipio Valley lookout. And this rainfall provides lots of opportunities to appreciate the island's falls. Be sure not the trespass onto the private land that surrounds the waterfall. Its accessible through several different methods and gorgeous no matter how you see it. Download and/or view the map of all 9 waterfalls here. Also, if you are visiting Oahu and want to know where the best waterfall hikes are on Oahu, Ive got you covered. Simply put, waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii are some of the world's finest. Onomea Falls is a stunning multi-tiered waterfall set amidst a beautiful botanical garden: the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. Then, there are waterfalls where the access is rather ambiguous (to my knowledge), and these include Hi'ilawe Falls, Nanue Falls, and the so-called Narnia Waterfalls (which are actually a convergence of three named waterfalls). On the paved uphill Akaka Falls Loop Trail, you'll venture past these two beautiful waterfalls . If that is the case you should definitely have a look at our lists of waterfalls for the other islands: The light blue waterfalls marked on the map below represent our favorites that are described in more detail below. Marvel at the beauty and adventure that makes up Hawaii. The Magical Waterfall Tour is an airborne tour that takes you on a visit to the coastline of Waipio Valley and Waimanu Valley. Akaka Falls is located inside the Akaka Falls State Park in Hawaii. These falls form also the access to a popular but risky local swimming spot called the boiling pots. Located only 1.5 miles upstream from Rainbow Falls, Peepee Falls is another beautiful spot. What I mean by this is that it was once one of the tallest and mightiest waterfalls in all the islands of Hawai'i with its often quoted cumulative height of 1,450ft. Check out the latest prices and more details. If you are in the Kona area, I highly recommend Paradise Helicopters. When people talk about swimming at Peepee Falls, they are probably referring to the boiling pots located by the lookout point. Come join the Big Island's only horseback ride that offers swimming at a waterfall! Nanua Falls is a series of waterfalls on the Hamakua Coast, about 18 miles north of Hilo. She was a professional hula dancer for 20 years and even wrote her college thesis on Hawaiian history. Akaka and Kahuna Falls are part of the Akaka Falls State Park, located north of Hilo. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. You dont want any surprises that could ruin your trip. 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? Peepee Falls form a rather risky, but popular local swimming hole known as boiling pots. However, swimming here has proved to be lethal and should be avoided. However, the waterfall tends to be dry in early spring, around March. Sugar Water: Hawaiis Plantation Ditches by Carol Wilcox. Onomea Falls is located along the Hamakua Coast in Hawaii. Its one of the quietest and least touristy waterfalls on the island, so you can enjoy a chill day with your friends when you visit. What Are The Must-Visit Waterfalls On Big Island? When river safety conditions permit, you can also go swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding under the Kulaniapia Falls using on-site equipment. Here is our list of the top 9 waterfalls in Hawaii that wont disappoint! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. Love Hawaii? Which Hawaiian island has the best waterfall hikes? 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. Please do not put these waterfalls on your to-do list. One of the greatest, Makapipi Falls, Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA, Located off Pali Highway is this extraordinary waterfall hike complete with a trek through a bamboo forest, views of a stunning field and reservoir, the beauty of the Hawaiian jungle, and of course the jaw-dropping, 50-foot Lulumahu Falls. These links do not cost you anything and help provide the necessary funding to maintain this website. Nonetheless, its still a breathtaking sight to see. You can see all sorts of hidden waterfalls if you go kayaking, take a boat tour, or ride in a helicopter. Located up the Wailua River, you will need to either rent kayaks or book a guided tour to reach the trailhead. These 7 Big Island waterfalls are truly spectacular and well worth checking out during your stay here! Where are the best waterfalls to swim in Hawaii? One of the, As you are driving on Hana Highway from the north, the first notable attraction you will discover is these twin waterfalls, also known as Hololawa Falls. User-submitted Waterfall Write-up of the Month, and the latest news and updates both within the website as well as around the wonderful world of waterfalls. Although Akaka Falls is the main event during the hike, the smaller Kahuna Falls is a must-see as well. Well, you are in luck. Amidst the countless natural attractions on the Big Island, Ive picked seven of the top waterfalls on the Big Island to check out! Book any of these great Big Island waterfall tours today! Most waterfalls can be found on the slopes of the Mauna Kea volcano close to Hilo and on the Hamakua coast. This waterfall is one of the tallest waterfalls across all of the Islands, standing at its maximum height at 1,450 feet. Here, youll zipline across the forest, have lunch in the Pololu Valley, and even swim in a Big Island waterfall. Did we list it? youll get to taste seasonal fruit and macadamia nuts, swim at private waterfalls, and enjoy local food for lunch. Plan to hike on slippery rocks, uphill slogs, tree roots, mud, and unmaintained trails. Located in the Waipio Valley, this waterfall is absolutely breathtaking. An aerial view of Kulaniapia Falls. You can follow an uphill path towards the waterfall, which is about half a mile long. Rainbow Falls is not safe for swimming. This state park is home to two amazing waterfalls, one of which plunges 422 feet into a stream-eroded gorge below. 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). The dark blue/purple waterfalls are more difficult to see and smaller waterfalls. Mahalo! The waterfalls themselves might be short, but the picturesque pools are well worth the short hike. There are more than seven pools, and they arent sacred rumor has it that a local hotel owner coined the name in order to attract more visitors to his establishment. Its a way to connect with nature and experience the waterfall closer than otherwise. A tour across the Hamakua Coast that stops at Akaka Falls State Park, Rainbow Falls and Richardson Beach Park. Yes, but all of them require some sort of entrance fee. However, because you descend over 900 feet in such a short distance, the hike up is immensely steep and challenging to manage. On Highway 19's bridge, most drivers will pass by these 2 neat waterfalls without realizing it! Absolutely! This, Located within Waimea Valley is this charming waterfall, perfect for a family swim. The hike to the waterfall takes either 5 or 15 minutes, depending on which route you decide to take. It's a 1,450 feet tall waterfall, although most of it drops 1,201 feet, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaii. Our most popular hotels on the Island of Hawaii A couple of travel dreamers who fell in love with Hawaii and want to share the beauty of the Islands! Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Their list contains the following waterfalls: In Hilo: Rainbow falls, Pe'epe'e falls, Wai'ale falls, Kulaniapia falls. I have seen people continue to do it anyway, but this is just asking for trouble. At the bottom of the valley, take a left and walk for roughly 5-10 minutes to see the falls. If youre thinking of driving a 44 vehicle down, Id be careful and ensure that it has enough horsepower and gas to make it back up. You can also walk down from the upper parking lots and viewing decks. Sign up for this discounted Majestic Waterfalls Tour. The most important is the water-born disease leptospirosis: dont go swimming if you have any abrasions, scrapes, blisters or other skin lesions. You no longer need to book a tour with the Umauma Experience to get to the falls. I also included a table of contents, so feel free to skip to the sections you are most interested in. Hi'ilawe Falls is visible only within the valley or from the air, as the . If you are looking for an adventure or just want to relax on your vacation, these seven waterfalls will not disappoint. Its approximately a 19-mile out and back hike that takes around 4 hours each way. 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). Also, be sure to check out all the waterfalls in Hawaii on ourHawaii Waterfallspage. Thats not to say that the Big Island has the best waterfalls I think all the islands have something great to offer when it comes to these fascinating feats of nature. Its 93 miles across and has all sorts of terrain and natural wonders. Please do not be tempted to hike up if there are signs that say hiking is not allowed and its blocked off. Read more on the Umauma experience website. We enjoy nature, the ocean, mountains, adventure, and all things outdoors. Flash flooding in this area is common, so please proceed with caution. Majestic Waterfalls Tour A tour across the Hamakua Coast that stops at 'Akaka Falls State Park, Rainbow Falls and Richardson Beach Park. The lush green northeastern coast- the Hilo and Hamakua Coast regions- is home to lovely tropical gardens nourished by the abundant rainfall the area receives. This multi tiered, Oheo Gulch, OheO Gulch, Hawaii 96713, USA. We are independently owned so content written by us merely reflect our own opinions. 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. The Onomea Falls is located within the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, This s private property owned by Dan Lutkenhouse, first opened in 1984. Check out the latest prices and details. The Northern beach offers the best base location for those wanting to live by the sea in Sons of the Forest. The pots are called boiling pots because, during heavy rain, the flow of water increases and the pots appear to be boiling. This gorgeous waterfall stretches 442 feet high and descends into a beautiful gorge eroded over time by water, which now lays dozens of feet below ground level. Get our brand-new trip planning series delivered directly to your inbox - for FREE (more info). Ultimate Guide to the Polynesian Cultural Center with Kids, Traditional Hawaiian Food: 24 Classic Dishes of Hawaiian Cuisine.