Youll be treated to an entirely new and equally beautiful view of the waterfalls. Read THIS first! The size of these waterfalls and their location in the lush and tropical rainforest makes them a popular and spectacular attraction to check out. The hike down is very easy and can take as little as 20 minutes. They offer a variety of tours to see the falls with ziplining being our favorite way to see the falls. Enjoy! Meet with a local driver and travel to North Kona to experience multiple zip-lines that stretch over beautiful landscapes, including waterfalls. The famous triple-tiered Umauma Falls. Visit the State Parks website for updated pricing. Majestic Waterfalls Tour A tour across the Hamakua Coast that stops at 'Akaka Falls State Park, Rainbow Falls and Richardson Beach Park. 6 Must-Visit Waterfalls On Big Island Top Picks From Locals There is a chance of injury or death if you decide to go swimming or wading in any waterfall. It takes about 60 to 90 minutes to hike to the waterfall. 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. Deluxe Big Island ATV Tour & Waterfall Swim at Umauma Falls . Although the Hawaiian archipelago has a multitude of famous waterfalls, especially on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. Family friendly zipline tour + private waterfall swim. This is a very difficult hike to complete in one day and is not recommended for beginners. The Hiilawe waterfall is one of the tallest waterfalls of the state of Hawai. Address: 875 Akaka Falls Rd, Honomu, HI 96728, United States. Its only 80-foot-tall but its still a beautiful natural feature with gushing water all year-round and a large pool below. The Majestic Waterfalls Tour is one of the best tours on this list. Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls. Do you like waterfalls a LOT and are you also visiting another island in the Hawaiian island chain? Peepee Falls are another great waterfall that you can visit. The Big Island, however, also has breathtaking waterfalls. These 7 Big Island waterfalls are truly spectacular and well worth checking out during your stay here! Read more on the Umauma experience website. Most of the waterfalls are found near Hilo and northeastern, or Hamakua, coast. We also receive a small commission from travel partners for some of the links found on this website. 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. Her next trip to Hawaii is never too far away! The state park is located along the northeastern Hilo Coast, west of Honom. In addition, if weather and conditions permit, you may be able to swim, kayak or paddleboard under the waterfalls. The waterfall is located inside Waipio Valley and is about 1,450 feet tall. The Kulaniapia Falls is a private 90-100 foot waterfall located at the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls. 6 Captivating Hawaii Big Island Waterfalls | Insider Families The 422 ft tall Akaka falls are part of the Akaka falls state park, located just north of Hilo. This article covers seven of the Big Islands most beautiful waterfalls! Rainbow Falls is not safe for swimming. Get your discounted Waterfalls of Kohala Tour. Akaka Falls is a spectacularly tall waterfall that hurls down an incredible 422 feet down a mountain face. Whether you want to soar over the falls or dive right in and swim them, we have the tour for you. Get in touch with us! However, they have started opening the grounds to the public for a $49 day pass. The waterfall got its name from the rainbow that often forms at the base. 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. Kulaniapia Falls is a private waterfall located on the Waiau Stream, not far from Hilo. You can swim in this one! [more], 2006-2023 World Of Waterfalls, All Rights Reserved Sign up for this discounted Waipio Valley and Waterfalls Adventure. This picturesque spot can be found past mile marker 16 on the Hana Highway, below the bridge that crosses Palauhulu Stream. On the Hamakua coast: 'Akaka falls, Kolekole falls, Umauma falls, Onomea falls, Nanue falls, Hanapueo falls + lower Umauma falls. Onomea Falls is a stunning multi-tiered waterfall set amidst a beautiful botanical garden: the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. The Best Hiking Shoes for Hawaii in 2021(The Ultimate buying Guide), The 5 Best Reef Safe Sunscreens for Hawaii. 4 Easy Big Island Waterfalls For Those Who Are Tired - Aloha With Love This is awesome for those not renting a car. Photos of Kulania attached . There may be no better way to experience Hawaiian waterfalls than with a helicopter tour. This is the perfect pre or post-hike pit stop for pineapples and fresh coconuts that you can't miss. Must-See Hawaii Big Island Waterfalls - Going Awesome Places However, you need to pay a fee to be able to access the viewing deck. Hiilawe Falls is one of the top Big Island waterfall hikes to do. Due to its location, the sun hits the water at just the right angle to show off. Sign up for our free monthly updates (more info) about everything that is new and happening in Hawaii. Content on this site is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical, health, or safety advice. 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. The Kulaniapia Falls for example require a day pass, and others are on private property and only reachable as part of a tour. However, it is not totally uncommon to see that the waterfall is dry, which is a result of the Hamakua Ditch that diverts the flow of water. Sign up for this discounted Majestic Waterfalls Tour. Now you know some of the best waterfalls Big Island has to offer. Which one was your favorite? Most of these places do not have a lifeguard on duty, making you solely responsible for your safety. The Big Island is filled with tourist attractions! Each has its own unique beauty that will leave you in awe from start to finish! Alternatively, you can zipline or rappel at the Umauma Falls. Shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license. The Northern beach is one of the potential crash sites in Sons of the Forest, and it's also one of the best base locations. Waterfall tours are among our favorites because of the amount of nature they allow you to experience in a relatively short amount of time and because they often feature a visit to a private waterfall that permits you to actually swim under a waterfall. You can access the waterfall for free and its one of the best Big Island hikes. 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. You can visit their website at the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls for additional details. This is a great way to see some of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaii. No experience necessary! HOME PRIVACY POLICY TERMS, Affiliate Disclosure: We receive compensation from companies whose products or services are used, referenced, or reviewed regardless of whether we endorse or criticize them. The hike itself can be challenging and involves multiple stream crossings. Akaka and Kahuna Falls are part of the Akaka Falls State Park, located north of Hilo. Natural swimming pool with crystal clear water on the island Island Experiences | Hilton Waikoloa Village Hawaii Resort Another great way to see these waterfalls is to take an organized tour. Peepee Falls on the Big Island. Drive down yourself (only with 4WD), or get down to the valley floor as part of a horseback riding tour in the valley. Swimming in tropical fresh water ( and I use the term loosely) is a product of Hollywood movies like blue Lagoon. The lush landscape alone is enough to warrant a hike here. It aims to take you on an unforgettable journey through the Hamakua Coast. You will need to stop at the visitor center to register before heading to the falls. The couple run a healing retreat on Hawaii's Big Island - and Dorina has been swimming with dolphins throughout her pregnancy. Double your adventure with the Kohala Zip and Dip and explore the enchanting lands of North Kohala. This is why we list the tallest, most popular, and most easily accessible waterfalls on the Big Island: to make sure you spend your waterfall-time as efficient as possible. Youll get to play in the ocean, explore a tidepool, and see Rainbow Falls. Have you gone to any of the best waterfalls in Hawaii to swim? Its the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago and has some of the most popular waterfalls in all of Hawaii! If you follow the path, youll see the beautiful Kahuna Falls along the way just before you see Akaka Falls. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Use tab to navigate through the menu items. If waterfalls are your thing you most likely wont be happy to see only the biggest six. Youll see places on the Big Island only accessible by air. Umauma Falls Check out the latest prices and more details. Plus, youll keep an eye out for Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and stop at Big Island Candies for the most famous Hawaiian candy on the Big Island. As you tour, youll be able to enjoy amazing photo spots and unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean, waterfalls, and the Mauna Kea. She was a professional hula dancer for 20 years and even wrote her college thesis on Hawaiian history. This is an activity in which you descend the rocks surrounding the waterfall with a harness and equipment ensuring your safety. Head to Waimea Falls for the best, A short hike within the Puaa Kaa State Wayside will reward you with a relatively secluded and picturesque waterfall, cascading into the delightful pool below. The volume of the rainbow falls (or Waianuenue) changes on a daily basis. Akaka Falls are extremely accessible, as the trail to the waterfall stretches only 0.4 miles long. Before we talk about the best waterfalls, lets discuss some FAQs you might have: Swimming is NOT allowed at Akaka Falls State Park. Join this tour to see waterfalls and the stunning Hilo scenery and learn about King Kamehameha the Great and his preference for the area. 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. A picnic lunch and hotel transport are included for a hassle-free experience. Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. The Magical Waterfall Tour is an airborne tour that takes you on a visit to the coastline of Waipio Valley and Waimanu Valley. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Its 93 miles across and has all sorts of terrain and natural wonders. Hawaii Waterfall Swim Adventure, Waipio Valley Lookout & Botanical Garden . There are tons of gorgeous waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii. Its an impressive 1,450-foot natural waterfall with a main drop of 1,201 feet. 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. Description: Considered one of the best family waterfall hikes on the island, the 800-foot Waipoo Falls can be approached via the Waipoo Falls Trail at Waimea Canyon. The state park entry fees are $5/car or $1/pedestrian. Subscribe to receive 5 emails in 5 days: Call us for advice! This is a full-day trip from Kona. This is one of the most famous waterfalls on the Big Island. This is what the falls look like after a good rain upstream. The Umauma Falls are a spectacular 3-tiered falls and one of the best waterfalls on the Big Island. It is simply breathtaking. The admission fee to view the 422 ft tall falls is $5.00 per car or $1.00 per person for pedestrians. They are a series of small pools fed by the Wailuku River. Hi'ilawe Falls While theyre all worth seeing, we must warn you that most of them do not have a swimming hole or pool available. Take a full-day waterfall adventure tour of the Big Islands Kohala Coast. Each one of these is worth visiting at least once in my opinion. Trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Thank you! 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! We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Be sure to bring extra clothing. If you have the time and are already visiting Rainbow Falls, add a short hike to continue your waterfall adventure. Hiilawe Falls is located on the Big Island. I have included a downloadable map of these waterfalls at the bottom of this post to help with your planning and navigation. This waterfall is created from a small stream and is a multiple-tier waterfall located inside the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Wading through these pools is not recommended. We decided to take a scenic drive while staying on the Hilo side to see some of these waterfalls. Rappelling at the Kulaniapia Falls. If you are staying in Kona, meet up with a local driver who takes you to North Kohala. Big Island travel tips & recommendations , Explore Big Island Hotels & Resorts Search Now. Enjoy this 8-hour adventure as you explore Kohala, the oldest of five volcanos that make up the Big Island. The Umauma falls are three waterfalls in close proximity to the Umauma River, 16 miles north of Hilo on the Hamakua coast. Check out the latest prices and details! While there are gorgeous waterfalls on Kauai, Oahu, and Maui, the Big Island has some of the most famous waterfalls in Hawaii. Bear right at the top of the hill onto the main street of Honomu town. The Complete Guide to Big Island Waterfalls - bigisland.org If the idea of planning a self-guided waterfall trip causes you anxiety, or if you simply want to sit back and enjoy the view, you can always book one of these tours! 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. Most of these waterfalls are located very close to each other, and it makes sense to see them in one day as it only takes a few minutes to get from one to the other. The waterfall is named for the beautiful rainbow that forms at the waterfalls base. The waterfall flows from a water source called the Onomea Stream. 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. 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. You can also book a stay at The Inn, a high-quality resort thats well worth the money. Akaka Falls State Park Information, Photos & More - Hawaii Guide The Oloupena Falls is the tallest waterfall in Hawaii, located on the tiny island of Molokai, stretching an immense 2,953 feet high. You can read the full story here. 7 Best Big Island Hawaii Waterfalls (2023) - Hawaii Travel with Kids They are very safe and you will have amazing views. Youll be able to get up close and personal with this body of water and have the most memorable time in Hawaii. Regardless, they are still worth the visit if you love nature and gorgeous views. Although Akaka Falls is the main event during the hike, the smaller Kahuna Falls is a must-see as well. If you think you've located a Big Island waterfall we've omitted, please contact us, and we'll make sure it's added. 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. With a population of less than 75,000, Kauai is truly a small-town island, littered with open space, protected preserves, and old plantation history. Hiilawe Falls - Legendary Waterfall with Temporary Flow They can be difficult to spot, so it may be worthwhile bringing a pair of binoculars if you really want to get a good look. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Heather Goodman. 'Akaka Falls 'Akaka Falls is located just north of Hilo and are a gem of the Big Island's waterfalls. Turn inland (mauka) between mile markers 14 and 13 onto Honomu Road. One of the most spectacular waterfalls in Hawaii is Onomea Falls. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. As an Amazon Associate, thistraveldream.com earns from qualifying purchases. swimming in waterfalls - Island of Hawaii Forum - Tripadvisor