10 Best Waterfalls in Hawaii

Rainbow Falls, an 80-foot waterfall located in Hilo, Big Island of Hawaii, is one of the most easily accessible waterfalls and truly comes alive due to its beautiful flora. Part of the Hawai'i State Parks, Rainbow Falls is also only about a 5-minute drive from city centre Hilo, making it an easy attraction to squeeze into even a tight schedule.

The main allure of the Rainbow Falls is its elegant, tropical flora that’s ideal for photographing. The falls also rush into a pool below, where adventurous types might enjoy a swim. There are rumours that the cove behind the falls is the spot where King Kamehameha buried the bones of his father.

Manoa Falls is an ideal waterfall to visit for families with small children or anyone who prefers an easy walk, as its hiking trail is perfect for beginners. The falls here are beautiful, and they're easy to explore since getting there requires only a 1-mile hiking trail.

Take in the gorgeous landscapes and scenery as you make your way up to the waterfall that cascades 150 feet down a mountain ridge. Manoa Falls is located in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu.

Wailua Falls proves that the best things come in pairs, as its crowning feature is the fact it consists of 2 parallel streams of water cascading into the Wailua River. Wailua Falls is located in Kauai, more specifically upon the South Fork Wailua River close to Lihue.

When heavy rains occur, the 2 falls will often combine into 1 giant exploding torrent of water, another majestic sight to see. During ancient times, Hawaiians used to take the 83-foot drop as a sign of their bravery, but today you can safely view the falls from the road, 3 miles up Maalo Road.

Waipo’o Falls is a 700-foot waterfall on Kauai, Hawaii’s second oldest island, and makes for a great photo backdrop, as it’s accompanied by a beautiful canyon. Although this waterfall typically only flows during the wet season, which is often from December to March, it’s still worth a visit any time of year due to the panoramic sights it offers.

Waipo’o Falls is accompanied by the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” otherwise called Waimea Canyon. Located on the dry side of Kauai, it’s worth a visit to this waterfall just to take in the breathtaking mix of colour.

Opaekaa Falls is a perfect spot to have a picnic while gazing in awe at the many scenic landscapes this area has to offer. The falls are 151 feet tall and 40 feet wide and cascade into a hidden pool.

In addition to the picnic tables, there are also bathrooms here, which families with young children might especially appreciate. The falls are located about 2 miles up Kuamoo Road on the east side in Wailua, and they are very accessible.

Hanakapiai Falls is a towering waterfall in the Hanakapiai Valley, which is a side valley along the Na Pali Coast, and is accessible by taking a hike. Getting here isn’t the easiest, though, as it involves about a 9-mile return hike, so it’s best to have that in mind and make the necessary preparations.

If you're up for the hike, Hanakapiai Falls won't disappoint. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with views of beautiful cliffs and a luscious jungle that give you some of the most impressive glimpses into Hawaii’s tropical landscapes.

Manawaiopuna Falls, often referred to as Jurassic Falls, is most widely known for its appearances in the 1993 film "Jurassic Park." The 400-foot-tall waterfall is located on Kauai, but it's privately owned, so there are no public hiking trails.

Since the waterfall is not publicly accessible by car or by foot, the only way to get a close view is by taking a helicopter ride. You'll find several helicopter companies in the area that will fly you over the falls, but most are not allowed to land near the falls.

Sacred Falls has technically been closed since Mother’s Day in 1999 due to a rockfall that occurred, and hiking to the falls in the now-closed Sacred Falls State Park is prohibited. Besides the falls, the park is also home to the Kaluanui gulch and a valley and gorges to discover.

The falls are located in Kaluanui, near Hauʻula, Oʻahu and the park has many spiritual beliefs and ideas attached to it. For example, under the falls there’s a trough-like gouge where it’s said that Kamapuaʻa, a pig demigod, leaned against a cliff so that his family members could climb his body and elude their enemies.

Pu’uka’oku Falls is an enchanting, majestic beauty that offers great scenic views, especially if you decide to take a boat tour from the sea. The cascading waters don't free-fall but rather slide down a basalt cliff. Estimates suggest that the falls are about 2,755 feet high.

Pu’uka’oku Falls can be found in Molokai, roughly 11 miles from the island’s centre. In addition to opting to see the falls from the sea, another choice is to take a helicopter tour and get up close and personal. Regardless, both options require good weather conditions, so it’s best to prepare in advance.

Kahiwa Falls is a tiered waterfall and, rising 2,165 feet high, it’s considered to be one of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaii. The waterfall is situated on the island of Molokai and is composed of 6 different tiers. Unfortunately, there’s no hope of hiking to the falls, as they’re only observable by sea or air. Options include boat tours or helicopter rides.

Even so, being able to witness the beautiful Kahiwa Falls is a treat and is sure to be the highlight of the day. Additionally, if you fancy yourself a good photographer, then this could be the perfect opportunity to take excellent pictures for Instagram.