The Top 10 Best Hawaii Waterfalls
Click here to share your favorite waterfalls in Hawaii with visitors to this page!
10. WAIPOO FALLS [Waimea Canyon, Kauai]
This reportedly 700ft waterfall is decorated by the scenic backdrop of the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, otherwise known as Waimea Canyon. Although this waterfall typically only flows during the Wet Season and it sits on a drier side of Kauai, it's not often that you get to witness a waterfall surrounded by contrasting colors amidst such memorable scenery. And it was this rare combination that compelled us to place the falls on this list of our favorites. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
9. RAINBOW FALLS [Hilo, Big Island of Hawaii]
This 80ft postcard waterfall is also one of the easiest ones to visit. Situated near Hilo on the Big Island, the cove in which the waterfall plunges is surrounded by lush tropical flora. Since it flows on the state's longest river (Wailuku River), it's a rare Hawaiian year-round waterfall and makes our top 10 list. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
8. WAILUA FALLS [Wailua River State Park, Kauai]
Not to be confused with the Wailua Falls on Maui, this double-barreled waterfall is on the island of Kauai, and is easily one of the most scenic in the state. Perhaps this 80ft waterfall was made famous by its appearance on the opening sequence to the old television show "Fantasy Island." In any case, don't miss this easily-accessible must-see waterfall if you happen to be visiting the Garden Isle. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
7. MANAWAIOPUNA FALLS [Hanapepe Valley, Kauai]
Jurassic Park fans will certainly recognize this waterfall. With its unusual shape and enormous size, we most certainly had to make room for this impressive falls. We believe that of all the known publicly inaccessible waterfalls on the island of Kauai, this falls certainly makes it hard to turn down a helicopter flight to go see it. In fact, when we first experienced this waterfall, it was only from the air. However, it seems that some helicopter companies have recently been allowed to land at the falls! How cool is that?!? And no, you need not fear dinosaurs to pay a visit! Click here to read more about this waterfall.
6. HANAKAPIAI FALLS [Na Pali Coast, Kauai]
Even if you're not up for the epic Kalalau Trail backpack along the famous Na Pali Coast of Kauai, you can still dayhike to this towering waterfall in the Hanakapiai Valley (a side valley of the Na Pali Coast). Surrounded by fluted cliffs and a lush jungle, this waterfall adds to the scenic allure of arguably the most scenic coastline in all the Hawaiian Islands. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
5. MOAULA FALLS [Halawa Valley, Molokai]
The more accessible of two prominent waterfalls in the legendary Halawa Valley of Molokai, it's a great place to swim, learn about Hawaiian culture, and appreciate its surroundings. When viewed from the air, more tiers of this 250ft waterfall (possibly 700ft of total drop) come into view. A trip to the most Hawaiian of the Hawaiian islands wouldn't be complete without a visit to this gem of Mo'o's domain. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
4. PAPALAUA FALLS [Papalaua Valley, Molokai]
This remote 1200ft waterfall on the north shore of Molokai is one of the state's tallest. It is often confused with the ephemeral Kahiwa Falls perhaps because of bad information given by helicopter pilots or bad information given by the topographic maps. Whatever the case is the with nomenclature, those fortunate to see this waterfall will definitely not forget it, and thus it easily makes our top 10 list of Best Hawaii Waterfalls. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
3. SACRED FALLS [Hauula, Oahu]
This 1100ft waterfall is easily O'ahu's most spectacular waterfall. Unfortunately, its access is closed indefinitely due to a fatal landslide that took place on Mother's Day in 1999. However, it is possible to still see the falls if you're willing to fork out some serious dough to go on a helicopter ride. And while it may be difficult to shell out that kind of money just for this waterfall, its scenic allure sure makes it very hard to turn down. Click here to read more about this waterfall.
2. AKAKA FALLS [Hamakua Coast, Big Island of Hawaii]
This 420ft waterfall is definitely the Big Island's best waterfall and certainly one of the best in the state. Given the fact that it flows year round, it's easily accessible, and it's so reminiscent of the type of waterfalls found in inaccessible gulches and valleys, this waterfall is certainly up there in our top 10 list of Best Hawaii Waterfalls. Make sure not to miss this one! Click here to read more about this waterfall.
1. WAIMOKU FALLS [Haleakala National Park, Maui]
Situated at the end of arguably Hawaii's best hiking trail (The Pipiwai Trail), this 400ft waterfall is the ultimate reward after passing by several waterfalls as well as a bamboo forest along the way. For such a tall waterfall, it's amazing that this one also flows year round and that you can get right up to its base. Indeed, it's a tribute to the fact that it sits in the protected lands of the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park for all to enjoy. Add it all up and this waterfall just nudges into the top spot of our list.Click here to read more about this waterfall.
What's YOUR Top 10 List?
Have your own Top 10 List?
Or do you have a favorite waterfall?
Is there one (or more) waterfalls that you think should've been on this list?
Any waterfalls you feel that shouldn't have been on this list?
Everybody has an opinion. What's yours?
Click here to see visitor comments
Click here to go to the Comments Main Page
[Back to top]
[Go to the Regional Top 10 Lists of Best Waterfalls Page]
[Go to the Top 10 Best Waterfalls of the World Page]
[Return from Top 10 Best Hawaii Waterfalls to the World of Waterfalls Home Page]
|
Check out our other Top 10 Waterfalls Lists: |
or Comments
| My most successful backpacking trip was from Tuolumne Meadows to Glen Aulin with my two sons, my nephew, my oldest son's friend, and two of my best...[more] |
| Prior to the Mothers day landslide that killed 8 people and injured 50 others, on Mothers Day of 1999, Sacred Falls State Park was my favorite hike on this Island...[more] |
| It bode ill. "I can't remember the last time it rained," the man in Devonport had said. And there I was looking forward to photographing waterfalls. Things change though;...[more] |
| I visited a lot of water falls around the world, and since I'm from a desert country I miss the green and blue colors which I can see in the green or forests or lakes...[more] |
| This is one of my favorite waterfalls mostly because I can visit often. Sometimes I stop by on my lunch break. When the river is running high...[more] |
| I am 88 yrs old now, but when I was 50 (about?) my husband flew us in our Bonanza to Jungle Rudy's where we landed in the fields...[more] |
| When my father was alive, his family in Norway contacted him, stating that he had a lot of family there. His father came to the states at age 17 by himself...[more] |
| It has medicinal qualities, popularly called as the "Spa of the South." I visited the falls many times with family earlier and taken bath...[more] |