Now you know some of the best waterfalls Big Island has to offer. Big Island travel tips & recommendations , Explore Big Island Hotels & Resorts Search Now. Here, youll zipline across the forest, have lunch in the Pololu Valley, and even swim in a Big Island waterfall. The hike is suitable for the whole family and takes half an hour if you take your time. There are different car rental companies in Kona, Hawaii that will set it up for you. Which Cities Have Nonstop Flights to Hawaii. Swim, kayak, stand up paddleboard or just relax and enjoy the scenery with your friends and family. Be sure to pay at least a few of them a visit and create some unforgettable memories that youll treasure forever! ), make small hikes, and admire the sweeping views and scenic coastlines and rugged valleys. Please dont take the risk there are many places more suitable for swimming in Hilo (the beach!). The Umauma falls are three waterfalls in close proximity to the Umauma River, 16 miles north of Hilo on the Hamakua coast. 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. Most waterfalls in Hawaii have a great pool of water to swim in. And this rainfall provides lots of opportunities to appreciate the island's falls. Starting from the pickup points in Kona you are driven along the sweeping northern Kona coast past ancient lava flows up to the old Kohala Mule Station lookout with its sweeping views. You can hide and show different layers, or click icons on the map to see the names of waterfalls we mention in this guide. The Kulaniapia Falls is a private 90-100 foot waterfall located at the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls. 1: Kauai Overview 2: Things to Do 3: Where to Stay 4: Popular Sights and Destinations 5: The Npali Coast 6: Kauai Itinerary 7: Kauai blog posts. The Big Island is filled with tourist attractions! They are one of the best helicopter companies in Hawaii. It will take you about an hour to reach the end of the path, which is lined with lush greenery and beautiful scenery. Youll get to hear a bit about the history of Coconut Island (it will totally surprise you) as you paddle around Hilo Bay. Rainbow Falls One of Hawaii's most stunning waterfalls, Rainbow Falls is named for the rainbows that can be seen in the mist. If you dont want to search out the waterfalls on your own, this might be the right tour for you. Drive down yourself (only with 4WD), or get down to the valley floor as part of a horseback riding tour in the valley. The path to Onomea Falls is stunning in itself. If youre considering visiting Akaka Falls, check out my full guide HERE. Compared to Maui, Oahu, and Kauai, The Big Island of Hawaii has some of the most popular waterfalls in all of Hawaii. Although Akaka Falls is the main event during the hike, the smaller Kahuna Falls is a must-see as well. Enjoy! If you are in the Kona area, I highly recommend Paradise Helicopters. Don't miss them because once you see them, you'll never forget them! Due to its relative obscurity, especially compared to the rest of the waterfalls on this list, going to this waterfall and relaxing in the area may seem like a scene out of a movie. Where are all the waterfalls in Hilo Hawaii? If you only have time to see one of the waterfalls, we suggest seeing the incredible Akaka Falls. Hi'ilawe Falls is a magnificent waterfall located in Waipio Valley on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island. Its easily accessible and it will only take you about half an hour to get here. Drive along the cliffs and over rugged landscape Free cancellation Recommended by 97% of travelers from $225.13 per adult Reserve Travelers talk about " plants and animals " In general, yes, but there are several risks associated with swimming under waterfalls in the state of Hawaii that you should be aware of. Weve rounded up our top picks for some of the most beautiful spots for waterfalls on the Big Island. 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. This is a 120ft waterfall on the Waiau Stream situated on the lower slopes of Mauna Kea not far from Hilo. You will need to pay an admission fee to see these falls. The admission fee to the park is $5.00 per car or $1 per person for pedestrians. Love Hawaii? In fact, there is a small parking lot near the falls, as well as a short but slippery path to visit the base. No experience necessary! You might hear that people go swimming here, but dont do it! Waiilikahi Falls are yet another gem on the Big Island, but it takes a lot to hike to the falls. This can cause the falls to be (almost) dry even during the wet season. This waterfall is smaller than Rainbow falls, but also way less crowded. There are other adventurous activities that you can enjoy here too. with the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing snack break at the waterfalls where you can swim and paddleboard. Hi'ilawe Falls in the Waipio Valley. You can also book one of their events to have access to their waterfall. This waterfall is created from a small stream and is a multiple-tier waterfall located inside the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden. If you are looking for a bit more of an adventure, more waterfalls can be found in the valleys of the Kohala coast, as well as on the northern Hamakua coast. Whether you want to soar over the falls or dive right in and swim them, we have the tour for you. The couple run a healing retreat on Hawaii's Big Island - and Dorina has been swimming with dolphins throughout her pregnancy. The only waterfall you can swim at on the Big Island is the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls. Top Must-See Waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii 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! The total height of the falls is about 1,450 feet (442m), with a highest direct drop of 1,201 feet (366m)! Youll be able to get up close and personal with this body of water and have the most memorable time in Hawaii. If youre debating on visiting Oahu or Maui, you can check out my other article on Oahu Vs Maui to learn more. You can find many waterfalls on the north and east side of the Big Island thanks to lots of rain and a large gradient in elevation (volcanoes!). You can start the hike to this waterfall from the Waipio Valley lookout. A picnic lunch and hotel transport are included for a hassle-free experience. Even though swimming is no longer allowed here, its worth the drive as the view is amazing and can be seen from the parking lot. We decided to take a scenic drive while staying on the Hilo side to see some of these waterfalls. Its an impressive 1,450-foot natural waterfall with a main drop of 1,201 feet. As you tour, youll be able to enjoy amazing photo spots and unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean, waterfalls, and the Mauna Kea. Big Island, Hawaii Rivers and Waterfalls - Umauma Experience If you decide to swim, please remember to always swim with caution and be aware of the danger around you no matter where you are. Stretching 93 miles long, its nearly four times as big as Maui. The waterfall flows from a water source called the Onomea Stream. This waterfall is smaller than the rainbow falls but also far less crowded. The waterfall, however, is worth the effort it takes to access it. Absolutely! While transporting logs over to build the base might be a nuisance, the beach offers a wealth of advantages that . This isn't one that you can swim under though. The Kulaniapia Falls for example require a day pass, and others are on private property and only reachable as part of a tour. 'Akaka Falls 'Akaka Falls is located just north of Hilo and are a gem of the Big Island's waterfalls. 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. Sign up for this discounted Legends of the Waterfalls & Volcano Tour. It is also possible to rappel down along the Kulaniapia Falls. The hike takes you past 7 waterfalls with as grand finale a cooling dip in the final one! I visited Rainbow Falls in September of 2021 and the trail to get to the top was closed. It is comprised of three short waterfalls that are located close to each otherthe water actually cascades down this series of waterfalls from the river. Here is our list of the top 9 waterfalls in Hawaii that wont disappoint! If you are staying in Kona, meet up with a local driver who takes you to North Kohala. What takes a waterfall from "beautiful" to "spectacular" is height- and Hawaii's falls undoubtedly have it! However, you need to pay a fee to access the private viewing deck. During the tour, youll travel along the coastline. Oloupena Falls is an impressive 2,953-foot Hawaiian waterfall. The falls are located in Waimanu Valley. While you can access most of these on your own, you can also join Hawaii waterfall tours for a more personalized experience. Book any of these great Big Island waterfall tours today! However, you need to pay a fee to be able to access the viewing deck. 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 Hamakua Coast is beautiful and this half-day waterfall tour will stop at Akaka Falls State Park, Rainbow Falls, and Richardson Beach Park. This Upper Waikani Falls, Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA 2. 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. To make the process easier you can look directly into Kona jeep rental deals and reserve the one that meets your needs. 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. This is one of the best waterfalls to visit while on the Big Island, and I highly recommend staying here. As an Amazon Associate, thistraveldream.com earns from qualifying purchases. Plus. I have seen other people recommend Peepee Falls as another great option. The 422 ft tall Akaka falls are part of the Akaka falls state park, located just north of Hilo. Their list contains the following waterfalls: In Hilo: Rainbow falls, Pe'epe'e falls, Wai'ale falls, Kulaniapia falls. Kohala Waterfalls Adventure (Kailua-Kona) - All You Need - Tripadvisor This is also close to where most of the black sand beaches on the Big Island are located. This is a full-day trip from Kona. Hi'ilawe Falls is visible only within the valley or from the air, as the . There are plenty of these tours you can take while on the Big Island. Do you like waterfalls a LOT and are you also visiting another island in the Hawaiian island chain? The day pass includes access to amazing hiking trails, tropical gardens and a total of four waterfalls - with Kulaniapia Falls being our favorite.