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. The most popular way to observe the Umauma Falls is from a tranquil overlook accessible through the World Botanical Garden. Beautiful Big Island Waterfall Hikes - Hawaii Travel with Kids The Hilton and Sheraton both have really neat waterfalls and its clean clear water. My personal favorites are Polulu Valley, The Puna Trail, and The hike to Makalawena Beach, to name a few. It is advised that you check weather reports and ocean conditions before heading out for the day, never swim in these pools when you have open wounds and to always watch your step. As we all know, a trip to Hawaii can be expensive and doing free or cheap activities is how most of us can afford to travel. There are different, The private property is currently managed by the. 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. Located along the Umauma River in Hakalau, Umauma Falls is a series of three, short cascading waterfalls. You might hear that people go swimming here, but dont do it! The trail is surrounded by beautiful vegetation and singing birds, and the falls are absolutely worth the effort! Shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license. Its one of the tallest and most powerful waterfalls in Hawaii, although it gets a bit dry around March. While visiting the Wailuku River State Park, you can also stop by the Peepee Falls. When river safety conditions permit, you can also go swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding under the Kulaniapia Falls using on-site equipment. Its accessible through several different methods and gorgeous no matter how you see it. For a beautiful view and unforgettable experience, sign up for a discounted Magical Waterfall Tour. The lush landscape alone is enough to warrant a hike here. 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. The waterfall flows from a water source called the Onomea Stream. Standing at 422ft tall, this free-falling waterfall drops to the bottom of the gorge, creating an amazing panoramic view of the area. However, the best views come when you climb under the bridge and follow a short jungle path to the base of the waterfall. There are several ways people choose to see the waterfalls. If you are not interested in these tours, you can pay $12 per person to visit the beautiful botanical gardens. To be exact, you can visit Hiilawe Falls by going to the Waipio Valley at the Kohala Coast in Hawaii. The website World of waterfalls is an excellent resource to find out more about the smaller waterfalls on the island. This waterfall can only be accessed from the lookout, and swimming here is no longer allowed. Absolutely! One of the most spectacular waterfalls in Hawaii is Onomea Falls. Please do not be tempted to hike up if there are signs that say hiking is not allowed and its blocked off. If you're looking for the best Big Island waterfall adventures, then look no further. The waterfall got its name from the rainbow that often forms at the base. Kohala Waterfalls Small Group Adventure Tour 183 By Hawaii Forest and Trail Adventure Tours 6+ hours See the highlights of Kohala in a day on this small-group adventure tour. The enormous waterfall cascades down a steep lava rock wall into a boulder-strewn pool. It will take you about an hour to reach the end of the path, which is lined with lush greenery and beautiful scenery. This waterfall is smaller than Rainbow falls, but also way less crowded. Each one of these is worth visiting at least once in my opinion. Hiilawe Falls is located on the Big Island. Kayak & Swim in the Umauma River. This one has amazing views of the Kohala Coast while listening to fascinating commentary from the pilot. The Kulaniapia waterfall is located on the grounds of the Inn at Kulaniapia and up until recently access to their waterfalls was restricted uniquely to their overnight guests. The waterfall is named for the beautiful rainbow that forms at the waterfalls base. Sign up for discounted Hilo Bay Kayaking Tickets. This multi tiered, Oheo Gulch, OheO Gulch, Hawaii 96713, USA. Enjoy! Plus it has numerous attractions, from volcanic rock formations to beautiful waterfalls. It takes about 60 to 90 minutes to hike to the waterfall. Check out the latest prices and more details. The Rainbow Falls are the easiest waterfalls to see on the Big Island! Ultimate Guide to the Polynesian Cultural Center with Kids, Traditional Hawaiian Food: 24 Classic Dishes of Hawaiian Cuisine. There is no swimming allowed here; you can only view the falls from a safe distance. 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. And, youll pass it on the way to Akaka Falls. It is located about 1.6 miles (5-minute drive) from Rainbow Falls and is also part of the Wailuku River. Get our brand-new trip planning series delivered directly to your inbox - for FREE (more info). It is a privately owned so you need to go with a tour group but well worth it! Which waterfall can you swim at on the Big Island? She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu. Farmers Markets. The property offers helicopter, lava tube exploration, stargazing, and lava encounter tours as well. This has some of the best waterfalls on Maui. Hiilawe Falls is one of the top Big Island waterfall hikes to do. What takes a waterfall from "beautiful" to "spectacular" is height- and Hawaii's falls undoubtedly have it! You can access the waterfall for free and its one of the best Big Island hikes. Swimming in tropical fresh water ( and I use the term loosely) is a product of Hollywood movies like blue Lagoon. Lava from Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa meet near the base of Peepee Falls, about 2 miles downstream. If youre lucky, you may be able to see honu (green sea turtle) and even dolphins! 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 admission fee to the park is $5.00 per car or $1 per person for pedestrians. Find the best prices here. I also included a table of contents, so feel free to skip to the sections you are most interested in. However, the waterfall tends to be dry in early spring, around March. Get your discounted Waterfalls of Kohala Tour. Although the Hawaiian archipelago has a multitude of famous waterfalls, especially on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. 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. While there are gorgeous waterfalls on Kauai, Oahu, and Maui, the Big Island has some of the most famous waterfalls in Hawaii. This would allow you to see almost all of our favorite waterfalls and is recommended for people that really love waterfalls. And this rainfall provides lots of opportunities to appreciate the island's falls. When people talk about swimming at Peepee Falls, they are probably referring to the boiling pots located by the lookout point. This is a very difficult hike to complete in one day and is not recommended for beginners. Free cancellation: up to 48 hours before tour. Simply put, waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii are some of the world's finest. A couple of the best waterfalls near Hilo can be seen in Akaka Falls State Park, including Akaka Falls (422 feet) and Kahuna Falls (100 feet). Its such a fun, Combine vibrant sapphire pools with some stellar spots for cliff jumping, and youve got one of Mauis local hangouts. Commonly, especially if you visit in the early morning, the positioning of the Rainbow Falls sends a rainbow arching from its base into the water. In any case, as you can see from the map above and the list below that . Get your discounted Hilo Bay Kayaking Tickets. With all that you can do at Kulaniapia Falls, it makes this waterfall a top-rated Hawaii waterfall on the Big Island. Book any of these great Big Island waterfall tours today! Although this tour doesnt take you to any of the immensely popular waterfalls on the Big Island, youll be treated to a view of seven obscure and uncrowded Kohala waterfalls, where youll be allowed to swim and picnic. 4 Easy Big Island Waterfalls For Those Who Are Tired - Aloha With Love If youre staying in Hilo and enjoy learning about history, you might get a kick out of this Legends of the Waterfalls tour where youll learn why Hilo was one of the favorite places for Kamehameha the Great. It will take you about two hours to hike to Nanue Falls, but the path isnt too hard to walk on so youll be fine. Swimming & Kayak Tours in Hawaii's Umauma River 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. 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. Off the main street is the Mana's Aloha Fruit Stand. The content on this website may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission. The Kulaniapia Falls for example require a day pass, and others are on private property and only reachable as part of a tour. 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. There are other adventurous activities that you can enjoy here too. I have seen people continue to do it anyway, but this is just asking for trouble. 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. Youll also pass by Boulder Creek on your way to the falls, which is a gorgeous sight to see. It is alleged to have a height of 1,450 feet. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Heather Goodman. Rainbow Falls is one of the easiest to see and most popular waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii. Although Akaka Falls is the main event during the hike, the smaller Kahuna Falls is a must-see as well. On an especially clear day, you'll be able to see Mauna Kea behind them. 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. Of course, the most popular and simple strategy is to include a visit into your itinerary as you drive by one or two waterfalls. As a paradise for active travelers it is rich in experiences that include nature, culinary discoveries, historic landmarks, shopping, nightlife and festivals. These include stargazing and helicopter tours and is absolutely worth the time and money. The path to Onomea Falls is stunning in itself. Take your first right onto Akaka Falls Road and continue for 3.75 miles until you reach the parking lot. You can read the full story here. Note: There is an admission fee to the state park, $5.00 per car or $1 per person if you are walking. Which one was your favorite? The 422 ft. tall Akaka falls are a pleasant stop on your way to or from Hilo. To get to the waterfalls you need to make a pleasant and short 0.4-mile hike through the lush rainforest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves and draping ferns. The most notable waterfalls on the Big Island that are free to visit are the Peepee Falls and the Rainbow falls. Thankfully they didnt, as there appeared to be rocks under the shallow water at the bottom of the falls. What are the best hikes on the Big Island? On the list of Big Island of Hawaii waterfalls below, we've included the height of the falls, a ranking, have noted if it's a seasonal waterfall, and have added any additionalinformation as necessary. Read more about ourHawaii adventureshere. Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability. A couple of travel dreamers who fell in love with Hawaii and want to share the beauty of the Islands! 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. It stretches hundreds of feet tall and is surrounded by greenery. Hiilawe Falls is a magnificent waterfall located in Waipio Valley on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island. From USD 218.85 (9) Big Island Waterfall Swim & Rainforest Hiking Tour & Nature Eco-Adventure . So keep an eye out for honu (green sea turtles) and admire the coast! You can start the hike to this waterfall from the Waipio Valley lookout. All Rights Reserved. A picnic lunch and hotel transport are included for a hassle-free experience. There are so many beautiful waterfalls to check out during your visit to the Big Island. Here you will find a delightful selection of art galleries and gift stores as well as several cafes. Zipline high above the forest floor, picnic on the rim of Pololu Valley & swim under a private waterfall fed by a cool mountain stream. Many people stop their journey at the lower waterfall. Copyright 2023 Guide of US, LLC. There is only one way to get here, and thats by hiking along the coastal trail. You can either go left or right after you go down the stairs from the parking lot. Hiilawe Falls is a great waterfall to visit and is one of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaii. Zipline high above the forest floor, picnic on the rim of Pololu Valley & swim under a private waterfall fed by a cool mountain stream. How to use this map: Above youll find a map of waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii. Hawaii Waterfall Swim Adventure, Waipio Valley Lookout & Botanical Garden . with the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing snack break at the waterfalls where you can swim and paddleboard. The falls used to only be open to those staying at the hotel located on the grounds. The Experiences Package allows you to water rappel. The falls are located in Waimanu Valley. Marvel at the beauty and adventure that makes up Hawaii. Subscribe to receive 5 emails in 5 days: Call us for advice! Youll get to hear a bit about the history of Coconut Island (it will totally surprise you) as you paddle around Hilo Bay. However, because you descend over 900 feet in such a short distance, the hike up is immensely steep and challenging to manage. Check out the latest prices and more details. For those with a daring spirit, the Deleuze ATV Waterfall and Swim Experience tour is for you. Its 93 miles across and has all sorts of terrain and natural wonders. Get prepared to go off the beaten road (literally) and be stained with mud as you go off-road in a Honda ATV or a Side x Side ATV! Make sure your tour includes all of the waterfalls you want to see. Swimming is not allowed here, so keep that in mind when you visit. Click on the top left of the map to find separate layers marking the route and points of interest. However, the best views come when you climb under the bridge and follow a short jungle path to the base of the waterfall. Another stop on Mauis Road to Hana, Puaa Kaa translates to rolling pig in Hawaiian. But make sure to read up on the waterfall you visit, because sometimes certain areas in the Hawaiian islands are prone to flooding, and can be dangerous to swim in after a heavy rainfall. You can visit their website at the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls for additional details. Double your adventure with the Kohala Zip and Dip and explore the enchanting lands of North Kohala. Star the map to save it to your own Google Maps, or open the map in a new window for a larger version. One of the most unique tours on this list, the Waterfalls of Kohala tour takes you on a helicopter journey that allows you a unique birds-eye view of some of the prettiest waterfalls on the Big Island. Sign up for this discounted Majestic Waterfalls Tour. Rappel down 120 feet past Hawaiis largest privately accessible waterfall supervised by expert canyoneering guides. If you decide to swim, please take extra precautions as rivers are prone to flash flooding. The Complete Guide to Big Island Waterfalls - bigisland.org First, youll head to the Kohala Mountains where youll fly the coastline of Waipio Valley and Waimanu Valley. Can you swim in any waterfalls on the Big Island? Read more: in our guide to visiting the Rainbow falls. The tropical gardens have a wonderful overlook that allows you to get a great view of Umauma Falls. 2023 Hawaii Travel Guide. Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Sightseeing, History (From $226.96) Hawaii Volcano Adventure Tour from Hilo (From $195.99) Access to the falls is right off the road. Sign up for our free monthly updates (more info) about everything that is new and happening in Hawaii. Please dont take the risk there are many places more suitable for swimming in Hilo (the beach!). Interested? The 422 ft tall Akaka falls are part of the Akaka falls state park, located just north of Hilo. This waterfall is one of the tallest waterfalls across all of the Islands, standing at its maximum height at 1,450 feet. The Big Island, however, also has breathtaking waterfalls. However, if you continue hiking along the trail in the area and do some stream scrambling, youll be able to see more of natures beauty. The Umauma Falls are a spectacular 3-tiered falls and one of the best waterfalls on the Big Island. They are all unique in their own ways. That means, you should take extra care to make sure you leave it as you saw it! Here are some tours you can check out: This half-day tour takes you to the three most famous Big Island waterfalls: Akaka Falls, Hiilawe Falls and Rainbow Falls. Natural swimming pool with crystal clear water on the island Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden The trailhead is easy to find just off the parking lot. This full-day tour will also introduce you to delicious Hawaiian cuisine in the Pololu Valley and even allow you to swim in a waterfall! By donating to our small business, you accept and acknowledge the donation terms. On Highway 19's bridge, most drivers will pass by these 2 neat waterfalls without realizing it! Youll experience 7 incredible Kohala waterfalls plus a picnic lunch. There are tons of gorgeous waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii. If you visit when the sky is clear and the sun is out, youll be able to see a beautiful rainbow at the foot of the waterfall. And be sure to keep your eyes out for sea turtles, which are known to hang out in this area! Step Into The World Of Narnia On This Forbidden Waterfall Hike In Hawaii, The Hike In Hawaii That Takes You To Not One, But TWO Insanely Beautiful Waterfalls, Hike Less Than A Mile To This Spectacular Waterfall Swimming Hole In Hawaii, Embark On An Epic 7.3-Mile Trail In Hawaii That Features Waterfalls And Jaw-Dropping Views, The 14 Tallest Waterfalls In Hawaii Will Drop Your Jaw, This Waterfall Swimming Hole In Hawaii Is So Hidden Youll Probably Have It All To Yourself, This Tiered Waterfall And Swimming Hole In Hawaii Must Be On Your Summer Bucket List, The Ultimate Bucket List For Anyone In Hawaii Who Loves Waterfall Hikes. During the tour, youll travel along the coastline. You can swim in this one! Although smaller, the Kahuna Falls is similarly beautiful. 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.