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!). The size of these waterfalls and their location in the lush and tropical rainforest makes them a popular and spectacular attraction to check out.
Table of contents
- Waterfall map
- 6 Favorite waterfalls
- ʻAkaka falls (inside state park, small entrance fee required)
- Rainbow falls (free to visit)
- Umauma falls (on private grounds, entrance fee required)
- Kulaniapia Falls (on private grounds, entrance fee required)
- Peʻepeʻe Falls (+ 1 extra, free to visit)
- Hiʻilawe falls (viewable from public road)
- 7 other waterfalls
- Fitting these waterfalls in your own DIY waterfall itinerary
- Organized tours that include waterfalls
- Waterfall safety tips
Table of Contents
- Waterfall map
- 6 Favorite waterfalls
- ʻAkaka falls (inside state park, small entrance fee required)
- Rainbow falls (free to visit)
- Umauma falls (on private grounds, entrance fee required)
- Kulaniapia Falls (on private grounds, entrance fee required)
- Peʻepeʻe Falls (+ 1 extra, free to visit)
- Hiʻilawe falls (viewable from public road)
- 7 other waterfalls
- Fitting these waterfalls in your own DIY waterfall itinerary
- Organized tours that include waterfalls
- Waterfall safety tips
You may have a luxury problem though: there are more waterfalls on the Big Island than you can reasonable visit during your stay! 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.
Waterfall FAQ + related waterfall guides
Yes, but all of them require some sort of “entrance fee”. The Kulaniapia Falls for example require a day pass, and others are on private property and only reachable as part of a tour.
Not really. The closest waterfalls in the Kohala district (about 50 miles) require a tour to visit. Most waterfalls on the Hamakua coast are a 90-mile drive away.
Located within the Hilo city limits, Waiānuenue (Rainbow Falls) is very easy to visit. Read more about the Rainbow Falls on our website.
The most notable waterfalls on the Big Island that are free to visit are the Peʻepeʻe Falls and the Rainbow falls.
The ʻAkaka Falls and the Rainbow Falls are hands-down the most-visited waterfalls on the Big Island.
In general, yes, but there are several risks associated with swimming under waterfalls in the state of Hawaiʻi that you should be aware of. The most important is the water-born disease leptospirosis: don’t go swimming if you have any abrasions, scrapes, blisters or other skin lesions. Flash floods are also a risk, so stay out of the water if it’s raining (where you are or upstream). Read more about waterfall safety.
“Narnia” is the name given to a set of waterfalls in the Hilo Forest Reserve. These falls are not reachable without trespassing and access to them is restricted. Furthermore, flash floods and strong currents are a real danger there. Please do not put these waterfalls on your to-do list.
Waterfall guides for Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu
Do you like waterfalls a LOT and are you also visiting another island in the Hawaiian island chain? If that is the case you should definitely have a look at our lists of waterfalls for the other islands:
Waterfall Map
The light blue waterfalls marked on the map below represent our favorites that are described in more detail below. The dark blue/purple waterfalls are more difficult to see and smaller waterfalls.
How to use this map: Above you’ll find a map of waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. Click on the top left of the map to find separate layers marking the route and points of interest. You can hide and show different layers, or click icons on the map to see the names of waterfalls we mention in this guide. “Star” the map to save it to your own Google Maps, or open the map in a new window for a larger version. Enjoy!
List of waterfalls
- ʻAkaka falls (inside state park, entrance fee required)
- Rainbow falls (free to visit)
- Peʻepeʻe Falls (+ 1 extra, free o visit)
- Umauma falls (on private grounds, entrance fee required)
- Kulaniapia Falls (on private grounds, entrance fee required)
- Hiʻilawe falls (viewable from public road)
Most waterfalls can be found on the slopes of the Mauna Kea volcano close to Hilo and on the Hamakua coast. 5 out of 6 of our favorites are close to Hilo, and these falls are very easy to visit. If you are on this side of the Big Island, for example, to see the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a bit of planning will make sure that you can see some spectacular waterfalls.
More waterfalls can be found at the northern Hamakua coast seaside cliffs and the valleys of the Kohala coast. These falls are more difficult to visit and include the last of our favorites that can only be seen from a distance: the Hiʻilawe falls.
1: ʻAkaka falls
The 422 ft tall ‘Akaka falls are part of the ‘Akaka falls state park, located just north of Hilo. The admission fee to the park is $5.00 per car or $1 per person for pedestrians.
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 hike is suitable for the whole family and takes half an hour if you take your time. The trailhead is easy to find – just off the parking lot.
Read more: in our guide to visiting the ʻAkaka falls.
The 422 ft. tall ʻAkaka falls are a pleasant stop on your way to or from Hilo
2: Rainbow falls (Waiānuenue)
The Rainbow Falls are the easiest waterfalls to see on the Big Island!
This broad waterfall in the Wailuku river is conveniently located within Hilo town. 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.
Read more: in our guide to visiting the Rainbow falls.
The volume of the rainbow falls (or Waianuenue) changes on a daily basis. This is what the falls look like after a good rain upstream
3: Umauma falls
The Umauma falls are three waterfalls in close proximity to the Umauma River, 16 miles north of Hilo on the Hamakua coast.
The famous triple-tiered Umauma Falls. Credit: John McCollum
Access to the overview for the waterfalls lies on private land which is being managed by the Umauma Experience. Access costs $12 per person (walk-in fee, no pre-bookings required), which also buys you access to their garden. Read more on the Umauma experience website.
Waterfall Rappel at the Umauma Falls
Great for adventurous families: Navigate 5 waterfalls and swim the pools between. Includes 4 rappels, a down climb, and jump off a waterfall (see our rappelling guide here).
Rappel down the Triple-Tier Umauma Waterfall and swim the pools between
Great for adventurous families: navigate 5 waterfalls and swim the pools between. Includes 4 rappels, a down climb, and jump off a waterfall
from:
$399
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.Kayak & Swim at the Umauma Falls
If you want to do more than just look at the falls you can splurge and treat yourself to a waterfall kayak and swim experience that also includes a catered lunch. Note that the time at the falls is somewhat limited with 1h15.
Kayak in the Umauma River & swim under the Umauma Falls
Treat yourself to an afternoon swimming and kayaking in a private section of Umauma Falls then enjoy a catered lunch served in a private pavilion
from:
$85
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.Ziplining at the Umauma Falls
You can also see these waterfalls as part of a zipline tour or an “ATV and dip (swim)” tour at the gardens.
Umauma Falls 9-lines Zipline Tour
No experience necessary! Zip with up to 65 miles per hour on 9 long lines, over 14 rushing waterfalls, suspension bridges, and treetops of the lush Hamakua coast rainforest.
from:
$229
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.4: Kulaniapia Falls (Hilo)
This is a 120ft waterfall on the Waiau Stream situated on the lower slopes of Mauna Kea not far from Hilo.
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. Now they have opened up their grounds to a limited amount of daily visitors.
Good to know: to access the falls you must purchase a $49 daypass to the grounds.
An aerial view of Kulaniapia Falls. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Heather Goodman
Together with only a limited number of guests each day, this daypass gives you access to the waterfalls and to their 42-acre property, where you can enjoy miles of trails, incredible views of 4 waterfalls, bamboo gardens.
Swimming at the kulaniapia Falls
When river safety conditions permit, you can also go swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding under the Kulaniapia Falls using on-site equipment.
If conditions are suitable you can use on-property SUP and kayak equipment to explore the waterfall. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Heather Goodman
Waterfall Rappel at the Kulaniapia Falls
It is also possible to rappel down along the Kulaniapia Falls. The on-site Inn organizes this tour which is led a team of expert canyoneering guides.
Waterfall Rappelling at Kulaniapia Falls (120ft)
Family friendly and no experience needed! Rappel down Hawaii’s largest privately accessible waterfall supervised by expert guides
from:
$249
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.5: Peʻepeʻe Falls
The Peʻepeʻe Falls are located about 1.5 miles upstream the rainbow falls, at the Wailuku river on the end of Wailuku drive. This waterfall is smaller than the rainbow falls but also far less crowded. If you are visiting the rainbow falls and have the time and interest to see another set of waterfalls you should check out these falls. If you are short on time, we recommend that you limit yourself to the more spectacular ʻAkaka and Rainbow waterfalls.
These falls form also the access to a popular but risky local swimming spot called the ‘boiling pots’. Swimming here can be dangerous and has proved lethal several times in the past. Please don’t take the risk – there are many places more suitable for swimming in Hilo (the beach!).
Peʻepeʻe Falls on the Big Island. Image credit: Mark. Shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license.
pro tip for another close-by waterfall: if you continue up Wailuku drive a few minutes longer you get to a bridge crossing the Wailuku river. Park your car after the bridge and walk back to the river to see the Waiʻale Falls:
Just upstream from the Boiling Pots you can find another waterfall at the bridge over the Wailuku river in Hilo.
6: Hiʻilawe Waterfall (Waipiʻo valley)
The Hiʻilawe waterfall is one of the tallest waterfalls of the state of Hawaʻi. The total height of the falls is about 1,450 feet (442m), with a highest direct drop of 1,201 feet (366m)!
Hiking to the waterfall is not possible as the trail crosses private property, but you can see the Hiʻilawe falls from many places within Waipiʻo valley. Drive down yourself (only with 4WD), or get down to the valley floor as part of a horseback riding tour in the valley.
Good to know: The river feeding Hiʻilawe is used for irrigation purposes. This can cause the falls to be (almost) dry even during the wet season.
Hiʻilawe (the barely visible waterfall in the back of the valley) is one of the tallest waterfalls on the Big Island. This picture shows the Hiʻilawe falls on an almost dry day.
7 other Big Island Waterfalls
If waterfalls are your thing you most likely won’t be happy to see ‘only’ the biggest six. The website “World of waterfalls” is an excellent resource to find out more about the smaller waterfalls on the island. Their list contains the following 13 waterfalls:
- In Hilo: Rainbow falls, Peʻepeʻe falls, Waiʻale falls, Kulaniapia falls.
- On the Hamakua coast: ʻAkaka falls, Kolekole falls, Umauma falls, Onomea falls, Nanue falls, Hanapueo falls + lower Umauma falls.
- On the Kohala coast: Hiʻilawe falls, Waiulili falls.
The location of these waterfalls is marked on the map higher up this page, and you can read more about each fall separately in the list of 13 Big Island Waterfalls published on the “World of Waterfalls” website.
How to fit visiting these waterfalls in your itinerary
There are several ways people choose to see the waterfalls. Of course, the most popular and simple strategy is to include a visit into your itinerary as you drive by one or two waterfalls. This adds ~1 hour/waterfall to your itinerary will be the best option for the large majority of visitors.
Alternatively, you could think of going for this scenic drive to see all the waterfalls close to Hilo in half a day. This would allow you to see almost all of our favorite waterfalls and is recommended for people that really love waterfalls.
Organized tours to see multiple waterfalls and for waterfall swims
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. So, if you’d rather sit back and enjoy a guided tour past some of our best waterfalls you could consider one of the following tours:
Kohala Waterfall Adventure
This is a small-group adventure tour that lets you explore the beautiful and historic north Kohala forests and waterfalls.
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. Later you transfer to an off-road vehicle to get off the beaten path and take a small hike along the tunnels and aqueducts of an over 100 year old sugar plantation. The hike takes you past 7 waterfalls with as grand finale a cooling dip in the final one!
Kohala Waterfall Adventure
A full-day rainforest adventure for all ages. See the northern Kohala highlights with this 8-hour adventure and visit several stunning private waterfalls (and swim in one!), make small hikes, and admire the sweeping views and scenic coastlines and rugged valleys. A picnic lunch and centralized meeting locations in Kona and Waikoloa are included for a hassle-free experience.
from:
$229
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.Kohala Zin n Dip
This is an 8-hour zipline + waterfall swim tour that takes you to Kohala, the oldest volcano on the island, for an inspiring and exhilarating day. Zipline high above the forest floor, picnic on the rim of Pololu Valley & swim under a private waterfall fed by a cool mountain stream.
Kohala Zip & Dip (zipline + waterfall swim)
Family friendly zipline tour + private waterfall swim. Double your adventure with the Kohala Zip and Dip and explore the enchanting lands of North Kohala. This 8-hour tour takes you from Kona to the oldest volcano on the Big Island for an inspiring and exhilarating day. Zipline high above the forest floor, picnic on the rim of Pololu Valley & swim under a private waterfall fed by a cool mountain stream.
from:
$299
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.Kulaniapia Falls Day pass and/or Waterfall Rappel
The Kulaniapia Falls are with a 120ft drop the tallest private waterfalls on the Big Island. You can get access to the falls either by purchasing a day pass (limited availability of 10 guests / day), or by joining their “Rappel down the 120ft Kulaniapia Falls” experience.
Rappelling at the Kulaniapia Falls. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Heather Goodman
Big Island Waterfalls Adventure
See Waipi‘o Valley, the lush and tropical Hamakua Coast, and multiple stunning waterfalls on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii on this full day circle-island adventure.
Big Island Waterfalls Adventure
See Waipi‘o Valley, the lush and tropical Hamakua Coast, and multiple stunning waterfalls on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii on this day full of fun and exciting adventure.
from:
$249
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.More tour options
Another, more expensive but more spectacular way to see waterfalls (and the volcano!) from the air is as part of a helicopter tour. Helicopter tours are often one of the trip-highlights that people remember for a long time and worth considering if you are willing to spend the money.
Click here to see all our recommended waterfall tours on our website.
Important things to know before visiting our waterfalls
We like to get up and close to any waterfall we see, and know the same is true for many of our readers. There are however several safety tips to keep in mind while doing so on the Big Island:
- If you have any abrasions, scrapes, blisters or other skin lesions, stay out of the water. Bacteria causing the Leptospirosis disease live in many Hawaiian streams and can enter your body through open cuts and wounds. If you have a cut, it’s best to stay on shore and admire.
- Do not drink the water. Bacteria living in the water can make you sick.
- Consider wearing water shoes or secured sandals while in the water. Rocks can be sharp and slippery .
- Never jump from a cliff and avoid swing ropes. Large obstacles such as broken trees and big rocks can be hidden under water. Even if you see locals jumping off rocks and/or swinging from ropes at a waterfall, please remember that locals are experienced and familiar with the pools and that you are not.
- Rivers along the Hamakua Coast can be temperamental and super dangerous. Upstream (heavy) rains can trigger flash floods even if it is sunny where you are. Have a look at the video below (shot on Maui) to see how a scenic waterfall can turn into a roaring wall of water (at 16 seconds in).
