You can see all sorts of hidden waterfalls if you go kayaking, take a boat tour, or ride in a helicopter. Kayak & Swim in the Umauma River. Akaka Falls are about 422 feet tall, but are only viewable from the viewing platform. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. The enormous waterfall cascades down a steep lava rock wall into a boulder-strewn pool. Youll get to play in the ocean, explore a tidepool, and see Rainbow Falls. If youd like to dabble in something slightly more adventurous, you can go ziplining or rappelling over the area. Stunning Big Island Hawaii Waterfalls Worth a Stop, planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, Courtyard by Marriotts King Kamehameha Beach Hotel, Check out the latest prices and more details, discounted Kohala Waterfalls Adventure Tour, Legends of the Waterfalls and Volcano Tour, budget-friendly things to do on the Big Island. In fact, there is a small parking lot near the falls, as well as a short but slippery path to visit the base. If conditions are suitable you can use on-property SUP and kayak equipment to explore the waterfall. The hike down is very easy and can take as little as 20 minutes. Some of which are so beautiful that they inspired some of Hawaiis most popular songs. We grouped this one group of Hawaii Big Island waterfalls together as they both are located in Akaka Falls State Park. If you prefer places that are not busy, then you will love Peepee Falls. Ultimate Guide to the Polynesian Cultural Center with Kids, Traditional Hawaiian Food: 24 Classic Dishes of Hawaiian Cuisine. Good to know: to access the falls you must purchase a $49 daypass to the grounds. I highly encourage taking a helicopter tour through the Kohala Coast if you want to see these waterfalls, unless you are a very experienced hiker looking for some adventure. Read more: in our guide to visiting the Akaka falls. Please dont take the risk there are many places more suitable for swimming in Hilo (the beach!). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is a very difficult hike to complete in one day and is not recommended for beginners. Waimoku Falls is a 400 foot waterfall that you see pictured on the cover of many of Maui's guidebooks and is one of the tallest waterfalls on Maui. If you are looking for an adventure or just want to relax on your vacation, these seven waterfalls will not disappoint. Located in Hilo, Hawaii in Wailuku River State Park, Rainbow Falls might be the most famous waterfall on the island. Off the main street is the Mana's Aloha Fruit Stand. Kulania Falls is nearby and just as beautiful. The lush green northeastern coast- the Hilo and Hamakua Coast regions- is home to lovely tropical gardens nourished by the abundant rainfall the area receives. This is a great way to see some of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaii. from $85 + taxes & fees | Child $75. This might cost more, but its well worth it. If you plan to camp here, please make sure you obtain the proper permits, as they are required. The Akaka Falls and the Rainbow Falls are hands-down the most-visited waterfalls on the Big Island. They are very safe and you will have amazing views. 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. HOME PRIVACY POLICY TERMS. Check out the latest prices and more details. Alternatively, you could think of going for this scenic drive to see all the waterfalls close to Hilo in half a day. This 8-hour tour takes you from Kona to the oldest volcano on the Big Island for an inspiring and exhilarating day. This 80-ft. waterfall on the Wailuku river is the site of a Hawaiian legend that involves the demigod Maui, his mother the Goddess Hina, the Volcano Goddess Pele, and a giant Mo'o or lizard monster up to no good. Get your discounted Kohala Tour from Kona Tour. You can start the hike to this waterfall from the Waipio Valley lookout. Note: There is an admission fee to the state park, $5.00 per car or $1 per person if you are walking. Here is our list of the top 9 waterfalls in Hawaii that wont disappoint! Credit: John McCollum. Although it is dwarfed in size by its beautiful neighbors, the Peepee Falls and the Ayaka Falls, its unique feature that inspired its namesake makes it worth a visit. Family friendly zipline tour + private waterfall swim. The lush green northeastern coast- the Hilo and Hamakua Coast regions- is home to lovely tropical gardens nourished by the abundant rainfall the area receives. The pots are called boiling pots because, during heavy rain, the flow of water increases and the pots appear to be boiling. There is only one way to get here, and thats by hiking along the coastal trail. Youll be treated to an entirely new and equally beautiful view of the waterfalls. However, to visit Onomea Falls, you need to go through the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and pay an entrance fee. Top 9 Waterfalls on The Big Island Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls Hi'ilawe Falls Rainbow Falls Pe'epe'e Falls Umauma Falls Kulaniapia Falls Onomea Falls Wai'ilikahi Falls What is the best way to visit all these waterfalls? Visit the State Parks website for updated pricing. Its accessible through several different methods and gorgeous no matter how you see it. A couple of travel dreamers who fell in love with Hawaii and want to share the beauty of the Islands! Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. The beach! More waterfalls can be found at the northern Hamakua coast seaside cliffs and the valleys of the Kohala coast. 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!). Akaka Falls is located within the Akaka Falls State Park, roughly 3.6 miles south of Honomu on the Hilo Coast. At the bottom of the valley, take a left and walk for roughly 5-10 minutes to see the falls. Umauma Falls is a three-tiered waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation. Free cancellation: up to 48 hours before tour. The content on this website may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission. 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. If youre considering visiting Akaka Falls, check out my full guide HERE. Zipline high above the forest floor, picnic on the rim of Pololu Valley & swim under a private waterfall fed by a cool mountain stream. 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. At the writing of this post, the Umauma Falls are now accessible through the botanical gardens. A helicopter tour of the waterfalls along the Kohala Coast. Each island has some of the best waterfall swimming holes in Hawaii, so no matter where you are, youll find something amazing! Do you like waterfalls a LOT and are you also visiting another island in the Hawaiian island chain? Lava from Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa meet near the base of Peepee Falls, about 2 miles downstream. Most of these places do not have a lifeguard on duty, making you solely responsible for your safety. The trail is surrounded by beautiful vegetation and singing birds, and the falls are absolutely worth the effort! Guide of Hawaii, LLC is a privately-owned (non-government) business. Sign up for this discounted Legends of the Waterfalls & Volcano Tour. Get our brand-new trip planning series delivered directly to your inbox - for FREE (more info). Check out the latest prices and more details. 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). It stretches hundreds of feet tall and is surrounded by greenery. Her next trip to Hawaii is never too far away! Your use of this website constitutes your acceptance of all the terms, conditions, and disclaimers posted herein. with the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing snack break at the waterfalls where you can swim and paddleboard. Compared to Rainbow Falls, Peepee Falls are less crowded and less known. The couple run a healing retreat on Hawaii's Big Island - and Dorina has been swimming with dolphins throughout her pregnancy. By far, Akaka Falls are my favorite waterfall to visit on the Big Island. While youre enjoying these natural attractions, be sure to take lots of pictures! Enjoy this 8-hour adventure as you explore Kohala, the oldest of five volcanos that make up the Big Island. Another great way to see these waterfalls is to take an organized tour. They offer a variety of tours to see the falls with ziplining being our favorite way to see the falls. Get your discounted ATV Waterfall and Swim Experience. When people talk about swimming at Peepee Falls, they are probably referring to the boiling pots located by the lookout point. Nonetheless, its still a breathtaking sight to see. Map of Big Island Waterfalls Wrapping Up the Best Waterfalls on the Big Island The Wailuku River flows along the bottom of the gorge and downstream to Rainbow Falls. Simply put, waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii are some of the world's finest. The hike to the waterfall takes either 5 or 15 minutes, depending on which route you decide to take. Be sure to pay at least a few of them a visit and create some unforgettable memories that youll treasure forever! Dont miss them because once you see them, youll never forget them! Another popular way to observe the Umauma Falls is through a short 1.7 mile hike within the World Botanical Garden that most consider to be unchallenging. Check out the latest prices and details here! What I mean by this is that it was once one of the tallest and mightiest waterfalls in all the islands of Hawai'i with its often quoted cumulative height of 1,450ft. While I was there I witnessed two people hike to the top, even though it clearly said not to do so. You can visit their website at the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls for additional details. The waterfalls of Hawaii on the Big Island are absolutely stunning. Hello, my name is Abduvaliev diyorbek. Wading through these pools is not recommended. 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. 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).