Rainbow Falls, or Wainuenue, is located inside the Wailuku River State Park in Hilo, Hawaii. Furthermore, flash floods and strong currents are a real danger there. The falls are located in Waimanu Valley. Before we talk about the best waterfalls, lets discuss some FAQs you might have: Swimming is NOT allowed at Akaka Falls State Park. If you dont want to search out the waterfalls on your own, this might be the right tour for you. Click here to see all our recommended waterfall tours on our website. If youd like to dabble in something slightly more adventurous, you can go ziplining or rappelling over the area. The waterfall is located inside Waipio Valley and is about 1,450 feet tall. Double your adventure with the Kohala Zip and Dip and explore the enchanting lands of North Kohala. There are several ways people choose to see the waterfalls. Its accessible through several different methods and gorgeous no matter how you see it. There is no swimming allowed here; you can only view the falls from a safe distance. The day pass includes access to amazing hiking trails, tropical gardens and a total of four waterfalls - with Kulaniapia Falls being our favorite. If you think you've located a Big Island waterfall we've omitted, please contact us, and we'll make sure it's added. The waterfalls themselves might be short, but the picturesque pools are well worth the short hike. Unfortunately, the strength of the falls is often dependent on rainfall - so here's to hoping you catch it on a good day. Papalaua Falls in Molokai is an unbelievably impressive waterfall, and unsurprising that's it on Molokai as this island is home to some of the tallest waterfalls in the entire world. An aerial view of Kulaniapia Falls. The hike is beautiful, surrounded by bamboo groves and delicate wild orchids. The website World of waterfalls is an excellent resource to find out more about the smaller waterfalls on the island. 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. Check out the latest prices and more details. I have seen other people recommend Peepee Falls as another great option. This adds ~1 hour/waterfall to your itinerary will be the best option for the large majority of visitors. If you are staying on the other side of the Big Island, be sure to plan these excursions into your vacation plans. There are other adventurous activities that you can enjoy here too. Credit: John McCollum. 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? This is one of the most famous waterfalls on the Big Island. Turn inland (mauka) between mile markers 14 and 13 onto Honomu Road. Join this tour to see waterfalls and the stunning Hilo scenery and learn about King Kamehameha the Great and his preference for the area. The Kulaniapia Falls are with a 120ft drop the tallest private waterfalls on the Big Island. Get your discounted Kohala Tour from Kona Tour. 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. Just make sure to leave this waterfall in Hawaii as clean as you found it. 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 falls used to only be open to those staying at the hotel located on the grounds. Nonetheless, its still a breathtaking sight to see. Read more about ourHawaii adventureshere. Kulaniapia Falls is located inside a 42-acre private property in Hilo, Hawaii. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden The couple run a healing retreat on Hawaii's Big Island - and Dorina has been swimming with dolphins throughout her pregnancy. Get in touch with us! Entry Fees:For Akaka Falls, entry is free for children under ten years old and $5 per adult. This article covers seven of the Big Islands most beautiful waterfalls! What Are The Must-Visit Waterfalls On Big Island? Several are featured in popular Hawaiian songs. The Kulaniapia Falls for example require a day pass, and others are on private property and only reachable as part of a tour. The Big Island is filled with tourist attractions! If you decide to swim, please take extra precautions as rivers are prone to flash flooding. 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. Where is the Blue Pool waterfall in Hawaii? ~ Trusted by Millions of Hawaii Visitors Annually ~. The property also offers lava encounter tours and lava tube tours as well if you are interested. Its the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago and has some of the most popular waterfalls in all of Hawaii! Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed at Rainbow Falls, and there are signs warning about the danger of swimming. Located along the Umauma River in Hakalau, Umauma Falls is a series of three, short cascading waterfalls. Access costs $12 per person (walk-in fee, no pre-bookings required), which also buys you access to their garden. Entry to the state park will cost $5 . 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. This picturesque spot can be found past mile marker 16 on the Hana Highway, below the bridge that crosses Palauhulu Stream. This website's use is your expressly conditioned acceptance of the terms, conditions, and disclaimers found within our Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability page without any modifications. A tour across the Hamakua Coast that stops at Akaka Falls State Park, Rainbow Falls and Richardson Beach Park. Compared to many other Hawaiian Islands, the Big Island is huge. 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 Umauma falls are three waterfalls in close proximity to the Umauma River, 16 miles north of Hilo on the Hamakua coast. There have been instances where people lost their lives here. This is what the falls look like after a good rain upstream. Sugar Water: Hawaiis Plantation Ditches by Carol Wilcox. Seeing waterfalls is a great way to save money while on your vacation to Hawaii. If you already have accommodations, water rappelling can also be booked by the general public. Wrapping Up the Best Waterfalls on the Big Island. No, swimming at Akaka Falls is no longer allowed. Find the best prices here. Then, there are waterfalls where the access is rather ambiguous (to my knowledge), and these include Hi'ilawe Falls, Nanue Falls, and the so-called Narnia Waterfalls (which are actually a convergence of three named waterfalls). 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. Read more about waterfall safety. These are just a few of the many, many tours that can be booked to see the beautiful waterfalls on the Big Island. The Oloupena Falls is the tallest waterfall in Hawaii, located on the tiny island of Molokai, stretching an immense 2,953 feet high. There are however several safety tips to keep in mind while doing so on the Big Island: We share our favorite tips and images on Instagram, click here to go to our instagram account. Narnia is the name given to a set of waterfalls in the Hilo Forest Reserve. Which waterfall can you swim at on the Big Island? The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. On the paved uphill Akaka Falls Loop Trail, you'll venture past these two beautiful waterfalls . It is also possible to rappel down along the Kulaniapia Falls. One of several waterfalls you hike to on a tour with Hawaii Forest and Trail. Enjoy spectacular views of Mauna Kea and the Pacific Ocean, awesome photo spots, swim in a private pond and really experience off-road Hawaii. Well, you are in luck. So no one is taking care of it and ensuring the area remains clean. Sign up for a discounted Legends of the Waterfalls and Volcano Tour. If you are staying in Kona, meet up with a local driver who takes you to North Kohala. The Onomea Falls is located within the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, This s private property owned by Dan Lutkenhouse, first opened in 1984. Hiilawe Falls is one of the best Big Island waterfall hikes. The closest waterfalls in the Kohala district (about 50 miles) require a tour to visit. * Hawaii-Guide.com is not a booking agent, accommodation provider, establishment, or tour operator. Visitors will have to pay an entrance fee for the botanical garden, but once inside, the paved stroll to the waterfall is quick, and features a changing room, available life jackets and lifeguards on duty. 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. Hi'ilawe Falls in the Waipio Valley. So, if youd rather sit back and enjoy a guided tour past some of our best waterfalls you could consider one of the following tours: This is a small-group adventure tour that lets you explore the beautiful and historic north Kohala forests and waterfalls. And these are just the most popular waterfalls on Big Island. Its hard not to love this, Lulumahu Falls, 4459 HI-61, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA, Wailua Falls flows from Honolewa Stream, and is visible from the highway. What youll see along the route will depend on what trail you choose, but each one is worth it! The waterfall flows from a water source called the Onomea Stream. This is the perfect pre or post-hike pit stop for pineapples and fresh coconuts that you can't miss. There are plenty of these tours you can take while on the Big Island. Enjoy this 8-hour adventure as you explore Kohala, the oldest of five volcanos that make up the Big Island. Its one of the quietest and least touristy waterfalls on the island, so you can enjoy a chill day with your friends when you visit. Access to the falls is right off the road. Download and/or view the map of all 9 waterfalls here. The height and sheer beauty of its surroundings make Akaka Falls one of the most visited waterfalls on Big Island, but it will take a bit of effort to see them. It takes about 20-30 minutes to complete the loop. Youll be able to see 3 of the most famous Big Island waterfalls (Akaka Falls, Hiilawe Falls, and Rainbow Falls) on a half-day tour. However, the waterfall tends to be dry in early spring, around March. This half-day tour takes you to the three most famous Big Island waterfalls: 'Akaka Falls, Hi'ilawe Falls and Rainbow Falls. Read THIS first! The waterfall got its name from the rainbow that often forms at the base. Id be sure to go at least a few days after heavy rain to avoid flash flooding and a swollen stream. Peepee Falls form a rather risky, but popular local swimming hole known as boiling pots. However, swimming here has proved to be lethal and should be avoided. Hiilawe Falls is a great waterfall to visit and is one of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaii. If you want to see the base of the falls, you must rent a car with four-wheel drive - and even then, the grade is so steep that it can be dangerous. They are all unique in their own ways. Because these incredible destinations are fed waterfalls, it is important to issue a friendly warning about the risks associated with flash flooding, and leptospirosis bacteria found in many of Hawaiis natural pools. If waterfalls are your thing you most likely wont be happy to see only the biggest six. Hiilawe Falls (or Hi'ilawe Falls) was one of those waterfalls where it seemed it had a reputation that it can no longer live up to. The best part? Although Akaka Falls is the main event during the hike, the smaller Kahuna Falls is a must-see as well. You can contact the State Division of Forestry and Wildlife at 808-974-4221. Its a way to connect with nature and experience the waterfall closer than otherwise. 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. This can cause the falls to be (almost) dry even during the wet season. If you are in the Kona area, I highly recommend Paradise Helicopters. Check out the latest prices and more details. Not only that, but this island is still expanding! Marvel at the beauty and adventure that makes up Hawaii.