A Guide to Exploring the Best Waterfalls on the Big Island

Are you planning a trip to Hawaii and wondering where the best waterfalls on the Big Island are?

From the lush ‘Akaka Falls to the Waipi’o Valley, there’s no shortage of stunning waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii! I spent a week exploring the many waterfalls of the Big Island and was consistently blown away!

In this guide, I’ll cover all the must-see waterfalls on the Big Island, including where they’re located, entrance fees, pros and cons, and more! I’ve even provided a detailed map that shows where all these Big Island waterfalls are located. So keep reading if you are ready to chase some waterfalls: Hawaii style!

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A Complete Guide to the Best Waterfalls on the Big Island

Big Island Waterfalls Map

Below is a map of the Big Island that shows all the waterfalls mentioned in this blog post! As you can see, most of the waterfalls are located on the east side of the Big Island.

The reason for this is because the east (Hilo) side of the island has a tropical, rainforest climate. This is the opposite of the west (Kona) side of the Big Island, which is typically sunny and dry!

You can read more about the different areas of the Big Island in my guide on Where to Stay here!

Frequently Asked Questions about Waterfalls on the Big Island

Where are the most waterfalls on the Big Island?

As mentioned above, most of the waterfalls are located on the eastern side of the island. More specifically, a majority are located on the Hamakua Coast, north of the main town of Hilo. This is due to the heavy rainfall and tropical landscape in the area!

Can you swim in any waterfalls on the Big Island?

You can! Unfortunately, almost all of the waterfalls you can swim in require entrance fees or guided tours. I have a whole section below on which waterfalls you can swim in!

What is the biggest waterfall on the Big Island?

The biggest waterfall on the Big Island is Hi’ilawe Falls, located in the famous Waipi’o Valley. Not only is this the biggest waterfall on the Big Island, it’s the biggest waterfall in the entire state of Hawaii!

Are there guided tours to waterfalls on the Big Island?

Yes! In fact, some waterfalls on the list can only be reached by a guided tour. I’ll cover this more later in this post!

Do all waterfalls on the Big Island have entrance fees?

Nope, not all! Some waterfalls, like Rainbow Falls, are completely free to visit! I’ll note if there are any entrance fees for each waterfall I mentioned below!

Is it safe to swim in waterfalls on the Big Island?

Unfortunately, there isn’t one straight answer here! You should always do your research before swimming in any waterfalls on the Big Island. As waterfalls are fed by rivers, they are prone to flash floods, which can be extremely dangerous.

In addition, fresh water on the Big Island can be home to leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that is often present in Hawaiian rivers and streams. In fact, Hawaii is the number one place in the United States for leptospirosis. You should absolutely steer clear of fresh water if you have open cuts or sores. Putting your head underwater also increases your risk of infection.

In general, I don’t recommend swimming in any waterfalls on your own, unless you are part of a guided tour.

Big Island Waterfalls by Category

Waterfalls on the Big Island That Are Easy to Access

‘Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls

Located within Akaka Falls State Park you will find the famous Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls! This state park is located about 20 minutes north of downtown Hilo. I loved visiting these waterfalls because they were so easy to access!

To get to the waterfalls, you’ll embark on a paved, 0.4-mile loop trail through the park. Although there are some stairs and inclines, they were very mild. This park is great for the whole family!

Along the loop trail, you can see not one but TWO waterfalls: ‘Akaka and Kahuna. ‘Akaka is definitely the more impressive of the two. You’ll get to see the falls from multiple viewpoints and can see all the way down to the bottom of the river. On the other hand, Kahuna Falls was slightly obscured by the rainforest around it when we visited.

The only downside to visiting ‘Akaka Falls State Park is the entrance and parking fee you are required to pay. For non-Hawaiian residents, the entrance cost is $5 per person for adults (children 3 and under are free). In addition to the entrance fee, you are also required to pay a parking fee of $10. If you are driving a commercial vehicle, the cost goes up!

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is probably the easiest waterfall to access on the Big Island of Hawaii! How easy? It is literally steps from the parking lot. You don’t even have to climb any stairs to see it!

In addition to being close to the parking lot, Rainbow Falls is only 5 minutes outside of downtown Hilo! It doesn’t get more accessible than that. Oh, and it’s free!

However, don’t discount Rainbow Falls because it’s so easy to get to! The falls are truly stunning, especially if you get to see the iconic rainbow the falls are named after. People have seen the rainbow at all times during the day, but you’re most likely to see it on a sunny morning.

What I loved most about these falls was the Hawaiian legend behind them! It’s said that the cave behind the falls is home to the ancient Hawaiian moon goddess Hina. Hina is the mother of the demi-god Maui, and legend says that Maui saved Hina from a giant lizard at Rainbow Falls and the nearby Boiling Pots. There’s much more to the story, which you can read about on a plaque at the Falls!

Pe’epe’e falls

Right up the road from Rainbow Falls is Pe’epe’e Falls, which are also fed by the Wailuku River like Rainbow Falls. There are no parking or entrance fees to see Pe’epe’e Falls!

These falls are even larger and more stunning than Rainbow Falls; however, the overlook area for the falls, which can be accessed just off the road, is slightly obscured.

Previously, you could get closer to the falls and swim in the nearby Boiling Pots on days where the flow of water is calm. However, many people have been injured or killed in these swimming areas. These days, several signs have been posted in the area to prohibit individuals from getting closer to the falls or swimming in the pools. You can also be charged a fine if you go past them.

Waterfalls on the Big Island You Can Swim In

Kulaniapia Falls

In my opinion, Kulaniapia Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the Big Island! And, you can swim here!! The only catch – Kulaniapia Falls is located on private property. The property is part of a beautiful eco-friendly hotel called the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls. Staying at the Inn means you have free access to the waterfall!

The good news is, Kulaniapia Falls also offers day passes to the Falls for those who are not staying at the Inn. The passes are offered to a limited number of people each day to avoid crowds. Here’s everything you need to know about the day passes!

• Cost of the day pass starts at $49 for adults and $29 for children
• Pass gives you access to the property for 4-5 hours
• You will have to choose a specific entry time when booking
  • 10am slot is the cheapest ($49)
  • The other times are 11am, 12pm and 1pm.
• Day passes must be purchased in advance (no walk ups!)
• $50 discount on other activities on the property

Photos from Booking.com

The pass will give you access to Kulaniapia Falls plus three other waterfalls and miles of trails! They also offer swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding at the falls when thee conditions are safe.

If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can even go waterfall repelling here! This incredible activity is available to anyone 10 and older. The cost of waterfall repelling at Kulaniapia Falls is $250 per person; however, if you buy a day pass, the activity is $199. It is offered daily at 10:30am and 2:00pm and lasts 2-3 hours!

Umauma Falls

Another waterfall on the Big Island you can safely swim in is Umauma Falls! However, similar to Kulaniapia Falls, this waterfall is only accessible by private tour through the Umauma Experience.

This company offers many different ways to experience Umauma Falls from zip lining to waterfall repelling to kayaking. The best bang for your buck is definitely their Zip N Dip tour. On this tour, you’ll get to zip line on 9 runs and then relax, swim, and kayak at the waterfall. This tour starts at $300 per person and lasts 4 hours.

If you’re looking for something a little more low key, they also have a self-paced walking tour where you can explore the waterfalls and gardens. The cost for this activity is only $12 and doesn’t require an advanced booking.

With 5 stars on TripAdvisor, The Umauma Experience is a great way to experience the Big Island for the whole family!

Kohala Coast Waterfalls

The last of the Big Island waterfalls you can swim in are located on the Kohala Coast. Unfortunately, these waterfalls are located on private property, so you cannot visit on your own. The only way to explore these waterfalls is via a private tour like this one!

Most of the Kohala Waterfall tours leave from Kona, so this is a great option if you are staying on the west side of the Big Island and still want to explore some waterfalls!

The tour lasts approximately 7 hours and costs $240 per person. It includes round trip transportation, a guided hike through a nature preserve, swimming in waterfalls, and a picnic lunch! Another perk is that this is a small group tour, so you will have a private experience (only up to 10 people).

Waipi’o Valley Waterfalls

The last waterfalls on the Big Island I want to talk about are 2 waterfalls in the Waipi’o Valley: Hi’ilawe Falls and Kaluahine Falls. These are not easy to access, nor can you swim in them, but they are still worth mentioning!

If you didn’t know, Waipi’o is a stunning, expansive valley located on the Hāmākua Coast of the Big Island. It has a strong political and cultural history for the nation of Hawaii. The valley was home to Hawaiian royalty and was the boyhood home of King Kamehameha I.

Waipi’o Valley is one mile across and over five miles deep. Within the valley, there is a gorgeous black sand beach and lush taro fields. Although you can view a portion of the valley from a public lookout, visitors are no longer permitted to enter the valley. This emergency rule issued in 2022 was due to the treacherous nature of the entry road getting into the valley.

As mentioned, there are two waterfalls located within the Valley. To view this waterfalls, you can either book a private tour into the valley (like this horseback riding tour) or take a helicopter ride! Unfortunately, there is no way to see these waterfalls on your own any longer.

Final Thoughts

That wraps up my guide to the best waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii. As you can see, there are a variety of Big Island waterfalls to choose from, from jaw-dropping cascades to road-side treats!

I highly recommend staying on the Hilo side of the Big Island for at least a few days. As shown on the map at the beginning, this is where almost all of the waterfalls on the Big Island are.

If you’re planning a trip to the Big Island, make sure to check out my other blog posts about the Big Island!
Whale Watching on the Big Island
Big Island vs Oahu
Best Snorkeling on the Big Island
Snorkeling with Manta Rays on the Big Island
The Perfect One Week Big Island Itinerary

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