ʻAkaka Falls is the tallest publicly accessible waterfall on the Big Island: 442 feet of freefall, a 0.4-mile trail through rainforest, and a $5/person entrance fee plus $10 parking, both waived with a Hawaiʻi state ID. For most visitors, it is the one to prioritize. Rainbow Falls in Hilo is the second stop worth making. Arrive by 9 a.m. The rainbow forms in the mist on sunny mornings and is easy to miss. There are no natural waterfalls near Kona.
If you are based on the west side, Kohala waterfall tours depart from Kona and Waikoloa and reach private falls that are otherwise off-limits, with prices starting around $249 per person. The parking lot at ʻAkaka Falls State Park fills by mid-morning on weekends, so aim for before 9 a.m. The map below shows which falls cluster near Hilo, which sit in Kohala, and which require a tour to reach.
Table of contents
Table of Contents
- Waterfall map
- 6 Favorite waterfalls
- Waterfall Hike + Swim tours
- 7 smaller Big Island waterfalls
- Waterfall safety tips and waterfall itinerary tips.
Below you’ll find all six, plus seven smaller falls, a comparison map, and the waterfall swim tours we recommend if you’d rather have a guide handle the logistics.
Big Island Waterfall Comparison: Heights, Fees, and Swim Access
Details and map locations below last verified May 2026.
| Name | Entrance fee | Note | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1ʻAkaka falls (Details ↓) | Free | Out-of-state visitors pay a parking and entrance fee | 442 ft |
| 2Rainbow falls (Details ↓) | Free | Out-of-state visitors pay a parking and entrance fee | 80 ft |
| 3Umauma falls (Details ↓) | $10 | Gorgeous triple-tier waterfalls on private grounds. Entrance fee required | ~200 ft |
| 4Kulaniapia Falls (Details ↓) | $49 | Waterfall swim possible but on private grounds. Entrance fee required | 120 ft |
| 5Peʻepeʻe Falls (Details ↓) | Free | Smaller than the nearby rainbow falls but also far less crowded | ~60 ft |
| 6Hiʻilawe falls (Details ↓) | Free | Visible from a distance | 1450 ft |
| 7Waiʻale Falls | Free | Accessed via a short, unmaintained, and slippery 0.6-mile trail | ~40 ft |
| 8Onomea falls | $35 | Multi-tiered falls within the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens. Entry fee applies. | ~100 ft |
| 9Kolekole Gulch Park Falls | Free | Small cascading waterfall tucked inside Kolekole Gulch Park | ~20 ft |
Waterfall FAQ + Related Guides
Q: Can you swim under any waterfalls on the Big Island?
Yes, but all of them are on private property and require some sort of “entrance fee”. The Kulaniapia Falls for example require a day pass, and swimming in the Umauma Falls or north Kohala waterfalls is also only possible as part of a tour.
Q: Are there waterfalls near Kona?
Not really. The west side is dry and has no natural waterfalls. The practical option for Kona-based visitors is one of the Kohala waterfall tours, which include Kona and Waikoloa pickup points and spend the day in North Kohala’s private rainforest valleys, about 50 miles north. The Hilo-side falls (ʻAkaka, Rainbow) are about 90 miles away, roughly a 2-hour drive each way.
Q: Are there waterfalls in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park?
No. The park has no waterfalls. The closest are Rainbow Falls and ʻAkaka Falls, both near Hilo, about 30 miles from the Kīlauea Visitor Center. Both are easy to add to a Park visit on the same day.
Q: Which Big Island waterfall is easiest to see/visit?
Located within the Hilo city limits, Waiānuenue (Rainbow Falls) is very easy to visit. Read more about the Rainbow Falls on our website.
Q: What are the most popular Big Island waterfalls
The ʻAkaka Falls and the Rainbow Falls are hands-down the most-visited waterfalls on the Big Island.
Q: Is it safe to go swim under a waterfall?
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.
Q: What about Narnia?
“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.
Big Island Waterfalls: The Six Most Worth Visiting
Most of the island’s waterfalls sit on the wet eastern slopes of Mauna Kea, within easy reach of Hilo. Five of the six featured falls are in this corridor, and you can visit two or three in a half-day without doubling back.
More waterfalls can be found at the northern Hāmākua 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
ʻAkaka Falls State Park sits about 11 miles north of Hilo and charges $5 per person plus $10 parking, both waived with a Hawaiʻi state ID. The falls drop 442 feet, visible from an overlook at the end of the loop trail.
To get to the waterfalls you need to make a pleasant and short 0.4-mile hike through the rainforest. The hike suits all fitness levels and takes about 30 minutes round-trip. In our experience the trail itself is worth the visit: bamboo groves, wild orchids, and a side view of Kahuna Falls before you reach the main overlook.
Read more: in our guide to visiting the ʻAkaka falls.
The 442 ft. ʻAkaka Falls, on the way to or from Hilo
2: Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue)
Rainbow Falls is the easiest waterfall to reach on the Big Island. Entry is $5 per person plus $10 parking, waived with a Hawaiʻi state ID. The lot is directly off Wailuku Drive in Hilo.
This broad waterfall in the Wailuku river is conveniently located within Hilo town. The best time to visit 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 rainbow shows up on clear mornings, when the sun is low behind you and the falls throw enough mist to catch the light. Late morning is your window.
3: Umauma Falls
The Umauma Falls are a triple cascade on the Umauma River, 16 miles north of Hilo on the Hāmākua coast. The overlook sits on private land managed by the Umauma Experience, with a $10 entry fee. Tours on the same grounds add a swim, zipline, or rappel for those who want more than a view.
Entry also includes access to their botanical gardens.
The famous triple-tiered Umauma Falls.
If it is a waterfall swim that you want, you can get that as part of one of the following tours:
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 look at the falls, a kayak and swim experience is available that also includes a catered lunch. Note that the time at the falls is somewhat limited with 1h15.
Private Waterfall & River Swim on the Umauma River
A Hāmākua coast waterfall site, the same one filmed for The Bachelorette, reached by van and run at a deliberately restful pace with swim, kayak, and SUP options.
from:
$93
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-Line Waterfall Zipline Tour
Nine lines and 2 miles of ziplining above 14 waterfalls on the Hamakua Coast, with a guest-only viewpoint above Umauma Falls that no public trail reaches.
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.Umauma Deluxe ATV Tour
This 1.5 hours, 5.5 mile, ATV tours includes a break at a private waterfall and pond where a light local snack is provided, as well as the option to cool off and take a quick dip.
Umauma Deluxe ATV Waterfall and Swim Experience
Five and a half miles of private ATV trail on the Hamakua coast, muddy by design, with ocean views and a waterfall swim to finish. Good for mixed groups: the Side x Side UTVs seat up to four.
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)
Kulaniapia Falls drops 120 feet on the Waiau Stream, about 10 miles east of central Hilo. Entry requires a $49 day pass and is limited to 10 guests per day.
The Inn at Kulaniapia opened the grounds to outside visitors in recent years, with day passes now available. When we visited, the property was quiet in a way that the more-visited falls simply aren’t.
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
The day pass covers the full 42-acre property: miles of trails, views across four waterfalls, and 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 from 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 larger 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.
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 Hawaiʻi. 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 (currently only possible for Hawaii state residents with a 4WD car), or get down to the valley floor with a shuttle.
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.
Waterfall Tours: Swim, Rappel, and Zipline Options
Waterfall tours are a good option when you want to get into the water. All five of the tours below visit a private waterfall that is otherwise off-limits. Four of them pick up from Kona or Waikoloa, which makes them the practical choice if you are based on the west side of the island.
Kohala Waterfall Adventure
This full-day small-group tour picks up in Kona and Waikoloa and is the most direct option for west-side visitors who want to reach the island’s rainforest waterfall country. The route runs north along the Kona coast to the old Kohala Mule Station, then off-road past 7 waterfalls to a swim at 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 private waterfalls in the north Kohala forest (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:
$255
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 Zip n Dip
This is an 8-hour zipline + waterfall swim tour that takes you to Kohala, the oldest volcano on the island, for a day that covers more ground than most half-island itineraries. 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. This 8-hour tour lets you zipline high above the forest floor, picnic at a secluded spot, and swim under a private waterfall fed by a cool mountain stream.
from:
$345
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 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
Hike + Private waterfall swim
The best swims are the ones you earn. Trek through jungle and farmland before cooling off beneath a secluded waterfall.
Kolekole Falls Waterfall Hike and Swim, Hamakua Coast
This guided hike covers 3 miles of private farmland and jungle near Honomu, passing three waterfalls before finishing at Kawainui Falls, where guests swim in a pool with no public access.
from:
$172
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.Big Island Waterfalls Adventure
See Waipiʻo Valley, the Hāmākua Coast, and multiple waterfalls on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi on this full day circle-island adventure.
Big Island Waterfalls Adventure
Swim under the 120 ft private Kulaniapia Falls, then hike to ʻAkaka and Rainbow Falls on a small-group loop of the island's east side.
from:
$279
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 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.
7 other Big Island Waterfalls
If waterfalls are your thing you most likely won’t be satisfied with just 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 (several waterfalls along the stream, see below), 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.
Kolekole Gulch Park Falls
Kolekole Falls is a small cascading waterfall tucked inside Kolekole Gulch Park, just north of Hilo along the Hāmākua Coast. The falls feed into a pool that flows out to the ocean under the old railroad bridge, and the park makes a good stop for a picnic or a quick swim.
You’ll find the entrance to Kolekole Gulch Park on Highway 19, about 12 miles north of Hilo and just a few minutes past ʻAkaka Falls State Park. The park has a parking area, restrooms, and picnic tables. From the lot, it’s a short walk down to the stream and, through the stream, to the waterfall.
Kolekole Falls at Kolekole Gulch Park near Hilo. Picture was taken in September 2025 after a period of drought, slowing down the flow of the stream to a trickle.
Waterfall Safety: What You Need to Know Before Swimming
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 Hāmākua Coast can be temperamental and super dangerous. Upstream (heavy) rains can trigger flash floods even if it is sunny where you are.
How to Fit Waterfalls Into 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 and 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.
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: