Although you’ll have to hike to reach several of the falls on this list, the waterfalls on Oahu are some of the most accessible in the world.
Many of these waterfalls have trails that lead right to the base. Don't miss the chance to see these beauties up close (there's even one you can swim under)!
These must-see Oahu’s waterfalls include:
- Manoa Falls
- Ko’olau Waterfalls
- Waimea Falls
- Lulumahu Falls
Hopefully, you’ll have time to visit several of the falls on this list. But if you only have time for one, make sure to check out the “Flowing to an End” section of this post for our top-pick, best-of-the-best waterfall in Oahu.
Manoa Falls
Manoa Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls on Oahu and is certainly the most visited waterfall in Honolulu. The hike leading to the waterfall is short and well marked.
- Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Distance: 1.6 miles (round trip)
- Estimated Time: Approximately 1-2 hours
Ease of Access: The hike is doable for most people when conditions are dry. However, if it's been raining, this trail gets pretty muddy and slippery. Overall, this two-mile hike is rated family friendly.
Location: From Waikiki, make your way to Punahou Street. Punahou becomes Manoa Road as you leave the inner city. The waterfall hike begins at the very end of Manoa Road, about 20 minutes outside of Waikiki. Or take Shaka Guide's Honolulu Backyard Rainforest Tour and the app will guide you to Manoa Falls with history and information about the area along the way.
Best Times To Visit: This waterfall gets extremely crowded on weekends and weekdays from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Your best bet for beating the crowds is early on weekdays.
Cost: There is no cost to hike the trail.
Parking: There is a $7 fee to park at the Paradise Parking lot near the trailhead. Alternatively, if you have a bus pass and would like to avoid the fee, you can take TheBus route 5 and get off at the Manoa Road and Kumuone Opp stop. If you continue along Manoa Road on foot you can get to the trail head in about fifteen minutes. If you’re lucky, you might see some local wildlife along the way, such as the invasive mongoose or the car-less University of Hawaii student. Fascinating.
Swimming Allowed: NO
When you arrive at the waterfall, you’ll probably notice two things: signs saying no swimming and a lot of people swimming.
While you’re not likely to get a ticket for swimming here, we don't recommend swimming at the base of this waterfall.
It can be dangerous due to falling rocks, and there's a risk of contracting Leptospirosis, a disease that can be fatal if left untreated.
Photo by Leoboudv / WikiCommons | CC BY-SA 2.5
Rain isn’t your friend here, either.
Heavy rain can also cause this pool to flow rapidly without warning, so wet days are also a serious hazard that can result in injury.
Daniel Ramirez, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr
There’s plenty of cultural fascination, as well.
The Manoa Falls trail is extremely old and has roots in Hawaiian culture as an ancient travel route.
Moana Falls is also of more contemporary cultural significance as a popular film set. Jurassic Park and The Hunger Games both have scenes filmed here.
RELATED: Manoa Falls Travel Guide
Ko’olau Falls
These falls aren’t easy to hike to, but they’re super easy to enjoy from afar right from the highway.
- Ease of Access: N/A, Visible from main roads
- Location: Ko’olau Mountain Ranges, seen easiest along H3
- Best Times To Visit: Rainy winter season (November – March), preferably during or immediately after a heavy rain
- Cost: N/A
- Swimming Allowed: Not accessible
Timing is everything if you want to see the Ko’olau Falls. More often than not, they’re completely dry. But if you are able to time a viewing of these falls right, they are really something special.
One sure fire way to see them is to drive along the H3 highway during a heavy downpour. Just be sure to focus on the road!
Waimea Falls
Enjoy the easy hike to these waterfalls and take dip in the pools when you reach the falls.
- Trail Difficulty: Easy
- Distance: 1.5 miles (round trip)
- Estimated Time: Approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour
Ease of Access: Easy for the whole family
Location: Traveling along Highway 83, turn onto Waimea Valley Road just before or after the bridge near Waimea Bay Beach Park. Waimea Valley Park is at the end of the road. The GPS address is Waimea Valley Road, Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712.
Shaka Guide Tour: We'll guide you to Waimea Falls on our Grand Circle Island Tour or our Legendary North Shore Loop. Waimea Valley is one of the stops on the tour!
Best Times To Visit: Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Cost: $25 for nonresidents
Swimming Allowed: Yes, depending on current waterfall conditions. Call (808) 638-7766 for daily swimming status.
The Waimea Valley was once a drive-in experience. Tourists would drive right up to the falls and watch entertainers perform stunts and dances.
Over the years, this experience closed, and the valley suffered from neglect and litter. But the community turned things around!
The valley was repurposed as a non-profit natural and cultural experience.
The proceeds from this park all go toward protecting and promoting Hawaiian culture and the Native Hawaiian community.
Your entrance fee includes a beautiful stroll through the Waimea Valley Botanical Gardens as well as several talks and tours that are held throughout the day.
The hike is about 1.9 miles round trip along the gardens. If you wish to swim at the base of the falls, you’ll be asked to wear a life jacket by park staff.
RELATED: Waimea Valley Travel Guide
Lulumahu Falls
Lulumahu Falls. Andrew Smith, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Distance: 1.5 miles (round trip)
- Estimated Time: Approximately 90 minutes
If you’re looking for a real adventure, this unofficial, little-marked waterfall hike across several terrains might be exactly what you’re looking for!
Please note, this trail is technically on private property owned by the government. It's still a crowded trail and loads of people hike it, but use caution.
Ease of Access: Unofficial, unmarked, muddy, mostly flat but still somewhat difficult. It's considered moderate to difficult.
Location: Trailhead on Pali Highway before the Pali Lookout, you’ll see a large gravel parking lot.
Shaka Guide Tour: N/A, however Shaka Guide's East Oahu Shoreline Drive visits Pali Lookout.
Best Times To Visit: Lulumahu is best visited during the dry summer season because the trail gets extremely muddy and the streams become dangerous during heavy rains. Go early to avoid the crowds!
Permit: Yes. A DAY-USE PERMIT is required to access this Hawaii DLNR trail in the watershed.To reserve your permit, visit the Hawaii Trails Day Use Permits: Honolulu Forest Reserve - Restricted Watershed (Lulumahu Falls) website.You must PRINT a copy of your permit in advance and have it in your possession at all times. You must also PRINT an additional copy to DISPLAY on your dashboard.
Cost: There is a $2.50 online service fee to purchase a day-use permit to access this trail.
Swimming Allowed: Yes - but use caution.
How to Find Lulumahu Falls in Oahu?
You should park at the gravel parking lot off of Pali Highway that’s often used to access Kaniakapupu Ruins. You’ll notice an opening in the fence at the back end of the lot with a sign that says property of Board of Water Supply. That’s your trailhead.
Although the trail is heavily trafficked, you’ll still want to do a fair bit of research online before you set off since it’s easy to get turned around. Check out AllTrails Lulumahu Falls Trail for current trail reviews.
Lulumahu Falls Trail Landmarks
You should go through a bamboo jungle, across an open field with rolling hills, up stone steps, past a bridge to a fenced-in tower, by a beautiful wall of graffiti, through a muddy jungle, and across a rocky stream all before you arrive at the gorgeous 50-foot waterfall.
There are pink ties that mark the way, so keep close to those and you shouldn’t have a problem!
Which Oahu waterfall is best?
As promised, the number-one overall best waterfall in Hawaii is…
Drum roll, please...
Lulumahu for its variety, sense of adventure, and sheer height! If you only have time for one waterfall adventure, we’d recommend this one.
If you aren’t able to make it to any of the waterfalls in Oahu during your stay, don’t worry, you’re sure to see some waterworks in the mirror just before you leave for the airport.
Explore Oahu's Waterfalls with Shaka Guide
Plan your visit to Oahu’s waterfalls with Shaka Guide! Explore stunning falls, easy trails, and hidden gems while hearing fun stories along the way.
Beyond this list, check out Maunawili Falls for hiking and cliff jumping or visit Waimano Falls, Sacred Falls, Waipuhia Falls, and Judd Trail, each offering a unique experience. Download the tour today and start your adventure!
We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.
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