11 Kauai Waterfalls Worth Chasing in 2026 (And the One That Will Get You Fined)

Trying to figure out the perfect places to get Instagram photos on Kauai? Keep scrolling down to learn about some of the best Kauai waterfalls that look incredible!

This list the best Kauai waterfalls was written by Marcie Cheung (a Hawaii travel expert) and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

I’ve been coming to Kauai since I was a kid, and this island has changed more in 25 years than any other place I’ve visited in Hawaii, and I’ve now visited Hawaii 40+ times.

Waterfalls that used to be a free roadside stop now come with a credit card kiosk.

One of the most recommended swimming holes on every old blog list, including mine, has been closed for over a decade.

So here’s the update. What’s still worth your time, what it costs now, and the one spot you need to stop reading about because it’s not there anymore.

Kipu Falls Is Closed. Please Stop Looking For It.

I want to get this one out of the way first because it still shows up on so many “hidden gem” lists.

Kipu Falls was a popular swimming hole near Puhi for decades. Then several people drowned there, and the landowner, Grove Farm Company, fenced the whole property and posted no trespassing signs. That was years ago, and nothing has changed since.

People still climb the fence. Some still get hurt. There’s no legal way in, and I’m not going to write around that just to keep this list looking longer than it should be.

If you want a waterfall on private ranch land done the right way, Kipu Ranch runs guided tours through their own property that include a stop at a falls there. Check current availability for Kipu Ranch tours on Hawaii Activities if that interests you.

Opaekaa Falls

I send every first-timer here first, because it costs you almost nothing in effort. Park off Kuamoo Road, walk up a short paved path, and you’re looking at 150 feet of falls dropping into the valley.

I’ve stopped here more times than I could count over the years, usually on my way to or from the Wailua River. There’s a second lookout across the street too, facing the other direction, and most people skip it because they only look one way.

Here’s what changed for 2026. As of February 22nd, Wailua River State Park started charging nonresidents to park and enter, and that includes Opaekaa Falls.

It’s $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle, credit card only, no cash accepted. Your receipt works as a day pass, so the same payment covers Wailua Falls and the marina area if you visit them the same day.

Good for: first-timers, anyone short on time, families with young kids who can’t do a real hike.

Skip if: you’ve already paid the Wailua River State Park fee somewhere else that day.

Wailua Falls

Fantasy Island fans will recognize this waterfall from the old show’s opening credits, and it’s one of the Kauai falls I’ve been back to the most.

Park right off Maalo Road and the full 173 foot drop is right in front of you. No hiking required.

Early morning is my favorite time to go. The light hits the mist just right and you’ll usually catch a rainbow if you give it a few minutes.

What I won’t do, and what I’d ask you not to do either, is hike down to the base. That trail is unofficial and steep, and the county closed it for good reason.

A visitor died there in 2022, and people are still getting hurt on that slope often enough that local news keeps covering it. Honestly, the view from the lookout is just as good, and it’s the one you’re allowed to have.

This falls is part of the same Wailua River State Park fee system as Opaekaa, so budget the same $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle if you haven’t paid it elsewhere that day.

Waipoo Falls (Waimea Canyon)

Waipoo Falls delivers the most scenery for the least time investment of any hike on this list. The Canyon Trail cuts along the red walls of Waimea Canyon, and the falls show up bright green against all that dry rock.

One thing that trips people up: the trail ends at the top of the falls, not the base. You won’t get that classic full-height shot from the hike itself.

Grab that photo from one of the canyon lookouts along the road first, then hike in for the closer view.

Waimea Canyon charges $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle for nonresidents, no reservation needed, paid at self-serve kiosks that only take credit cards. That same ticket covers Kokee State Park too if you keep driving.

Good for: families who want a real hike without a full day commitment, photographers.

Skip if: you need to swim or see the falls from below. Neither happens here.

Hanakapiai Falls

Out of everything on this list, this is the hike I’ve actually done myself, and it’s not a casual afternoon.

The full round trip runs about 8 miles, starting on the Kalalau Trail from Kee Beach and turning inland after the first two miles.

What surprised me was how different the trail feels once you leave the coastline. You’re boulder-hopping along a stream through dense valley forest, and it’s slower going than the mileage makes it sound.

For 2026, here’s what you actually need: a Haena State Park entry reservation, or a parking or shuttle reservation, through gohaena.com.

You do not need the overnight Kalalau camping permit just to hike to the falls and back. That permit only kicks in if you continue past Hanakapiai Valley. A lot of older posts get this backwards, so double check before you go.

If you’re basing yourself on the North Shore for this one, browse Princeville and Hanalei hotels on Expedia and get an early start, since the trailhead lot fills fast.

Uluwehi Falls (Secret Falls)

Everyone calls this one Secret Falls, which is a little funny given how often it shows up on lists exactly like this one.

I did this as a kayak trip up the Wailua River followed by about a 20-minute walk through the rainforest, and it’s genuinely one of my favorite half days on the island.

Having a guide meant I didn’t have to think about navigation, and I could just enjoy the paddle.

You can rent a kayak and go on your own if you’re comfortable on the water, but a guided Wailua River kayak and waterfall hike tour handles the logistics and usually includes lunch, which turns the whole outing into more of an excursion than a workout.

If you’re bringing a camera, a dry bag is worth the ten dollars so you’re not white-knuckling your gear the whole paddle.

The Wailua Marina launch point is also part of the new state park fee system, so plan on the same $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle if you’re launching your own kayak rather than joining a tour that already includes it.

Kalihiwai Falls

Part of Kalihiwai Falls is visible from the highway bridge on the North Shore, but the falls themselves sit on private ranch land, so there’s no legal way to walk in on your own.

Princeville Ranch Adventures runs a guided hike that gets you there, roughly 4 miles round trip and about 3 hours, rated moderately strenuous.

It also climbs to a lookout above 500 feet with panoramic North Shore views, so you’re getting more than just the waterfall for your money.

Good for: travelers who want a real North Shore hike with a guide handling permission and logistics.

Skip if: you’re hoping to see it up close for free. The bridge view is pretty, but distant.

Hanakoa Falls

Hanakoa Falls sits along the Kalalau Trail, well past where day hikers are allowed. Reaching it requires a Na Pali Coast State Wilderness camping permit, the same one needed for the full Kalalau Trail.

It costs $35 per person per night and is released 90 days in advance through camping.ehawaii.gov.

This isn’t something to add on casually. The trail runs 11 miles one way, exposed in sections, and dangerous if weather turns.

If you’re already planning the full Kalalau backpacking trip, this falls makes a nice stop along the way. If you’re not, there are easier falls on this list that will make you just as happy.

Hoopii Falls

I want to be straight with you on this one. Hoopii Falls sits in a residential neighborhood in Kapaa, and while parts of the stream are on state land, other stretches cross private property that local residents have been asking visitors to stay off of for years.

There’s no official public trailhead, and parking on Kapahi Road has caused real tension with the people who live there. If you go, park at Kapahi Park, about a 10 to 15 minute walk from the trail, and be quiet and respectful the whole way in.

Given the ongoing friction here, I’d lean toward Waipoo or Uluwehi instead unless you have a specific reason this one has to be your priority.

Manawaiopuna Falls (Jurassic Falls)

You’ve seen this waterfall even if you don’t know its name. It’s the one from the opening helicopter scene in the original Jurassic Park, and it sits on private ranch land with no public trail anywhere near it.

The only legal way to see it is by helicopter tour, and the upside is that it never runs dry, even in late summer when other Kauai waterfalls slow to a trickle.

Compare Kauai helicopter tours on Viator if this is on your bucket list, and treat it as a splurge day rather than a quick add-on.

Waialeale Falls (Wall of Tears)

Mount Waialeale is one of the wettest spots on earth, averaging over 450 inches of rain a year, and the falls pouring off it during heavy rain have earned the nickname Wall of Tears. There’s no trail here and no safe way to hike in.

A helicopter tour is really the only way most visitors will ever see it, and even then, it depends entirely on how much rain fell that day. Treat any glimpse of this one as a bonus, not something to plan your whole trip around.

Kauai Waterfall FAQ

Do I need a permit to hike to Hanakapiai Falls in 2026?

You need a Haena State Park entry, parking, or shuttle reservation through gohaena.com. You don’t need the overnight Kalalau camping permit unless you’re continuing past Hanakapiai Valley.

Can I still visit Kipu Falls?

No. It’s private property owned by Grove Farm, fenced, and enforced. There’s no legal way to reach it anymore.

Is hiking to the bottom of Wailua Falls legal?

No. The trail is unofficial and unmaintained, and the county has closed it after multiple injuries and at least one death.

How much does it cost to see Opaekaa Falls and Wailua Falls now?

As of February 2026, nonresidents pay $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle at Wailua River State Park. One payment covers both falls plus the marina area the same day.

How do I get to Secret Falls (Uluwehi Falls)?

By kayak up the Wailua River, then about a 20-minute walk. Most first-timers book a guided tour rather than going alone.

Can I hike to Kalihiwai Falls on my own?

No. It’s on private land. A guided tour through Princeville Ranch Adventures is the only legal way in.

What’s the best waterfall on Kauai if I don’t want to hike at all?

Opaekaa Falls and Wailua Falls are both viewable from paved parking with little to no walking.

Planning the Rest of Your Trip

Most of these falls are spread across the whole island, so a rental car makes the day realistic. I’ve used Discount Hawaii Car Rental for years and it’s usually cheaper than booking direct through the big names.

If you want help turning all of this into realistic Kauai itineraries instead of a list of waterfalls you’re trying to squeeze into one day, that’s exactly what I work through in a one-on-one Hawaii travel consultation.

As a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert with 20+ years as a professional hula dancer and extensive Hawaii travel experience, half of what I do in those calls is telling people what to skip, not just what to add.

I also talk through Kauai and the rest of the islands regularly on my podcast, Hawaii Travel Made Easy, if you’d rather listen than read.

And if you’re still working out how to plan a Hawaii vacation around more than just waterfalls, my Kauai travel guide covers where to stay and how long to stay in Hawaii on this island specifically, and my Hawaii island hopping guide can help if you’re trying to choose the right Hawaiian island to begin with.

Kauai’s waterfalls are still one of the best reasons to visit this island. Just go in knowing which ones deserve your morning, and which ones deserve nothing more than driving past.