Here at Only In Hawaii, we’ve talked about waterfalls, and we’ve talked about swimming holes, but now we’re combining the two and giving you our exclusive list of 13 of the best waterfalls in Hawaii to swim in across all of the islands – from spots found only from hiking through the deep jungle of Oahu’s windward coast, to various scenic spots visible from Maui’s breathtaking Hana Highway.

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 Hawaii’s natural pools. It is advised that you check weather reports and ocean conditions before heading out for the day, never swim in these pools when you have open wounds and to always watch your step.

  1. Upper Waikani Falls

Joe Parks/Flickr Also known as Three Bears falls, Waikani is approximately 70 feet tall, and visible from the Hana Highway. However, the best views come when you climb under the bridge and follow a short jungle path to the base of the waterfall. This Upper Waikani Falls, Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA

  1. Maunawili Falls

Owen and Aki/Flickr Perhaps one of Oahu’s most stunning hidden waterfalls, this trek through the mud is never uphill for too long and offers the opportunity to jump in a beautiful waterfall at the end. One of the Maunawili Falls, Hawaii 96734, USA

  1. Uluwehi Falls

Christopher/Flickr Often referred to as Secret Falls, this beautiful waterfall will require substantial work to reach – but we think it’s totally worth it. Located up the Wailua River, you will need to either rent kayaks or book a guided tour to reach the trailhead. Then, you have to complete the 45-minute hike through the muddy jungle to reach the falls. It’s such a fun Wailua River, Wailua, HI 96746, USA

  1. Ching’s Pond

Bruce Irschick/Flickr Combine vibrant sapphire pools with some stellar spots for cliff jumping, and you’ve got one of Maui’s local hangouts. This picturesque spot can be found past mile marker 16 on the Hana Highway, below the bridge that crosses Palauhulu Stream. This Hana Highway, Hana Hwy, Hawaii, USA

  1. Waimea Falls

Thomas Shahan/Flickr Located within Waimea Valley is this charming waterfall, perfect for a family swim. 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. Head to Waimea Falls for the best Waimea Falls, North Shore, HI 96712, USA

  1. Pua’a Ka’a Falls

BoneDaddy.P7/Flickr A short hike within the Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside will reward you with a relatively secluded and picturesque waterfall, cascading into the delightful pool below. Another stop on Maui’s Road to Hana, Pua’a Ka’a translates to “rolling pig” in Hawaiian. One of the Pua’a Ka’a Falls, Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA

  1. Makeleha Falls

Kauai Hiking Adventures/Flickr This secluded swimming spot is a phenomenal reward after a hike that should not be braved unless you are an experienced hiker. This remote Makaleha Trailhead, 7290 Kahuna Rd, Kapa?a, HI 96746, USA

  1. Makapipi Falls

Thaths/Flickr Makapipi Falls is visible from the Road to Hana, and is unique in that the waterfall plummets into a striking blue pool. Unfortunately, the strength of the falls is often dependent on rainfall - so here’s to hoping you catch it on a good day. One of the greatest Makapipi Falls, Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA

  1. Lulumahu Falls

Noodles and Beef/Flickr Located off Pali Highway is this extraordinary waterfall hike – complete with a trek through a bamboo forest, views of a stunning field and reservoir, the beauty of the Hawaiian jungle, and – of course – the jaw-dropping, 50-foot Lulumahu Falls. It’s hard not to love this Lulumahu Falls, 4459 HI-61, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA

  1. Wailua Falls

Courtney Collision/Flickr Wailua Falls flows from Honolewa Stream, and is visible from the highway. In fact, there is a small parking lot near the falls, as well as a short but slippery path to visit the base. Always a classic, this Wailua Falls, Hawaii 96746, USA

  1. Pe’epe’e Falls

Aaron Fellmeth Photography/Flickr Located just a mile upstream of Rainbow Falls on the Wailua River, Pe’epe’e Falls feeds a series of several pools known as the boiling pots. Cooling lava flows created columns, which connect a series of cascading waterfalls and pools that appear to be bubbling. Flash flooding in this area is common, so please proceed with caution. One of the Peepee Falls, Hilo, HI 96720, USA

  1. Twin Falls

Sue Salisbury/Flickr As you are driving on Hana Highway from the north, the first notable attraction you will discover is these twin waterfalls, also known as Hololawa Falls. The waterfalls themselves might be short, but the picturesque pools are well worth the short hike. We love this easy Twin Falls Maui Waterfall, 6300 Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA

  1. Oheo Gulch

Sebastian Vogelsang/Flickr Located within Haleakala National Park near the Pipiwai Trailhead, these beautiful stream-fed pools are also known as the seven sacred pools. There are more than seven pools, and they aren’t sacred – rumor has it that a local hotel owner coined the name in order to attract more visitors to his establishment. This multi tiered ‘Ohe‘o Gulch, ‘Ohe‘O Gulch, Hawaii 96713, USA

Have you gone to any of the best waterfalls in Hawaii to swim? Which one was your favorite? Did we list it? Let us know in the comments below!

Joe Parks/Flickr

Also known as Three Bears falls, Waikani is approximately 70 feet tall, and visible from the Hana Highway. However, the best views come when you climb under the bridge and follow a short jungle path to the base of the waterfall. This Upper Waikani Falls, Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA

Owen and Aki/Flickr

Perhaps one of Oahu’s most stunning hidden waterfalls, this trek through the mud is never uphill for too long and offers the opportunity to jump in a beautiful waterfall at the end. One of the Maunawili Falls, Hawaii 96734, USA

Christopher/Flickr

Often referred to as Secret Falls, this beautiful waterfall will require substantial work to reach – but we think it’s totally worth it. Located up the Wailua River, you will need to either rent kayaks or book a guided tour to reach the trailhead. Then, you have to complete the 45-minute hike through the muddy jungle to reach the falls. It’s such a fun Wailua River, Wailua, HI 96746, USA

Bruce Irschick/Flickr

Combine vibrant sapphire pools with some stellar spots for cliff jumping, and you’ve got one of Maui’s local hangouts. This picturesque spot can be found past mile marker 16 on the Hana Highway, below the bridge that crosses Palauhulu Stream. This Hana Highway, Hana Hwy, Hawaii, USA

Thomas Shahan/Flickr

Located within Waimea Valley is this charming waterfall, perfect for a family swim. 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. Head to Waimea Falls for the best Waimea Falls, North Shore, HI 96712, USA

BoneDaddy.P7/Flickr

A short hike within the Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside will reward you with a relatively secluded and picturesque waterfall, cascading into the delightful pool below. Another stop on Maui’s Road to Hana, Pua’a Ka’a translates to “rolling pig” in Hawaiian. One of the Pua’a Ka’a Falls, Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA

Kauai Hiking Adventures/Flickr

This secluded swimming spot is a phenomenal reward after a hike that should not be braved unless you are an experienced hiker. This remote Makaleha Trailhead, 7290 Kahuna Rd, Kapa?a, HI 96746, USA

Thaths/Flickr

Makapipi Falls is visible from the Road to Hana, and is unique in that the waterfall plummets into a striking blue pool. Unfortunately, the strength of the falls is often dependent on rainfall - so here’s to hoping you catch it on a good day. One of the greatest Makapipi Falls, Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA

Noodles and Beef/Flickr

Located off Pali Highway is this extraordinary waterfall hike – complete with a trek through a bamboo forest, views of a stunning field and reservoir, the beauty of the Hawaiian jungle, and – of course – the jaw-dropping, 50-foot Lulumahu Falls. It’s hard not to love this Lulumahu Falls, 4459 HI-61, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA

Courtney Collision/Flickr

Wailua Falls flows from Honolewa Stream, and is visible from the highway. In fact, there is a small parking lot near the falls, as well as a short but slippery path to visit the base. Always a classic, this Wailua Falls, Hawaii 96746, USA

Aaron Fellmeth Photography/Flickr

Located just a mile upstream of Rainbow Falls on the Wailua River, Pe’epe’e Falls feeds a series of several pools known as the boiling pots. Cooling lava flows created columns, which connect a series of cascading waterfalls and pools that appear to be bubbling. Flash flooding in this area is common, so please proceed with caution. One of the Peepee Falls, Hilo, HI 96720, USA

Sue Salisbury/Flickr

As you are driving on Hana Highway from the north, the first notable attraction you will discover is these twin waterfalls, also known as Hololawa Falls. The waterfalls themselves might be short, but the picturesque pools are well worth the short hike. We love this easy Twin Falls Maui Waterfall, 6300 Hana Hwy, Haiku, HI 96708, USA

Sebastian Vogelsang/Flickr

Located within Haleakala National Park near the Pipiwai Trailhead, these beautiful stream-fed pools are also known as the seven sacred pools. There are more than seven pools, and they aren’t sacred – rumor has it that a local hotel owner coined the name in order to attract more visitors to his establishment. This multi tiered ‘Ohe‘o Gulch, ‘Ohe‘O Gulch, Hawaii 96713, USA

Are you as obsessed with Hawaiian waterfalls as we are? Why not go on one of our perfectly planned waterfall road trips – with itineraries for both Oahu and Maui.

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Address: Hawaii, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Waterfalls In Hawaii To Swim July 15, 2022 Megan McDonald Are there a lot of waterfall swimming holes in Hawaii? Absolutely! Most waterfalls in Hawaii have a great pool of water to swim in. But make sure to read up on the waterfall you visit, because sometimes certain areas in the Hawaiian islands are prone to flooding, and can be dangerous to swim in after a heavy rainfall. Where are the best waterfalls to swim in Hawaii? Each island has some of the best waterfall swimming holes in Hawaii, so no matter where you are, you’ll find something amazing!

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Waterfalls In Hawaii To Swim

July 15, 2022

Megan McDonald

Are there a lot of waterfall swimming holes in Hawaii? Absolutely! Most waterfalls in Hawaii have a great pool of water to swim in. But make sure to read up on the waterfall you visit, because sometimes certain areas in the Hawaiian islands are prone to flooding, and can be dangerous to swim in after a heavy rainfall. Where are the best waterfalls to swim in Hawaii? Each island has some of the best waterfall swimming holes in Hawaii, so no matter where you are, you’ll find something amazing!

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Absolutely! Most waterfalls in Hawaii have a great pool of water to swim in. But make sure to read up on the waterfall you visit, because sometimes certain areas in the Hawaiian islands are prone to flooding, and can be dangerous to swim in after a heavy rainfall.

Where are the best waterfalls to swim in Hawaii?

Each island has some of the best waterfall swimming holes in Hawaii, so no matter where you are, you’ll find something amazing!