ALOHA!
So you want to see waterfalls when you go to the Big Island!
These waterfalls on the Big Island are among the easiest to add to your Big Island itinerary.
Not only that, they are pretty easy to access too!
So no major hikes, and just a little bit of walking and you can see some GREAT waterfalls when you are in Hawaii.
If you’re wanting to see some waterfalls when you’re in Hawaii, these waterfalls likely will not disappoint!
Below is a list of the top 2 easy access waterfalls to see on the Big Island.
There is also a little bit about how to add these great waterfalls to your Big Island itinerary, including more things to do on the day you go visit these waterfalls.
It is reasonable to visit both of these waterfalls on the same day, and there will be more on this below.
More for beyond your visit to Big Island waterfalls
If you’re interested in Big Island waterfalls, then you may also be interested in these things around the Big Island:
- Waipio Valley (map)
- Kaumana Caves (map)
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (map)
- Punaluu black sand beach (map)
- Pololu Valley (map)
- Things to do on the Big Island (for VIEWS!)
- Best state parks on the Big Island
More below about the best waterfalls to see on the Big Island!
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Here are some ideas for your time on the Big Island!
Among the most popular things to do on the Big Island are Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls State Park, and Waipio Valley!
For Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the main road to drive is Chain of Craters Road and it will take you to see the best lava fields in Hawaii! Before that though (or after!) you will want to make a stop for the Thurston lava tube. You can also hike into a former lava lake by doing the Kilauea Iki Trail!
Other Big Island activities you may want to make time for are the best black sand beaches in Hawaii (including Punaluu black sand beach to see turtles maybe!) and the Papakolea green sand beach of Hawaii.
Read more for your Hawaii trip prep:
Volcanoes in Hawaii: There was a time in December 2022 that 2 volcanoes were erupting in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This was a special occasion because even in the past few years, there was a quiet period where there was NO active lava to be seen anywhere in Hawaii. As the National Park Service says, it was the first time in nearly 40 years that TWO volcanoes were erupting in Hawaii at the same time! But what seems like nearly just like that, they stopped erupting. As it goes with volcanoes, things can change in an instant! So be sure to check National Park Service updates when your Big Island trip gets closer: What's going on with the volcanoes?
Spotted yesterday at #MaunaLoa – a lava boat rides the waves! On Dec 7, a lava boat was spotted floating down channel. Lava boats can form when portions of the cone or lava channel break away & are rafted downstream. Hot lava cools to its surface to create that smooth exterior. pic.twitter.com/D9gdoFolfq
— USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) December 9, 2022
Best waterfalls to see on the Big Island
aka waterfalls near/in Hilo
If you’re spending some nights in Hilo, then these are especially perfect waterfalls to visit.
Many people also make it a day trip to this side of the island too, doing other things as well.
These waterfalls can be a perfect rainy day activity too.
You’ll take a paved trail to see them both which means you don’t need to deal with any muddy hiking trails or the risk of potential flash flooding.
1. Akaka Falls
Waterfalls near Hilo
If you had to choose just one waterfalls to visit on the Big Island, you likely won’t be disappointed with a visit to Akaka Falls!
These are super tall waterfalls that you can see from an overlook. There’s a short trail to get there, but consider taking the mile long Akaka Falls circle loop trail for the more dramatic approach to seeing the waterfalls! (I think it gives a more dramatic approach anyway!)
Plus it’s like an added nature walk through a rainforest. You will also pass by more waterfalls, the Kahuna Falls, although these waterfalls you can’t really see well. You can hear them though.
You will also pass by a banyan tree, and you can basically walk what can feel like into the tree too.
Then you will start to see the waterfalls, and then walk closer and closer to them until you reach the overlook!
When you go to Akaka Falls State Park, park outside the state park gate to get free parking at Akaka Falls. There is a $1 entry fee to go to the waterfalls overlook.
See more about these Big Island waterfalls: Akaka Falls State Park
What to do on your way to Akaka Falls, if you’re staying in Kona
From Hilo to Akaka Falls is around a 20 minute drive. Driving straight from Kona to Akaka Falls is around a 2 hour drive.
If you’re looking to make a day trip to Akaka Falls from Kona, then there are some more things you can do along the way to make it a more worthwhile trip… or maybe more accurately, you can make a slight detour to find things along the way.
The day you go to Akaka Falls can be a good time to do some activities that are along the northern coast on your way to Akaka Falls, or on your way back.
Look into things like:
These are some of the best hikes on the Big Island!
And since you’ll be on the Hilo side, you can do any of the activities that are in the direct area of Rainbow Falls too, next on the list.
2. Rainbow Falls
Waterfalls in Hilo
Rainbow Falls is located at Wailuku River State Park, and they are easier to see than Akaka Falls.
Once you park at the Rainbow Falls parking lot, you are practically at the waterfalls overlook.
Once you’ve taken in the views of the waterfalls, you can head off to the left side. This trail will take you up to the spot where you can see the river that feeds the waterfalls.
There are also some banyan trees around here that you can walk around.
See more about these Big Island waterfalls: Rainbow Falls in Wailuku River State Park
What to do near Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is basically directly in Hilo town. It’s about a 5 minute drive from Hilo town to Rainbow Falls.
So you can look into things to do in Hilo, like:
- Kaumana Caves (hike into a lava tube cave!)
- Richardson Ocean Park (black sand beach with chance to see turtles)
Are there more waterfalls on the Big Island?
Yes, there are more waterfalls on the Big Island. Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls are not the only waterfalls.
The other one that you might considering seeing is Umauma Falls which you can go see with the $12 admission fee to the Umauma botanical gardens. I didn’t go see this so I’m not sure what it’s like.
Other than that, I am all for hiking to waterfalls if there’s a clear trail to definitely see them. But I do not think there are any more that are all that easy to access and/or dependable to have water flowing (aka they might be dried up) and/or there is no big discouragement for going to see them (example: Hiilawe Falls and Kaluahine Falls).
I remember I was staying at a hostel on the Big Island, and a fellow traveler was flipping through a Hawaii travel magazine. I am pretty sure it was an official one put out by the Hawaii tourism department. There was a waterfall section, and I remember he was a little annoyed because he wanted to see waterfalls and the “top” Big Island waterfalls they showed were basically not accessible. I think there were 1 or 2 that were shown that required a helicopter to see or something. There might have even been one that even when you looked it up online, you couldn’t even figure out how to get there or something.
And so, maybe if you are adventurous and on the hunt for “local secrets” maybe you can find some more.
But if you’re trying to maximize your time on the Big Island, personally I think Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls are worth making the priority!
More to do on the Hilo side of the Big Island
There are things to do on the Hilo side that can fill up a couple of days! Here are some ideas:
- Things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Things to do along the Puna coast (black sand beaches!)
More waterfalls in Hawaii
- Best Oahu waterfalls
- Best Maui waterfalls (drive!)
HAPPY SEEING BIG ISLAND WATERFALLS!
See the list:
- Things to do on the Big Island (for VIEWS!)
- Things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Things to do in Kona
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Top things to pack for your Hawaii vacation!
The ultimate beach towel for travel?!
Turkish towels are considered to be more absorbent and lightweight than your average beach towel. Be sure to check out turkish towels like these!The cheapo way to waterproof your phone
You can take underwater pictures with a simple waterproof phone case like this. Touch screen may not work well underwater - try the volume button to snap the pic instead!Get your suitcase more organized!
Packing cubes can make it so you're spending less time on your vacation looking for things! They are basically a form of drawers in your suitcase. Take a look at these packing cubes.Wear less sunscreen by wearing a UPF swim shirt!
Wearing a swim shirt means less skin that's exposed to the sun which means less sunscreen you need to apply! See about wearing swim shirts with UV protection like these when you're snorkeling.More for your Big Island packing list
- How a cheapo waterproof phone case works
- Why wear water shoes for the beach
- Why a personal swim buoy is an essential for snorkeling and swimming in the ocean
- Essentials to pack for Hawaii
- Best shoes for Hawaii