ALOHA!
How many waterfalls are on the Road to Hana?
There are over 10 waterfalls in Maui that you can see by making stops on the Road to Hana as you drive the Hana Highway!
This includes roadside waterfalls, waterfalls in a national park, waterfall hikes, and waterfalls for swimming!
If you’re spending a day on the Road to Hana, chances are that you don’t even have to try and you’ll end up seeing many waterfalls.
This means that if you want to see a bunch of waterfalls in Maui in one day, then you just need to do a drive to Hana and it will be mission accomplished!
But in the case you want to prepare for your Road to Hana trip because waterfalls are basically a top reason for doing the Road to Hana, then below are some waterfalls to keep an eye out for!
Now…
First, the quick list of waterfall stops on the Road to Hana.
Then, a bit about what to wear on the Road to Hana when you’ve got plan for waterfall hikes!
And then, a bit of the boring but important safety info about the dangers of doing waterfall hikes on Maui, and being around waterfalls in Hawaii in general.
And then finally, a bit about the ease of access of each of these Maui waterfalls.
This includes info on which waterfalls you can just drive by to see…
Which waterfalls you’ll want to get out of the car for…
Which waterfalls you can swim at…
And which waterfalls require a bit of a hike to get to!
And now…
Best waterfalls in Maui on the Road to Hana
In the order that you’ll encounter them as you drive the Road to Hana when you’re starting the drive from Paia! If you’re driving the Road to Hana in reverse, start from the bottom up!
1. Twin Falls (lower falls and upper falls)
2. Waikamoi Falls
3. Upper Waikani Falls
4. Wailuaiki Falls
5. Puaa Kaa Falls
6. Hanawi Falls
7. Makapipi Falls
8. Wailua Falls
9. Oheo Pools
10. Waimoku Falls
Road to Hana waterfalls map
👆 Explore the Road to Hana map on google maps. For Road to Hana waterfalls on the map, you can click to see only sections of Road to Hana waterfalls and Road to Hana hikes.
PLUS…
Looking for waterfalls NOT on the Road to Hana?!
Well, if you want a big collection of waterfalls in a small area, the Road to Hana is the best place to go on Maui!
But if you don’t want to drive the Hana Highway to see waterfalls…
13 crossings trail for Makamakaole stream waterfalls
This is in the West Maui mountains. You can make it a hiking day in the West Maui Mountains by starting off doing the Waihee Ridge Trail in the morning and then following that up with the 13 crossings trail that’s right down the road. You can end your day with a quick trip to the iconic Iao Valley needle.
Following the Makamakaole Stream, you will quite literally be crossing over the stream many times, so best to wear appropriate footwear that you don’t mind getting wet, just in case!
You’ll be walking over and balancing on rocks a lot on this hike too! Perfect Hawaii hike!
See more about this West Maui mountains waterfall hike.
There are affiliate links on this page. I may earn a commission from this.
Maui waterfalls tour or see Maui waterfalls on your own?!
So there are many waterfalls in Maui that you can access on your own. (Including all of the waterfalls on the list above!) So it’s possible to see waterfalls on Maui without a tour!
But, if you’d like to have a bit of a deeper Hawaii experience, or you just don’t want to drive the Road to Hana, take a look at the reviews of some of these tours that will give you an epic Maui waterfalls experience you are sure to remember:
- Guided East Maui waterfall hike through a rainforest: Learn about Hawaiian plants and culture as you hike through the rainforest, and have a chance to safely go jumping and swimming at waterfalls
- Hana rainforest helicopter and ranch tour: See the lush East Maui landscape and Maui waterfalls from above, and then go for a guided tour on a Hana ranch
- Molokai and Maui helicopter tour: See some of the world’s tallest sea cliffs and Maui’s tallest waterfalls from above
🌴
Now…
What to wear for waterfalls in Maui
Waterfalls in Maui can mean climbing over rocks and stream crossings.
It’s best to wear sturdy footwear that you don’t mind getting wet just in case, as you never know what adventures you’ll encounter on the Road to Hana!
This can include hiking sandals, water shoes, and waterproof hiking shoes – see more of what to wear hiking in Hawaii.
More below about getting to some of the best Maui waterfalls on a Road to Hana trip!
🌴
Read more for your Hawaii trip prep:
- Hawaii packing list: THE top things to pack for Hawaii
- Part of the back road to Hana is closed
There are affiliate links on this page.
Dangers of waterfall hikes in Maui
To be dramatic…
People have DIED from visiting waterfalls on Maui!
Flash flooding in waterfall streams in Hawaii
The stream that feeds the waterfalls, and the waterfalls themselves, can look calm. But then suddenly without warning, there can be a powerful gush of water that overcomes the stream. People have died being swept away by such a sudden rush of water.
Make sure to check local weather alerts before you go. If it’s rained in the past day or 2, this could also mean potential for flash flooding. If the water looks brown, this could be another sign that the water has been stirred up because of fast moving water.
According to Maui County:
Flash flooding may still occur even when sunny due to rain clouds higher up in the mountains.
Read more tips for visiting waterfalls in Hawaii.
Also, Hawaii is home to a dangerous bacteria called leptospirosis. In particular, it is recommended to not go into streams and waterfalls if you have open wounds.
Rock fall near waterfalls in Hawaii
Some waterfalls have a greater risk than others of rocks falling from the above. Again, at least one person has died from being hit on the head by a rock when in a waterfall pool or nearby.
And now…
More about some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Hawaii!
Twin Falls (lower falls and upper falls)
Waterfall hike
This can be one of your first stops on the Road to Hana. There’s a parking lot for Twin Falls Farm right off the Hana Highway.
If that’s full, there’s also limited parking on the opposite side of the bridge.
You’ll then take about a 5 minute walk to get to the first set of waterfalls (lower falls). You can view one of the falls from the upper level. And then you can view more waterfalls by taking a kind of steep trail down, and then make a stream crossing to get to the base of this part of the falls.
Then walking further along, there are more waterfalls you can visit when you’re at Twin Falls Farm.
It will be about a 15 minute walk to get to these waterfalls (upper falls). These waterfalls are also called Caveman Falls.
This waterfall trail also has a couple of stream crossings.
See more about these Road to Hana waterfalls: Twin Falls
Waikamoi Falls
These are waterfalls that are just off the Road to Hana.
But you can’t really get a very good view of the waterfalls directly from the road when driving by, although you can see a glimpse.
So you’ll need to park and get out of the car in order appreciate Waikamoi Falls.
You can take a short trail to see the waterfalls from the base, and then you can continue to take the trail to go a bit further up to see the waterfalls from the top too, along with the stream that feeds the waterfalls.
On google maps, you’ll look for Waikamoi Streams and waterfall. When you are driving in the direction of Hana, it is just past the Waikamoi Nature Trail, also located along the side of the road.
On the way to the next waterfalls on the list, you’ll pass by the Keanae Peninsula which can be a worthy stop for views at the Keanae Point Lookout and the famous Maui banana bread. Keanae Road can be easy to miss, so make sure you are paying attention!
Upper Waikani Falls
These are also waterfalls that are just off the Road to Hana.
And you can see them without getting out of your car. You’ll be able to see them when you’re driving across the bridge.
There’s limited parking around if you want to get out to get better pictures.
Wailuaiki Falls
This is just before mile marker 21 when you’re driving in the direction of Hana.
You can see the upper level of the waterfalls without getting out of the car, and if you get out of the car, then you can see the lower level waterfalls too.
Puaa Kaa Falls
These waterfalls are a part of the Puaa Kaa state wayside park.
This is one of the Hawaii state park sites on the Road to Hana.
This can be a pretty quick stop. It can also be a bathroom break!
See more about these Road to Hana waterfalls: Puaa Kaa Falls
Hanawi Falls
You can see these waterfalls from the bridge as you’re driving by, or you can get out of the car and take a short trail to get a little closer to them too.
See more about these Road to Hana waterfalls: Hanawi Falls
Makapipi Falls
These are waterfalls on the Road to Hana that you can see from above! There is a small parking area right next to the bridge from which you can look down to see Makapipi Falls.
See more about these Road to Hana waterfalls: Makapipi Falls
There is a road next to the Makapipi Falls bridge that will take you down to the shoreline to the Nahiku viewpoint where you will find stunning views of ocean and mountains!
And moving on to the next waterfalls on the list, you’ll be passing through Hana town. You may look into stopping by Waianapanapana State Park to see the famous black sand beach and hike across lava fields. Also in Hana is the Hana lava tube where you can walk through the Maui cave that’s considered to be biggest lava tube on Maui.
Some food stops in Hana you may look into:
Wailua Falls
These are waterfalls that you can swim at. They are popular waterfalls for swimming.
You can also see these waterfalls without even getting out of your car. You can see them as you’re driving by across the bridge.
If you do want to get out of the car, you can get some pictures just by standing on the bridge, or you can take the short trail to get closer to the waterfalls (and go swimming)!
See more about these Hana Highway waterfalls: Wailua Falls
Oheo Pools
These are famous waterfalls known for being a swimming spot, also called Seven Sacred Pools at the Oheo Gulch.
It seems though that recently it’s been more or less permanently closed off because of the continued risk of flash flooding. Even if it’s closed to swimming, you can get a glimpse of the Oheo Pools.
These waterfalls are a part of the Kipahulu area of the Haleakala National Park.
Because you get to see these waterfalls along with the ocean, this is one of the best hikes in Haleakala National Park. You’ll hike the Kuloa Point Trail to see the Oheo Pools.
There’s an upper level and lower level parking lot in the main parking area in front of the Kipahulu visitor center, and there’s also an overflow lot in a grassy area, which is in the direction of the campground.
Being a part of the national park means that a visit to the Oheo Pools requires a national park entry fee. If you don’t have an annual pass (Hawaii national park pass or US national park pass), the individual Haleakala National Park pass costs around $30 and lasts for 3 days. This same pass is also good for the popular Haleakala summit area of the national park. The 2 areas are not connected by road.
See more about these Hana Highway waterfalls: Oheo Pools
Waimoku Falls
Waterfall hike
This is also a part of the national park, the same Kipahulu area of the waterfalls of the Oheo pools.
The Waimoku Falls requires a solid hike to get to.
To get to these waterfalls, you’ll take the Pipiwai Trail, which is a worthy trail on its own because it’s a bamboo forest hike on Maui! This is another one of the best hikes in Haleakala National Park.
Before you get to the bamboo forest, you’ll also see several smaller waterfalls. Shortly after you pass through the bamboo forest, you’ll start to see the grand Waimoku Falls.
You can keep walking a little bit longer to get a little bit closer, and this includes a stream crossing.
For safety reasons, these waterfalls are best viewed from a distance. There will be a sign telling you to not go further so you’ll know when to stop, although there’s a good chance you’ll see people making their way all the way to the waterfalls. There’s been at least one death at Waimoku Falls from rock fall.
You can still see the magnificence of the waterfalls from far away.
See more about this Hana Highway waterfall hike: Hike to Waimoku Falls
Continuing on the Hana Highway past Haleakala National Park will take you to what’s generally called the “back road to Hana.” So Haleakala National Park is often the turnaround point for an out-and-back Road to Hana trip, and not as many people drive past the national park. But there are people who make it a Road to Hana loop.
PLUS…
Back road to Hana waterfalls
If you will be driving the back road to Hana, or if you’ll be staying at the Kipahulu Campground, you might want to go to Alelele Falls!
If you do have plans to do the full Road to Hana loop, see more about stops to make along the back road to Hana.
And those are some waterfall stops to make on the Road to Hana!
Also see the big list of stops to make on the Road to Hana!
See the list of hikes on Maui with amazing views.
And see how to make it a perfect 3 days on Maui!
HAPPY SEEING THE BEST WATERFALLS IN MAUI ON THE ROAD TO HANA DRIVE!
👇 Explore the Road to Hana map on google maps!
See the list:
- Road to Hana stops (for views!)
- Things to do on Maui (for views!)
- Things to do in Haleakala National Park
- Things to do on Lanai
There are affiliate links on this page. Among other partners, as an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from this.
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 Maui 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 Maui
- Best shoes for Maui
Watch the videos to see Maui in action!
Find more amazing things to do on Maui: Watch my Maui videos on youtube
If you see an activity you like, look in the description below the youtube video for the individual blog post about that specific activity!ALOHA!
There are affiliate links on this page.