12 Maui Waterfalls that will take your breath away (with a map to find them!)

Hawaii boasts many breathtaking natural phenomena, and waterfalls figure among the most impressive of them.
Here are the top Maui waterfalls to explore, along with a map showing where to locate them.

Map of Maui Waterfalls

Click the ‘Star’ symbol next to the map name to save it to your Google Maps account.
You may then access it on your phone or computer by going to your Google Maps account, clicking the menu, and adding it to ‘Your Places.’

11 Beautiful Kauai Waterfalls and Waterfall Hikes

Kauaʻi is the most lush and least inhabited of the main Hawaiian islands, and truly is a paradise on Earth. One of the things that make the island so famous are the roaring and tropical Kauaʻi waterfalls you can find all across the island.

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Our Favorite Maui Waterfalls – The List

Twin Falls

The stunning Twin Falls, one of the busiest falls on our list, are the first stop on the Road to Hana for many visitors.

Just a few kilometers from Paia Town, to reach them you must park at and the Wailele Farm and cross the grounds, where a fruit shop serves as the beginning point for a one-mile Maui waterfall trek that leads to the spectacular falls.

Twin Falls cascades into a tranquil pool, where you should definitely take a soak and explore the region behind the falls for breathtaking views.

Twin Falls, which are fed by the Koʻolau Rainforest in the Hoʻolawa Valley, are open all year, although the best time to see them is after a strong rain. Adventurers can even try cliff leaping to the pool below, then return to the food stand for a short snack after fully exploring the region.

Waimoku Falls

Waimoku Falls, located at the top of Oheʻo Gulch, flows down a vertical lava rock wall into a boulder-strewn pool. It is one of Maui’s highest waterfalls and stands 400 feet tall among lush vegetation.

The falls’ spectacular panorama and thundering sound guarantee a one-of-a-kind experience, making this massive cascade one of Maui’s must-see attractions.

The 4-mile round trip Pipiwai Trail climb in Haleakala National Park runs through lush foliage, bamboo forest, and banyan trees and is one of the top hikes in Maui, providing stunning views of the falls from several viewpoint locations.

The great height of this Maui waterfall and the surrounding scenery will leave you in awe, even if its shear force does not.

If you’re looking for activities to do in Kihei and the surrounding area, this should be on your Haleakala bucket list!

Puaʻa Kaʻa Falls

Another waterfall on the Road to Hana is Puaʻa Kaʻa Falls, which translates from Hawaiian into the “rolling pig falls”. It is located in the Puaʻa Kaʻa State Wayside Park, which is home to two waterfalls.

Puaʻa Kaʻa Falls is one of the few waterfalls on the Hana Highway that is open all year. The 0.6-kilometer out-and-back Puaʻa Kaʻa Falls Trail travels through thick flora to bring you up close to the cascade.

However, be cautious because the trail may turn muddy after heavy rains, making the hike difficult. Nature trips, bird watching, and strolling are all possible on the trail.

You can either stop by for a quick potty break while admiring the falls, or stay for a family picnic with a view of them!

Pools of  ʻOheʻo (ʻOheʻo Gulch)

Oheo Gulch is located in Haleakala National Park’s Kipahulu District, right downstream of Waimoku Falls, and is also known as the Seven Sacred Pools at ʻOheʻo.

Seven swimming holes are connected by the ʻOheʻo waterfalls, which cascade from one to the other and eventually discharge into the ocean, amidst distinctive flora.

To get to your destination, all it takes is a 15-minute trek on Kuloa Point Trail.

If it rains, access to the pools may be limited, so check the weather forecast the night before to make sure you can visit on a bright day to have a refreshing swim and take in the breathtaking surroundings.

After a rainstorm, jumping into the pools is absolutely prohibited since it can be very difficult to gauge the water depths.

Punalau Falls

Due to its secluded location, Punalau Falls is one of northern Maui’s hidden jewels. There will be no crowds because the falls are not visible from the highway and, as a result, are frequently neglected by people touring the Road to Hana.

This 100-foot waterfall is reached via one of Maui’s top waterfall hikes. When hiking near the falls, be careful because there are volcanic boulders and partially submerged rocks all over the area.

To support yourself, make sure you have all of the appropriate equipment with you, such as hiking boots, sticks, and rubber gloves. If it has recently rained or rain is anticipated, avoid visiting the falls because of the risk of flash floods and possibly falling rocks.

The beautiful views of the falls at the end of the hike are well worth the difficult hike!

Honokohau Falls  (only accessible by helicopter tour!)

Are you ready to take enjoy one of West Maui’s most breathtaking sights from above? If that’s the case, prepare to take a helicopter tour of Honokohau Falls, Maui’s tallest and most spectacular waterfall.

This 1,119-foot tall spectacular waterfall, which cascades down in two tiers and appears to flow from the skies before disappearing in the middle of picture-perfect green mountains, is located in the heart of an inhospitable valley with no roads or trails and is fed by the Honohokau Stream.

Helicopter flights will provide you and your family a bird’s eye view of one of the most breathtaking views you’ve ever seen, as well as one of Maui’s most scenic locations.

These falls were even featured in the movie “Jurassic Park” because of how spectacular they are.

Alelele Falls

On this list, Alelele Falls is one of the lesser-known waterfalls in Maui. It’s on Maui’s east side, and we like to think of it as a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered. Located in Haleakala National Park’s Kipahulu District, the falls are only a 15-minute hike from the parking lot!

The Alelele Falls Trail is a short and simple hike with a few stream crossings, so proceed with caution and avoid crossing streams when flash flooding is a possibility.

There’s a good possibility you’ll have the 80-foot-tall waterfall to yourself while you’re there. The amount of water flowing depends on the season’s rainfall.

Remember to bring your swimming suit to enjoy the tranquil and cool pool beneath the falls. The area around the falls is relatively peaceful, making it the ideal site to unwind and take in the breathtaking landscape before returning to the road.

Waikani Falls

Upper Waikani Falls should be on your Maui bucket list if you want to experience the entire magnificence of Hana. It is one of the most popular waterfalls on the Hawaiian Islands, thanks to its placement right off the Road to Hana.

Upper Waikani Falls, also known as Three Bears, is a series of three parallel waterfalls that cascade 70 feet into the Wailua Nui Stream.

Most people choose to see the falls from the comfort of their cars due to a paucity of parking. Stunning close-up views can be obtained by taking a short stroll or finding additional parking places a tenth of a mile ahead.

The hike is difficult at first, but it becomes easier and less slippery as it progresses. To mix beauty and relaxation, take a plunge in the lovely pool below to thoroughly unwind while admiring the natural beauty of the area.

Wailua Falls

Wailua Falls is one of Maui’s most unique and accessible waterfalls, visible from the highway and right next to the Road to Hana. The beautiful Maui waterfall, which is situated among thick tropical greenery and cascades 80 feet down in two streams, is probably Maui’s most photographed waterfall.

You may go to the base of the falls through two short routes, where you can view pure paradise! The first path, which begins at the parking lot and is rather muddy but short. The second route is safer and less steep, but longer.

After a climb, you can cool off by swimming in the tranquil pool beneath the falls. If you go early in the morning you could see a picture-perfect rainbow stretching out over the falls.

Wailua Falls was used in an opening scene of the TV show “Fantasy Island” because of its spectacular views.

Kopiliula Falls (a.k.a. the Wailua Iki falls)

Kopiliula falls is another beautiful waterfall visible from Hana Highway. The natural attraction is reached through a short, moderately difficult two-mile trail.

The trailhead is right off the highway, so you won’t be able to miss these breathtaking falls! Kopiliula Falls is located along the Kopiliula Stream, which features several cascades surrounded by lush foliage.

Because this Maui waterfall walk is steep and muddy, bring your hiking shoes and comfortable clothing. Climbing smaller cascades and scrambling along a rocky bed is required to reach the larger falls, which offers a wet adventure!

The trail will provide you with stunning views of the Pacific, so bring your camera to not miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Makapipi Falls

Makapipi Falls is another very easily accessible Maui waterfall thanks to its location on the Road to Hana.

You will have a vantage point all to yourself to soak in the spectacular vista of the falls located among deep greenery at the Maui waterfall. The Makapipi Stream, which you will cross while travelling on the highway, feeds the waterfall.

There is a bridge that spans the Makapipi Stream, with a tiny pull-off area behind it. Take a walk across the bridge to get a bird’s eye view of the breathtaking falls and the turquoise lake beneath them.

A short steep stroll along the edge of the water will provide close-up views of the falls for those who are interested. The best time to visit the falls is after a strong rainstorm, which, of course, plays an important role in the Makapipi Falls’ forceful flow!

Makamakaʻole Falls

Makamakaʻole Falls, located near Waiheʻe Ridge, is one of Maui’s western coast’s few waterfalls. It is one of the most stunning Maui Waterfalls not connected to the Road to Hana and is accessible via land.

The 5-mile roundtrip Waiheʻe Ridge Trail leads you through a bamboo forest to a natural paradise. If you are unable to complete the trek, there are a few viewing locations from where you can admire the falls from afar.

The lowest tier of this 270-foot-tall waterfall, which is visible from Kahekili Highway, is set against a jungle backdrop and falls in two stages.

The location of Makamakaʻole Falls prevents you from getting up close and personal with the cascade, but the trail’s distant vistas ensure picture-perfect views of the falls on one side, as well as emerald cliffs and the Pacific Ocean on the other.

We hope you enjoyed this guide to the top Maui waterfalls; please let us know in the comments if we missed any stunning Maui waterfalls! Thanks!