Here are the top Maui waterfalls to explore, along with a map showing where to locate them.
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Map of Maui Waterfalls
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11 Kauaʻi Waterfalls and Waterfall Hikes
Kauaʻi is the wettest and least populated of the four main Hawaiian islands, and all that rain comes back down as waterfalls across the island.
Twin Falls, one of the busiest falls on our list, is the first stop on the Road to Hāna for many visitors.
To reach them, park at Wailele Farm and cross the grounds; the farm stand is the starting point for a one-mile walk to the falls.
Twin Falls drops into a pool where you can take a soak and explore the area behind the falls.
The Twin Falls on Maui. Photo by Rina Miele on Unsplash
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 ʻOheʻo 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.
The 4-mile round-trip Pīpīwai Trail in Haleakalā National Park climbs through bamboo forest and past banyan trees, with views of the falls from several points along the way.
The Kīpahulu District is about 12 miles past Hāna town on the Hāna Highway.
Puaʻa Kaʻa Falls
Another waterfall on the Road to Hāna 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 Hāna 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.
PUA'A KA'A FALLS - ROAD TO HANA - MAUI - HAWAII
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)
ʻOheʻo Gulch is in Haleakalā National Park’s Kīpahulu District, right downstream of Waimoku Falls, and is also known as the Seven Sacred Pools at ʻOheʻo.
The pools 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 walk on the Kūloa Point Trail.
If it rains, access to the pools may be limited, so check the weather forecast the night before.
The National Park Service does not allow entry into the pools, so you view them from the Kūloa Point Trail.
Punalau Falls
Punalau Falls is not visible from the highway, so most people driving the Road to Hāna pass it by.
This 100-foot waterfall is reached by following Punalau Stream; there is no maintained trail. When hiking near the falls, be careful because there are volcanic boulders and partially submerged rocks all over the area.
Secret waterfall Maui
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.
Honokōhau Falls (only accessible by helicopter tour)
Honokōhau Falls in West Maui is Maui’s tallest waterfall, and you can only see it on a helicopter tour.
This 1,119-foot waterfall drops in two tiers into a valley with no roads or trails, and is fed by Honokōhau Stream.
Honokohau Falls on Maui. Image by Soham on Pixahive.
These falls appear in the movie “Jurassic Park”.
Alelele Falls
On this list, Alelele Falls is one of the lesser-known waterfalls in Maui. It’s on Maui’s southeast coast, between mile markers 38 and 39 on Highway 31, about a 15-minute walk up the stream from the Alelele Bridge.
alelele falls 360
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 50-foot waterfall to yourself while you’re there. The amount of water flowing depends on the season’s rainfall.
Remember to bring your swimming suit for the pool beneath the falls.
Waikani Falls
Upper Waikani Falls sits right beside the Road to Hāna.
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. Close-up views can be had 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. There is a pool below where you can take a plunge.
Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls is one of Maui’s most accessible waterfalls, visible from the highway right next to the Road to Hāna. It drops 80 feet in two streams and is probably Maui’s most photographed waterfall.
You can reach the base of the falls by two short routes. The first path begins at the parking lot and is 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 rainbow stretching out over the falls.
Wailua Falls was used in an opening scene of the TV show “Fantasy Island”.
Wailua Falls on Maui. Photo by Ganapathy Kumar on Unsplash.
Kopiliula Falls (a.k.a. the Wailua Iki falls)
Kopiliula Falls is another waterfall visible from the Hāna Highway. The natural attraction is reached through a short, moderately difficult two-mile trail.
The trailhead is right off the highway. Kopiliula Falls is on Kopiliula Stream, which has several cascades.
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, so expect to get wet.
Makapipi Falls
Makapipi Falls is another very easily accessible Maui waterfall thanks to its location on the Road to Hāna.
The Makapipi Stream, which you cross 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 look down on the falls and the pool 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’ flow.
Makamakaʻole Falls
Makamakaʻole Falls, located near Waiheʻe Ridge, is one of the few waterfalls in West Maui, and one of the few on this list that is not on the Road to Hāna.
The 5-mile roundtrip Waiheʻe Ridge Trail climbs the ridge above Waiheʻe Valley. If you are unable to complete the trek, there are a few viewing locations from where you can admire the falls from afar.
13 Crossings Hike and Waterfall Climbing (Makamakaole Stream) | Hikes on Maui Hawaii
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 close to the cascade, but from the trail you see the falls on one side and the 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 Maui waterfalls. Thanks.
Kauaʻi is the wettest and least populated of the four main Hawaiian islands, and all that rain comes back down as waterfalls across the island.
