Oahu Visitor Guide: Waterfall Road Trip on Oahu

These are unusual times we find ourselves living in, with restrictions being put in place and lifted with little notice, so please be sure to confirm operating hours before visiting any of the attractions mentioned in this article. 

Want to take the ultimate tour of waterfalls on Oahu? We have put together an itinerary that will take you from Waikiki on Oahu’s south side to Waimea on the North, with many wonderful waterfalls to admire along the way.

This is by no means a complete list of all the amazing waterfalls located on Oahu, but it will give you some highlights along a scenic drive that also incorporates beaches and amazing lookout points.

In this Oahu Travel Blog article, ‘Waterfall Road Trip on Oahu,’ we’ll share an easy itinerary for enjoying a day trip that includes the most spectacular waterfalls on Oahu.

Start your Oahu Waterfall Road Trip in Waikiki, at Ambassador Hotel, and enjoy the scenic drive to one of the most iconic regions in all of Hawaii. Be sure to take some swimming suits, snorkel gear and picnic lunches or just stop along the way and enjoy some delicious Garlic Shrimp at one of the famous Shrimp Trucks along the way!

Kapena Falls
Location: Alapena Pool, Honolulu, HI 96817

Kapena Falls is your first stop on your waterfall road trip from Waikiki. Located near the Nuuanu Memorial Park, Kapena Falls features a swimming hole that leads to a 20-foot waterfall, a fun first experience for waterfall adventures in Oahu. There is a small parking lot near the trailhead that leads to Kapena Falls. Bring your bathing suit and your camera and enjoy the stunning scenery that is all around.

Waikahalulu Falls
Location: 123 North Kuakini Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

From Kapena Falls, head to Waikahalulu Falls located within the Liliuokalani Botanical Garden. This small, but lovely, waterfall cascades roughly 10 feet over a rock bed, and while these falls aren’t the biggest you’ll see, they’re easy to access and they offer a cozy little area for picnicking.

This is by no means a complete list of all the amazing waterfalls located on Oahu, but it will give you some highlights along a scenic drive that also incorporates beaches and amazing lookout points.

Lulumahu Falls
Location: 4459 HI-61, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

To take in the beauty of Lulumahu Falls, you’ll need to hike 40 minutes into a bamboo forest and along a hillside, before entering a verdant jungle that leads to the magnificent falls. Before you make your way to Lulumahu Falls, get your free permit so you don’t get in trouble while hiking in this idyllic place.

Waipuhia Falls
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii 96817

Waipuhia Falls is also known as the Upside-Down Waterfall and it’s easily visible on the right side of Pali Highway when driving eastbound. Sometimes, when conditions are exactly right, the waterfall appears to be suspended upside down, never actually hitting the ground.

Maunawili Falls
Location: Maunawili, Oahu, HI 96734

Maunawili Falls presents a challenge because you will have to hike 3 hours to get to this piece of paradise. If you want to take on the adventure, or save it for another day, remember that the trail to the falls gets pretty muddy after rain. So, think about your shoes, attire, and stamina, but know that the prize of a waterfall and swimming hole are absolutely delightful.

Waimea Falls
Location: North Shore, Hawaii 96712

Waimea Falls, located on the North Shore of Hawaii within Waimea Valley, is a perfect family destination where you can swim and take in the beauty of Oahu’s waterfalls in a pretty safe setting. To get to Waimea Falls, you will need to pay an entrance fee to the botanical garden, but then the waterfall and many other stunning spots are yours to enjoy. Waimea Falls features a changing room, life jackets and lifeguards.

We hope our latest Oahu Travel Blog article, ‘Waterfall Road Trip on Oahu,’ will help you plan a memorable adventure to see that many beautiful Waterfalls on Oahu during your next visit. If you have any questions about getting to the waterfalls mentioned in this guide, please feel free to ask our Concierge.

Visit our Oahu Visitors Guide for more recommendations for all there is to do, see and experience when visiting Oahu.

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