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Destinations ≫ North America ≫ USA ≫ Hawaii

Kauai

Kauai Waterfalls

Click for the interactive map

Kauai Waterfalls are abundant in an island that is sometimes known as the Garden Island. Indeed, Kauai (or Kaua’i) seemed to us to be like the back-to-nature island. It seemed to harbor some of the grandest natural features in all the Hawaiian Islands, and this included one of the wettest spots on earth at the top of Mt Wai’ale’ale, the dramatic fluted cliffs of the famous Na Pali Coast, as well as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific in Waimea Canyon. But like most of the other islands, we didn’t have to rough it in order to get close to Nature as there were plenty of accommodation options to choose from.

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Even though the island was green and very wet, we had to temper our expectations of having a bonanza of Kauai Waterfalls. While the island did have innumerable waterfalls, most of them were either inaccessible, require difficult adventures, or were on private land. Then, there were some waterfalls that required some dangerous scrambling in order to get the best views that were not attainable from the official overlooks (like Wailua Falls and Opaeka’a Falls). I guess that was the ultimate catch-22 for waterfall fanatics like us – either shelling out money on tours to see them or settling for a handful of waterfalls with the feeling that we had somehow missed out. Not many of them were accessible by self-touring. The map you see at the top of this page shows what we were able to accomplish.

Even with the limited options of waterfalls on the island, the highlights included Hanakapiai Falls) on the Na Pali Coast, Wailua Falls (a well-known waterfall that was also on the Fantasy Island TV show), and  Waipoo Falls nestled within the Grand Canyon of the Pacific (Waimea Canyon). Then, we also visited Manawaiopuna Falls, which we knew had made an appearance in one of the Jurassic Park movies.

There are a couple of waterfalls on this island that have managed to crack our Top 10 Hawaii Waterfalls List. Find out which ones made it by clicking on the link!

Even though the quantity of waterfalls that we were able to visit was tempered by various restrictions, as you can see from this page that we were still able to visit quite a few of what was left. You can find out more about these waterfalls that we were able to visit by clicking on the waterfall links below.

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Most Recent Waterfall Write-ups

Manawaiopuna Falls

Hanapepe Valley, Hawaii, USA
Rating: 3.5

“Queen’s Bath Waterfalls”

Princeville, Hawaii, USA
Rating: 1

Kalihiwai Falls

Princeville, Hawaii, USA
Rating: 1

Unnamed Twin Falls

Princeville, Hawaii, USA
Rating: 1

Hanakoa Falls

Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Hawaii, USA
Rating: 2.5

Hanakapiai Falls

Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Hawaii, USA
Rating: 3.5

Wailua Falls

Puna District / Wailua River State Park, Hawaii, USA
Rating: 3

Waialae Falls

Waimea Canyon State Park, Hawaii, USA
Rating: 2

Click to see the expanded waterfall list

User-submitted Waterfalls from this Region

secret (unnamed) kauai waterfall (to the left off Waimea Canyon road, just a few miles south of the Waimea Canyon lookout itself)

Helicopter ride to base of Manawaiopuna Falls (“The Jurassic Falls”)

Recent Tips on Ho’opi’i Falls hike

Gigantic Waterfall Hole

Wailua Falls, Kauai


Have you been to a waterfall in this region? Submit a write-up/review and share


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Other Related Posts

Top 10 Hawaii Waterfalls

Hawaii: Reviews of Travel Resources

Top 10 Tallest Waterfalls – based on highest vertical drop

Hawaii: When Is The Best Time To Visit?

Should I Drive The Road to Hana

Hawaii Highlights

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© 2006-2025 World Of Waterfalls,
All Rights Reserved
The content on this website may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission.
HOME | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS

Powered by Kinsta

Affiliate Disclosure: We receive compensation from companies whose products or services are used, referenced, or reviewed regardless of whether we endorse or criticize them.  We are independently owned so content written by us merely reflect our own opinions. more