Wailua Falls

Kauaʻi

LoginSave

Made famous in the opening credits of Fantasy Island, these falls appear at a distance. When they are in full flow and misting the surrounding tropical foliage, it’s a fantastic photo op. While officially listed as 80ft, the falls have been repeatedly measured to have a far greater drop. Heed the sign at the top that warns: ‘Slippery rocks at top of falls. People have been killed.’ Many have fallen while trying to scramble down the steep path beyond.

To get here from Lihuʻe, follow Kuhio Hwy (Hwy 56) north. Turn left onto Maʻalo Rd (Hwy 583), which ends at the falls after 4 miles. Expect crowds and difficult parking. The alternative of seeing the falls from a helicopter is definitely the superior experience.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Outrigger canoe near the beach of Hanalei Bay just after sunrise.

    Hanalei Bay

    14.12 MILES

    Hanalei Bay is Kauaʻi's postcard-perfect beach, embracing surfers, paddlers, bodyboarders and beach bums alike. It's a perfect crescent of golden sand…

  • Photo Taken In Kilauea, United States

    Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

    13.67 MILES

    The gloriously scenic wildlife refuge that marks the northernmost tip of the major Hawaiian islands protects both nesting seabirds on the coastal cliffs…

  • Limahuli garden in Kauai, Hawaii.

    Limahuli Garden

    17.93 MILES

    Perhaps the most beautiful spot on an island of unsurpassed beauty, this magnificent garden is a must-see stop on any North Shore itinerary. Besides…

  • A Hawaiian monk seal lounges on Ke'e Beach.

    Keʻe Beach

    18.32 MILES

    Long renowned as one of the North Shore’s most glorious beaches, lovely Ke‘e Beach, beside the Kalalau trailhead at the end of Kuhio Hwy, has been given a…

  • National Tropical Botanical Garden

    National Tropical Botanical Garden

    12.59 MILES

    Two superb gardens in lush Lawa‘i Valley, run by the National Tropical Botanical Garden, are open to visitors. Allerton Garden, spreading back from a…

  • View of the Napali Coast, Pu'u O Kila overlook, Waimea Canyon State Park, Koke'e State Park, Kauai, Hawaii

    Kokeʻe State Park

    18.74 MILES

    Besides the two Na Pali lookouts at the end of the paved highway, Koke‘e State Park is the starting point for almost 50 miles of outstanding hiking trails…

  • drive up to the Jagged peaks in the valley of waimea canyon; Shutterstock ID 1789907294; purchase_order: 65050; job: ; client: ; other: 1789907294

    Waimea Canyon Drive

    18.63 MILES

    This magnificent scenic drive traces the entire length of Waimea Canyon’s western rim and continues into Kokeʻe State Park, climbing 19 miles from the…

  • Red and yellow hawaiian canoe with outrigger on the beach at Hanalei pier at dawn as the sun lights the sky over Na Pali mountains 179311358 sky, bay, sea, calm, pier, shed, dawn, boat, coast, kauai, kayak, beach, jetty, ocean, island, nobody, travel, clouds, scenic, hawaii, coastal, sunrise, pacific, walkway, tropical, dramatic, paradise, relaxing, mountain, seascape, peaceful, beautiful, coastline, landscape, pali, canoe, hanalei, hawaiian, na

    Black Pot Beach Park (Hanalei Pier)

    14.42 MILES

    The short easternmost stretch of Hanalei Bay, alongside the rivermouth, usually offers the calmest surf among the wild North Shore swells, and is popular…

View more attractions

Nearby Kauaʻi attractions

1. Kamokila Hawaiian Village

1.29 MILES

This 4-acre site along the Wailua River has reproductions of traditional Hawaiian structures amid thriving gardens of guava, mango and banana trees. While…

3. Wailua River State Park

1.54 MILES

To ancient Hawaiians, the Wailua River was among the most sacred places across the islands. The river basin, near its mouth, was one of the island’s two…

4. ʻOpaekaʻa Falls Lookout

1.56 MILES

While not a showstopper, these 150ft-high waterfalls make for an easy roadside stop, less than 2 miles up Kuamoʻo Rd. For the best photographs, go in the…

5. Poliʻahu Heiau

1.7 MILES

Perched high on a hill overlooking the meandering Wailua River, well-preserved Poliʻahu Heiau, a luakini (temple dedicated to war god Ku), is named after…

6. Kauaʻi's Hindu Monastery

1.88 MILES

Serious pilgrims and curious sightseers are welcome at this Hindu monastery, set on 70 acres and surrounded by verdant forest above the Wailua River. The…

7. Smith's Tropical Paradise

2.32 MILES

Other gardens might have fancier landscaping, but you can’t beat Smith’s for value. Take a leisurely stroll along a mile-long loop trail past a serene…

8. Holoholoku Heiau

2.69 MILES

Thought to be the oldest luakini (temple dedicated to the war god Ku, often a place for human sacrifice) on the island, Holoholoku Heiau is located a…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "usa/hawaii/kauai/attractions/wailua-falls/a/poi-sig/453979/361975",
  "destination": "Kauaʻi",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "country": "USA",
  "region": "Kauaʻi",
  "position": "superzone"
}