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Beautiful drive in and lovely falls right off the road. If you're short you really can't see down or much of the surround, but we took the drone up nearby and it's definitely cool from that perspective. Sad to see trash cans overflowing all over the ground at the viewpoint diminishing the experience somewhat, but a beautiful falls and just a short drive from Lihue...decent amount of parking available.
I visited the Wailua Falls in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, Hawaii [Maalo Rd; Hwy 583] on Saturday, 01/24/26, around 3:30 PM. Wailua Falls offered an incredibly close view, which made the experience feel special. I was able to truly appreciate the waterfall's beauty up close. One fun highlight was spotting a rooster sitting right near the edge, which was such a classic Kauaʻi island moment because roosters are everywhere on the island. I also noticed a touching memorial sign dedicated to Kavika Luna, "Mr. Aloha" - The Flying Hawaiian (May 1960 - September 2024). The message spoke about rainbows appearing as he chanted and the magic of Wailua Falls coming alive. It felt meaningful because I actually caught a mini rainbow during my visit, which made the moment even more breathtaking and memorable. Overall, I was very pleased with this stop. Wailua Falls is absolutely worth checking out for its natural beauty and history.
First stop when we got to Kauai as it was 10-mins away from the airport. First impressions, parking is difficult as the road is narrow because of the cars parked on the side allowing a car to pass at a time. Smelly as I'm sure kids at night are drinking in this area and peeing wherever they like. However, the view of the falls is worth it. I do wish they would cut down some of the weeds as it was a bit tall. Luckily, a fellow tourist that took our family photo was tall and so he was able to capture a photo of us and the fall. I do recommend visiting but just know that the parking is chaotic. Oh, and it is free.
Beautiful water fall but fenced off due to many boo boos from people hiking. Make sure you bring your selfie stick lol
Just 4 miles off the main highway to the falls. There had been a lot of rain so these falls were roaring. The most power we saw at any of the falls we stopped to see. Sad that you couldn't get a really clear view bc of the height of the plants by the road where you view the falls from. Worth the drive out to see. Will only take you about 5-10 minutes.
Looking for something to see when Kauai? Wailua Falls is one of the best place to see. This place is easy to get to because it is a drive up waterfall. There is parking available and a view for you to look over and see the beautiful view. I wouldn't recommend walking down because it is unsafe. This is a must see when visiting Kauai. Great for those who are handicapped, cannot hike or with families.
Wailua Falls is undeniably beautiful, and catching a rainbow next to the waterfall -- like we were lucky enough to do -- makes the moment feel almost magical. The waterfall itself is stunning, with its powerful drop and lush surroundings creating that classic Kauai postcard scene. That said, the viewing area is quite limited. There isn't much room to explore, and the vantage point doesn't offer many different angles, so the overall experience can feel a bit short. Still, if you happen to visit on a sunny morning when the mist catches the light just right, the rainbow adds an extra touch that definitely makes the stop worthwhile.
A nice pitstop to see while in Kauai. The drive up is pretty easy, a paved road but a little windy. There's a parking lot at the top so you can get out of your car and look. It is only an aerial view to my knowledge so the falls is kind of far away but still beautiful. We were only here for about 10 minutes as there's not much to see once you look at it. We also stopped to talk to a local painter who was showing us his art. He's lived on the island for almost 50 years and paints beautifully, if you're lucky he might be there! I didn't catch his name but it was really nice to talk to him. I think he frequents this spot because other Yelpers have mentioned him on here as well.
I wouldn't necessarily go out of your way to visit the waterfall since it's just a lookout point. I believe sometime before, there was a way to hike down to the base of the waterfall but the trailhead looked closed and fenced off. There's a tiny parking lot but because there isn't much else to do there, the turnover for a spot should be fairly quick if you want to wait. Overall, it's a beautiful waterfall but it would've been so much more worthwhile if you could hike down and appreciate it from a different angle. It doesn't cost a dime to visit so if you're looking for free activities, this would be a good one. Another thing to note too...because of the height of the vegetation and the walls, it's pretty difficult to take pictures with the waterfall.
Beautiful and amazing waterfall. It's about a 20 minute drive from airport. Very limited parking it spaces open quickly because you basically get off and view from the street area. There were some small vendors in April 2026. However, there are no available public restrooms so plan accordingly.
Quick stop , but pure beauty! Was a little windy of a drive to the falls , my daughter felt a little carsick heading there. Only need 10/15 min to see as there is no where to hike around the falls. Chickens were everywhere! As they are everywhere on the island lol
The waterfall is absolutely breathtaking, especially right after the rainy season--it's truly a sight to see! I wanted to give it a perfect five stars, but the parking situation was a bit of a mess. Some people decided to double park and wander off to check out the falls, which ended up blocking the road for everyone else trying to get in or out. To make things worse, the road itself was full of massive potholes and super muddy, which made maneuvering around those parked cars a real challenge. It was definitely frustrating, but honestly, the stunning view of the falls made up for most of it. Fun fact: this spot is famous for being the backdrop of the iconic opening credits of "Fantasy Island"! If they could just sort out the parking and maybe fix up the road a bit, this place would be absolutely perfect.
This was an easy drive straight to the end of Maalo Road, and it's free!! If you plan on doing any driving on Kauai I highly recommend buying the Shaka App. Four self guided driving tours with colorful narration and cultural storytelling. read more
Located at the end of Maalo Road, this beautiful double waterfall cannot be safely or legally accessed due to the notoriously steep, muddy, and very slick unmaintained trail down. But you can however view it safely from the designated roadside lookout. The parking lot here, although free, is very small and often filled to the brim with cars. The lot itself is also in desperate need of maintenance as it is filled with potholes, so getting in and out may be tricky. There are also vendors who fill up the front part of this lot, which further add to the chaos. Located in a sacred royal valley once known as the capital of Kauai, ancient Hawaiian chieftains and warriors use to test their bravery by leaping from the top of this nearly 200ft tall waterfall. There's not a lot to do once you get up to the top of the lookout except to snap a few photos. So it is debatable if it is worth the drive all the way out to here and dealing with the whole parking lot situation. read more
Beautiful drive in and lovely falls right off the road. If you're short you really can't see down or much of the surround, but we took the drone up nearby and it's definitely cool from that perspective. Sad to see trash cans overflowing all over the ground at the viewpoint diminishing the experience somewhat, but a beautiful falls and just a short drive from Lihue...decent amount of parking available. read more
8 months ago
I visited the Wailua Falls in Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi, Hawaii [Maalo Rd; Hwy 583] on Saturday, 01/24/26, around 3:30 PM. Wailua Falls offered an incredibly close view, which made the experience feel special. I was able to truly appreciate the waterfall's beauty up close. One fun highlight was spotting a rooster sitting right near the edge, which was such a classic Kauaʻi island moment because roosters are everywhere on the island. I also noticed a touching memorial sign dedicated to Kavika Luna, "Mr. Aloha" - The Flying Hawaiian (May 1960 - September 2024). The message spoke about rainbows appearing as he chanted and the magic of Wailua Falls coming alive. It felt meaningful because I actually caught a mini rainbow during my visit, which made the moment even more breathtaking and memorable. Overall, I was very pleased with this stop. Wailua Falls is absolutely worth checking out for its natural beauty and history. read more
First stop when we got to Kauai as it was 10-mins away from the airport. First impressions, parking is difficult as the road is narrow because of the cars parked on the side allowing a car to pass at a time. Smelly as I'm sure kids at night are drinking in this area and peeing wherever they like. However, the view of the falls is worth it. I do wish they would cut down some of the weeds as it was a bit tall. Luckily, a fellow tourist that took our family photo was tall and so he was able to capture a photo of us and the fall. I do recommend visiting but just know that the parking is chaotic. Oh, and it is free. read more
2 months ago
Beautiful water fall but fenced off due to many boo boos from people hiking. Make sure you bring your selfie stick lol read more
9 months ago
Just 4 miles off the main highway to the falls. There had been a lot of rain so these falls were roaring. The most power we saw at any of the falls we stopped to see. Sad that you couldn't get a really clear view bc of the height of the plants by the road where you view the falls from. Worth the drive out to see. Will only take you about 5-10 minutes. read more
1 year ago
Looking for something to see when Kauai? Wailua Falls is one of the best place to see. This place is easy to get to because it is a drive up waterfall. There is parking available and a view for you to look over and see the beautiful view. I wouldn't recommend walking down because it is unsafe. This is a must see when visiting Kauai. Great for those who are handicapped, cannot hike or with families. read more
Wailua Falls is undeniably beautiful, and catching a rainbow next to the waterfall -- like we were lucky enough to do -- makes the moment feel almost magical. The waterfall itself is stunning, with its powerful drop and lush surroundings creating that classic Kauai postcard scene. That said, the viewing area is quite limited. There isn't much room to explore, and the vantage point doesn't offer many different angles, so the overall experience can feel a bit short. Still, if you happen to visit on a sunny morning when the mist catches the light just right, the rainbow adds an extra touch that definitely makes the stop worthwhile. read more
11 months ago
A nice pitstop to see while in Kauai. The drive up is pretty easy, a paved road but a little windy. There's a parking lot at the top so you can get out of your car and look. It is only an aerial view to my knowledge so the falls is kind of far away but still beautiful. We were only here for about 10 minutes as there's not much to see once you look at it. We also stopped to talk to a local painter who was showing us his art. He's lived on the island for almost 50 years and paints beautifully, if you're lucky he might be there! I didn't catch his name but it was really nice to talk to him. I think he frequents this spot because other Yelpers have mentioned him on here as well. read more
I wouldn't necessarily go out of your way to visit the waterfall since it's just a lookout point. I believe sometime before, there was a way to hike down to the base of the waterfall but the trailhead looked closed and fenced off. There's a tiny parking lot but because there isn't much else to do there, the turnover for a spot should be fairly quick if you want to wait. Overall, it's a beautiful waterfall but it would've been so much more worthwhile if you could hike down and appreciate it from a different angle. It doesn't cost a dime to visit so if you're looking for free activities, this would be a good one. Another thing to note too...because of the height of the vegetation and the walls, it's pretty difficult to take pictures with the waterfall. read more
Beautiful and amazing waterfall. It's about a 20 minute drive from airport. Very limited parking it spaces open quickly because you basically get off and view from the street area. There were some small vendors in April 2026. However, there are no available public restrooms so plan accordingly. read more
2 months ago
View is good. Some plants can obstruct it. Parking can be challenging. Recommend the smoothie stand on the way up. Delicious read more
Quick stop , but pure beauty! Was a little windy of a drive to the falls , my daughter felt a little carsick heading there. Only need 10/15 min to see as there is no where to hike around the falls. Chickens were everywhere! As they are everywhere on the island lol read more
The waterfall is absolutely breathtaking, especially right after the rainy season--it's truly a sight to see! I wanted to give it a perfect five stars, but the parking situation was a bit of a mess. Some people decided to double park and wander off to check out the falls, which ended up blocking the road for everyone else trying to get in or out. To make things worse, the road itself was full of massive potholes and super muddy, which made maneuvering around those parked cars a real challenge. It was definitely frustrating, but honestly, the stunning view of the falls made up for most of it. Fun fact: this spot is famous for being the backdrop of the iconic opening credits of "Fantasy Island"! If they could just sort out the parking and maybe fix up the road a bit, this place would be absolutely perfect. read more
A free falls that you can drive all the way up too. Very limited parking, there is only 3 spaces plus 1 handicap so recommend to come early. You get a pretty good view of the falls. When I came for some reason the falls had a very brown colored water which was pretty interesting to see. Based on the other pictures I saw it's probably a sight to see dependent on the season you visit. read more
11 months ago
Easy access and fun drive. Must stop and get a pineapple smoothy at the stand along Maalo Road ( Wirat Farm). The parking is limited. Another driver lost a wheel well liner in a giant pothole as they were backing out ahead of us. Weeds may grow to obstruct the view of the waterfall. read more
Wailua Falls is easily accessible and worth the drive. The falls can be seen and photographed from the roadside. There are a few parking spots and short walking distance to view the falls. Apparently it is famous for being the backdrop for the iconic opening credits of the TV show "Fantasy Island" but I don't think I was born yet, haha. It's a quick stop to add to your itinerary. It's beautiful!! There was a talented man painting the falls. He was super friendly and shared a few of his paintings with us. I hope he's there frequently so that his work can be appreciated. read more
2 years ago
10/27/24 just breathe, nice & slow, take it all in & bring it back with you. Wailua Falls is one of the few waterfalls that you may visit & be witness to its beauty from afar...not needing to hike (unless you want to but at your own risk, highly forbidden & could be treacherous) or travel too far to sightsee. It is off Kamuali'i Hwy & it will direct you to Wailua Falls. (not too far from Lihue Airport). Best seen, of course, when it is very sunny (not rainy), but you will notice that after a good night's rain, it will be forceful & gushing the next day. Watch out for wild boars in the area! Enjoy! read more
2 years ago
Enjoyed a quick stop to Wailua Falls! An easy way to view waterfalls without a hike. Parking is limited, and viewing can be as well--simply from the amount of people or vegetation in the area. Still it's absolutely gorgeous and an amazing sight to see. If you're in the area, it's worth it to try and make a stop here! read more
2 years ago
The Wailua Falls was part of a pit stop last grand view of a waterfall as part of our personalized driver's tour of this side of the island as we were leaving the north shore. She said this was the perfect spot where you could pull up and make a quick stop to take a look over a beautiful waterfall from on top of a bridge. You can see the double falls falling across the lake below. Our driver brought us here because she said this is a great place where you can easily drive up to see waterfalls without having to hike up to it like most other waterfalls. The sight is beautiful and definitely worth checking out. read more
10 months ago
3 years ago
One thing I love about coming to Hawaii is seeing all the beautiful nature that it embodies, and Wailua Falls was no exception. The drive up here wasn't too bad. I would say it took about 15-20 mins to get here up the road. Upon arrival, finding a parking spot was a bit of a challenge. Luckily, we didn't have to wait too long. We were able to find a spot after 10 minutes as a family was about to leave. You can't hike down as it's prohibited, so it's more of a lookout spot, which was plenty enough for me. It was very pretty to look at and admire -- worth the drive. From the parking spot, the lookout area was less than a five minute walk. There were people selling banana bread, which is a fave, especially in Hawaii! Def add this spot to your list when visiting Kauai. read more
2 years ago
This is an amazing waterfall. That is very easy to access. When you drive up to the parking area, it is limited but if you wait for a short amount of time, you'll find a spot. Once you park it's only about 100 feet to get to the viewing area of this beautiful waterfall. We only spent about 15 minutes here, enjoying the view and taking photos. But it's definitely worth it. There was a guy with the tent that would sell and cut up and coconuts for you to drink if you'd like. And selling some handmade jewelry. It's definitely worth checking out. read more
4 stars because the parking was not so fun. Thankfully a lot of people didn't stay a long time so it was a short wait to get a parking spot. The bread lady and the man selling jewelry were fantastic! The falls were a beautiful view! read more
Wailua Falls has two waterfalls in tandem. The viewing options are limited and vegetation overgrowth can partially obstruct the view. Also parking is quite limited. However, it is free and you can enjoy views from the area. read more
2 years ago
Wailua Falls is stunning! Did you know these falls are in the introduction of the original TV show "Fantasy Falls?" It's true! When I went back home, I had to check for myself and it is. It is easy to drive to and park. If you go early in the morning or later in the day, it is even more beautiful. Always make sure you're wearing good grip sneakers as anything in and around water can be slippery. There is no way, to my knowledge, of getting to the bottom of the waterfall. But, you can take some awesome photos, remember the show (if you're older like me), and enjoy the breathtaking cascades! Enjoy! read more
1 year ago
Wailua Falls did not live up to its expectations. I had great anticipation from the photos I had seen on the internet - 200 feet, side-by-side cascading waterfalls. How good does that sound! But now here in person with my own eyes, Wailua Falls was a letdown. The biggest problem is the viewpoint overlook. Over time (and it's common nowadays), the forest growth partially disrupts the views. You have large vegetative plants, trees, bushes and branches that extend past people's perspectives. You can't even see down to the base of the falls. I wish authorities would cut or groom or mow this tropical growth every now and again. Because...Wailua Falls has incredible potential. It's what you'd expect to discover out of a vintage Hawaiian waterfall. But unless they do something to allow for more accessible views, honestly, eventually, the entire overlook will be completely blocked over time. Another difficult element coming to Wailua Falls is the wall that you stand against to view the falls. It's almost impossible to get a quality photo in. Tourists were taking selfies of each other and even when I tried to do that, it was disappointing. Also, parking is difficult. There were a few spaces along the side of the road. But, if you take the road to its conclusion, there is a small parking lot. The problem with the lot is that it can only fit a handful of cars, maybe 10 at the most. And...if you have cars coming to the end to search for an available space, you can get bottlenecked into a logjam entering and leaving. The spacing is so tight at the lot that cars had to drive in reverse just to exit. I wouldn't say it was stressful, but with visitors coming and going, it's a real pain to get caught in the middle of the congestion. Quick notes about Wailua Falls... - It's free to visit. - Just plug "Wailua Falls" into Google Maps and you're good to go. - Wailua Falls is located 6 miles north of Lihue Airport - LIH and downtown Kauai. - All you need is 15 - 20 minutes to observe the falls. - There was a local resident selling coconuts right next to the parking lot. Now, last thing I'd like to mention... - There is an unmarked pathway down to the base of Wailua Falls. I noticed some people attempting this hike, but it's do it at your own risk. I was tempted to try it but shied away. Though, if you can make it to the bottom...it changes the entire narrative of Wailua Falls. Then...you have the backdrop all to yourself, without hindrances. It can make for terrific memories and I believe you can also swim in the pool at the bottom. That can be a total game changer, lol. Do I have second thoughts about not at least attempting the climb down? Yes. Ultimately, it was a pretty steep decline. Though, it's an option for those who choose. In the end, I would suggest not getting blinded by all the hype when standing beside Wailua Falls. What good is a dramatic waterfall setting if you can't see down to its conclusion? Maybe someday they can clear out the expansive tropical growth to prevent obstructions. That would make coming here pretty rewarding. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
No cellular reception. Free parking. Don't be discouraged. There is more parking in the back past the vendors. It's unfortunate that they close the trail to go down to the falls. I did notice there is an opening in the chain-link fence, but you would have to crawl under, but it's not recommended as there are warning signs. However, the falls look impressive. This is the place where I saw the long, white tailed, tropical bird for the first time I saw. They are so beautiful to look at. There is a vendor selling coconuts, as well as a vendor, making hats and other accessories from palm tree, fronds. He quoted me $25 for the hat. I also saw a woman fell probably due to heat stroke so make sure you stay hydrated. read more
1 year ago
Many great water falls are only accessible via air or trail or kayak. This one can easily be seen from the road. The street is a dead end with a parking lot. You walk back a few steps along the road to see the falls. Beautiful for pictures. Don't forget to also include the valley below the waterfall in your pictures. In May, the time we went, it had a good flow as you can see on the pictures. If you encounter a lady selling breakfast cakes out of the back of her truck, buy at least two or three or four, they are delicious. read more
Gorgeous photo spot, easy to capture and see the falls and its' lush greenery. There is parking by the falls as well. Strongly recommend coming in the morning as it was pretty empty when we came. On your way here, you will see signs to "Wailua" so it's easy to get here as well! read more
2 years ago
Wailua falls is a short and sweet stop to make while driving around Kauai. Although the parking is crowded and limited, the views of the falls are phenomenal. Sometimes, local vendors sell souvenirs in the parking lot or wild pigs can be seen walking along the road. read more
2 years ago
This was a fun place to stop while exploring the island. It was definitely worth the drive over to see this massive waterfall. There is a nice lookout with a small parking area, so it is easy to view. There had been a lot of rain just before our visit, so it was raging and so very impressive! read more
2 years ago
Beautiful natural water falls. Highlighted on fantasy Island!! Go to the falls and fill your heart. read more
2 years ago
Although it's far and difficult to get a good picture with the waterfall, witnessing these two beauts is still pretty spectacular. We came on a weekday morning so there wasn't a crowd and there was still plenty of parking. I'd say it could fit about 6 cars total in the actual parking area but you can tell people also parked their car on the side of the street adjacent to the observation area. You'd probably spend maybe 15-20 mins max here since you walk 1 minute from the parking area to the observation area. You can't get any closer to the falls other than in the pictures. There are signs everywhere not to cross over the railing. You probably could somehow hike down but not for any tourists to do. Overall, it was a good pit stop to see it while you're getting shave ice at Wailua Shave ice or Musubi Truck. read more
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Maalo Rd Hwy 583
Lihue, HI 96766
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