Wailua Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Wailua Falls is a waterfall in Kauai County, Hawaii, about 2.1 miles south of Wailua Homesteads. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Kauai County, HI

Nearest town

Wailua Homesteads (2.1 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.5 from 1,103 reviews

Crowds

Very busy

Coordinates

22.03458, -159.37862

USGS topo

Kapaa quad

Getting there

Wailua Falls sits about 2.1 miles south of Wailua Homesteads in Kauai County. Navigate to the coordinates 22.03458, -159.37862, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Wailua Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

Many of Hawaii's best-known falls are in state parks or national parks, while others sit on private land, in watershed areas or in botanical gardens that charge admission. Several popular sites, including Haena State Park at the start of Kauai's Kalalau Trail, use reservation or entry systems for out-of-state visitors, so checking current requirements is wise. Parking is tight along the Hana Highway, and stopping on narrow shoulders is dangerous and often restricted. The biggest hazard is flash flooding: streams can rise within minutes from rain falling far upslope, stranding hikers at crossings. Rockfall beneath falls is common, freshwater can carry leptospirosis, and trails turn very slick with red mud. Respect closures and no-trespassing signs, which are frequently posted at informal access points.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Wailua Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Hawaii. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 22.03458, -159.37862 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 2,129 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
• Rain gear and insect repellent. Hawaiian waterfall trails are often muddy, and stream levels can rise quickly after upstream rain.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

Hawaii has falls year-round, but flow depends on recent rain far more than on season. The wetter months generally run from about October through April, when winter storms add to trade-wind showers and falls along the Hana Highway, the Hamakua Coast and Kauai's interior run strongest. Summer trades still bring regular windward showers, so many falls keep flowing, though some smaller ones shrink to a trickle during dry spells. Morning visits tend to be clearer, calmer and less crowded, and they are best for rainbows at Rainbow Falls in Hilo. Heavy rain can arrive suddenly in any month, and north-shore winter surf affects coastal trailheads on Kauai and Oahu. With 1,103 Google reviews, this is one of the most visited waterfalls in the area. Arrive early, ideally on a weekday, and expect parking to fill on summer weekends and holidays.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Wailua Falls holds a 4.5-star average across 1,103 Google reviews, and 68% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Kauai County. Visitors have shared 2,129 photos.

Dramatic double waterfall known for rainbows & its place in the "Fantasy Island" opening credits.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Wailua Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on February 6, 1981, and it appears on the USGS Kapaa 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: ʻAʻahoaka (summit, 0.5 mi), Aii Reservoir (reservoir, 1.1 mi), North Fork Wailua River (stream, 1.2 mi), and South Fork Wailua River (stream, 1.3 mi).

Kauai. Kauai leads the state with 40 named falls. Its central peaks are among the rainiest places on Earth, and the runoff has carved the island into ridges, valleys and amphitheater-headed canyons. On the east side near Wailua, Wailua Falls is a roadside double fall seen from an overlook, and Opaekaa Falls is viewed from a distance across a lush valley. Hoopii Falls near Kapaa is reached by a muddy forest trail. On the north shore, Hanakapiai Falls lies inland along the Na Pali coast, while the Waimea and Kalaheo areas on the drier west side give access to canyon-rim views of falls in Waimea Canyon and the interior.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Wailua Falls about 2.1 miles south of Wailua Homesteads is rated 4.5 out of 5 by 1,103 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Wailua Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.