Being part of Wailua River State Park helps. Trails to Wailua Falls are generally maintained and signed, and the park is the first place to check for closures before you go.
It is also one of the few falls we can link to a live USGS stream gauge, so you can check how much water is coming down before you leave home.
What brings people back to Wailua Falls is how different it looks from one visit to the next. A wet spring week and a dry August afternoon can feel like two different places.
Geology and background
What makes Wailua Falls special
Wailua Falls is a 173-foot waterfall on the South Fork Wailua River near Lihue, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii.
It is also a famous one. The fall is prominently featured in the opening credits of the television series Fantasy Island, so a generation of viewers met Wailua Falls on screen before ever setting foot on Kauai.
Its neighbours are close. Uluwehi Falls is 1.1 miles away and Kaholalele Falls 1.7 miles away, so the Wailua River valley holds several falls within a short distance of each other.
Navigate by coordinates rather than by name: map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the river. Download an offline map before you lose signal.
Best time and crowds
This is a rain-fed island fall, so flow follows the weather. A stream gauge is linked on this page: check the live flow before you go. Expect the most water after heavy rain, and the least in a dry spell.
This fall is well known from television, so it draws visitors. Arrive early or late: the middle of the day is peak time.
Safety
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury. Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle. In canyons, rain upstream can raise the water in minutes: leave if the water turns muddy or starts to rise.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray and the island showers
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
A bag to pack out trash
Practical tips
Check the live gauge before you go: rain-fed flow changes fast here.
Pair it with Uluwehi Falls, 1.1 miles away.
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Go early: this is a well-known fall near Lihue, and the pullouts fill up by late morning.
Most waterfalls form where a stream crosses from hard rock onto softer rock. The soft layer wears away faster, the hard lip is left overhanging, and over thousands of years the fall slowly cuts its way upstream.
Water flow and seasons
The stream that feeds Wailua Falls is tracked by USGS gauge 16060000. A reading well above the seasonal median means a fuller fall, and usually a wetter, muddier trail.
Expect the most water in spring and after heavy rain. In a dry spell, especially late summer and early fall, the same fall can look half the size.
We do not have a trail length for Wailua Falls yet. Some falls are a few steps from a parking area, others take a real hike, so check the park or a trail app before you set out.
Swimming is not listed. Treat the plunge pool as off-limits unless signs say otherwise: the water at the base is colder and stronger than it looks.
Facilities and amenities
Facilities depend on Wailua River State Park: larger parks usually have a signed trailhead, restrooms and a parking area, while smaller reserves may have none of these.
Plan as if there is no drinking water and no phone signal at the falls themselves. Use the restroom and fill your bottles before you start walking.
Fees, permits, and opening hours
No entry fee is listed. Parks may still charge for parking or day use, and federal lands often accept an annual pass instead.
Most falls are reachable from dawn to dusk. Gates, seasonal road closures and timed-entry permits are the usual surprises, so check the managing agency on the day.
How to get to Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls is in Wailua River State Park, Hawaii. For the last stretch, navigate by coordinates (22.03463, -159.37858) rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream.
The final approach is usually the hardest part: narrow roads, small trailhead lots that fill early, and a walk that can be ten minutes or several hours. Download an offline map before you lose signal.
Our Hawaii waterfalls page maps every fall in the state, which helps when you are planning a route.
For the fullest flow, visit Wailua Falls in spring or within a couple of days of heavy rain. For easier footing and warmer air, early summer is the compromise.
Light matters for photos: the base of a fall is often in shade by midday, and an overcast day evens out the bright water against dark rock.
Crowds and timing
Arrive early or late. The middle of a summer weekend is peak time almost everywhere, and small trailheads can be full by 10 a.m.
Holiday weekends and the first warm days of spring are the busiest of all. If the lot is full, do not park on the road shoulder: it is the most common reason for tickets and towing at trailheads.
How long to spend there
Without a listed trail length, plan for half a day: enough time to find the trailhead, walk in, spend an hour at the water and walk out without rushing.
If there are other falls nearby, they are often on the same road or trail system. Two or three in a day is very doable.
Where to stay near Wailua Falls
We do not recommend specific places to stay. The links below search for hotels and campgrounds around Wailua Falls on Google Maps, so you can compare drive times from the trailhead.
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury.
Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle.
Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs. Only swim where it is allowed.
In canyons, rain upstream can raise the water in minutes. Leave if the water turns muddy or starts to rise.
Leave no trace: pack out trash, stay off fragile moss and plants, and keep drones grounded where they are banned.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
Cash for parking
A bag to pack out trash
Practical visitor tips
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet: spray reaches further than you expect.
Keep your phone in a zip bag near the base.
Pack out everything, including food scraps.
Tell someone where you are going if the trail is long or remote.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Wailua Falls, Hawaii located?
Wailua Falls is in Wailua River State Park, Hawaii. Its GPS coordinates are 22.03463, -159.37858.
What kind of waterfall is Wailua Falls, Hawaii?
Its form (plunge, cascade, horsetail and so on) is not listed yet.
How tall is Wailua Falls?
Its height has not passed a source check yet, so we do not show a number or include it in tallest lists.
How much does it cost, and when is it open?
No fee is listed, though parking or day-use fees may apply. Most falls are open dawn to dusk; check the managing agency for seasonal closures.
Is Wailua Falls good for families?
It depends on the trail, which we have not confirmed. Check the length and terrain first, and keep children well back from wet rock and the edge.
How do I know if it is flowing?
Check USGS gauge 16060000 for today’s streamflow, and the last three days of rain in the weather panel.
The bottom line
Wailua Falls is worth a detour, especially after rain. Go early, check recent rain, wear grippy shoes, and give yourself time to sit and listen once you get there.
Waterfalls nearby
One fall rarely fills a day. These are within about 40 miles.
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