Wailua Falls Reviews

Scenic drive to the falls. Parking is limited but open spots become available frequently. Roadside vendor was there with snacks and water. Another weaving hats. There is not an "official" trail to the bottom of the falls. But a hole in the fencing that some were going thru. I would characterize it as dangerous. VERY steep. Enjoy it from the lookout point. Put this one on your list of attractions to visit.

My family and I went hiking but I did not go to the falls. It was a very hard hike and I made it through. My sister and dad went to the falls all the way and I stayed down with mom. It was fun though.

It’s an easy drive to the falls, and I think we were lucky to get up there with a place to park, given the low tourist season. It must be a challenge during the high summer season. There is a viewing platform, the only place to enjoy the fall’s beauty, but the viewing is a little limited. That said, we enjoyed the excursion, not long at all.

On the drive down, we stopped at a cemetery that appears to be managed by a Catholic group, and Mother Mary was prominent on the grounds. But there was also a beautiful Buddha, which I thought was lovingly inclusive, especially for all the Japanese-American families buried there.

We drove along narrow winding road to reach the trail head, only to notice that the area was fenced off and a sign indicating trail to the base of the fall closed for being too dangerous. Found out later a tragic accident had occurred last year. Fortunately we could still admire the gushing majestic, beautiful waterfall and the surrounding lush foliage from a safe distance at the roadside lookout.

Beautiful Falls and birds that fly the gorge are spectacular. Word of warning the road ends at he falls with a cul de sac parking. you need and those around you need good driving skills and a degree of patience and civility. Enjoy.

Go ahead, it is worth the drive. The falls are very pretty and, with so much rain in the mountains, you are almost always assured of a fantastic view of this picturesque cataract. If you are going to chance a hike, use the buddy system, but don’t expect assistance is close by. Be safe!

Beautiful waterfall with rainbow worry the long drive to get to see this world famous waterfall. Best early in the day

The waterfall is nice. I would rate it 4/5. The experience, however, I'd rate 2/5. We went on a rainy day. It was still a zoo. There are maybe four or five actual parking spots then illegally parked cars making the already narrow roads even narrower for hundreds of yards in either direction. Very crowded crush of humanity at the viewing wall, so if you haven't had Covid yet, this is your big chance!

Good view. Very limited parking area. Was fenced off and gates locked. However, people we still climbing fence to go down to falls. Coconut vender (Uncle Coconut) was nice and offering fresh coconut. Short drive to get there, pictures are limited unless you go over fence.

The falls are very pretty but we were expecting to be able to hike to them. Instead you have to park and walk along a fence and view them over the fence. There is fencing and signs reporting that climbing over the fence is extremely dangerous and to stay out. Every outdoor area in Hawaii is beautiful but we were a little disappointed in these falls.

We drove there this past Sunday. It is a quick and easy drive from the main road. The parking is limited.
The falls are glorious! We did see a rainbow!
There were several vendors there who we enjoyed.
Admission is free. Easy stop to see a natural beauty.

It's 10 minutes to get out there, so it would just about be worth it for a bathroom. This is more than that. Very pretty if slightly obstructed.

The drive to the falls was breath taking and calming. Several places to stop along the way for gorgeous pictures.

They're not life-changing waterfalls, but they're a nice 10-minute drive from the main road. Definitely worth doing, just another nice lovely thing to do in this island.

My husband and I caught a Uber to and from the port to this waterfall. I believe it was $30. It is best to book a return trip prior to going to the fall because cell reception is poor at the waterfall. This was such a beautiful waterfall. I really wish that someone would cut down the grass/weed wack because it messes up the beautiful view and so many people visit daily.

The falls have a high volume of water, and are worth a quick trip to check out. Parking is pretty crazy, so be patient. A few vendors just past the falls. We had some good local banana bread

Short detour off the main highway to a very beautiful waterfall. If you have a little extra time to kill, I would recommend it.

Anyone who knows the 80s TV series “Fantasy Island” will reminisce here.
The parking lot is “just a stone’s throw” from Wailua Falls and offers good views. The water plunges down into the depths at eye level.
The only drawback: Dead-end location and very small turning possibility of the parking lot. Certainly challenging with high visitor traffic.
Conclusion: Worth it!

If you are in the area, it's certainly worth a short visit... It is a classic waterfall after all. There is a certain nostalgia for those of us that grew up watching Fantasy Island in the early '80's and remember the opening credits just before Tatu announces "Da Plane! Da Plane, boss!"

Beautiful waterfall but you can only watch it from the parking lot at the top without being able to go down: too bad. Despite everything, it remains nice to see but 15-20 min is enough

Interesting drive to Wailua Falls. The falls itself is a bit hard to see because the grass on the other side of the fence is so high....could really use more regular maintenance so visitors can see more of the waterfall and the river below it. It had rained the night before so the waterfall was a bit yellow looking. Very limited parking and turn-around area. If you are going to see this waterfall, get there early and bring bread for the chickens! :-) . This is not a must see.

On our last day on Kauai, we wanted to see more sights, but we were pretty tired from all our adventures. A local suggested this waterfall because you can easily view it from the road. It’s a nice photo spot.

There is a small parking area that can fill up quickly, so go early in the morning or during off peak hours if you can.

These falls are amazing. It is definitely worth the drive & short hike. We got to swim at the falls & I walked behind them. The hike is a bit slippery & steep but it is not long. It took us about 15 - 20 minutes to get down and about 20 - 25 minutes to get back up.

Nice little waterfall that is visible by the side of the road. For parking, everyone seems to pull over by the side of the road. Also possible to hike down to the falls (1.5 miles round trip) if you’re daring down a steep muddy hill with no trails to really guide you. It’s a short hike. I opted to stay alive and forego this experience because I had on flip flops. Will try it the next time I’m there. A few pictures of one my friends making the hike.

Gorgeous views and beautiful nature. But please respect the signs, people die here all the time, they don’t put them up for fun.

Also: if the Lady with the Banana Bread is on the bridge you should definitely try it, it’s delicious!!

beautiful falls, We took the longer route apparently some people went trough the cut off fence and that one was shorter. Not matter what shoes you are wearing is a hard hike since it is so slippery. I recommend to spray a lot of mosquito spray before adventuring. enjoy it!

Been here many times over the years. This time was the fullest I've seen them. Parking takes time, so be patient. Several kama aina selling souvenirs and/or juices.

Beautiful! Easy drive to get up there. Parking is a bit tight but people don’t stay long after getting pictures. This is one of many areas with waterfalls on Kauai.

Don’t miss...beautiful picturesque view of the falls, short drive off highway. Lots of roosters and chickens to see also.

Beautiful view but construction can make it difficult to enter and exit. Just need to be patient. Parking was a bit of a challenge as too many cars so folks were parking in front of washroom

Nice waterfalls with easy access from their parking lot. Only hurdle is the overgrowth that blocks your view of the falls.
There are warning on NOT hiking down to the bottom the of the falls for photos. It is a steep and dangerous hike.

If there have been recent rains the falls could be dramatic, but otherwise they are pretty and worth seeing. Try to get there before 9am as parking is quite limited and road is narrow with limited options for parking.

DO NOT I repeat DO NOT hike the secret trail of this waterfall unless you have extra cash to spare and a free day off work for a court date

You can drive to these falls. The scenery is beautiful & when we went you could clearly see a rainbow effect at the bottom of the falls. There is a small amount of parking but traffic flows fairly well as you’ll probably be here a maximum of 20 mins. There are a few locals selling various things & we tried the freshly made fruit drinks & they were delicious.

Beautiful view! no hiking required! Small parking area. Got great information about the area from a local selling fresh coconut. Only downside was the helicopters flying over disturbing the atmosphere.

Easy to get to, limited parking, can be viewed from the road. No hiking is required to see the falls.

Would have liked a better (closer) view, but still very nice. Got some good pictures and enjoyed the scenic drive.

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. The water volume will vary by season and amount of rainfall in the days prior. 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.

But worth the juggling. One of the (prohibited) vendors was directing traffic. Good view of the two strands of the falls from the roadside viewing area.

I think you need to be willing to go down the trail to appreciate these falls. I am from the PNW where we have some amazing waterfalls that you can see from excellent viewpoints - here you only get to see a small portion of the top of the falls - wasn't worth our time driving up there.

easy to get to and hard to forget. It's mesmerizing to simply watch the water cascade. parking was interesting to say the least

What a sight! No wonder it was used as part of opening credit for Fantasy Island! Easily reachable from airport or nearby Poipu. Highly recommend a visit and have a fresh coconut or a local fruit juice from a vendor next to the waterfall!

Wailua Falls is always a fun place to visit. Although the falls don't change much and they've cut off access to the hiking below, there's always something to see. This mama pig has been there for years . I've seen her multiple times on multiple visits. There are always local up at the Falls either selling stuff or just giving information etc. the gentleman pictured here, was making palm baskets which were fantastic.

There is very little parking. Maybe 12-15 cars total. Please don’t be that guy that goes around the line of cars waiting for the next car to come out to cut in line.

We had little ones with us so we did not attempt the hike down to the bottom. It was a short stop for us but worth a look and picture 😊

Easy side trip, drive up and park. You’ll have to be quick parking is limited. Bit who does t want to see the iconic Fantasy Island falls!

It is about an eight mile round trip from the main road. Parking is sometimes an issue. After a rain, it is quite impressive. For those of who remember the TV program Fantasy Island, it is kind of cool to see it in person. It was also used for the final leg of one season for The Great Race. You will only spend about five minutes at the site.

You have to make this part of your adventure! The scenery is absolutely amazing! Well worth it for the view

To enjoy the full view, one needs to get away from fence that obstructs the view. Hike with difficulty and you can enjoy real views.

Kauai is simply magical & Wailua Falls is a must-see when on the island. Easy to get to from the highway, you can drive right up, park & walk less than a few minutes to the viewing area. These twin falls are a sight to see! It does get busy in the middle of the day as does any tourist spot, but be patient or get there early!

While on the island, this is a must see. Nothing spectacular but still a great view. It does need some growth cut down for better viewing, but easy access, and parking is free. Be sure to buy some homemade banana nut bread for one of the vendors. Try the coconut guy as well. $5 is cheapest on the island

Just made it to the lookout point to see the falls. The view was nice. Did not try the hike down. Advised the hike was difficult.

In first visiting the Princeville area and then going to Poipu we decided on making a stop here as it didn’t seem like it was out of the way. Driving here was about a ten minute ride off of the main road and it was worth it as you have access to view the falls without walking on a trail. I wouldn’t make a special trip here but definitely stop if you are passing by.

This was not a hike to do if you are not prepared for muddy and steep conditions. You should have on hiking shoes or hiking sandals. Many people attempt this not prepared which makes it very dangerous. Given the proper footwear, anyone with athleticism and patience will make it to the falls properly. You can swim in the pool or go behind the falls. Be prepared to get wet.

Absolutely gorgeous and a short drive! Bring cash for local coconuts cut fresh and even some crafters from time to time.

We went to see these falls. They were beautiful. Took several pictures. Enjoyed seeing them. We did a tour which was easier to do since the traffic and parking at this sight was very difficult.

If you are driving through Wailua (East side of Kauai), take the 15 minute detour to drive up and see the same beautiful waterfall from the old TV series Fantasy Island. You will be glad you did; always a terrific photo-shot.

Honestly, don't see what the fuss is about. Falls are distant from the overlook, and basically you are just seeing a ribbon of water. It might be worth stopping when driving past enroute to somewhere else, but by no means majestic, at least on the day we were there.

Worth the 15-20 min drive. Falls are just gorgeous. You get to see them from behind a guard rail about 200 yds off

Loved the falls and the hike to get to the swimming hole. Definitely didn't prepare for a hike wearing dress sandals but made it work barefoot to get there and enjoy the falls. Wish we could have stayed longer

Wail ya falls is beautiful, but the road needs work and the bushes and trees have now grown to obstruct the view

You can drive up to see these falls. There is not a path but you can park (parking beyond the falls) and can view easily from the road. Really pretty falls and we enjoyed the fresh juice that we being sold by a local family.

Not Niagara or Huka Falls but this waterfall has a charm of its own - like something taken from a fairy tale book. Parking is available with toilets and it is an easy short walk to the falls viewing point. Highly recommend.

The falls were really pretty, but we could only see them from a distance, on the side of the road, as they had blocked off the trails going down to the actual falls. The parking lot is super tiny so finding parking is a huge issue if you are going during tourist season (which is when we went). I would recommend coming here if this stop is on your way, but I don't think it's necessarily anything worth going out of your way for. It is possible, however, that the trails were blocked off for just the time we were there, so definitely be sure to check that out before going.

The falls are beautiful, but the road there is pretty dangerous. Looking at the falls is also really hard because the grass needs to be mowed. It's well worth the trip, but be careful driving there.

My husband & I are 51 & 61. We hiked this fairly easily coming down. Ropes guide you if you stay on that path. Wear sturdy shoes & understand that coming back was pretty rough so take your time but it's doable and definitely worth it.

From the show....a nice place to stop and see the falls from the tv show. We stopped on the way from Kaapa to Princeville. It took only 5 to 10 minutes to stop here and it was worth it.

It is a favorite picture spot. Parking is very, vety limited. There are steep cliffs and you can only look from behind a railing. It takes longrr to drive and oark than viewing.

beautiful falls. Some really cool birds flying below too. The afternoon we went there was plenty of parking in the lot and people parked along side the road. There were 2 local sellers at the top with palm hats and leis.

You can only look at the falls here, so it’s a quick stop. There used to be a hike to the bottom but now there are fences everywhere. It’s unfortunate because I bet it’s beautiful from the bottom. But this is a cool quick stop overall.

Waterfalls are great to see. And for those who remember watching the tv show “Fantasy Island”, this one May being back memories. But we and everyone else around us thought about 10 minutes was enough.

Great short, but difficult hike to a beautiful view from the bottom of the falls. If you're going to disregard fence and danger signs, please respect the falls and local emergency personnel and wear proper gear for this decent and ascent. This is not a trip to take lightly.

Quick drive, not too crowded (when we were there). Best waterfall we saw on our trip. Won’t take too much time, so you can just add it as a stop when you’re off to somewhere else!

Went at around 10 am on rainy day. Not worth the drive! Turned around after seeing the underwhelming and unattractive falls.

It’s a check off the list place. After seeing both the charm and authority of Queen’s Bath, and the glorious wonder of the Canyon, this is a water fall. Period.

There is a tiny parking lot at the end of the road with a viewpoint that gives you a single angle of the falls. There are no trails or anything else at this remote spot. The (limited) view of the falls was offset by multiple parking spaces here being taken up by vendors, and in the car next to us, someone was huffing something off a piece of tinfoil. Something of a letdown after all those pretty tourist pictures and NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY.

I tried to find any water falls you can easily access like at Maui's road to Hana. I come to discover that most of Kauai is privately owned and the areas around the falls are private property. The drive to Wailua Falls is very pretty and there are plenty of things to see on the drive up. At the location there is a well kept parking area, and a great spot to overlook the falls. The view is really nice. Years ago people used to Hike down to the falls. Today I can only guess that the trail has been grown over or removed. I've seen people selling trinkets and mementos there too.

Even though it rained everyday we visited - it is always beautiful in Hawaii. Took an island tour of Kauai with one of the locals and it was one of the best experiences we had. Also, loved the tubing through the irrigation canals through the old sugar cane fields.

Great view of the falls. This is my third time up to the falls. Brought the adult kids up there and they loved it.

A quick drive to see. The parking is limited but worth the short drive. Picture worthy. It is lush with some of the wild pretty roosters and hens hanging around.

it is pretty, but you can not walk down to it. view is only from the road. it is a short drive from Lihue so if you have time to kill, it won't take long.

Not the most outrageous falls but definitely worth a stop to briefly take in the beauty if time permits a closer look may make this more enjoyable but just seeing will suffice for most.

All the waterfalls on the island are amazing and this one doesn’t disappoint, highly recommended for all

We took a drive in the morning to see Wailua Falls. We saw the falls from the bridge and took pictures after parking in one of the limited spots (5). This is a short drive from Lihue or along the Kapaa beach area. As a childhood ‘Fantasy Island’ TV show fan, I enjoyed the view of the falls, even though we didn’t hike or get under the waterfall as others have done. Recommended for an early morning experience.

Parking was a bit of problem, but it was free, and pretty to look at. So, have some patience, wait for someone to leave and you'll be fine.

easy waterfall to drive to but it's a partially obstructed view only. There is a closed hiking trail that we did not attempt as we did not have the right gear and the locals say the climb up is the difficult part.

Well worth the short drive. Amazing sight. Right there at the end of the road no hiking. They could use more parking.

Wailua falls is beautiful and you should definately plan on stopping by. The view from the road is good. Wish they would make a path down to the bottom.

Easy drive up to the waterfall. There is parking to the left and a short walk to the falls. No hiking!!

So many beautiful sites on the Island of Kauai
Those waterfalls which can only be seen from the top are not impressive at all Although it’s a short drive from Lihue I wouldn’t bother visiting it

Well worth driving up. The map on this link isn't correct. Just keep driving to the end of the road. The parking is limited but people move through quickly.

So easy to see from the road, you've gotta stop and take a picture of the falls that was on the old TV show Fantasy Island.

The parking area is tight so best to go early and hopefully avoid the crowds.

This is truly a magnificent waterfall. The parking, however, is terrible. thee isn't much room in the small turn around at the end of the road and parking along the road is dangerous. Well worth the trip.

We could see the falls but the vegetation in front of barrier is so overgrown, we could not see all of the falls. It needs some attention so people are able to actually see the falls entirely. It was a cloudy day so we did not see a rainbow. Although, like I said, I don't know if we would have been able to see it because of all the vegetation growth.

These falls were featured in the series Fantasy Island, for those of you who know what that show is. No restrooms but plenty of chickens and a cat! Small parking lot but there was never more than 4 cars while we were there.

I am not sure I would suggest this as a must see due to the fact that you can't see all of it. I would say if you are in the area stop by to enjoy them There was no fee for parking or seeing the falls. We were probably here for 15 minutes. You get out of your car and walk a few steps.

Waterfall approximately 60 meters high that flows into the Wailua River
Too bad we're a little far away
End of the road

The falls is beautiful, but can only be viewed “legally” from the bridge above. There used to be a hike to the bottom, but that is now closed due to dangerous conditions. There is still a path that people take to the bottom, but it’s very steep and muddy.

The falls is nice but everything is fenced off and the area is closed so you can’t get near to take a decent picture of the whole falls. Still worth seeing though.

I was so looking forward to seeing this, and got concerned because I read they’re were only four parking spots available. That is true, and we lucked out getting one. Beautiful falls

We stopped by these falls on our first day in Kauai, HI. They were easy to get to, and limited parking, so get there before noon and take some pictures of these double waterfalls. We were glad we did.

This is one of several water falls that you must see while in Kauai. Like most things on this island, it's a pretty laid-back place, so don't expect a lot of fancy stuff here. It's also a great place to practice aloha attitude, since the parking for the falls is literally the end of the road. Be patient, there are enough people who only stay for a few minutes that spaces open up after only a short wait. If you want to hang out away from the crowds, there is a turnout several hundred yards downhill from the falls that you can park in and eat the nice mangoes you just bought in the parking lot at the falls themselves. You really can't walk to the falls from there, and I don'trecommend parking and leaving your vehicle here, but it's a nice place to bail out that's away from the crowds but not too far away.

Impressive falls. Parking and/or getting out might be a hassle.
Still worth visiting for at least few minutes

Better to get there early to avoid the crowds and easily find a parking spot. Very beautiful and easy to see how people have died trying to jump from the top of the falls. At your own risk and highly discouraged hiking to the bottom of the falls.

Because of the rain, we only stayed at the overlook where parking was very limited. We would have loved to hike and swim, but will have to save it for our next trip.

A must when you come to Kauai. It's takes up a good part of the day, but stop at all of the parks Waimea and Ko Kee Parks. Drive to the end, road is dicey at the end, but the views are so worth it!

Hubby & I drove by Wailua Falls to take some photos. There was a small parking lot that we parked in and got to for photos. There were several other people walking around as well. There are scenic places for photos on both sides of the street. We didn't try to venture off and hike down any trails there but it was a nice area with nice views. We probably only stayed there about 15 minutes to take some photos.

You may recognize these falls from the opening credits of Fantasy Island. The viewpoint is easily accessible by car and there was no hiking necessary. There are many tips online how to hike down to get closer to the falls. We were planning on doing a hike, but ended up just staying up top. There was a very irate tour bus lady who screamed at us for looking at trees through the chain link fence. She yelled that it was illegal to pass the fence (we were on the same side as her) and any hiking was considered trespassing. We later talked to a guy who was there making hats who had a lot more chill than that lady (and also had the cutest dog) - he said yes people hike - the signs are posted because someone got hurt and tried to sue the state. All I can say is the view from the parking lot is incredible and hike at your own risk.

We made the easy drive to see Wailua Falls because if the nice reviews. Parking was abundant probably because of the time of year and early morning. I agree that it might get crowded at other times.

I was a little disappointed in the area around the falls. Weeds, trees and foliage have grown up along the railing between the road and cliff to the river. It is difficult to get a nice view of the Falls. Young people climbed on top of the railing to get a better view and a good picture, but I am too old to climb on top of the railing.

Wailua Falls, also known to many as "Jurassic Falls", is amazing to see. We were extremely happy to hear we could drive there after seeing it from the Safari Helicopters Tour we took. It was even more breathtaking up close! The fairly short drive was quick and easy. The parking was limited but we easily found a spot in the provided parking stalls. We took a ton of photos! A must see if you're in Kauai!

You observe the waterfall from the top, we could find no trace of a trail to the bottom mentioned by other reviewers. Space for about 8-10 cars only
The waterfall is about 15-20 minutes off the main highway on the coast, through a more flat section of the island than the very mountainous north.
Total time about 10 minutes

The falls are beautiful + completely visible from the lookout. However, watched a man snap his leg after finishing the hike and attempting to jump over the fence. Selecting 1/5 only bc of the nature of this post.

Impressive falls. Secluded and worth the relatively short drive along the dead-end road. And true to Island traditions, there are chickens and other actual native/imported birds.

On a private tour. The view was great. Very nice. We only saw it from the road, but still very impressive.The fall were featured in the opening scenes of Fantasy Island.

Nice waterfall from numerous TV shows and films, easily accessed from road - a winding, narrow road through the east side of Kauai. Relatively small parking area at end of the road with small turn-around. Viewing area overlook from shoulder of road. Worth the trip, especially if recent rain up-country (was dry spell when I visited in mid-November)

Visited this spot while on a van tour. I'm guessing these are the most impressive waterfalls you can see from a roadway. I think this would be a tough stop to make if you're driving, as the road dead ends above the falls, and traffic was a mess with people trying to park their cars and/or turn around. But our van driver was a pro, and has done this trick many times. We were lucky on the day we visited, as there were a couple vendors up there selling coconut water, banana bread, and jewelry. As the falls go, they were impressive to see, and it's always cool to hear a little movie/tv history behind a location (Fantasy Island in this case).

Easy drive to see the falls from above. Small amount of parking available. View is from above not close to the water at all.

Not a far drive to get here so okay for a quick jaunt. But parking is limited and the view is somewhat restricted by overgrown vegetation. Did have an interesting chat with a man who was painting there.

Just as anyone in their right mind should never go to Kauai without seeing the Jurassic Park waterfall, neither should anyone come here without seeing the Fantasy Island waterfall. Many reviews if this place are not accurate. Some say you will only spend a few minutes there. True only if you fail to hike to the bottom of the falls and walk around their base. You MUST do that, as it is a short hike, but prepare for it to be very muddy and challenging. It is so steep there are ropes tied to trees to help you lower yourself and pull yourself back up. You will be very muddy when done, but it's totally worth it. Plus, the camera shots from Fantasy Island were taken from the bottom, so for the right view to re-create what you remember from the show, you have to be at the bottom. Some reviews also state that it isn't a Must See place. True if you didn't grow up watching Fantasy Island, but i pity such people!!!

The Wailua Waterfall is one you can drive to. The parking lot is right off of the road with an easy walk to the overlook. A short walk across the road will bring you to an overlook of the Wailua River. Beautiful with easy access.

Natural beauty turned into a waste of time tourist trap. The island has many waterfalls that can be observed without a chain link fence in the way. Skip this one

I was a big fan of the show Fantasy Island so was super excited to see these falls. When we arrived, I was quite disappointed. It looks nothing like the pictures and is just one big water fall that you can only see from the top. The water is more on the brownish side and it was hard to get a picture from the overgrown vegetation. I've honestly seen prettier waterfalls in the States. There is almost no parking (maybe enough for 10 cars?) and we were lucky to have gotten there when it wasn't busy. My advice would be to skip this - there are SO many other beautiful sites to visit in Kauai.

I was disappointed that the road just ends at the falls, with no good place to turn around. We had to rely on other drivers to let us maneuver a multi-point turn around. The falls are spectacular and worth the drive, but I can’t begin to imagine what this car situation would look like with lots of traffic. I don’t have a solution, just mentioning this so other travelers are aware. The man and son with the coconuts were a kick and worth the $8 for our grandkids to watch and then get to drink right out of the coconut.

Couldn’t see the path to hike down to the falls so viewed them from the road. The path looked as if it was closed off but maybe we should have disregarded fences and danger signs? Anyhow it was worth the small detour from the highway to see the falls from the road

Okay spot to view the waterfalls but didn't think it to be a must see. Met a man who weaved leave grasshoppers and baskets and had a beautiful pup. Interesting to talk to and for me, that made the short trip memorable.

The falls were beautiful, easy to drive to and look at. We were there in the rainy season and they were full and flowing but not as tall as we expected. We were the only ones by the edge of the road looking at them. We turned the car around and drove back to the main highway, not far away.

So pretty! Great for families or kids wanting to do a quick stop since no hiking is involved. Loved seeing the little rainbow at the bottom

My partner and I called and spoke with Chris. We planned for Saturday and he told us to meet him at 12:15p at Burger King in Kapaa. We agreed and on Saturday we made our way to Burger King prepared and packed for our trip to the waterfall. We arrived early and waited. We continued to wait and he never showed up. We waited about an hour and I called him a total of 7 times. He never answered and we never received a call back.
Very unfortunate and simply a waste of our time.

I had a vision of this place before arriving. As the water fell over the rocks it created a mist. as the sunlight hit the mist it created a rainbow which moved over the water and side of the hill as the wind blew the mist around. Majical!

I would say it was worth the trip down. Bunch of people going around the fencing into the “danger area” but we didn’t do that. We were happy with the pictures from up top, parking was rough but worth it.

Incredibly beautiful! Easy to get to, to see it from above. Definitely worth seeing even if from a bit of a distance.

Beautiful view. Limited parking but worth the drive. Nothing much to do but taken a few photos. One local vendor when we visited. Rumored to be a few more but depends on the day.

Beautiful sight not to be missed when in Kauai. One of many waterfalls in Kauai - but this one is fairly easy to find.

I enjoy seeing waterfalls but my wife loves them. We do our best to see as many as we can when we are close enough. We are at an age where hiking to them is not possible we have to content ourselves with seeing those reasonably accessible form parking areas. We were able to see both Wailua Falls and Opaeka Falls while using Shaka Guide's "Wailua Valley & Waterfalls Tour" which we had purchased and downloaded to our iphone. The driving tour covered other items of interest but for us the waterfalls were the highlight. Unfortunately we could not complete the tour as a main thoroughfare was closed due to construction and we were detoured away. Road construction and repair was encountered throughout our week in Kaua'i. Something we all must live with both at home and away.

Falls are basically untouched by humans. The view is from a bridge very close to the water. Very little parking and no commercial marketing around making it feel very natural

It is a quick stop but a must see. There is not a lot of parking so going early helps. People don't stay long so even if you don't see a spot give it a couple of minutes and one will open up. You will see the falls and just keep driving and you will come to the parking and a turn around. It is a beautiful sight ane well worth the stop.

While the hike down to the falls says closed…. You can still do it! Crawl under the fence and go!!! It is steep but there are ropes. It takes about 20 minutes and totally worth it! Go early for parking and plan to stay awhile when you are down by the falls! Number 1 stop so far!

Great falls... but you only get to see them from the road/parking. It would have been nice for them to build a path to go there... If you search on the Internet... people mention a path... don't try it... it is really dangerous...

These are the falls on Fantasy Island and are very easy to get to by car with easy, great viewing of the Wailua Falls. There is not much parking (and the vendors are taking up a few spaces too) and no bathrooms. It is a quick walk from where you park to oversee the falls that flow into the pond and river.

The lack of parking is the only problem with this visit where there's barely any space to turn around at the end of the road. The split Falls are beautiful, especially after rain.

The drive seems like it could be a little scary but it’s not at all, very easy just go slow around curves as you would but no hairy parts and the view is worth it and so nice for people that want to see waterfalls and cannot hike

Our hotel room was not ready so we drove here from the airport. Took 15 minutes, you pull over and see this beautiful scenic treasure from the side of the road. It will set the mood to how beautiful the island of Kauai really is! If you are old enough to remember The TV Show Fantasy Island, you will recognize this amazing waterfall!

These Falls are easy to see with a very short walk from the parking lot. However, the parking lot is gas very limited parking and a small space to turn around. Patience is the key here. Once you’ve find a parking spot, the view is your reward. The falls are beautiful and on the day we were there we saw at least a dozen White Tropicbirds. These birds have beautiful long tail feathers and wonderful dances in the air. Well worth the stop!

If you have extra time or it is just raining. Average, no close approach, though clean WC and free parking.

Beautiful waterfalls, surrounded by lush, green cliffs and gorgeous colorful flowers…a must see. There are a couple scenic overlooks for the perfect photo op.

I at least wanted to see the falls that are in the intro to Fantasy Island! You view them from the top or you can break the law, evidently, and hike down what must be a steep hike to the pool at the bottom.
Spend maybe 20 or 30 minutes and that’s it.
It’s easy to get to so make the trip.

The falls are easy to drive up to and park, then walk a short distance from your car to view. We didn't go down to the bottom, but you can see them perfectly from the overlook on top. There is free parking available, though a small lot. Many wild roosters, hens, and chicks running around too.

One of our favorites on Kauai! We never miss this place. Lots of flow this year. Not as busy as other years (easy parking).

I love waterfalls. I just wish it was more feasible to hike to the bottom of this and many of the falls on Kauai...as a Floridian I get the need / desire to keep the environment clean and natural.

This was the best drive we ever enjoyed, so glad we took the time to visit and view more of Hawaii. It’s so gorgeous! Lovely atmosphere, beautiful views everywhere! Kauai is just magical ❤️ Can’t wait to return soon!

It just takes your breath away when you finally get parked and walk over to the wall to look over at the twin falls! We had a 4-year-old with us but we felt quite safe in the viewing area. We often see one or two people swimming in the pool below the falls, but you can tell that it would take quite an effort to get way down there and the trip would not be as safe as I would like.

It takes a while to get there and you will view it for less than two minutes and have trouble parking, probably would skip it.

Since this was on the list of "must dos" on this island, we took a drive up there. The gorgeous picture that is promoting this stop here is NOTHING even close to what we saw. The guard rails prevented us from seeing the water pooling below, and the waterfalls themselves were nothing like shown in the picture. Just two streams of water. Parking is crazy. It was so congested up there. The only reason we found a spot to park was because someone was pulling out.

The drive on 2 lane Route 583 is a bit dull - untended trees and brush in both sides and a brief glimpse through a gap of a cattle field. You come upon a long guardrail on your right and you can tell there is an open area which must be the falls but you can’t see it yet. Drive beyond the guardrail to the parking area (about 10 cars big), walk back 2 minutes to the guardrail and you start to see glimpses of the falls. The best view is to walk to the start of the guardrail area you saw when you first pulled up.

The twin falls are wide ,full, rushing and beautiful just as you hoped to see. Framed by tall varied and exotic trees. They are very close which is nice to see big falls this close up. If you are there when the state has cut back the overgrowth, you will see a beautiful twin powerfull waterfall. You can’t see the pool below due to overgrowth on the hillside.
The drawback is when the state has not cutback overgrowth on the guardrail hillside ,it blocks most of the viewing area for the falls and pool below. The one clear area at the end gets crowded . You can spend about 5 minutes here viewing the falls ,more if the state would keep the area maintained for a better view.

This is really pretty and not far from where most people are driving though. It's just a few miles off the main road. There is not enough parking, but when we were there everyone was considerate and it was not an issue. For sure worth going to see.

This is one of two sets of falls that has easy access viewing (even if handicapped). Had a beautiful sunny day, too! Good first stop.

Best way to see these falls (and so much else!) is via helicopter (seriously, THE best bang for your buck of any activity on the island — Jack Harter’s doorless is the thrill of a lifetime!). First time at these falls we peered over the easy-access road lookout. Next we “hiked” (more like slipped and slid on the almost completely vertical decline) to the river from the lookout parking area, and we needed to cling to trees and vines, wading through waist-deep water to get to a point where we could view/photograph these falls. But there was too much spray and no easy vantage for a good shot. The most spectacular and symmetrical view of these picture-perfect falls is from a helicopter. Nuff said.

Worth seeing if you feel shortchanged on your waterfall count. Very touristy. No access to the falls from the road.

The falls were pretty. Because of all the rain, the falls were powerful. You can only view them. You cannot hike into them.

The visit is free and there is limited parking but since views don’t take long, parking should open quickly.

I would like to give a heads up. We were the third car in the lot. The weather was not great. We parked parallel with the vehicle next to us. The Hope bracelet asked us to straighten. My husband moved the vehicle to straighten and make it shorter walk since I was on crutches. As I was seeing the falls, I heard the man screaming at my husband that he parked crooked. His language was not PG and he kept yelling nasty things and calling us names because we parked crooked (no lines and we thought we were straight)! He even told me I didn’t belong there since I couldn’t walk.

Another group waited in their car until we were safely in ours before they left. They were worried for our safety. We were the last of three cars to leave and no one else showed.

The falls are worth a stop but be mindful if this gentleman is there and do not engage in conversation!

Easy to get to the waterfall. Unfortunately you cannot see the full thing from above on the road. Would still recommend as it is a short drive to see it.

Great falls to go and visit in Kauai. These are easily accessible, just a short 10 minute drive up to the falls. Once you reach the end of the road, there is a small parking lot (free) for parking and viewing the falls on foot. The falls are beautiful and the lush greenery around the falls makes them even more incredible. This is a quick visit, probably on average around 15 minutes. There are some pigs and chickens around the lot and there are local vendors selling bread, juice and coconuts for a refresher.

Small parking lot, small lookout. Looking across and down on the falls. Felt a little deflated after seeing in movies and pictures. You need to do the hike in to get the wow view.

This one is great because it’s an easy drive with parking and no hiking required. You park at the overlook so it’s also good for folks who have difficulty walking. The road is paved all the way and well maintained.

This was a beautiful waterfall, a little hard to really see its beauty from above. We saw that people were climbing down to the falls. We were naughty and came back another day and climbed down the side to the bottom of the waterfall, and honestly it was the best- and funniest thing ever. it had rained so the hill was muddy - but it was so worth it. Climbing back up my friend and I and another couple we didnt know laughed and made the experience so much fun. I mean I am 54yo and I kept saying "what the hell is a 54yo doing climbing up and down the side of the damn mountain to see a waterfall" but It was something I would definately do again.

Worth the 15 minute drive up the mountain. The parking lot is small, but people come and go quickly. For those 50 and older, you can almost hear Ricardo Montalban saying "Welcome to Fantasy Island."

The falls are impressive and able to be viewed relatively closely and literally adjacent to where people park. Seeing the falls close up offers a bit of context as to the sheer amount of volume and power water has. A nice stop for a few minutes and adjacent to Lihue.

A quick, free and easy waterfall to see. It is beautiful. I bought a fresh coconut to drink. I would rather see Opaeka Falls if I only had time for one fall.

Visiting the falls is easy. It can be viewed from a small parking lot with an overlook. If you're feeling more adventurous, you can hike the steep trail down to the bottom and swim in the pool. The lot does fill up, so best to get there early. Look familiar? Wailua Falls was featured in the open credits of Fantasy Island.
There were wild chickens running around the parking lot, some guys on the side selling coconuts and a lady selling home baked banana bread out of the trunk of her car...fun local scene with pretty falls worth a quick stop.

If you are renting a car and planning to see Wailua Falls from the dead end of Rt 583, in my believe, it is just not worth your time. You will only see a small part of the whole picture. Vegetation around is pretty impressive. But the same vegetation you can find in many other places.

Small parking lot but quick turn around of cars. falls were hard to see through the tall grass and no way to hike down to swim under the falls. could not even get a good picture.

The Wailua Falls are so pretty! The parking is super limited, making it difficult to visit. There are some tall grasses that limit the view for photos. Overall, we are glad we stopped by.

The waterfall was voluminous and tinted with the red soil it run through. When the sun is out you could see the rainbow when the vapor meets the light.
I enjoy the water fall but admire the surrounding green vegetations and lime rocks too. I wish I could embrace all the luxury of natural beauty and take it home with me.

A very pretty place but the parking is very limited (although you’re not staying for hours). Very close to Lihue so the drive there is easy

This is a very easy spot to access by car to see some amazing falls, you basically drive park, walk a short distance and marvel at the beauty of the falls.

This is such a beautiful falls to visit. A must see! Very easy to drive right to the viewpoint. There was very limited parking so go early. My only gripe was the overgrown vegetation obstructed what would be a perfect view. Several stood up on the wall where the falls could be seen entirely but of course that is not safe or recommended. Hopefully they cut away the vegetation more to improve the view and lessen the temptation to "get closer". If you are in a wheel chair, vertically challenged, or a child, it will be very difficult to see more than the top of the falls. I spent no more than 5 minutes admiring the falls before heading off to the next adventure. Some locals were selling what looked like very yummy drinks.

The falls were good, but I wouldn’t say great. I’ve definitely seen better! They were a good stop on our way from the airport to our hotel. There was good parking.

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.

Beautiful falls and well worth seeing. The road to the falls was very narrow in some places and the parking lot is small. We got the last parking spot at around 11:30 am. Go earlier if you can to avoid the crowds.

This was worth the drive to see. It was very tight and limited parking however we got there early in the morning so we got lucky and someone left right as we were coming in. You can’t hike down it’s too dangerous so you have to admire it from afar but we brought binoculars to see it up close too! We saw a mama chicken with its babies and my kids were so excited to see that. There was a local man there making and selling jewelry but he wasn’t very friendly didn’t say hello, or anything we likely would have purchased if he was friendly. However, the waterfall is stunning!!

The Smith Family also ran this tour and it was informative and entertaining. The Fern Grotto was the major stop; it was sad to see that storms collapsed the grotto but still got to see the ferns growing. The tour guides joined in with the Hawaiian musicians in singing and dancing the traditional Hawaiian wedding dance.

To get to the button of this enchanted falls is only .4 mile journey but extremely steeper and muddier... do not miss to go behind the falls.. it’s magical...

What a great falls, it is easy to get there but the road next to the falls is very narrow and it is hard to turn around when there are so many cars parked there. The best time to go it is early in the morning. The day we went we got a lot of rain so if you have a raincoat take it with you because at any time the rain comes down hard!!

Took the winding road to this iconic water falls and was very impressed by the sights. Parking was lacking which made it very difficult to stop and enjoy the scenery. However patience prevailed and was able to park and turn around. The view was from above and gave a different perspective of the falls rather then seeing it from a lower or further distance. It’s truly a must stop for family and couples.

This waterfall is easily seen from a pull-off on the main road (Ma'alo Road). The hiking path to it has been closed...apparently, it was a very dangerous trail.

The waterfall is nicknamed the Fantasy Island Waterfalls because it was shown in the opening scene of that TV show.

We were told that the best time to see the falls is in the morning......rainbows at the falls are often seen during that time of the day. Unfortunately, we didn't see any rainbows, but the falls themselves were amazingly beautiful!

We visited this waterfall whilst visiting Kauai. The viewing area is not far from the carport and is easily accessible! Whilst there the sun came out and it created rainbows in the spray from the falls.

We did see a couple swimming in the pool below but gave no idea how they accessed it as there are steep cliffs either side.

Big Al’s top tips.
Visit in the afternoon as the sun is at the right angle to create the rainbows 🌈
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This was one of most beautiful waterfalls I have ever see. It is so nice to get up close, hike behind, swim in the water around it.

You can do a little cliff jump in between the two falls if you like.

The falls are a must see if you are in Kauai. Not far from the Walmart believe it or not. Just a quick drive up the road. Check it out. Cheers!

This waterfall is fenced off for safety's sake, you can take photos, and hang out for a bit, but you can't really approach the falls directly. Very nice photo op.

Beautiful waterfall! I would highly recommend making a stop here. Parking is very tight as it’s pretty much one tiny one way lane and you have to try to park on the sides. DO NOT HIKE TO THE BOTTOM. Don’t risk it. It says not to enter for a reason and there have been recent deadly accidents.

There is parking here and a walkway that will get you to the side of the falls. We saw many people sneaking through the fence to go down towards the falls. The people we saw coming up from the fenced area were covered up to mid-calf in mud. So, if you do hike here, it looks to be pretty tricky and there are signs there that say that you can easily slide on the mud. For those that don't hike, it's still a beautiful view from the road.

This was a huge waste of time , hotels could make a bigger better fall. It's cold water and a little pond with tons of rocks in it to cut and scrape yourself on. Also supper muddy trail hike lots of people falling tripping and sliding
Skip this esp a kayak falls trip

There are lots of waterfalls to see in Hawaii, it is possible to get quite close to this one if you are prepared to do a bit of walking. On a good day you can see the falls from much further away but the best views are obtained by making the effort to go the the foot of them, just seeing the power of the falls is worth the trip.

Solid Waterfall to drive to. The lookout for this waterfall is easy accessible by car. It is a high traffic view point as tourist buses, tours, and rental cars all come check out this spot. It is convenient because it is in Lihue and magnificent to see.

No Drone Flying.

It is possible to hike down during certain times of year. Please be mindful of the rain the day before regarding muddiness of trail. Trail is not marked or maintained by county. Enter at own risk.

very nice falls, but hard to see due to tropical plant growth. limited parking, so go early morning or very late afternoon.

Amazing views of the falls here. Parking can get a little bit crazy at times. The last couple times we have been there is a guy making reed baskets and hats. We've picked up 2 baskets from him and they still look great years later.

A bit of a drive on a twisty road but worth the drive up. The falls are beautiful. There is parking in a lot or on the side of the road coming down. It is not hard climbing or walking from the lot. It is $5.00 to park. A stunning panorama of the valley and very lush. Also has a fellow selling fresh fruit and drinks.

The view of the falls is at an angle and is partially blocked by other plants. The pool is a dirty brown, not the gorgeous clear water you’d expect from a fresh waterfall. The vendors at the top were cranky and rude and the parking/turn around was somewhat challenging.

This is easy to add to a driving tour, not far from Lihue. Beautiful falls. A bit hard to get fully in a picture due to the vegetation.

These Wailua Falls are on Kauai. These of course made famous in opening credits of "Fantasy Island". There are a same named yet different falls on Maui. Getting here is not difficult, about 12 minutes off of Kuhio Hwy {56}. Take Maalo Rd.{583} to the end. You may have to park up the road. Limited parking can give drivers fits trying to turn around. Pay attention to little kids running around. The stone wall with a top rail is were you get your picture. You will need to shoot around some overgrown vegetation for a clear picture of the falls. The signs warning people not to attempt any descent to the basin should be heeded. I know people have posted reviews how it wasn't that bad, but nothing can spoil a vacation like a trip to the ER, or a citation.

The previous visit, the falls were a muddy red. This trip we were treated to the twin falls gleaming white in the bright overhead sun. A parked van was selling fruits and bottled water. A local was weaving something. They have convenient trash cans. There are no restrooms at this overlook.

Tips:

In the directions TA mentions HWY (580}. I believe this is an ERROR, as Maalo Rd. {583}, never intersects Kuamoo Rd.{580}. Consult Google Earth. However, Opaekaa Falls is on Kuamoo Rd.

Best lighting is around noon, but it is also when it's the most crowded.

Speed limit is 25 miles an hour on this road, plus it gets narrow in places.

Mahalo

Beautiful, quick stop off the road. If you can find a spot to park, grab it. Get your camera and you will get some great pictures here!

It's a short easy drive and the view is great. It is a bit crowded. If you're in the area why miss it? Don't need to plan to spend much time, nothing to do but look at it for a few minutes.

We just drove there, parked after waiting for a couple of minutes, took pictures and left. Be ready to wait for a parking spot if you arrive during peak hours. You cannot see the full falls, but the view is great anyways.

Very pretty and the area was very surreal looking. However, lot of plants were overgrown, so you couldn't see everything in one view. You would've needed to stand on railing or climb over to see. Beware, road is narrow and parking sucks.

The Falls are nice. Parking lot is not big but could be a challenge when visitors can come back to the Islands. We saw a wild pig feeding beside the rode and of course a few wild chickens that added to the experience. GenieBen.

The waterfalls were beautiful. At the top of the falls there were locals selling fresh fruit and other crafty items. The trail to the bottom was closed but people still went down. It is a challenging hike if you decide to go.

This falls and around area beautiful.my pictures do not show how beautiful they really are. You can drive up to see them or take tour.

One of my stops each time I'm on the island. A beautiful drive to get thier and a gorgeous waterfall with great photo opportunities. Many other activities along the way to make this a great choice.

Such a good photo opportunity. Beautiful falls. Very majestic. You can’t get down to them or near them and that’s a bit disappointing. It was a nice drive and we were glad we went. There were a lot of chickens everywhere too!

A bit of a walk/climb down and then back up what can hardly be called a trail. But well worth the effort to see this wonder of nature.

The falls are about 4 miles off the main road and deserve a trip up to view. The double falls are viewed behind a fence, with tight parking since this is where the road ends. We lucked out and got a spot, though, when leaving, there were a dozen cars in line waiting to navigate the tight quarters into a slot. Some crazy people went around the fence to stand on the top of the falls for selfies. Just don’t get it.

Long ride up and very, very limited parking. Shrubbery covering much of the view. One look and it is over. I would use my time to take a helicopter and see them from the air with Jurassic falls and other aerial views.

Beautiful falls, fantastic views for great pictures!Easy to get to! Tranquil setting. Would visit them again😀

These falls are big and scenic but it's pretty tough to see them from the viewpoint. There's waist high wall and a fence for safety and it's at a pretty tough angle. (I'm tall and stood on the wall to get the pics I posted.) There's a lot of stuff about illegally climbing down and fines and stuff so we didn't risk it out of respect. If there was a safe way to get to the bottom for viewing, it would be incredible!

If you're just there for the view, this is 5-10 minutes at most. Parking is limited and if there's a crowd, it'll take longer to see.

With so many waterfalls on Kauai; Wailua Falls was an easy choice for us to visit. We had just completed the Outdoor Adventures Mountain Tubing, and Wailua Falls is just a short trip up the road, and is easy viewing right from the side of the road. The falls did not disappoint. They were beautiful! Highly recommend visiting these falls. Although we did not have an issue with parking; spaces could be difficult to find.

We were encouraged by the reviews in Tripadvisor and it was not a disappointment. I recommend this experience. I’m 56 and somehow active and I was able to go down the trial and swim in the water . So refreshing!!!!
My advise ... wear good shoes , not slipping ones and get mosquito repellent! You don’t need a hat or backpack . Wear your bathing suit and don’t skip swimming in the river.

Yet another must see on the island of Kauai. Very beautiful and peaceful place. The island has many waterfalls, but this one is unique. Early AM or late afternoon are best for photographing.

Gorgeous falls, but narrow, rutted road and horrible parking there. Definitely worth seeing but would be nice if they updated the road.

Really nice falls. Parking lot area with no walking. However if you have the ability to hike, you can get much closer to other falls and even swim

Found easy parking at 4pm on a
Monday. Beautiful falls. Rainbow. People swimming below. Really nothing else to see there.

Well worth taking time to see this. I wish there was a more practical convenient way to get a closer look!

This falls was amazing. We got to see a beautiful waterfall. It was spectacular. Definitely Recommend this as a do to thing.

An easy drive to view the waterfall from the east side of Kauai. Parking at the end of the road can be a challenge on a busy day, but the view is spectacular.

Small but very pretty waterfall. Access is easy enough and the engaging local vendors seem to act as traffic wardens for the free but limited parking. Be sure to watch out for the local wild pigs who will nose their way from out of the brush.

We hiked down to the bottom of the falls and had an amazing view/experience!! Very difficult to get to, not for the average person. Went behind the falls too!!

I have been in Hawaii now going on five years. I have visited the Big Island and live on Oahu. The only fall I visited that competed with this one is on the Big Island Hilo side its 200 ft and i zipped line over it Umauma falls. This fall is 173 feet and amazing. Small hike to the fall I dont recommend if its right after a heavy rain and it only takes 10 minutes at most to get here.

So beautiful! Nice sight to see from the top. If you can, hike to the bottom. It was steep, and muddy, so wear good shoes and a swimsuit! But so worth it when you get to the bottom of the waterfall. Very nice and refreshing.

Very nice waterfall to spend a short time. You can easily access it from Lihue. If there is no parking space available when you arrive, just 1 or 2 minutes :)

This is a beautiful natural feature and is well worth the short drive to get to it. Parking is limited.

Beautiful falls. Have to go if you are old enough to watch Fantasy Island back in the day! Easy to get to and no hiking required!

Seeing Wailua Falls was the very last stop on this island, and I’m so glad we made time for it. It’s very easy to find and the waterfall is beautiful! Parking is a little difficult if it’s busy when you come because the road is narrow and the parking lot is very small. If a car is trying to pull into the parking lot and another car is trying to leave, one of the cars will have to back up to let the other car through. During our visit, there were some vendors selling fresh mango, pineapple, and banana bread. There was also a man making hats out of palms. My husband wanted one, so we waited for the man to finish weaving it. When he was finished, we went to pay and the man wanted to trade the newly made palm hat plus $10 for my husband’s Yellowstone National Park hat. He made the trade and both my husband and the man were so happy with their new hats!

We really enjoyed driving to the falls, which were amazing (even saw a rainbow)! You can't hike to the bottom anymore, which was just as well for us due to recent rain storms and muddy trail conditions. A couple of small concerns- limited and awkward parking nearby, and at the overlook the view was partially obscured by overgrown vegetation (which could be easily cut back).

Do it. I can't say enough good things about this tour a nice easy paddle followed by a slippery muddy hike. Filthy by the time we got to the falls so the rinse and cool off under the falls was amazing. This is 2 mile paddle followed by a 1.5 mile hike each way. So much fun.
Take the walking stick pay attention to where you step and have fun. Our group was from 11 yrs to 60 so if you're semi fit definitely doable. Bring lots of water.

Definitely top 3 adventure tour I've ever done. If I could only do 1 tour on Kauai this would be it. ( Surf lesson not a tour).

These falls are easy to get to and beautiful to see. If you have just a small amount of time, these falls are worth seeing.

Gorgeous large waterfall that is easy to get to. Lots of people go so don’t be afraid to park and walk a little to get to the viewing spot. Although a handful of people did hike to the bottom, there were fences and signs up all over to try to discourage it. Still a great view!

Narrow road about 4 miles off the main highway but worth the stop. Sort of get a side view of the falls but they were the fantasy island falls.

Easy to get to but lucky to get a parking spot. Beautiful for a photo moment. My advise is to go early before all the traffic. FYI the longer you stay here the less people get to enjoy the scenery.

Unfortunately, the falls can only be viewed from the road as it is forbidden as well as dangerous to try to hike to the bottom and see the entire falls at just over 85 feet with a drop into water that is around 30 feet deep! This was apparently where some filming of Fantasy Island was done, and it is one of only a few double falls. Still, not that terribly remarkable, I'm afraid! I think it would have been more stupendous if there had been heavy rain recently with more water coming over and the sun just right in order to see the rainbow others have mentioned!

Since we preferred hiking to visiting beaches at Kauai, this waterfall was a chance to swim finally. And hike at the same time. Although just a short walk it is kind of challenge. Can be pretty tough during rain. It's handy to do some homework before going to choose the right path. Then down there it is really charming. The cloud of water droplets everywhere, the swim around falling water is a dream. Well you have to climb it back 😉

Great view of the falls, for a quick stop near Lihue. We were able to get off the highway view the falls and keep en route under 30 minutes.

Visible from a strange road that ends at the falls. Viewing area above the falls. Worth seeing, but a bit crowded. Like many roadside sights in HI just wait a few minutes and you’ll get a place to park.

Wailua Falls was a great stop and photo op on our driving tour of Kauai. It is not far from the main highway and the road to the Falls is bumpy but driveable. Plan to go early as there is not a lot of parking. Beautiful spot to see.

You drive up and park, walk over 20 yards and overlook a guard rail to see the waterfall from the road , kinda hard to see whole thing and not that amazing. Now there are fences and signs warning people not to hike down and that it’s dangerous but there was no one official there guarding the trails going down to stop you. It does look really steep down and unless you are physically fit and pretty strong I wouldn’t try going down. Also it’s hard to tell what the best trail down is as nothing is officially marked. Trail gets muddy, we decided to pass hiking down during our visit.

How can you go to Kauai and not see the falls from "Fantasy Island"? They are a wonder all right, though be aware that you don't get the same view you saw on TV. There is a pull off area with parking and you can see the falls from the side (vegetation makes it hard to see up close). We went in the morning and had the falls practically to ourselves.

This is always a nice quick stop. Straight outta Fantasy Island and Amazing Race. It's a great non-hike required waterfall. The parking lot is right beside the falls.

Easy access to this waterfall, visible from the road. We also took a horseback ride into the island and a helicopter ride to another. Many, many good waterfalls to see on this island

As you're doing the Hana Road, just stop on the bridge and take a picture. It is hard to manuever parking and do a picture

These falls are great and mighty to hear the water. You are very close to the falls at this location. Again, there’s not a lot of parking but it’s definitely a must stop. The falling water is just amazing. Everything is so green and lush.

Beautiful falls and very easy to get to....no hike needed to see it. Easy drive from Lihue. Only issue is that there is limited parking spots directly next to the falls. But it is a quick visit...so people are always coming and going. So easy and quick for a lovely view, it should not be missed.

Limited parking but folks move through quickly- a short walk from parking to viewing area- move further away from parking for a better t

This site is a safe bet for those with mobility issues. You can see the waterfall right from the road above. These are the falls from Fantasy Island and I thought it was worth seeing from far away. It's free so why not. For those more adventurous, hiking down to the water is not allowed as it's too dangerous but there are tours where you can go in a kayak.

Worth the stop to see the falls. Only need to spend 15 - 30 minutes enjoying the view. It's so green and lush around the falls. Not a lot of area to park so go early in the day.

Rain level was significant so falls were in full glory. Not worth the drive. You can skip this one. View is limited. Lot of poultry in the he area.

Sunny weekday in mid September. 2 couples aged 37 up to 62. Parked near the top of lookout and fortunately found one of the few spaces.
Hiked down to the Falls and swam in the pool below. Amazing nature and crisp clean water.
Do not attempt to hike down unless your pretty fit..it was dry due to not much recent rain and there were ropes to help but still fairly difficult and steep. Inly takes appx 15 minutes.

We made a stop at Wailua Falls while on a circle island tour of the South and East Coast of Kauai. The Wailua Falls are awesome and are featured in the opening of the original Fantasy Island. The view is easy from high above on the road. There are signs prohibiting going down to the bottom of the falls but, like in so many things, it was not obeyed by tourists. The parking for the falls is free but limited. Nice to be on a tour bus and not worry about getting a place. Great view and nice to see but beware the crowds.

Beautiful dual falls just outside of the town of Lihue. These falls were filmed for the introduction to the t.v. show Fantasy Island. They are truly beautiful and the scenery around the falls only enhances them more. The day we went it was very busy. We parked on the side of the road with everyone else. Fighting the congestion was worth the view.

This is a lovely double waterfall. The road there is a little curvy but once you reach the parking lot it's amazing. Honestly I think it would be nice to do a follage trim for maximum viewing but I bet that would be a never ending job! We would love to come back here

I was extremely disappointed. One did not have any other vantage points to view the falls other than the picture above. That's it. The parking was extremely limited and people were parked in the road, making it one lane. And this was in March before COVID ended. I can imagine how bad it is during other times. The only good thing about this was that some locals were selling their baked breads and cold juices which were very good. I'd say, save your time and go to other sights.

A nice stop while exploring the island. Take some pictures and buy some delicious bread from Aunty and get some crafts from uncle

Waimea Falls isn’t the highest falls I’ve seen, but it ranks among one of the prettiest. A small parking lot allows you to access the overlook to the falls, and it’s easy to spend a few minutes capturing the twin falls in action. Each time the sky changes with a passing cloud, the falls and pool below change their hue, and it’s special. Knowing the story of the falls makes being there even more exciting!

The kayaking, then hiking and a swim under the falls was amazing. Our guide, Sam, was attentive to all us slow kayakers and hikers which made the trip.

this is very beautiful, but only a drive by for pictures. Other falls we went to you could hike to the bottom and swim. Secret Falls was our favorite! We did a kayak tour and hike to Secret falls.

Easy to get to and see. The parking is tight and there's quite a few people who frequent this spot including some group vans. Coconut and banana bread vendors also occupy some space making the area tighter for vehicles.

The view is nice but they could do a bit of a trim to cut down some vegetation for a clearer view. Any trail to go down the falls has been closed and fence off due to mud and risk of injury.

Probably a 10 minute stop and then be on your way.

Wailua Falls is a gorgeous falls that runs year round on the east side of Kauai. The triple falls has a significant volume of water and is known to have rainbows form when the sun hits right. The are locals there selling artwork and homemade bread and the ever present chickens. The path down to the river has been closed for some time, but now is fenced off and ignoring the warnings can result in fines of over $500. My only regret is that the vegetation on the other side of the retaining wall is overgrown and makes it difficult to get a great shot, unless you are over 6’6”. I ended up using my cell to remote into my camera attached to a fully extended tripod balanced on the rock retaining wall to get the shot.

not worth the drive. not a great view, overgrown vegetation. high fences. small parking lot. find another waterfall, this one is overmarketed.

Beautiful falls very close to the Lihue airport. We went to the falls right after we arrived at Lihue airport and picked up our car. It is an easy 15-30mins drive by car and there is a small parking area where you can park and go to the viewing area to see the waterfalls from the top. There is not much else to do after you've seen the falls, so we drove back and stopped at a fruit stand on the way back. We spent about 30mins max at the falls.

This is a gorgeous and easy sight to get to, but there isn't much to do besides drive up and look at the falls then get back in the car.

It's an easy trip, a beautiful drive just maybe 10 minutes from the airport (or if you are in wialua) very close. Just hope out of the car and see the beautiful drive and waterfalls, a few feet up the road on the other side you see the river and it's another stunning view. Again if yoiu have the time it's awesome, it is not a must see but it is an easy stop not far out of the way if you are in the area. We did on our own no hike just drove there

We made a quick stop on the way to the airport and it was well worth the short drive. The countryside on the drive was beautiful as well. The parking lot seemed plenty big and it is a short walk to a beautiful view.

You can drive up to the falls and there is a great view, if you are careful and in shape you can climb down to the bottom like my 20 year old son did.

My wife and I decided to see these iconic falls as I have seen them over the years on television. Easy drive that we did on the way to other sites.

Beautiful waterfall! Worth the quick drive for the amazing views! Parking is limited but people don't stay long. The hike down to the water was closed but the view from the top is incredible!

Wailua Falls reminded me of Rainbow Falls on the Big Island - they aren't huge or super impressive but considering they are just a tiny, easy detour from the main road and they are free it's a nice stop to make on your way while on the island

My "favorite" part of the visit was the guy selling coconuts there... $9 USD LOL for a coconut.... the "viewing" area is literally along the road/behind metal barriers but the falls aren't terribly overgrown so you can actually see something here (as opposed to Opaekaa Falls which the nature makes somewhat impossible to see)

TIP: the parking is free but very very limited, but considering it's a very easy and quick stop people come and go so at worst you will need to wait a couple minutes

This waterfall is right off the road. There are a few parking spots and an overlook. It is closed to hiking. It is a quick photo op but well worth it!

Not sure where your supposed to park or go to get ‘those’ photos, but from the road we took, we couldn’t get any decent shots. The road is a dead end also. I had to climb on the wall to get anything worthy.

We didn't have trouble finding a parking place which was good. The falls were very nice and definitely worth the stop.

We had arranged a lazy day at the beach in Lihue, but it started raining so we decided to take a quick drive up to the falls. They were easy to get to. I wanted to hike down to the base of them, but we heard a day earlier, people were receiving tickets, so we decided not to. You’d think a path would be constructed for visitors to walk down to the bottom of the falls. A much better view from there, I’m sure.

Great view of the falls and the walk across the road to see the valley on that side. Plenty of parking makes it easy to get to and see.

The Wailua Falls is wheelchair assessible. There is a nice guard rail and the falls can be seen from this area. Despite limited parking we were able to get a parking space. There are other view spots along the road with limited parking.

The drive was pretty uneventful other than dodging birds. There isn’t much parking, but we may have been there early enough to not have an issue with it. Once you park, you just walk over to the railing to see the falls. While they are gorgeous, there is a little bit of obstruction of the full view due to the vegetation growing on the other side of the railing. It’s a quick stop, something you can add into plans for your day in the area or maybe start your day with.

Just a few miles past Hana itself, You see the Falls as you approached the small bridge, and there is parking just after the bridge. You can take some good photos from the bridge itself (being careful not to be run over by passing traffic). For the full experience, get your costume on and make the short walk down to the pool at the bottom of the Falls. It’s really refreshing to swim in it. A couple of people jumped in from more or less high rocks: I suspect they had not fully risk-assessed this idea before implementing it. However they did get away with it. Like most people, I walked into the pool using the shallow section near the run-off. Underwater, the rocks seem smooth, and the pool is well deep away from the edges, and under the fall itself.

And I feel sorry for those being brought on an organised tour, as they seem to have been allowed only enough time for a quick photograph before they were whisked away.

The drive to the falls is easy and well marked. There is very limited parking - perhaps 12 vehicles. But there isn’t much to see so spaces open up fast. The viewpoint is to the side of the falls, so while you’re close, the view is limited. No way to see this from the front. Okay to visit if you’re looking for something to kill time on.

You can get a partial view of the falls from the roadside which is an easy drive but it’s unfortunate that they’ve felt necessary to fence off all routes to get to better vantage points. I understand some people would get off the trail and do something stupid but unfortunate the rest of us, who are capable and responsible, have to pay the price for it. Worth going to see but you won’t be blown away - particularly after doing something like the Kalalau Trail which we did earlier in the week.

The Falls are nice, and worth a stop, only about 10 min from Lihue. The overlook has spaces for cars, and a nice ledge to see the falls, but the plant growth makes it hard to see everything.

Beautiful double waterfalls. There was a gorgeous rainbow that went across the rock face and into the water. Watch out for the crazy people climbing on the wall for photos tho. Not much parking or place to turn around.

You can drive right up to this waterfall for a "Fantasy Island" view! Park right next to it and snap some beautiful photos!

LĪHU‘E – The Kaua‘i Police Department has identified a 28-year-old female, who died at Wailua Falls Saturday afternoon, as Nicole Chavez of Chile.

According to a preliminary report, KPD personnel received a call of a lost hiker at approximately 3:50pm, Saturday, 10/22. A traveling partner of Chavez reportedly asked hikers nearby to assist with locating her after she didn’t return to the Wailua Falls lookout for two hours. Hikers made their way to the bottom of the falls and there located Chavez, who was unresponsive and later pronounced dead.
Personnel with the Kaua'i Fire Department, including firefighters with the Līhu‘e fire station, Air One, Rescue 3, and the on-duty Battalion Chief, assisted in recovering the victim.
In the interest of public safety, officials tell everyone that Wailua Falls is closed off to hiking. “No Hiking,” “No Trespassing,” and “Danger” signs are in the area. Volunteers with Life’s Bridges, a grief counseling service, and Visitor Aloha Society of Kaua‘i (VASK), a nonprofit that provides emergency needs for visitors, are assisting the victim’s traveling partner. KPD personnel is working with the Chilean Consulate of Honolulu and Los Angeles.

Ran to the falls on the way to the airport. There is a “20-minute” small parking lot. Wish I could have spent a few more minutes there just taking it in. So beautiful. There is a place to go a little closer to the falls through the fence. We did it and got a great shot.

Good accessible spot, parking is limited. You don't have to walk a lot it is accessible by car. Bit of very thick vegetation if you are a nature lover, however some urban folks may not appreciate it. If you find the fresh coconut salesman, try one fresh coconut, it is as close to nature that you can get it to taste coconuts than the packaged contents we get in stores.

The road is narrow going up to the falls. After you see them so can go a little farther past them and turn around because the road dead ends there. They were beautiful.

Spectacular, beautiful, and very dangerous. Stick to the roads, and stick to the rules. Definitely worth the drive. Scenery is really great.

We rented a car and were able to get here early before the crowds. It’s not far from the airport. You’ll get beautiful photos. If you’re. Lucky, you’ll get to see a rainbow

Beautiful place, it's just difficult to park, you can't find bathrooms either, however it's worth the trip to see them, they are beautiful

Even on this windy, cloudy, rainy day. The falls and river preformed their beauty. It is a lovely ride there and down to see the lush green jungles and my favorite “ The Wandering Chickens”

Beautiful waterfall which is easy to get to. No hiking required. Small parking lot and a few steps to overlook. Check it out!

Worthwhile drive and 10 minute stop. Very pretty falls and surrounding scenery. Reasonably close to Kapaa and Lihue; limited parking.

Drove to the overlook. Nice view. Worth a look if you are in the area, but I would not go out of my way to see it.

Drive is short and goes through some nice country. Road is narrow in places but just need to be alert. Falls view is easy few steps from carpark

This wasn't too far from town, and was pretty impressive. It's hard to get a good picture from the overlook, though. Parking is at the end of the dead end road, so getting in and out was crazy with cars coming in not knowing there was no where to go until the cars coming out got past.

Beautiful falls. Partially viewed from road. Parking along road. Few people using trail to bottom on Aug 29, 2022. Trail gate locked. Moderate mud on trail, tree roots and rock on steep slope with some rope lines, but easily traversed. Easier climb out then going down. Our group of 8, with 4 adults ages 28-73 and four children ages 5- 11 had no problems. Should have hiking shoes and avoid open sandals. Underwater rocks slippery crossing stream.

The falls were a last minute trip. We were able to get parking late in the day (6:30 pm). The view was amazing right from the parking lot. I wish there was a trail down to the bottom, though.

It's a quick stop - you drive up to the tiny parking lot and get out to see the waterfall. The parking turnover is very fast since people just get out to see the falls, take photos and then get back into their cars.

I feel like we got super lucky to see it after a ton of rain on the island. The falls were HUGE. Like, massive. Usually it's known to be 2 falls cascading down but because there was so much recent rainfall, it was just OVERFLOWING into one giant fall. Probably the most gushing waterfall I've seen. Really nice sight! Too bad you can't hike down to it anymore.

Beautiful hike to falls through a park, could get a life jacket at the falls to swim in the area. Very easy very nice. Be careful of jagged rocks closer to the falls because you can scrape your legs!

This waterfall pair is best known for being connected to the TV show "Fantasy Island." It is quite pretty and not hard to find, but parking can be a bit of a challenge at times. If you wait patiently, parking spaces do open up as others leave. The path to hike down to the waterfalls was closed but many people were hopping the fence and going down anyway. We enjoyed the view from the road after we parked and walked over to where we could see it and photograph it. It rains a lot in this area so hiking down to the waterfall can be a messy adventure but some people opted to do it.

Very easy to get to and not off the beaten path, but not as impressive as I remember from previous visits when the water pressure was much higher. My wife said today's visit was just a trickle. Nevertheless, definitely worth a visit and I highly recommend.