Hawaii is one place that has pretty much every natural phenomenon that will take your breath away! These are the best Maui waterfalls to visit – including a map of where to find them!
If you’re traveling to Maui and are looking for some of the best tours to see some of these waterfalls, you can see our top picks below!
🌴 Best Waterfall Tours on Maui:
- Mauiʻs most epic waterfall tour (+ photography emphasis!)
- Small group waterfalls tour (+ rainforest hiking on Maui!)
- Maui waterfalls + Ocean tour on Horseback
- Garden of Eden waterfall (+ admission ticket & three more sites!)
- Rappel Maui waterfalls and rainforest cliffs (Road to Hana waterfalls!)
🛌 Places to stay in South Maui (Kihei/Wailea/Makena):
- Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (ultimate luxury experience!)
- Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
- Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa (Waldorf Astoria Resort)
🛌 Places to stay in West Maui (Lahaina/Kaanapali/Kapalua):
- Best Western Pioneer Inn (I stayed here – has free parking!)
- The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas (in Ka’anapali)
- The Kulani Maui (in the center of Lahaina!)
🚗 Looking for the best way to get around Maui? Click here to check rental car rates for Hawaii!
Did we miss any of the best waterfalls in Maui? There are so many – so please let us know in the comments.
If you have any exciting waterfall hikes in Maui, be sure to let us know!
Contents
Best Maui Waterfalls Map
Beautiful Waterfalls in Maui – The List
1. Twin Falls
Your first stop on the Road to Hana will be the gorgeous Twin Falls, which is considered one of the busiest falls on this list.
It is located a few miles from Paia, and to get there, you need to park at and cross Wailele Farm, where a Hawaiian fruit stand serves as the starting point for a one-mile Maui waterfall hike leading to the breathtaking falls.
Twin Falls cascades into a serene pool, where you should go for a dip. Explore the area behind the falls for spectacular views.
Fed by the Ko’olau Rainforest in the Ho’olawa Valley, Twin Falls is accessible year-round, but make sure to visit after heavy rain to take in the full beauty of the falls.
Adventurers can even try cliff jumping to the pool below, and after thoroughly exploring the area, get back to the food stand for a quick snack.
2. Waimoku Falls
Amidst verdant foliage drops the 400-foot-tall Waimoku Falls, and it is one of Maui’s tallest waterfalls. Situated at the head of Ohe’o Gulch, Waimoku Falls cascades down over a sheer lava rock wall straight into a boulder-strewn pool.
The dramatic vista of the falls, along with its roaring sound, promises a one-of-a-kind experience, making this gigantic waterfall one of Maui’s must-visit attractions.
The 4-mile round-trip Pipiwai Trail hike in Haleakala National Park passes lush greenery, bamboo forest, and banyan trees.
It is one of the best hikes in Maui, offering you the most breathtaking scenery of the falls from a few lookout points.
Even though the Maui waterfall may not astonish you with its power, its tremendous height and surrounding landscapes will definitely leave you in awe.
If you’re looking for things to do in Kihei and nearby, this should be added to your Haleakala and Maui itinerary!
3. Puaa Kaa Falls
Puaa Kaa Falls, or Pua’a Ka’a Falls, which means rolling pig, is another waterfall on the Road to Hana located in the Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park, which is home to two waterfalls.
Puaa Kaa Falls is one of the few waterfalls on Hana Highway that welcomes the public year-round. The 0.37-mile lightly trafficked out-and-back Pua’a Ka’a Falls Trail winds through lush greenery to get you to the waterfall up close.
But be cautious, because after heavy rainfalls, the trail may become muddy, and the hike can become a challenge. The trail is also accessible for nature trips, bird watching, and walking.
You can either stop by for a short bathroom break and admire the falls, or stick around to have a family picnic with a view of it!
4. Pools of Oheo (Oheo Gulch)
Also known as the Seven Sacred Pools at Ohe’o, Oheo Gulch is nested in Haleakala National Park in its Kipahulu District, just downstream of Waimoku Falls.
Amidst unique flora, you will witness seven swimming holes connected by the Ohe’o waterfalls, which cascade from one to the other and eventually pour into the ocean.
A 15-minute hike on Kuloa Point Trail is all it takes to reach your destination!
Access to the pools may be restricted if it rains, so make sure to check the weather the night before visiting on a sunny day so you can take a dip in the tranquil waters and enjoy the incredible surrounding scenery.
Jumping into the pools is strictly prohibited post-rainfall since the water’s depth after rain can be deceiving.
5. Punalau Falls
Punalau Falls is one of northeastern Maui’s hidden gems due to its remote location. You won’t find any crowds there since the falls can’t be seen from the highway and, as a result, it tends to be overlooked on the Road to Hana.
One of Maui’s best waterfall hikes will lead you to this 100ft gorgeous waterfall. Watch your step when going for a hike near the falls since there are volcanic boulders and partially submerged rocks all over the place.
Be sure to take all the necessary gear with you, such as hiking boots, sticks, and rubber gloves to support yourself. Avoid visiting the falls if it has recently rained or if rain is forecasted due to the risk of flash floods and even falling rocks.
The final breathtaking views of the falls, however, will be well worth the challenging hike!
6. Honokohau Falls
Are you ready to take in one of the most magnificent views of West Maui from above? If so, then get ready to take a helicopter tour to witness Honokohau Falls, Maui’s tallest waterfall at its finest.
It is in the middle of an inaccessible valley, where no roads and trails are located.
The 1,119-foot-tall stunning waterfall is fed by the Honohokau Stream and plunges in two tiers. It makes a scene as if it flows from the clouds and disappears in the middle of picture-perfect, green mountains.
Helicopter tours will offer you a bird’s eye view of one of the most awe-inspiring views you have ever seen and one of the most picturesque places in Maui.
Due to its magnificence, it even played a key role in the movie “Jurassic Park,” symbolizing pure perfection in one of the best sci-fi movie scenes.
7. Alelele Falls
Alelele Falls is one of the lesser-known waterfalls in Maui on this list. It is located on the east side of Maui and is a real gem waiting to be discovered.
It is nestled in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park, and a 15-minute hike is all it takes to get to the falls!
The Alelele Falls Trail is relatively a short and easy one and features a few stream crossings, so use caution and avoid crossing streams when flash flooding is likely.
While there, the chances are high that you will have the 80-foot-tall waterfall all to yourself. The flow of water may vary a lot depending on the season’s rainfall.
Don’t forget to take your bathing suit with you to enjoy the serene and refreshing pool underneath the falls. The area around the falls is very tranquil, making it the perfect spot to relax and admire the gorgeous scenery before heading back on the road.
8. Waikani Falls
If you are keen on discovering the full beauty of Hana, then Upper Waikani Falls should be on your Maui bucket list! It is one of the Hawaiian Islands’ most popular waterfalls thanks in part to its location just off the Road to Hana.
Also known as Three Bears, Upper Waikani Falls is a group of three parallel waterfalls nestled side by side and cascading 70 feet into the Wailua Nui Stream.
Due to the lack of parking, most visitors prefer to admire the views of the falls from the comfort of their cars. However, stunning close-up views are available either through taking an easy hike or locating additional parking spaces.
The first part of the hike is a challenging one, but then it becomes easier and is not so slippery.
To combine beauty with relaxation, you can take a dip in the gorgeous pool below to completely unwind while taking in the area’s surrounding beauty.
9. Wailua Falls
Their visibility from the highway and proximity to the Road to Hana make Wailua Falls one of Maui’s most unique and accessible waterfalls.
The gorgeous Maui waterfall is nestled amidst lush tropical foliage and cascades 80 feet in two streams, making it the most photographed waterfall on Maui.
Two short trails will get you to the base of the falls where you can see true paradise! The first trail starts from the parking lot and is a rather muddy one, while the second one is longer but easier, safer, and less steep.
To cool down after a hike, you can go for a swim in the serene pool underneath the falls. You can visit in the morning to witness picture-perfect views of rainbow vistas extending over the falls.
Thanks to its dramatic views, Wailua Falls was featured in the opening scene of the “Fantasy Island” TV show.
10. Kopiliula Falls
Another gorgeous waterfall that is visible from Hana Highway is Kopihula Falls. A short, two-mile trail rated as moderate will get you to the natural attraction.
The trailhead is located just off the highway, so there is no way you will miss these stunning falls! Kopiliula Falls is nestled along the Kopiliula Stream, near which you will find various cascades among lush greenery.
The Maui waterfall trail is steep and muddy, so don’t forget to take your hiking shoes and comfy clothes with you. To get to the larger falls, you need to first climb smaller cascades and scramble along a rocky bed, which promises a wet adventure!
The trail will grant you access to gorgeous views of the Pacific, so take your camera with you so as not to miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity.
11. Makapipi Falls
Makapipi Falls is the next one on this list which is easily accessible due to its location on the Road to Hana.
The Maui waterfall is unique in that you will have a vantage point all to yourself to take in the stunning vista of the falls set among dense vegetation. The waterfall is fed by the Makapipi Stream, which you will cross over while driving on the highway.
There is a bridge crossing the Makapipi Stream, behind which you will find a small pull-off area. Head to the bridge for a bird’s eye view of the awe-inspiring falls and the blue pool underneath it.
For those keen on getting close-up views of the falls, a short steep hike down the edge of the water will give you this opportunity.
The best time to visit the falls is after heavy rainfall, which plays a vital role in the powerful flow of Makapipi Falls, naturally!
12. Makamakaole Falls
Located along Waihe’e Ridge, Makamakaole Falls is one of the few waterfalls located on Maui’s western coast. It is accessible by land and is one of the most beautiful Maui waterfalls not connected to the Road to Hana.
The 5-mile roundtrip Waihe’e Ridge Trail passes a bamboo forest that will lead you to a natural oasis. In case you are unable to finish the trail, you will still have a few lookout points to admire the falls from a distance.
This 270-foot-tall waterfall is set against a jungle backdrop and drops in two tiers, the lower one of which can be viewed from Kahekili Highway.
The setting of Makamakaole Falls won’t give you the chance to get up close and personal with the cascade, but the distant vistas from the trail guarantee picture-perfect views of the falls from one side along with emerald cliffs and the blue waters of the Pacific on the other.
We hope you enjoyed this guide detailing the best Maui waterfalls – please let us know if we missed any gorgeous waterfalls in Maui in the comments! Thanks!
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she has been traveling frequently to Hawaii for the last 15 years and loves exploring every corner of each Hawaiian island, while trying to promote sustainable travel and small, local businesses along the way. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She has co-authored a guidebook with Fodor’s Travel and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.