Waterfalls on the Big Island

Nearly all of the island’s famous waterfalls are on the wet, windward side, between Hilo and the Hāmākua Coast, because the trade winds drop their rain there. Hilo averages about 120 inches of rain a year, and that rain is what keeps these falls running. They’re at their fullest after a wet spell, so a gray morning in Hilo is a good waterfall morning. Plan on a half day from Hilo, or a full day if you’re driving over from Kona.

The two you can walk to

• ʻAkaka Falls State Park, near Honomū on the Hāmākua Coast north of Hilo. A paved 0.4-mile loop through rainforest leads to views of ʻAkaka Falls, which drops 442 feet into a gorge, and the smaller Kahūnā Falls. The path has steps and isn’t wheelchair accessible. Nonresidents pay $5 per person plus $10 parking, card only (2026). As of October 2026, part of the trail is closed after storm damage, so check the DLNR page before you go.
• Rainbow Falls in Wailuku River State Park, on the edge of Hilo. The 80-foot falls often show a rainbow in their mist on sunny mornings. Nonresident fees (2026) also cover Boiling Pots upstream, a chain of pools lined with basalt columns. Stay at the viewpoints.

See more from a zipline or the air

Some of the Hāmākua Coast’s falls are on private land. Ziplines near Honomū and Hakalau fly over private waterfalls you can’t otherwise reach, and helicopter flights from Hilo pass waterfall valleys on the way to Kīlauea.

Respect the closures

Waipiʻo Valley, with its tall falls, is closed to visitors except on permitted tours; view it from the Waipiʻo Valley Lookout. Don’t cross fences or swim at the top of any fall. Streams can flash-flood after heavy rain upslope. For the full drive, see our 7-day itinerary, which links Hilo, the waterfalls, and the Hāmākua Coast in one day.