The 10 Best Cliff Jumping Spots in Oahu
If you’re looking for the best spots for cliff jumping in Oahu, then look no further. We have compiled a list of our favorite places that will surely make your day!
Best cliff jumping spots: Waimea Bay Rock, Laie Point, China Walls, Spitting Cave, Alan Davis Beach, Mokulua Islands, Maunawili Falls, Kapena Falls, Waimea Falls, and Waimano Falls.
There is nothing like jumping off a cliff into beautiful blue water below. It’s an adrenaline rush unlike any other, and it leaves many people wanting more!
The thrill of jumping from such heights is exhilarating and can be enjoyed all over Oahu. Whether young or old, something about this activity makes us feel alive.
Before diving into the list, I wanted to remind everyone that cliff jumping can be very dangerous. Be sure to never jump in areas that you’re not permitted to or where there might be rocks or strong currents.
Always use your best judgment and do not jump if you have any doubts about it. Also, do not underestimate the power of the ocean by any means.
Finally, make sure that you are in good physical condition before attempting this activity.
At the bottom of the list, you will also find a few safety precautions and tips. Please read it entirely!
Now, without further ado, let’s get started with our list of the top 10 cliff jumping spots in Oahu!
Waimea Bay Rock Cliff Jump
Lifeguard on duty: Yes, during most hours of the day
Waimea Bay is one of the most popular and best beaches on the North Shore of Oahu.
It’s known mainly for its gigantic waves in the wintertime (November to February) and as one of the best places to surf worldwide.
In fact, people from all over Hawaii and the rest of the world flock here during the wintertime to participate in some of the world-famous surfing competitions.
As a side note, jumping off this cliff is prohibited at Waimea Bay during the winter months due to powerful waves.
In the summertime (May to October), the waves are calm and it’s a great place to come for a swim or some cliff jumping.
You can jump from multiple places with varying heights at different points on the rock cliffs. This makes it great for people who are new to or have never cliff jumped before, allowing them to gradually choose higher spots as they progress.
The rock at the bay is about 35 feet tall, but depending on the tide and where you choose to jump from, the jump can range anywhere from 10-30 feet.
You can also find jumps that are 5 feet if you want an easy jump and don’t feel like jumping at the highest point.
Trust me, I have seen multiple people jump from the lowest point, so don’t be shy or afraid to do so. Always assess your comfort level and do what feels right for you.
Make sure that you can gauge the depth of the water before jumping.
Hawaiian Legend: The Curse of Waimea Rock
So while we were at Waimea Bay, we learned from one of the locals that there is a curse about the Waimea Rock.
According to the legend, If you climb to the top of the rock and do not jump, you will get cursed, and while you walk back down, you might get hurt. In the words of Michael Scott, “I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.”
See Also: 15 Best Beaches in Oahu You Should Visit
Laie Point Cliff Jump
Lifeguard on duty: No
Located on the North Shore near Haleiwa, Laie Point is another top place to cliff jump in Oahu.
It’s famous for its picturesque puka, or hole, and gorgeous scenery all around.
While this place is one of the best places to cliff jump, please keep in mind that it’s also one of the most dangerous places due to the high tide in the winter months. The waves here are nothing to play around with and can be deadly if not taken seriously.
With that being said, make sure you find the right spot to jump off of before deciding to jump.
The jumping spot is located to the right of the parking area across from the white house. The jump is about 30-40 feet, depending on the tide.
The water exit path is located to the left (if you face the wall) and should be a short swim from the water.
Spitting Cave Cliff Jump
Lifeguard on duty: No
Spitting Cave is another one of the most popular, albeit dangerous, cliff jumps in Oahu.
The jump is about 75-80 feet tall, and the depth of the water varies depending on the season. The water is deeper during high tide, so always assess your comfort level before jumping off.
Fun Fact: Spitting Cave got its name because of the cave that’s located underneath. You can see the water go in the cave and then spit out.
To get to the cliff jumping spot, you will need to take a short hike between two residential neighborhoods. There is street parking available, and you shouldn’t have a hard time finding the sign. There is a 119 A emergency sign on the street; go down that path, and it will take you to the cliff.
You’ll have two options to exit the water. There is a rope on one side and a ladder on the other.
Please note that Spitting Cave is probably the most dangerous cliff jump in this article. Injuries have been reported here, including deaths, so make sure you assess your physical abilities before diving off.
Make intelligent choices and always respect the ocean. Never under any circumstances underestimate the power of the ocean.
China Walls Cliff Jump
Lifeguard on duty: No
Located on the southern tip of Oahu, China Walls is a beautiful cliff that juts out into the ocean. Depending on the current, the cliff jump is about 10-15 feet.
Like some of the other places mentioned in this article, the waves at China Walls can be very dangerous, especially in the winter months.
If the waves are pretty high and extremely powerful, it’s also very tricky to get back up (you will need to climb the walls to get back up).
You will definitely need to time the waves here and only attempt the climb up if the waves are a bit calmer.
Do not try to hold onto the rock if you see a wave coming, as you might get injured. Instead, try to push away from the rock and wait until the wave passes before attempting to exit.
Please be careful when jumping here as there have been reported injuries. Swimming out can be difficult because of the strong currents, so make sure you assess your comfort level before deciding to jump or swim out.
Bonus: China Walls is also one of the best places on Oahu to catch a sunset. If you are here around sunset, make sure to watch the spectacular views.
Alan Davis Cliff Jump
Lifeguard on duty: No
Located on the windward side of Oahu, Alan Davis Beach is one of the safer spots to cliff jump in Oahu.
The jump is about 5 feet high and tends to be less scary as compared to the other places mentioned in this article.
To learn more about the Alan Davis cliff jump, please check out our other article dedicated to Alan Davis Beach.
Mokulua Island Cliff Jump
Lifeguard on duty: No
Located off the windward coast of Oahu, The Mokulua Islands are another cliff jump spot that many people love.
To get to these famous twin islands, you need to kayak there or take a boat tour.
Kayaking to Mokolua Islands is a very popular activity and one of Oahu’s best places to kayak. You can either kayak from Lanikai Beach or Kailua Beach.
If you are interested in a kayak tour to the twin islands, there are multiple options you can take. Check out our snorkeling article above to learn more.
The jump here is about 13 feet high, and it is much easier to jump here than the top 4 spots mentioned in this article. To get to the cliff jumping ledge, you’ll need to take a short hike along the coastline.
Maunawili Falls Cliff Jump
Lifeguard on duty: No
Located on the windward side of Oahu, Maunawili Falls is a very popular waterfall hike in Oahu.
To get to the jumping spot, you’ll need to take a very short hike, but don’t worry; there are some fantastic jungle views throughout the trek.
The cliff is about 30-40 feet high and is relatively safe. Be sure to check the stability of the rocks before going off.
There have been a few accidents here, so please be cautious while jumping off. Also beware of leptospirosis and other waterborne diseases here, as the waters can be murky and dirty.
And lastly, don’t forget your bug spray as there are a lot of mosquitos here.
Kapena Falls Cliff Jump
Lifeguard on duty: No
Located on the windward side of Oahu, Kapena Falls is yet another top waterfall hike in Oahu.
To get to the cliff jumping spot, you will need to take a relatively short and easy 1/2 a mile hike.
The jump here is between 35-40 feet high. Like any cliff jump, make sure to check for falling rocks and debris.
Waimea Falls Cliff Jump
Lifeguard on duty: No
Located in the heart of Oahu’s North Shore, Waimea Falls is another popular hike that people visit. Waimea Falls is also known for its cliff jumping area.
If you decide to jump here, please do so at your own risk and take extra precautions. Multiple people have died here due to striking large rocks that are not visible from the perches.
Please be aware of this when cliff jumping in Oahu. Always assess your comfort level before diving off and make intelligent choices while here. Swim in the area where you plan to land and scope out the water depth/rocks below.
Also, if you decide to swim in the waters here, please be aware of leptospirosis and do not get in the water if you have an open cut.
Waimano Falls Cliff Jump
Lifeguard on duty: No
Waimano Falls is a 13 feet high waterfall cliff jump in Oahu. The hike to get to the waterfall is pretty strenuous, so make sure you are in good shape.
Also, if you are planning on swimming or cliff jumping, make sure to check the weather before going there. We went to the falls in February 2022 after a period of no rain and the waterfall was dry and the pool was not in the best condition to swim.
Unfortunately, we made the mistake of not checking the weather and It was quite disappointing to be greeted with a dry waterfall. The hike to get there wasn’t the easiest but at least we learned our lesson.
You can click the below article to learn more about all the waterfall hikes in Oahu mentioned in this post.
Cliff Jumping in Oahu: Safety Tips
❌ Never go alone– Always have a buddy with you. You never know when you might need someone to call for help.
✅ Always have an exit strategy– Before you jump in the water, familiarize yourself with how you will exit the water and find where the exiting points are. There have been multiple times where people were caught off guard due to extreme waves.
✅ Always assess the conditions before jumping– Even if it is your 20th-time cliff jumping, there could still be something that you won’t expect and you might end up getting hurt. It’s helpful if you go with someone who understands how currents work when planning a cliff jump, especially at the places we listed as extremely dangerous in this article.
✅ Take precautions– Always be prepared and take all the precautions you can to ensure your safety.
✅Be aware of your surroundings– Always be aware of your surroundings and never turn your back to the ocean. Be mindful of the currents, even if you are just at the cliff jumping spot to take a photo, as some people have been swept away by waves while taking a shot.
❌ If you don’t know how to swim, never try to cliff jump. There are plenty of other things you can do in Oahu that will still provide fun and excitement.
✅Ensure to check for debris and falling rocks when cliff jumping. Knowing what is below you before diving off the cliff is crucial to avoid getting hurt.
✅Only jump from designated jumping spots. Do not try to go off the beaten path. This is a general rule of thumb for all cliff jumping activities, and extremely important on Oahu.
✅ Waterfall Swimming- When swimming in waterfalls, always be aware of leptospirosis and other waterborne diseases transmitted when coming into contact with contaminated waters. If the water in the pool is not moving, avoid jumping in or swimming at all.
✅ Don’t forget to add reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, or a snorkeling shirt to your Hawaii packing list. Make sure to wear sunscreen before heading out in the sun to avoid sunburn.
✅ Always have a first aid kit and phone on hand in case of an emergency.
✅ And lastly, have fun! Cliff jumping can be a wonderful experience in Oahu. Make memories that will last a lifetime when you visit the beautiful island of Oahu!
The Wrap Up
To recap, our top places to cliff jump on Oahu are: Waimea Bay Rock, Laie Point, China Walls, Spitting Cave, Alan Davis Beach, Mokulua Islands, Maunawili Falls, Kapena Falls, Waimea Falls, and Waimano Falls.
We hope this list helps you find your next cliff jumping spot. As always, take all necessary precautions when cliff jumping in Oahu.
Mahalo for reading our post and happy cliff jumping in Oahu!
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