Waimea Falls: A Complete Guide to Hiking Waimea Valley -

Are you considering going to Waimea Falls but unsure what to expect? If so, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, we’ll provide an overview of this natural wonder so you can plan your trip accordingly.

Waimea Falls is perfect for those who love nature and outdoor activities. The falls are set deep in the lush Waimea Valley, surrounded by a tropical paradise. The refreshing pool of water at its base is perfect for swimming and relaxing after a short hike. Visitors will also appreciate the vibrant flora and fauna that make up this stunning area.

The walk to Waimea Falls is one of the best hikes on the North Shore of Oahu, and it’s perfect for all skill levels.

If you want to experience something new, we highly recommend visiting Waimea Valley! There are many things to do there, such as taking a short hike to the waterfall, swimming, picnicking, attending the Toa Luau, and more!

The Waimea Falls and pool with clear blue water

Waimea Valley Entrance Fees

Below is a breakdown of the general admission costs as of March 2023. Please visit the Waimea Valley website directly for updated pricing.

Note that the below breakdown is only for general admission (non-resident). If you are a Hawaii resident and/or military, check out the Waimea Valley Website for admission fees.

Adults: $25.00

Seniors: $18.00 (62+)

Student: $18.00 (Preset student ID)

Children: $14.00 (4-12 years old)

Group Rate: $18.00 (per person for groups of 10)

Waimea Falls Facilities and Amenities

Free parking available for Waimea Valley guests
Restrooms
Snack bar and coffee shop on-site
Gift shop
Life jackets provided for swimming in the waterfall’s pool
Lifeguard on duty
Changing rooms

Cars parked at the parking lot outside of Waimea Valley — The parking lot was empty around 8:45 am when we got there

Cody walking towards our car in the full parking lot at Waimea Valley — This was the parking lot when we were about to leave

the restaurant at Waimea Valley — We stopped here after the hike/waterfall to get some coffee and food

Cody looking at flowers right by the payment system at Wailmea Valley — This is where you get your tickets to enter the waterfall hike

Map of the Waimea Falls Botanical garden and a sign that says trail starts here

Waimea Falls Map

Waimea Falls Hike: Important Information

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: About 1.9 miles (round trip)

Elevation Gain: 272ft

Route Type: Out & back

Duration of Hike: 45 minutes to 1 hour round trip

Highlights of the Trail: Waimea Falls and Botanical Gardens

Hiking to The Waimea Falls

The Waimea Falls Hike to the waterfall is one of the easiest hikes to do in Oahu and one of the best waterfall hikes on the island.

The trail is well-marked and only takes about 20-30 minutes to get to the waterfall. It’s an excellent hike for all ages and is mostly shaded, making it a perfect choice on a hot day. The trail is paved all the way and also wheelchair accessible.

The hike starts at the Waimea Valley entrance and follows along the Waimea River. You will pass by ancient Hawaiian hale structures and various beautiful plants and flowers. There is so much to see on this trail, so it’s definitely not a boring hike.

Cody hiking on the paved section of the Waimea Falls hike

If you love botanical gardens, Waimea Valley is the place for you. The botanical gardens are absolutely stunning and worth exploring.

Gorgeous shot of the botanical gardens at Waimea Falls

Waimea Falls botanical gardens made our list of the top botanical gardens in Oahu, so be sure to spend some time exploring here.

The trail leading to Waimea Falls with gorgeous trees on both sides

Various flowers in the botanical garden at Waimea Falls

After walking for about 20-30 minutes, you will reach the majestic Waimea Falls. Be sure to take the time to admire the waterfall and enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool below.

Please note that life jackets are a requirement before swimming in the falls. They will be provided to you at no additional cost. It’s included in the admission fee.

Life jacket station located near the waterfall at Waimea Falls — This is where you will get your life jackets by the waterfall and pool

Cody watching people swim in the Waimea Falls pool — The first few people to get into the pool about 10 minutes after we arrived at the falls

After spending some time at Waimea Falls, head back the way you came for an easy and enjoyable hike.

More Information About the Waterfall

The waterfall at Waimea Valley is about 45 feet high and is worth admiring. If you are expecting an extremely tall and unbelievable waterfall, Waimea Valley is not the place for you.

However, the waterfall is still delightful and definitely worth a visit.

Swimming in the Pool at Waimea Falls: Tips & Important Information

1) Try to get there early (9:00 am) or late in the afternoon

Waimea Falls is a very popular tourist attraction in Oahu, and the pool can get pretty crowded during the middle of the day. This is a top hike in Oahu so make sure you plan accordingly to avoid the crowds.

If you are not a fan of huge crowds, try getting there before the big groups arrive around 10:00 -10:30 am.

We got there around opening time (9:00 am) and we were one of the first few people there. No one was even in the pool yet.

Thirty minutes later, there were more people in the pool and by the time we hiked back down (around 10:30 am), we saw many people hiking up to the waterfall.

We also did this hike late afternoon, and there weren’t many people at the waterfall. See the below picture. If you are not a morning person, this is another great option to beat the crowds.

People swimming and sitting by Waimea Falls in Oahu with the flowing waterfall. — This was taken after our most recent trip to Waimea Falls.

2) The Flow of the waterfall will depend on how much it’s rained

Be advised that the more rain the island gets, the more the waterfall will flow.

I have seen many disappointed tourists (including myself) state that the waterfall wasn’t flowing heavily when they got there.