Waimea Falls
- Height
- 40 ft
- Hike
- 0.75 mi each way
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Required
Waimea Falls drops about 40 ft in Honolulu County, Hawaii. Reaching it is a 0.75 mi hike each way.
Closures and warnings
Swimming status set daily by lifeguards at 9:00 a.m.; may close for rain, currents, water quality, drought, or lightning. No diving; no climbing on waterfall rocks. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 40 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | Operator: about 40 feet tall; flow varies with Koʻolau rainfall and can slow to a trickle in drought |
| Clothing | Swimsuit required |
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Waterfall basin |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Jumping | Prohibited |
| Lifeguards | Lifeguards on duty when swimming is open; life jackets required and provided free |
Access
| Hike | 0.75 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Parking | Waimea Valley parking at 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa |
| Fee | General admission adults $26; seniors 62+ $20; students $20; children 4-12 $18; Hawaii resident/military rates lower. |
| Hours | Typically Tuesday-Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed Monday except some seasonal windows); summer May 25-Sept 7 2026 open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Seasonal closure | Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; hours vary seasonally |
| Wheelchair access | Paved path; optional shuttle and mobility scooter rentals |
| Managed by | Hiʻipaka LLC (Waimea Valley) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Note | Changing areas and locker rentals near the falls; gift shop and food vendors |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Waimea Falls open?
Swimming status set daily by lifeguards at 9:00 a.m.; may close for rain, currents, water quality, drought, or lightning. No diving; no climbing on waterfall rocks. As of September 28, 2026. Seasonal closure: Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; hours vary seasonally. Hours: Typically Tuesday-Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed Monday except some seasonal windows); summer May 25-Sept 7 2026 open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How tall is Waimea Falls?
Waimea Falls drops about 40 ft.
Can you swim at Waimea Falls?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Waimea Falls. Lifeguards: Lifeguards on duty when swimming is open; life jackets required and provided free.
How long is the hike to Waimea Falls?
It's a 0.75 mi hike each way. The road in is paved. Parking: Waimea Valley parking at 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa.
Do you need a reservation for Waimea Falls?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Waimea Falls?
The fee is General admission adults $26; seniors 62+ $20; students $20; children 4-12 $18; Hawaii resident/military rates lower.
When is Waimea Falls flowing?
Operator: about 40 feet tall; flow varies with Koʻolau rainfall and can slow to a trickle in drought.
Nearby
Sources
3
- https://www.waimeavalley.net/waterfall (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, waterfall.heightFt / flowNote, swimmerNotes / hazardNote / jumpingProhibited, access.parking)
- https://www.waimeavalley.net/admission (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee / hours / seasonalClosure, access.wheelchairAccess / amenities)
- https://www.hawaii-guide.com/oahu/hiking-trails/waimea-falls (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceMi)