With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
The eight main Hawaiian Islands are incredibly diverse, but the fourth largest island, Kauai, is easily one of our favorites. Kauai is the geologically oldest of the main islands and is often referred to as the “Garden Isle,” thanks to the tropical rainforest that covers most of the island. And in a state with arguably the highest density of waterfalls in the United States, the waterfalls found on Kauai are truly second to none. From the stunning Jurassic Falls you can only witness via helicopter tour to the ethereal “weeping wall,” Kauai waterfalls are truly remarkable, but there is only one cascade magical enough to be called Hawaii’s Niagara Falls.
Surrounded by lush, emerald flora and red dirt cliffs, and cascading 80 feet into a deep, sparkling pool, Wailau Falls is as picturesque as Hawaiian waterfalls get.
Feeding into the Wailua River, this double-tiered waterfall has been used in print and other forms of media as a symbol of Kauai’s lush beauty, much like Niagara Falls.
Think this waterfall looks familiar? You might be right! Wailua Falls was featured prominently on the opening credits of the 1970s television series Fantasy Island.
Unlike many of Kauai’s waterfalls, Wailua Falls is easily accessible so you can ditch your hiking boots for this excursion. The parking lot practically overlooks the waterfall, and it is easy to appreciate its magical beauty up close.
In ancient times, Hawaiian men would leap from the top of the waterfall in order to prove their manhood. While some people still jump from the top of the cascade, it is both dangerous and illegal.
Other brave souls have been known to take one of two marginally maintained trails to reach the base of the falls, though the country advises against this - and so do we. Besides, the waterfall as witnessed from above is absolutely jaw-dropping, and there’s really no need to hike to the base.
During periods of high rainfall on Kauai, the falls can turn into a single, giant and raging cascade, and while Wailua Falls is always astounding, we’d like to think that it is most breathtaking when it features a moderate flow.
When the sun hits at just the right angle, a beautiful rainbow extending from the base of the falls into the mist will appear. It is truly a spectacular sight to behold.
Don’t forget your camera — this is one Hawaiian photo op you won’t want to miss! What are you waiting for? This striking cascade is one of Hawaii's most striking natural wonders, and you need to pay a visit as soon as possible!
Kauai’s Wailua Falls is not to be confused with the Maui waterfall of the same name. Though both are gorgeous cascades, the Wailua Falls found on the Garden Island is often considered much more impressive than it’s cousin nestled along the Hana Highway.
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