Maui has some of the most spectacular waterfalls in all of the Hawaiian islands! Keep reading to discover 9 of the best waterfalls in Maui, including the best waterfall hikes and the best waterfalls to swim in!
9 of the best waterfall hikes and best waterfalls in Maui to swim in
Table of Contents
- 1. Wailua Falls
- 2. Pua’a Ka’a Falls
- 3. Makamakaole Stream Falls
- 4. Makapipi Falls
- 5. Twin Falls
- 6. Upper Waikani Falls (aka: Three Bears)
- 7. Waimoku Falls
- 8. Makahiku Falls
- 9. Pools of Ohe’o (Seven Sacred Pools)
1. Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls is one of our favorite waterfalls in Maui that you can swim in.
It is a bit of a drive to reach the waterfall, as it is located just past mile marker #45 on the Road to Hana before the entrance to Haleakala National Park. The drive will take about 2 1/2 hours from Paia.
However, the majority of Maui’s waterfalls are found along the Road to Hana, so be sure to bookmark Wailua Falls as a stop along the way!
The impressive 80-foot waterfall is one of the most photographed and most iconic waterfalls in Maui. It is also one of the most accessible as it can be seen right from the bridge on the road.
If you’re feeling a little adventurous, you can even take the short but steep trail down to swim in the falls.
Parking can be found just past the bridge and you’ll usually find a crowd of people milling about and vendors selling snacks and trinkets.
The trail down to the waterfall is located just before the bridge. While the trail is short, it is steep and muddy so use extreme caution and wear durable shoes.
Once you reach the waterfall, take a refreshing dip in the plunge pool and cool off in the powerful mist.
The water is frigid and the pool is tucked under heavy shade trees without much sun, so plan to bring a towel and even a jacket to warm up after your swim!
2. Pua’a Ka’a Falls
These small falls can also be found along the Road to Hana at the Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park at mile marker 22.5.
The park is a great stopping point for fresh air while driving the Road to Hana. It is located about 6 miles past the unofficial “halfway to Hana” point.
You’ll find plenty of parking at Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park and amenities such as clean restrooms, a grassy area, and covered picnic tables.
At first glance, the waterfall seems a bit underwhelming, especially compared to some of the more impressive waterfalls along the Road to Hana.
However, the Pua’a Ka’a Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Maui to swim in.
The pool is quite large with plenty of room to swim. It is also easy to access with only a short walk from the parking lot.
The water is quite cold, but it is not shaded like Wailua Falls so you can warm up on the banks in the sun.
The calm waterfall is also better suited for those that would like to swim with younger kids.
3. Makamakaole Stream Falls
While the majority of Maui’s waterfalls are found along the Road to Hana, The Makamakaole Stream Falls is one of the only waterfalls that is not on the Road to Hana.
The Makamakaole Stream Falls is located in the West Maui Mountains and is one of the best waterfall hikes in Maui.
The 2-mile out and back trail leads through thick native forest to two different waterfalls.
What makes these waterfalls unique is that adventurers have the option to climb up the waterfalls to reach even more cascading falls.
It can be dangerous to climb up the waterfall using only a thin rope, so exercise caution and common sense.
For all the details, see our guide to Hiking the Makamakaole Stream Falls Trail!
4. Makapipi Falls
The Makapipi Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls to photograph in Maui as the Makapipi Stream flows under the bridge before plunging 40-feet into a pool below.
The waterfall is located just after mile marker #25 on the Road to Hana. After you cross the bridge, you’ll find a small pullout where you can capture a photo of the bridge and the waterfall.
While there is no trail leading down to the waterfall, it is still unique that you can view these falls from above.
The waterfall is also seasonal, so during the dry season, there may not be any water flowing.
And if you are planning to drive the Road to Hana, be sure to check out our guide to the 15 Best Stops on the Road to Hana!
5. Twin Falls
While the Twin Falls is technically located along the Road to Hana, it is easy to access as it can be found right at the beginning at mile marker #2.
Twin Falls is located on Wailele Farm’s private working farmland but the owners have kindly allowed public access. Please be respectful when you visit to help ensure that the land remains open.
You’ll find a decent sized parking lot at the trailhead, but this is a popular hike so it is often full and you may need to wait.
Parking is $10 cash only. You’ll also want to bring cash to purchase snacks from the Twin Falls Maui Farm Stand.
Here you can find fresh fruit, smoothies, sugarcane juice, coconut drinks, and pineapple or banana popsicles with sugar cane sticks.
As you follow along the 1.8-mile out-and-back trail, you’ll find several waterfalls and even pools to swim in.
When we visited, it was pouring rain so the water was quite muddy and running too swiftly to swim.
The well-maintained (although often muddy) path leads through thick jungle and after about 5 minutes you’ll come to a fork.
Take the left fork to reach the lower falls.
The trail can be a little muddy and steep at the bottom, especially when it has been raining.
If you continue back up the trail and take the right fork, you’ll reach the upper falls after about 10-15 minutes.
We were hoping to visit the Caveman Falls further up the trail, but the area was closed when we visited. These directions might be helpful as well.
6. Upper Waikani Falls (aka: Three Bears)
The Upper Waikani Falls is a triple waterfall also known as Three Bears due to the large, medium, and small waterfalls found side by side.
The largest waterfall cascades 70 feet into the Wailua Nui stream creating a plunge pool that you can swim in.
The waterfalls are easy to see just off the side of the road at mile marker #19 on the Road to Hana.
There is limited parking along the road, but there is a small area where you can pull over and take a photo from the bridge.
If you would like to hike down to the waterfall, drive about a minute past the falls where you can find limited parking on the left side of the bridge.
Make your way back to the falls where you’ll find a short, albeit steep and muddy, trail that leads down to the waterfall where you can swim in the shallow pool.
*Related post: If you’ve worked up an appetite after all these waterfall hikes, be sure to check out these 11 Best Places to Eat in Maui!
7. Waimoku Falls
Waimoku Falls, in my opinion, is the best waterfall in Maui and the best waterfall hike in Maui!
To reach Waimoku Falls, you’ll need to drive about 40 minutes past Hana town on the Road to Hana. The trail is located in Haleakala National Park, about 3 hours from Paia near mile marker #42.
Take the stunning 4-mile out and back Pipiwai Trail that will lead you past an ancient banyan tree and through a majestic half-mile long bamboo forest before arriving at the base of Waimoku Falls.
The Waimoku Falls stands at a staggering height of 400 feet. The sheer force is deafening and the spray can be felt hundreds of feet away.
For all the details, see our guide to Hiking the Pipiwai Trail!
8. Makahiku Falls
The Makahiku Falls is also located along the Pipiwai Trail and is a bonus waterfall while hiking to Waimoku Falls.
The 200-foot waterfall can be seen at the 0.5-mile mark along the trail.
While you can’t get up close to the waterfall, there is a viewing platform where you can spot the waterfall against the jungle backdrop.
Some hikers attempt to climb down to the base of the waterfall but it is ill-advised. For your safety, always stay on the maintained trail.
9. Pools of Ohe’o (Seven Sacred Pools)
The Pools of Ohe’o, more commonly known as the Seven Sacred Pools, can be reached by a short 0.5-mile loop trail that starts at the same parking lot as the Pipiwai Trail.
Although it is a bit of a drive to reach this region of Haleakala National Park, your drive will be rewarded with these three waterfalls, Waimoku, Makahiku, and the Seven Sacred Pools.
The Seven Sacred Pools used to be a popular swimming hole for locals and tourists alike. However, due to the high risk of flash flooding, the pools are closed indefinitely for swimming.
It is still worth taking the short trail to Kuloa Point where you can see the water cascading down a series of pools before emptying into the ocean.
And there you have it, 9 of the best waterfalls in Maui!
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And if you’re looking for more things to do in Maui, check out our guides:
- Best Beaches in Maui
- 8 Awesome Things to Do in Wailea
- 11 Most Beautiful Places in the West Maui Mountains.
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