Waimea Valley Falls, Easiest Waterfall Hike On Oahu

Our family spends a boatload of time on Oahu researching and enjoying all of the best things to do here. We have literally been to Oahu for at least 6 months combined and actively search out the activities you want to know about when you travel here. This trip we travelled with our kids and parents and really wanted them to experience an awesome Oahu waterfall and an easy hike. Waimea Valley Falls is the easiest and safest waterfall hike on Oahu.

You can actually get to this waterfall with as little as no effort at all and it is wheelchair accessible! Well at least getting to the falls is, getting in is a whole different thing.

Waimea Valley Falls, Easiest waterfall hike on Oahu

What is Waimea Falls?

Waimea falls is a beautiful waterfall located in the Waimea valley on the north shore of Oahu. It is a cliff side waterfall that you can safely swim in. Every year thousands of tourists frequent Waimea falls as it is the easiest and safest waterfall to swim in on Oahu.

Waimea falls in around 20 feet deep at its deepest point, and the water is a greenish type of colour mixed from the sediment and partially died by the leafs and plants in the stream it runs through. You cannot swim under the falls, but there is a rock ledge that you can stand on to be right in the falls.

Where is Waimea falls?

Waimea falls is located on the north shore of Oahu close to sharks cove and the Banzai pipeline. As well as the popular Waimea cove/beach. From Waikiki it takes around 40 minutes to get to Waimea valley falls.

When you arrive at the Waimea valley entrance, you will have to hike or take a golf cart up to the falls.

Muskrat baby at Waimea valley falls, Oahu

Is the hike to the waterfall long at Waimea valley falls?

The hike to Waimea falls is not very long at all and it is really easy….my mom and stepdad can easily do it and so can my kids. The total hike is as long as you make it, as there are a lot of things to see on the trail that are amazing. Like a botanical garden, Hawaiian history, and several side paths that lead to different areas you can discover.

The total hike time if you were to just gun it to the waterfalls with no stopping is around 30 minutes. If that is too much for you, you can pay a few dollars more and the park organizers will take you right to the falls on a golf cart.

If you can avoid doing that you should really do the walk as it is an amazing place to take photos on Oahu.

Can kids and seniors hike the Waimea valley falls?

Yes the hike is all on a paved road, in the old days it was an actual road, before they turned the place into a paid destination for tourist. You can actually push a stroller all the way to the falls like we did, so it is the easiest waterfall hike on the entire Hawaiian islands.

Seniors can even be pushed in a wheel chair or be driven in a golf cart if they want to.

Where do you park at Waimea falls?

From the main road on the Kamehameha highway, you will be taking a right when you go down a curved road. There are signs that clearly mark Waimea valley falls. Upon entry you will see a parking lot to the right. If you are going and have a stroller or wheelchair I recommend parking in the second parking lot closest to the Waimea Valley building.

There is a wheel chair ramp here and the parking lot is really close, making it super convenient.

Waimea falls, Oahu North shore

How much does it cost to get into Waimea valley falls?

Waimea valley falls is a little bit pricey at $16 per adult and $12 per child. However it is worth it and I can respect that they need to pay people to keep the grounds so well manicured.

What should I bring to the Waimea Valley falls?

If you are going here you should be bringing water, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, camera, swimsuit, towel, snacks, baby floatation device, and a sense of adventure. WATER SHOES, don’t forget these as the rocks getting into the water can hurt your feet and it is a little muddy getting in and out of the waterfall.

Is the Waimea valley falls safe for kids?

Yes Waimea valley and the waterfall at Waimea are both very safe for kids. During the hike, it will be on a paved road and there are staff members driving by constantly. There are also a lot of people there, so rest assured no one is going to jump out of the bushes at you! Even the side trails are very well taken care of and pretty much designed for careful tourists. I did not see any tree roots sticking out of the ground or other dangerous things you might see on other Oahu hikes.

The waterfall itself is also pretty safe, they do not let you climb off or jump in. There is also 2 lifeguards posted there at all times with floatation devices at the ready. And the part that irritated me is that they make you wear a life jacket. The life jackets are free, and I get why they do this…for the safety of the tourists.

Waimea falls is the safest waterfall in Hawaii.

Is there hiking at Waimea falls?

Yes there is a hike there that my friends call a “dad hike”. For someone who has never hiked before, you will find this exhilarating and educational. There are side paths that are gravel and come off the main road, leading to little section with Hawaiian buree’s (houses), royal burial plots and other cool things.

When you hike the Waimea valley, you will also find some really beautiful flora and fauna that only grow in Hawaii.

Should I go to Waimea falls on Oahu?

Yes you absolutely should go here. I have been many times and I get some of the best pictures and memorable moments that I have ever gotten on Oahu at the Waimea valley and falls. Although I have been so many times, it is never boring. And everyone that we have ever brought here loves it. If you have read any of our other articles, you will know that when something sucks, I will flat out say it. This place is awesome for all ages.

Beautiful Hawaiian Flowers

Is the water cold in Waimea falls?

If you are comparing the water to the ocean water in Hawaii, then yes you will find it cold. However after a 30 minute hike in the hot humid weather, you will be so happy to get in the cool water. Now it is not freezing like in the mountains in Canada or Colorado, you can easily stay in the water for an hour or longer. It is more like the temperature of a swimming pool.

Are there fish in Waimea falls?

Yes there are fresh water fish in the Waimea falls pool. You can see them if you are wearing goggles. There are not a lot of them, because there are so many people in the pool.

Are there public bathrooms at Waimea Valley falls?

Yes there are 2 public bathrooms at Waimea Valley falls. The first is in the main entrance building beside the restaurant. And the other is located closer to the falls. The one by the falls can also easily be used as a change room. There are no public washrooms on the path to the falls.

Other amenities and things to do in Waimea Valley Falls

Gift shop

At the entrance of the Waimea valley building, there is a gift shop that you can buy souvenirs at. There are also a bunch of posters up of famous movies that were filmed in this area.

Restaurant

There is a full on Hawaiian restaurant at the entrance as well. I like to stop here after the hike and swim when we are starving.

Concession

Closer to the waterfall, there is a concession selling small snacks and water. There are also benches in the area, so you can sit and chill and enjoy the beautiful area while you eat!

Free shows

All around the Waimea valley botanical garden, there will be staff members showcasing traditional Hawaiian hula and other cool Hawaiian things.

The waterfall Stream

There is access and bridges to the stream that comes off of the waterfall. These are beautiful spots to take pictures in the valley.

Waimea falls family pics

6 things you might see at Waimea Valley Falls Oahu

1. Peacocks

2. Mongoose babies

3. The Waimea falls waterfall

4. Flora and Fauna of Hawaii

5. Weird bugs

Places to eat near Waimea Valley falls

Food truck across from sharks cove

A 2 minute drive right out of the parking lot of Waimea valley falls, there is 5 food trucks on the right hand side of the Kamehameha highway. There food trucks have local shrimp dishes, pizza, burgers, tacos and shaved ice for dessert. There is also one stand specializing in Japanese and Korean foods.

Turtle bay resort

If you are looking for higher end meals with a beautiful back drop, the turtle bay resort has a restaurant right on the turtle cove beach. It has great food and is a chilling place to have a drink!

Dine right at the Waimea restaurant

There restaurant right at Waimea falls makes you feel like you are eating in a jurassic jungle.

Things to do at Waimea falls Oahu

Other things to see and do near the Waimea Valley Falls and Waimea Oahu Waterfall

Sharks Cove

Sharks cove is one of the best places to snorkel on Oahu, it is the best in the summer months and you will see loads of fish and turtles at this location.

Food trucks

All along the highway, you will see food trucks on the north shore of Hawaii. Try sampling some of the Hawaiian BBQ. It is the best BBQ I have ever had, and is worth the drive just to eat this.

Turtle cove

Turtle cove has an awesome little beach that they film movies at. The water is calm and the snorkelling is awesome.

Banzai beach Surfing

If you want to see a massive wave, this is the spot. Banzai beach is where the pro surfers come to Hawaii for.

Waimea falls pics

Kamana beach

Kamana beach is a huge dramatic cove located in the lushes part of Oahu. There is a park here that is amazing for a tranquil picnic. And if you want there is good hiking in the area.

Kualoa Ranch

Kualoa Ranch is where they film Jurassic park and Lost. It is a ranch in a jungle setting that offers zip lining, horseback riding and atv rides on trails in the jungle.

Scenic drive back to Waikiki

The Kamehameha highway is the best scenic drive on Oahu. Don’t pay attention to your GPS, take the alternate route back to Honolulu.

Coffee plantations

If you have never seen one, the coffee plantations are really cool to see on the side of the highway when you are driving around the north shore of Oahu.

Dole Plantation

The Dole plantation is a family friendly plantation on the north shore that will show you how pineapples are farmed. They have lots of tasty treats here and a train ride around the plantation that kids love!

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