Right now
Right now as of Oct 28, 2026
- Status Unconfirmed: check DLNR before you go.
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: $5/person + $10/car (non-residents).
Status note (Oct 28, 2026): Unconfirmed: check DLNR before you go. After Hurricane Lowell, DLNR's October 23, 2026 notices list Wailua River State Park as open only for river and designated landing/trailhead access, with hiking beyond the trailhead closed. They say all other Kauai state parks remain closed and do not mention the Wailua Falls overlook. What the status labels mean
Wailua Falls is a two-stream waterfall on the South Fork of the Wailua River near Lihue, Kauai. You see it from a roadside overlook at the end of Maʻalo Road, and since February 2026 non-residents pay $5 per person plus $10 per car. After Hurricane Lowell, Wailua River State Park has only partly reopened and the overlook's status is unconfirmed, so check DLNR before you go.
About Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls is on the South Fork of the Wailua River. Wikipedia's infobox lists it as a plunge with two drops; from the overlook it usually shows as two streams side by side.
Heights vary by source. Go Hawaii gives 80 feet but notes that some sources say 200 feet. Wikipedia lists 84 feet in its infobox and 173 feet in its lead. We show 80 feet, the figure Go Hawaii uses.
TV fans may know the falls from the opening credits of Fantasy Island, according to Go Hawaii. The falls sit in Wailua River State Park, managed by DLNR's Division of State Parks.
Kauai's Wailua Falls is the one covered here. Maui also has a Wailua Falls, a different waterfall on the Road to Hana.
Republic Parking Northwest runs parking and fee collection under a Land Board permit. Beat of Hawaii reported in July 2026 that the state keeps 99% of net operating income, and the operator keeps 1%. According to Beat of Hawaii, the parking permit also covers Opaekaa Falls, Fern Grotto and Wailua Marina.
Getting there and parking
Wailua Falls is a roadside overlook at the end of Maʻalo Road, north of Lihue, so no hike is needed. Non-residents pay $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle, by card only.
Directions from Lihue
The overlook is at the end of Maʻalo Road, north of Lihue. Go Hawaii describes the drive as about 3 miles uphill from Hanamāʻulu. You view the falls from the roadside.
Fees and hours
DLNR says that as of February 2026, parking and entrance fees are required to enter Wailua River State Park. Non-residents pay $5 per person and $10 per vehicle. Hawaii residents with a Hawaii ID and children 3 and under are free. Bring a card, because cash isn't accepted.
The Wailua River fee covers the Wailua Falls, Opaekaa Falls, Kaumualii and Marina areas, according to DLNR. Commercial vehicles pay $25, $50 or $90, depending on how many passengers they carry.
DLNR lists Wailua River State Park hours as 7:00am to 7:45pm daily. The park page doesn't say whether those hours apply to the falls overlook, and access after the hurricane may differ.
Map and nearby falls
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OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
The overlook (no hike)
There's no hike at Wailua Falls. You view the falls from the roadside at the end of Maʻalo Road, so the walking distance is close to zero.
Do not look for a way down to the pool. DLNR's October 23, 2026 notices say hiking beyond the trailhead in Wailua River State Park remains closed. Wikipedia describes jumping from the falls as dangerous and illegal, and reports that a jumper was knocked unconscious in 2016.
We couldn't confirm restrooms or wheelchair access at the overlook from an official source. We've left those out until one confirms them.
When to visit
Wailua Falls' status is unconfirmed after Hurricane Lowell, so check DLNR's Important Park Notices before you go. When the overlook is open, Go Hawaii suggests a morning visit for a chance at a rainbow.
Hurricane Lowell and park status
Check DLNR before you go. Hurricane Lowell passed west of Kauai early on September 8, 2026, the County of Kauai said. Wailua River State Park first reopened partly on September 21.
DLNR's October 23, 2026 notices say river and designated landing/trailhead access is open in Wailua River State Park. Hiking beyond the trailhead and access to Uluwehi (Secret) Falls remain closed, and individual kayakers may not go to Fern Grotto.
DLNR's October 23 notices list these other Kauai park updates:
- Haʻena State Park reopened October 15.
- Waimea Canyon Lookout was set to partly reopen October 24, per the October 23 notices; other lookout areas stay closed.
- Kōkeʻe Road remains closed until further notice.
- All Kauai camping is closed.
- All other Kauai state parks remain closed.
On Kauai's north shore, Hanakāpīʻai Falls is a full-day hike from Hāʻena State Park, which DLNR reopened October 15.
None of the DLNR notices we found, including the October 23 update, mention the Wailua Falls overlook. As a result, we list its status as unconfirmed. Check DLNR's Important Park Notices page the day you drive up.
For a similar roadside stop on Hawaii Island, Rainbow Falls in Hilo uses the same state fee system.
When is the water highest?
At a USGS stream gauge right by the falls, the flow averages highest in March and lowest in May, based on 30 years of records (1991 to 2020).
Show the numbers
| Month | Average flow (cfs) |
|---|---|
| January | 123 |
| February | 143 |
| March | 225 |
| April | 140 |
| May | 104 |
| June | 112 |
| July | 108 |
| August | 118 |
| September | 122 |
| October | 129 |
| November | 189 |
| December | 195 |
| Height | 80 ftNote: per Go Hawaii; other sources give 84, 173 or 200 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | No hike; roadside overlook at the end of Maʻalo Road |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Entry fee | Non-residents: $5 per person entry plus $10 per vehicle parking. Hawaii residents with a Hawaii ID and children 3 and under are free. |
| Permit / reservation | No permit; non-resident entry and parking fees apply |
| Parking | End of Maʻalo Road; $10 per non-resident car |
| Hours / season | Wailua River State Park: daily 7:00am-7:45pm (DLNR; not stated separately for the overlook) |
| Swimming | No; view from the overlook. DLNR's October 2026 notices keep hiking beyond the trailhead closed, and Wikipedia describes jumping from the falls as dangerous and illegal |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Managed by | Hawaii DLNR Division of State Parks (Wailua River State Park) |
Safety and swimming
Stay at the overlook. Jumping from the falls is dangerous and illegal, according to Wikipedia, and DLNR's October 2026 notices keep hiking beyond the trailhead closed. Never climb past barriers to reach the edge.
Leptospirosis is another reason to stay out of the pool. The Hawaii Department of Health advises people not to swim or wade in freshwater streams or ponds anywhere in Hawaii. Leptospirosis bacteria come from animal urine and get in through broken skin, eyes, nose or mouth.
DLNR's older Na Ala Hele hiking-safety sheet warns that rain on the mountaintops and ridges can suddenly raise the water level in a stream. Maui County Fire adds that flash floods can happen on sunny days. For general tips, see our waterfall safety page.
Where to stay near Wailua Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Lihue.
See places to stay nearbyAffiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Partners do not see or change our waterfall facts. Disclosure.
Photos
Wailua Falls FAQ
Is there a fee for Wailua Falls?
Yes, for visitors. Since February 2026, non-residents pay $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle, by credit card only. Hawaii residents with ID and children 3 and under are free.
Do you have to hike to see Wailua Falls?
No. You see the falls from a roadside overlook at the end of Maʻalo Road, north of Lihue.
Is Wailua Falls open after Hurricane Lowell?
It's unconfirmed. DLNR's October 23, 2026 notices reopen only river and landing/trailhead access in Wailua River State Park and say all other Kauai state parks remain closed. None of them names the falls overlook. Check DLNR's Important Park Notices before you go.
Can you hike to the bottom of Wailua Falls?
No. DLNR's October 2026 notices keep hiking beyond the trailhead closed in Wailua River State Park. Wikipedia also describes jumping from the falls as dangerous and illegal.
How tall is Wailua Falls?
Go Hawaii gives about 80 feet. Other sources list 84, 173 or even 200 feet.
How do you get to Wailua Falls?
From Hanamāʻulu, north of Lihue, take Maʻalo Road uphill to the overlook at the end of the road. Go Hawaii puts it about 3 miles up. Don't confuse it with Maui's Wailua Falls on the Road to Hana.
Can you swim at Wailua Falls?
No. There's no legal way down to the pool while DLNR keeps hiking beyond the trailhead closed, and Wikipedia calls jumping from the falls dangerous and illegal. The Hawaii Department of Health also advises against swimming in freshwater streams because of leptospirosis.
Nearby waterfalls
ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls1 mi straight-lineUnconfirmed151FT
Hanakāpīʻai Falls17 mi straight-lineOpen300FT
Waipoʻo Falls19 mi straight-lineClosed800FT CASCADE
On these lists: Roadside waterfalls
Sources
- DLNR State Parks: Wailua River State Park
- DLNR Important Park Notices (Oct 23, 2026)
- County of Kauai: Hurricane Lowell update (Sep 8, 2026, 7:30am)
- DLNR: Haena reopens; Kauai update (10/13/26)
- DLNR visitor notice: new parking/entry fee management (Feb 2026)
- Hawaii News Now: DLNR begins reopening select Kauai lands
- Go Hawaii: Wailua Falls
- Beat of Hawaii: Who keeps your waterfall fee
- Hawaii DOH: Leptospirosis
- DLNR Na Ala Hele: Hiking safety
- Maui County: Flash flood precautions
- Wikipedia: Wailua Falls
Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Hawaii DLNR Division of State Parks (Wailua River State Park) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.