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Wailua Falls

7 Miles Past Hāna

Recommended

A tall, single-drop waterfall a few miles past Hāna that you can see almost from the car. Of the many roadside falls on the route, this is one of the easiest to actually stop for, which is why nearly every tour van pulls in here.

⏱ 10 – 20 min at stop 🚗 147 min from Pāʻia ✓ Free to access

At a glance

What you'll see: A tall roadside cascade — An roughly 80-foot fall dropping in one column into a pool, framed by rainforest. It runs strongest after rain and thins out in dry spells.
Access & parking: Small pull-off just past the falls — There's a parking area on the ocean side of the road past the bridge — more room than most roadside falls on the route, though it fills with tour vans. Local vendors sometimes set up stands here.
In the water: Swimming is not allowed — Signs prohibit swimming, and standing beneath the falls is genuinely dangerous — rocks and debris come over the lip with the water. Admire it from the viewing area.
Time needed: About 10 minutes — Long enough to walk to the viewpoint and take photos. A short, slippery scramble leads partway down, but most people simply view it from the road.

About Wailua Falls

Wailua Falls sits a few miles past Hāna on Highway 31, after the road crosses the stream on a one-lane bridge. It's one of the most photographed waterfalls on the drive, partly because it's genuinely striking and partly because it's so easy to reach — you can catch a glimpse of it without even leaving the car.

Unlike most of the roadside falls earlier on the route, there's a real pull-off here on the ocean side of the road just past the bridge, with more room than usual. That convenience is also why it gets busy: tour vans stop here as a matter of course, so you'll rarely have it to yourself.

The fall drops in a single column — most sources put it around 80 feet — into a pool below, with rainforest crowding in on either side. Like every waterfall on this coast, it depends heavily on recent rain: full and loud after a wet spell, thinner in dry weather. Local artisans sometimes sell jewelry or fruit from stands near the parking area.

Good to know

Because it's right beside the road with a usable pull-off, this is one of the few falls you can reliably stop for. Pull fully off the pavement, and be patient with the steady turnover of tour vans coming and going.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wailua Falls worth stopping at?
Yes — it's one of the tallest and most accessible roadside waterfalls on the drive, visible almost from the car, with a real pull-off to park in. It's a short, rewarding stop on the way to or from the Kīpahulu area.
Can you swim at Wailua Falls?
No. Swimming is not allowed, and standing beneath the falls is dangerous because rocks and debris regularly come over the top with the water. View it from the roadside area instead.
How much does it cost to see Wailua Falls?
Nothing. It's a free roadside stop with a small parking area just past the bridge. You may find local vendors selling snacks or crafts nearby.
Where is Wailua Falls on the Road to Hāna?
It's past Hāna town on Highway 31, roughly seven miles along toward the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park. The road crosses the stream on a one-lane bridge right at the falls.
How long do you need at Wailua Falls?
About ten minutes is plenty — long enough to reach the viewpoint and take photos. There's a short, slippery path partway down, but most people simply view it from the road.