Oahu is filled to the brim with some of the best waterfall hikes that we have ever done, and they showcase the island’s amazing natural beauty. You will find many different types of waterfalls in different stages of their life cycle, and each with their own unique features.

If you ask us, there is nothing better than taking a refreshing dip in the water during a hike, and you don’t have to worry about water snakes as there are none in Hawaii. The hikes to each waterfall vary in terms of length and difficulty, with some being paved the entire way, and others requiring a trek through the jungle.

There are some other useful tips and tricks to know ahead of your visit and this guide will cover all of this to help you choose which waterfall to hike to and ensure you make the most it!

Waimānalo Falls (Multi-tiered Waterfall + Rope Swing)

Length: 2.8 miles (round trip)

Difficulty: Moderate

Parking: Top of Komo Mai Dr

One of our abolute favorite waterfall hikes on Oahu is Waimanola Falls which features a multi-tier waterfall and rope swing. This hike near Pearl City takes you to a fantastic multi-tier waterfall with a swimming hole that features a rope swing.

Waimanalo Falls is accessed via the Manana Ridge Trail and there will be signs guiding you to the waterfall from there. The hike starts off easy with a designated path but it soon becomes steeper with obstacles such as tree roots and rocks along the way. You will find ropes on the really steep parts to help you down. The final part of the hike is a descent downhill through the jungle until you reach the picturesque waterfall, a worthwhile reward.

The lower level waterfall includes a deep plunge pool, which is perfect for swimming and there’s a rope swing above that you can use to jump into the pool too. The water feels so refreshing, especially after the trek down. You can then climb to the upper level of the waterfall where there’s a shallower plunge pool that gives the water a turquoise color.

There’s plenty of space to hang out and enjoy the view on the upper tier and it’s also a great place to get a photo of yourself with the waterfall in the background. 

Travel Tip: We’d recommend wearing hiking boots or shoes you don’t mind getting dirty because this trail is often very slippery and muddy.

Manoa Falls (Oahu’s most visited waterfall)

Length: 1.7 miles (round trip)

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Parking: Lot at the beginning of the trailhead 

One of Oahu’s most visited waterfalls is Manoa Falls, a relatively easy 1.7 roundtrip hike which takes you through a lush jungle to a beautiful 150-foot waterfall. The trail takes you through a gorgeous rainforest with a gentle gradient throughout, and culminates in a beautiful 150 ft waterfall to enjoy before making your way back. Note that the water is often contaminated with bacteria making it unsafe to swim in the plunge pool at the bottom but just watching and listening to the water is enough of a reward.

The trail is flat at the beginning, but after some rainfall, there can be quite a few puddles that can be a nuisance to get around. Coupled with some muddy areas on the ascent, hiking boots are definitely worthwhile to bring with you. There is a parking lot available with a fee of $7 for non-residents.

Interesting Info: Manoa Falls is featured in many famous movies and shoes such as Lost and Jurrasic Park

Lulumahu Falls

Length: 2 miles (round trip)

Difficulty: Moderate

Parking: Lot just off Pali Highway

Hike through Oahu’s gorgeous rainforest to Lulumahu Falls, a 50 ft waterfall located deep within the island. The bottom of the waterfall is great for a dip to cool off, with plenty of spots to hang out and enjoy the view. This slice of natural beauty epitomizes how pretty and full of life the island is.

The beginning of the hike, before you enter the rainforest, is paved and affords some picturesque views of the Ko’olau Mountain range as you walk past the reservoir to your left. The trail then takes you into the dense, green rainforest, where you’ll be required to cross a few streams along the way. The trail can be a bit tricky to follow at times, so make sure you don’t stray too far from the river as you make your way up. There are areas where you will have to climb over fallen branches and rocks, especially as you get closer to the waterfall.

You will need to get a permit to hike to Lulumahu Falls, which you can obtain online for $3. You will park in the dirt car park at the beginning of the hike, just off Pali Highway.

Waimea Falls

Length: 1.5 miles (round trip)

Difficulty: Easy

Parking: Botanical Garden Complex

A true gem on Oahu’s north shore is the amazing Waimea Falls, which features a large, 45 ft deep pool to enjoy. Found within Waimea Valley, you will walk through an exquisite botanical garden filled with endemic plants and trees, as well as some cultural sites where you can learn some cool history about the Native Hawaiians. The trail is paved the entire way and although there’s some uphill parts, it’s quite an easy walk up to the waterfall and one of the most accessible hikes we have done on Oahu.

The cascading waterfall at the end is a view straight out of a postcard and swimming here is heavenly. The plunge pool at the bottom of the waterfall is so large it feels like a pond, with plenty of room to swim about. There are lifeguards on duty here and will provide you with a life jacket that you must wear while in the water. Bathrooms are available at the top of the trail, just before you reach the waterfall.

There is a large parking lot before you reach the visitor center, which is free for all guests.

Maunawili Falls

Length: Approximately 6 miles (round trip)

Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

Parking: Scenic lookout along Pali Hwy

Our favorite waterfall hikes on Oahu are ones that you can swim in and Maunawili Falls ranks at top of our list! Another hike that will get your legs muddy but has an incredible payoff is the trail to Maunawili Falls, a 20 ft waterfall that ends in a deep pool where you can enjoy a swim. The hike starts on the Maunawili Trail, which then takes you to the waterfall trail and consists of dense rainforest so you will have shade throughout most of it. There can be plenty of bugs, especially as you get closer to the waterfall so bug spray is essential.

There are some steep ups and downs with stairs available in areas, but for the most part, there’s no extreme elevation shifts. You’ll have a couple of streams to cross, and it may be worth taking your hiking boots off and going barefoot to do so. You’ll see signs sporadically popping up along the trail to guide you and ensure you stay on track, so keep an eye out for those.

Maunawili Falls is not the largest waterfall on this list, but it’s incredibly scenic when you get there and the opportunity for a refreshing after hiking swim is a huge bonus. There’s even a second waterfall you will see if you climb up the rocks and if you’re seeking more of a thrill, you can jump from the rocks into the plunge pool below. 

Likeke Falls

Length: <1 mile

Difficulty: Easy

Parking: Along Kiona’ole Road or Ko’olau Golf Club parking lot ($10 for the day).

If you’re looking for a short, laid-back hike that offers glorious mountain views, jungle scenery, and a multi-tier waterfall, then Likeke Falls has you covered. Nestled in the Ko’olau Mountains, the hike is less than a mile long and has very few elevation changes, so it is very accessible for people of all ages. The trail requires stepping over some tree roots, ducking under branches, and traversing muddy puddles, especially towards the beginning. The trail becomes slightly uphill for a stretch but features a stone pathway, which helps keep your shoes dry and offers good grip.

The waterfall is very beautiful and flows on the gentler side, with water flowing down over the rock as opposed to crashing down into the plunge pool. The pool is only about half a foot deep so too shallow to swim in, but you can stand beneath the upper waterfall and let the water shower you if you want to cool down. In general, it’s a really peaceful hangout spot and offers a perfect time to relax, have a snack, and take in your surroundings.

For parking, you can park at Ko’olau Golf Club which will cost $10 per car. The beginning of the trail will be found at the back-left corner of the golf club parking lot, marked by a couple of cones.