Maui Waterfalls and Swimming Pools

Staying Safe Along the Road to Hana

Road To Hana Waterfalls

The one thing that people think about when visiting Hawaii is to find a beautiful Maui waterfall with a swimming pool below set in a wonderful tropical environment. To find those scenes you need to go to the northeast shores of the islands and down the road to Hana. Those areas receive almost daily rain that supports a large, tropical forest full of rich smells, beautiful flowers, and amazing trees.

The Road to Hana has hundreds and hundreds of turns as the highway twists in and out of small and large gulches, following an ancient pathway. Each historic bridge, over 50 of them (many being one-lane), cross various size streams right near some of the most beautiful waterfalls and swimming spots you can think of.

Fun Fact

Kipahulu is located between Hana and Kaupo and was added to the park in order to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the valley.

Maui Waterfalls

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puaa kaa road to hana waterfalls maui guests

Around almost every corner on the road to Hana, there is another waterfall. There are so many that some of the best tours will return back down the road to Hana to give you that double-dose of waterfall beauty. You will see so many new waterfalls above and below the road as you travel back down the highway.

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On a Circle Island tour, you will see the beautiful South Wailua Waterfall which is one of the largest and most picturesque seen along this road.

If there has been very little rain in the few days before you travel to Hana, there will be fewer waterfalls but clearer water in the pools available for swimming.

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Once you are out on the road, you may see a lot of dams, dikes, tunnels, and diversions in many of the creeks we pass over. These are part of this system designed to bring water around central Maui to feed the pineapple and sugarcane fields that once covered huge portions of the entire island. Today that water is feeding a new set of crops including but not limited to; potatoes, oranges, limes, breadfruit, coffee, and avocado.

Swimming in a Waterfall Pool

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swimmer and waterfall at puaa kaa state park

Everyone dreams about swimming in a crystal clear pool below a wonderful waterfall. We can help you make that happen. Some of the most beautiful, safe spots to swim are accessible on most sightseeing tours. Guests who are on hiking or private tours will have more flexibility in what pools they can swim in.

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Always remember that due to the small watershed we have on the island, flash floods happen at any time and do happen often. There doesnʻt need to be a lot of water to put a real hurting on the body if you get knocked down. The lava rocks are unforgiving. If itʻs raining or the water is brown, stay out of the creek beds.

Water On Maui

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Most of the water on Maui is surface water. We have very few wells. Our almost daily rain feeds the watersheds on the northeast side of each of our major mountains (West Maui & Haleakala) and water is pulled from the rivers and streams just before they reach the ocean.

The towns of Wailea, Kihei, Wailuku, and Kahului are fed from water from the West Maui Mountains while Upcountry Maui and the entire central isthmus are fed by rains captured by Haleakala. The water is brought around the mountain to feed this vast farming area by an irrigation system designed and dug almost 200 years ago.

Popular Waterfalls

South Wailua
This is the largest and most accessible waterfalls along the road to Hana. It sits in a beautiful alcove of the mountain right in front of a bridge. Just be careful not to block traffic or fall off this high bridge!
Waikamoi Falls
This is more of a beautiful hike through the rainforest. The trailhead has parking and the pool is large but the waterfall is small. It is a scenic adventure none the less!
Pua‘a Ka’a Wayside Park
This small park has restrooms and picnic tables. There are two falls, an upper and lower, and the upper falls has a pool that is perfect for an easy swim. You’ll have to cross a shallow stream to get there.
Pools Of Oheo - Haleakala National Park
Multiple levels of pools spill down this gulch underneath the bridge that overlooks this district of Haleakala National Park. Though swimming here was allowed in the past, the park no longer allows swimming in the pools due to flash flooding and loss of life over the past years.

Helicopter Tours

Flying over the Hana coastline is a must. You will see so many more waterfalls and really appreciate the area, especially if you plan to drive through it later. The helicopter tours we are offering all fly over the Keanae Peninsula and some may go up the valley near the borders of Haleakala National Park too.

Sightseeing Tours

Almost every Hana sightseeing tour makes it out to visit Keanae as itʻs the halfway point to Hana and for those who just want a small taste, it gives you a lot for the time.

Facts About Maui Waterfalls

What is the tallest waterfall we will see on the road to Hana?

The tallest waterfall that you will see while driving on the Hana Highway or around the backside would be either South Wailua Waterfall out in Kipahulu (for those doing circle island tours) or the West Wailua Iki waterfall, just outside of Keanae, seen best returning back down the road to Hana.
How many waterfalls will we see on our drive?

There are hundreds of waterfalls, maybe more. Haleakala rises over 10,000 feet above sea level in a very short distance so the land is quite steep. On a clear day, looking up a stream, you may see 5 or 10 different waterfalls. At Waikamoi you might see dozens of separate waterfalls, right from the bridge at that single stream. If you are planning on hiking or taking a helicopter you will see even more!
How long does it take to drive from our hotel to the nearest waterfall for swimming?

The nearest swimming spot on the road to Hana would be at Twin Falls. That is about a 1.5-hour drive from most guest hotels. Itʻs a private farm near the beginning of Hana Highway with a fruit stand and access to a few waterfalls, one that is good for swimming. This is a very popular stop for people who are doing the Hana Highway on their own and make the mistake of stopping here. Sometimes 50 or more cars are parked in an area meant for 30 and the Maui police department has been handing out tickets for illegal park throughout this area and the length of Hana Highway.

Get Answers To Your Questions

Your Road To Hana Experts

Having a perfect day in Hana means traveling with an expert guide. We know the Hana Highway well, so feel free to ask us any questions about this wondrous, winding road.

Top Road To Hana Stops

When all you have is just one day to experience some of the most beautiful tropical rainforests in all of the USA, then here are the stops we highly recommend seeing so you don’t miss a thing!

The Best Hana Highway Tours

The best tour on the road is the one that fits you perfectly. We match you up to the experience that is right for what you want out of your vacation. Hike, walk, ride or fly, we have all the best Hana tours.

Stress-Free Booking Experience

A great Hawaiian vacation is as important to us as it is to you! We are here to make your trip better. Hassle-free cancellations and full concierge service are included with every tour.