Are there fees or permits required for Paaiki Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Paaiki Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Paaiki Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Paaiki Falls.

Nearby gauge (Kawaikoi Stream) · 38 ft³/s · Higher than usual

Paaiki Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Paaiki Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Paaiki Falls.

Hawaii

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

Pu'u Ka Pele Forest Reserve SCA · SDNR

Before you go

No trail or road reaches this fall on the remote western Nā Pali coast.

Photo Credits (1)

Michelle Maria CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

About Paaiki Falls

Paaiki Falls is on Kauaʻi, not the Big Island, in Paʻaiki Valley on the remote western Nā Pali coast about half a mile south of Miloliʻi Beach, at roughly 1,200 feet elevation. The land is state forest reserve (Puʻu Ka Pele Forest Reserve) managed by the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources. No trail or road reaches the falls.

The Setting

Paaiki Falls sits at 1,207 feet within Pu'u Ka Pele Forest Reserve, in the foothills of Hawaii.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Waipoʻo Falls (800 ft) lies 4.5 miles to the southeast.

Waipoʻo Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

No trail to Paaiki Falls is documented, and no reliable length or elevation figures exist.

Accessibility

Not accessible; there is no trail or road.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Paaiki Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Paaiki Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

The falls can be visited year-round, but the flow may be stronger during the rainy season (winter and early spring).

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Heavy rains during wet season (November through March) bring higher flow but can make trails slippery.

Safety Information

The Nā Pali coast is remote and roadless. Streams can flash flood during heavy rain.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Low

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Kawaikoi Stream, 6.3 miles away, not on Paaiki Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

38 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Higher than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

3 5 32 78

Based on 112 years of record

2.84 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

The water is flowing higher than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

Kawaikoi Stream nr Waimea, Kauai, HI

USGS 16010000

6.3 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 4 sq mi

Altitude: 3,420 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Kawaikoi Stream nr Waimea, Kauai, HI (10 km away).

Moderate confidence

Low right now

38 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Moderate

41 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Low

43 cfs

6/10

Mon

Low

38 cfs

6/10

Tue

Low

41 cfs

6/10

Wed

Low

48 cfs

6/10

Thu

Low

51 cfs

6/10

Fri

Low

48 cfs

6/10

Best window: Tomorrow — low flow, sunny (trip score 6/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late February to late April, peaking in March.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Kekaha hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Paaiki Falls Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded

Paaiki Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 77°F to 72°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 46 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.

Weather Forecast

Location & Access

Getting There

The falls are in Paʻaiki Valley on the roadless western Nā Pali coast, northwest of Kekaha and south of Miloliʻi. No public route to the falls is documented.

Get Directions on Google Maps