Are there fees or permits required for Waikaka Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Waikaka Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Waikaka Falls.

Nearby gauge (Waialae Str) · 12 ft³/s · About average

Waikaka Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Waikaka Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Waikaka Falls.

Hawaii

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

About Waikaka Falls

Waikaka Falls is a lesser-known waterfall located in Hawaii, offering a serene and picturesque setting. It is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and may require some effort to access, depending on the trail conditions.

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The trail to Waikaka Falls is not well-documented, and its conditions may vary. It is recommended to check with local resources or recent visitor reports for updated trail information.

What to Expect

Visitors can expect a tranquil waterfall surrounded by dense tropical foliage. The area may be slippery and uneven, so caution is advised.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not available. The trail may not be suitable for individuals with mobility challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Waikaka Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Waikaka Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

The waterfall can be visited year-round, but dry seasons may offer easier access and better trail conditions.

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

Trails may be slippery, uneven, or overgrown. Flash flooding is a potential hazard in Hawaii, especially after heavy rain. Always check weather conditions and exercise caution.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Waialae Str, 2.9 miles away, not on Waikaka Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

12 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

3 4 23 58

Based on 86 years of record

1.23 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year.

About This Gauge

Waialae Str at alt 3,820 ft nr Waimea, Kauai, HI

USGS 16019000

2.9 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 2 sq mi

Altitude: 3,820 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Waialae Str at alt 3,820 ft nr Waimea, Kauai, HI (5 km away).

High confidence

Moderate right now

12 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Moderate

13 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

16 cfs

5/10

Mon

Moderate

15 cfs

5/10

Tue

Moderate

15 cfs

8/10

Wed

Moderate

14 cfs

8/10

Thu

Moderate

16 cfs

5/10

Fri

Moderate

18 cfs

5/10

Best window: Tue — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 8/10).

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

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 Kalaheo hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Waikaka Falls Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Waikaka Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 74°F to 63°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 16 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

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

The laser survey finds one clean step here: roughly 274 feet of drop concentrated at the brink. Elevation at the pin is about 2,324 feet.

The ground changes about 65 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 47 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing southwest, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Waikaka Falls near Kalaheo, Hawaii, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Waikaka Falls near Kalaheo, Hawaii, showing about 274 feet of drop, a single sheer drop, facing southwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 2,324 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 274 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southwest; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southwest).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Specific directions to Waikaka Falls are not widely documented. Visitors are advised to consult local guides or maps for the most accurate route information.

Get Directions on Google Maps