6 Can’t-Miss Big Island Waterfalls You Can Swim In
If you’re looking for Big Island waterfalls you can swim in, I’ve compiled this list of 6 swimmable waterfalls: 3 are public and free (Six Tons, Wai’ale, & Ka’ahakini), 3 are privately owned with admission fees (Kulaniapia, Umauma, & Kohala).
After living on the Big Island, I’ve decided that between beaches and waterfalls, I prefer swimming next to waterfalls. Not only do I feel like I am re-enacting a scene from the Bachelor🌹 (which they actually filmed at the Umauma Falls!) but also because I don’t have to worry about sand in my shorts or running into questionable sealife.
⚠️ WORD OF WISDOM: Always use common sense when attempting to swim near waterfalls. Flash floods can occur without warning. Never swim after a rainstorm or in brown water. You’ve been warned!
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Big Island Swimmable Waterfalls Map
People often ask if you can swim in Rainbow Falls. No, absolutely not. It’s too dangerous and inaccessible.
1. Kulaniapia Falls
Admission: $
Kulaniapia Falls Day Pass Amenities:
- Access to waterfall & nature trails
- Water refilling station
- Life jackets
- Restrooms
- Discount on other property activities
- Kayaks & paddleboards (extra fee)
- Opportunity to prebook a grab and go lunch (extra fee)
The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls has their own private, swimmable 120-ft tall waterfall.
Kulaniapia Falls is privately owned, so if you aren’t an inn guest, you can book a daypass to access the waterfall and enjoy the property.
To get down to the waterfall you can take the scenic nature trail past bamboo patches and the river or take the shorter but steeper trail straight to the falls.
The small pool at the bottom of the waterfall is perfect for swimming and not crowded. The cool waters are so refreshing after the hike down.
I enjoyed parking myself on the boulders around the pool edge and on the grassy patches.
If you want to paddleboard or kayak in the pool, it will cost you extra, which you can pay via QR code at the waterfall. I don’t think it’s worth it as the pool isn’t that big; bring a pool floaty instead.
Bathrooms are inconveniently a hike back up the hill.
I recommend packing a picnic, because you can stay up to 3-4 hours.
➡️ Book Kulaniapia Falls Day Pass
💁♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: Tickets are non-refundable 48hrs prior to your reservation, even if the river conditions are too dangerous for swimming.
I would book your daypass the day before you want to go so you know what river conditions are like closer to time. You might even call the Inn prior to booking the tickets to double check their river conditions.
2. Umauma Falls
photo credit: Umauma Experience
Admission: $
Umauma Falls Tour Amenities:
- Kayaks and paddleboards
- Restrooms
- Picnic tables
- Snacks for purchase
Umauma Falls is a three-tiered private waterfall to swim in owned by The Umauma Experience, an adventure eco-park.
Book the Private Waterfall and River Swim for hanging out in the natural pool, swimming next to the falls and chilling on kayaks or paddleboards.
This waterfall isn’t terribly big, but there is a 10ft ledge you can jump off of into the pool.
There’s a flat grassy lawn for parking with your stuff and picnic supplies.
💁♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: They serve Dole Whip at the gift shop!
>> You also might wanna try ziplining over waterfalls!
3. Kohala Waterfalls
photo credit: Hawaii Forest & Trail
Admission: $
Kohala Waterfall Tour amenities:
- Towels
- Rain gear
- Walking sticks
- Day packs
- Bug repellent
- Sunscreen
- Snacks
- Lunch
- Refillable water
For a more adventursome waterfall swim experience book a guided tour with Hawaii Forest & Trail to access their exclusive private waterfall on the Kohala peninsula, the closest waterfall to Kona.
They’ll take you on an easy 1-mile hike through their beautiful private nature reserve, passing by 7 (unswimmable) waterfalls before ending at that last waterfall to take a well-earned dip.
And since it’s on private land, the only people at the waterfall is your small tour group.
While driving to and from the trailhead, the tour guide shares Hawaiian history and insider knowledge of the island. They also stop for a picnic lunch after the hike at a nice scenic spot overlooking the ocean and cliffs.
4. Six Tons
Admission: Free
Amenities: None
If you are driving the Pepe’ekeo 4 Mile Scenic Drive the white bridge you cross is over Six Tons.
Six Tons may not count as an actual waterfall, but the water flows hard enough that I think it satisfies the need for those looking for a swimmable waterfall.
Kawainui Stream flows through a man-made tunnel and dumps into a swimmable pool as Six Tons (maybe the name refers to how much water flows per minute/hr/day? Idk).
Swimmers will appreciate the convenient, platform-like boulder to jump from into the pool.
While the surroundings are luscious and beautiful, I think some of the serenity is taken away by the noise of cars as they pass by overhead.
Parking is a little precarious as there’s only a dirt pullout large enough for a few cars, so it can easily fill up, though I’ve never not been able to park.
💁♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: If you follow the path downstream, not 5 minutes away you’ll reach the top of a real waterfall where you can carefully perch yourself to view the stream below. I am not aware of a way to access the bottom of the cliff.
5. Wai’ale Falls
Admission: Free
Amenities: None
My favorite Big Island waterfall for swimming is Wai’ale Falls, just upstream from Rainbow Falls in Hilo.
It’s got it all: feels rural but has easy access from the road via a wild, short trail upstream; plus it’s free!
You can park on the dirt shoulder just after the bridge where you’ll see the narrow trailhead going up the bank.
⚠️ To decrease the chance of break-ins, don’t leave valuables in the car.
The short, non-maintained trail has you ducking through tall grass, climbing over roots, and slipping on fermenting fruit.
There is one section that is a little sketch for climbing down to the river bank to access the rocky river island, but take it slow and easy and you’ll be fine.
This isn’t a heavily trafficked waterfall. If you come during a weekday, I have never seen more than 1 or 2 other people here, so you could very likely have the falls to yourself. Weekends will be a bit busier.
6. Ka’ahakini Falls
Admission: Free
Amenities:
- Restrooms
- Picnic tables
- Barbecue
- Grassy park
- Ocean access
- Camping
Ka’ahakini Falls is a rather small waterfall compared to others, but I think it still counts.
It’s located down a deep gulch at Kolekole Beach Park under the Hwy 19 bridge.
The waterfall converges into Kolekole Stream where just a few feet further it dumps into the ocean. Surfers take advantage of riding the waves in the estuary, which is fun to watch.
The part of the stream where Ka’ahakini Falls is is pretty shallow, more for wading than swimming. But it’s still cool and refreshing in the tropical heat.
Kolekole Beach Park has an expansive lawn, perfect for picnicking and spending the afternoon wading by the waterfall, watching surfers, and exploring the rock coastline.
Planning your days around waterfalls? Most of the Big Island’s swimmable waterfalls are on the Hilo side of the island. Before you book your accommodations, read my guide to deciding whether Kona or Hilo is the better home base for your trip.
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