Waterfalls of Hawaii - Waipoo Falls; Kauai, Waimea Canyon

Waipo'o Falls is a fantastic waterfall on Kokee Stream dropping 800 ft. in two tiers. It is located in the heart of the Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

The first viewpoint of Waipo'o Falls is located at the signed Waimea Canyon Overlook just past mile marker 10. At this popular turnout, you will find outstanding views of Waimea Canyon and Waipo'o Falls. But you are a long distance away from the falls, so you will need a long lens for your camera as well. There is a second (and much better) viewpoint a couple miles up the road at the unsigned Pu'u Ka Pele Lookout, a roadside turnout just before mile marker 13. Although still quite a distance away from the waterfall, it feels much closer.

The Canyon Trail is a moderately strenuous hike located between mile markers 14 and 15 on Hwy 550. This trail takes you to the top of Waipo'o Falls. It is considered one of the outstanding hikes on all of Kauai. However, if you are expecting to see a close-up view of Waipo'o Falls, do not do it. You will get great views of the Waimea Canyon from this hike, and you will get to some swimming pools at the top of the waterfall, but there are no actual views of the waterfall itself on this hike.

The flow of Waipo'o Falls depends a lot on the amount of recent rain. During the summer months, there will not be much flow at all and it may even be dry. But if you are fortunate enough to see it in the winter, or after a lot of rain, it is really quite impressive.

10 Miles NNE Kekaha HI (Elev. 1749 ft)

This Afternoon
Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Light and variable wind. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
Scattered showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday
Scattered showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
Isolated showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday
Isolated showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Southeast wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night
Isolated showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday
Isolated showers after noon. Sunny, with a high near 77. East wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday Night
Scattered showers, mainly after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday
Scattered showers, mainly before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. East wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night
Scattered showers, mainly after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday
Scattered showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. East wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday Night
Scattered showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday
Scattered showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.