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. High near 69. Southeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
Showers. Low around 62. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 75. South wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Friday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 63. South southeast wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Saturday
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 77. South southeast wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Saturday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 63. Southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Sunday
Showers likely, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night
Isolated showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East southeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday
Scattered showers, mainly after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday Night
Isolated showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday
Scattered showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night
Isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday
Scattered showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. East wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.