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)

Tonight
Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday
Scattered showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Breezy, with a light east northeast wind becoming east 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Thursday Night
Scattered showers, mainly after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Breezy, with an east wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday
Scattered showers, mainly before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Breezy, with an east wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Scattered showers, mainly after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Breezy, with an east wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday
Scattered showers, mainly before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. East wind 9 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday Night
Scattered showers, mainly after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday
Scattered showers, mainly before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday Night
Scattered showers, mainly after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday
Scattered showers, mainly before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday Night
Scattered showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday
Scattered showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night
Scattered showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.