These are the Hawaii waterfalls that draw the biggest crowds, measured by Google review volume and led by Rainbow Falls. Popular does not have to mean packed if you time it right.
For every waterfall we track nearby, see the full list of waterfalls in Hawaii, or browse by town: Hilo, Maunawili, Wailua Homesteads, Pupukea, Pepeekeo. You can also compare our best waterfalls in Hawaii and most beautiful waterfalls in Hawaii.
How we picked: Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 79% of all Google reviews of Hawaii waterfalls.
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1. Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls near Hilo takes the top spot, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 1,710 reviews.
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1,710 Google reviews make it the most visited waterfall in Hawaii, about 28% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. That is 1.5 times as many as Mānoa Falls in second place. Visitors have shared 4,931 photos of it. It averages 4.5 stars, with 70% five-star reviews. "Rainforest waterfall featuring distinctive rainbows on sunny days, seen from a viewing platform." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Hilo, about 1.4 miles to the northeast.
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2. Mānoa Falls
Mānoa Falls, near Maunawili, is next up, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 1,144 reviews.
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1,144 Google reviews make it number 2 in Hawaii, about 19% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 4,609 photos of it. It averages 4.6 stars, with 75% five-star reviews. "A celebrated hiking area, this 150-foot waterfall is set amid tropical vegetation & an arboretum." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Maunawili, about 2.7 miles to the northeast.
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3. Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls, near Wailua Homesteads, is next up, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 1,103 reviews.
Kauai County, HI 96746 (GPS 22.0346, -159.3786)
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1,103 Google reviews make it number 3 in Hawaii, about 18% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 2,129 photos of it. It averages 4.5 stars, with 68% five-star reviews. "Dramatic double waterfall known for rainbows & its place in the "Fantasy Island" opening credits." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Wailua Homesteads, about 2.1 miles to the north.
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4. Waimea Falls
Waimea Falls near Pupukea is another strong option, rated 4.3 out of 5 from 520 reviews.
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520 Google reviews make it number 4 in Hawaii, about 8% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 2,615 photos of it. It averages 4.3 stars, with 67% five-star reviews. "A 45-ft.-tall waterfall accessed via a paved path or shuttle through scenic botanical gardens." Expect company: arrive early on weekends and holidays, when parking fills first. The nearest town is Pupukea, about 2.0 miles to the northwest.
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5. ʻAkaka Falls
ʻAkaka Falls near Pepeekeo is another strong option, rated 4.4 out of 5 from 405 reviews.
Hawaii County, HI 96720 (GPS 19.8532, -155.1562)
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405 Google reviews make it number 5 in Hawaii, about 7% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 1,308 photos of it. It averages 4.4 stars, with 70% five-star reviews. "A modest trail leads to this 442-ft. waterfall on the Kolekole Stream, framed by tropical plants." The nearest town is Pepeekeo, about 3.5 miles to the southeast.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most visited waterfall in Hawaii?
Rainbow Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.5-star rating from 1,710 Google reviews. It is near Hilo in Hawaii County.
How was this list made?
Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 79% of all Google reviews of Hawaii waterfalls.
How many waterfalls are in Hawaii?
Our directory lists 112 waterfalls in Hawaii. See every one, with filters and a map, on the Hawaii waterfalls page.
Is it safe to swim beneath Hawaii's waterfalls?
It carries real risks. Rocks regularly fall from the cliffs above pools, flash floods can arrive with little warning, and freshwater may carry leptospirosis, so many agencies advise against swimming, especially with open cuts or after rain.
Summary
Rainbow Falls near Hilo is our top pick for most visited waterfalls in Hawaii, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 1,710 reviews. Ratings and review counts reflect public data at the time of writing and can change, and trail access, water levels and road conditions vary through the year, so confirm current conditions before you drive out.
Hawaii has falls year-round, but flow depends on recent rain far more than on season. The wetter months generally run from about October through April, when winter storms add to trade-wind showers and falls along the Hana Highway, the Hamakua Coast and Kauai's interior run strongest. Summer trades still bring regular windward showers, so many falls keep flowing, though some smaller ones shrink to a trickle during dry spells. Morning visits tend to be clearer, calmer and less crowded, and they are best for rainbows at Rainbow Falls in Hilo. Heavy rain can arrive suddenly in any month, and north-shore winter surf affects coastal trailheads on Kauai and Oahu.
For more options, see every waterfall on the Hawaii waterfalls page, read 15 Best Waterfalls in Hawaii, or check our waterfall safety tips before you go.