Visit the Best Waterfalls in Maui

Maui, despite its small size, has several microclimates, among them the tropical rainforest with lush vegetation that, thanks to its high humidity throughout the year and the steep terrain in some areas, favors the formation of incredible waterfalls. Of all the various things to see and do in Maui, visiting the waterfalls is one of the most recommended.

The different waterfalls are scattered around the island and it is difficult to get to some of them if you do not know the area, for this reason, the best way to see them is on a tour. In this article I will tell you which are the best waterfalls in Maui and how to visit them.

The best option

Maui Island Day Trip

A full day excursion where you will have the best views of the longest coastal route in the world).

You will tour Hanawai Falls, tropical rainforests, unique beaches, volcanic caves and bamboo forests on a spectacular tour that includes transfers, guide and meals.

From $219 at Hellotickets

In this full day tour to Hana, you will travel the road to Hana and stop at different points of interest such as Ho'okipa beach, windsurfing capital of the world, the bamboo forest, the black sand beach, traditional Hawaiian villages and of course, also at the main waterfalls of Maui.

You will visit the Waikani Falls, also known as the Three Bears Falls, the most famous thanks to the series and movies filmed in Maui. You can also visit the two waterfalls of Pua'a Ka'a State Park, where the locals usually go swimming. The next waterfalls you will visit are the Wailua Falls.

You will be able to swim in the waterfalls, don't forget to bring a bathing suit, towel and clothes to change.

Recommended if... You like adventure and have little time to see the best of Maui. With this excursion you can take advantage of a full day to travel this route to the most beautiful places in the world.

There are options for all tastes and budgets in Maui. Being one of the best activities and tours among tourists in the Hawaiian city, the offer is very wide. Anyway, I help you to choose the most interesting excursions according to your interests:

Tours for small groups

In this option, you will enjoy the road to Hana with its various attractions, in a private tour, just for you and your group. Some of these excursions are done in all-terrain vehicles in which you will be able to travel through places that are not accessible by regular vehicles. If you want to know which waterfall you will visit, you have to ask the guide beforehand, because the itinerary is subject to change, but since all the waterfalls in Maui are magnificent, you can rest assured that no matter which one you visit, you will be fascinated by its beauty.

In this tour small children are welcome and it can be done in groups of up to five people. You will have the guide only for you and your companions, which allows you to do the tour at your own pace, if you want to spend more time bathing in the waterfalls you can do it if you coordinate it with your guide.

If you are looking for more activities to do with children in Maui you will see that there is a wide variety of fun experiences to share with your kids.

Tours with water activities included

We all know that Maui has some of the best beaches in the world. Thus, it is a fantastic destination for all kinds of water activities, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing or kayaking. And of course, many excursions to Maui's waterfalls also include these types of sports.

For the more adventurous, you can book combination tours that include snorkeling to see turtles while walking through the waterfalls and swimming in them or jumping off the rocks. Other tours also include a kayak ride or rappel, try it!

When you arrive in Maui you will see many locals offering tours to the waterfalls and other places as well, avoid them. Most of these "guides" are not professional.

Maui, unlike other destinations, has a very peculiar geography and dangerous access regions, so it is not advisable to improvise when choosing tours. The best option to book Maui tours (both to the waterfalls and other places of interest) is through online companies specialized in selling tour packages, excursions and experiences.

When you visit these online stores, you will also discover other options for tours and activities in Maui that will help you organize your travel itinerary. Another advantage is that you can pay by credit or debit card in your own currency.

Considering that it is a tropical climate, humidity is very present in the places of Maui. Rain can be a double-edged sword since we can consider it an ally if we want to see the waterfalls in all their splendor. But it can also complicate the route as we have to cross the winding muddy roads that lead to them.

Also, rain can spoil the plan if we choose any of the best hiking tours in Maui or any other activity that this city offers to do outdoors.

Therefore, my recommendation is to look at the weather in the area before booking any activity. Keep in mind that if it rains the excursion may be rescheduled for another day but don't be discouraged because there are plenty of rainy day activities in Maui to make the most of.

I also recommend you to take a look at our post about What to do in Maui in winter.

The duration of the Maui waterfall tours varies from tour to tour and will depend a lot on what other places are included in the tour itinerary.

As most of the waterfalls are in the vicinity of the road to Hana, you should estimate that the minimum time needed is about 6 hours.

In any case, whether you travel to Maui for five days or have seven days to explore the city, it is interesting that you plan an itinerary and organize this tour well in advance.

The road to Hana, where most of the waterfalls are concentrated, is a quite dangerous road not only because of the amount of curves, but also because it is very narrow.

Lately, due to its increasing popularity, the recklessness of private drivers and the non-compliance of the rules has led to a growing concern of the residents about the insecurity of the road to Hana. For these reasons it is best to take a guided tour, with a professional driver and not on your own.

Another important advantage of guided tours is that you will be able to access places that only locals know about and you will do so in total safety, if instead, you go on your own, the lack of knowledge of the region can make you miss the opportunity to see places of interest and can also put you at risk.

The Maui waterfalls excursions include visits to the most beautiful spots on the Hawaiian island where you can contemplate the spectacular waterfalls that break the silence of the rainforest.

From the "Three Bears Falls", as the Waikani Falls are known, which can be seen from the vehicle that takes you along the Hana route, to those of the Pua'a Ka'a State Park, where you can also swim safely. Passing by Wailua Falls, the highest waterfall of the entire route and the highlight of the tour.

As a major attraction in the region, tours that take you to the spectacular Maui Waterfalls include transportation in a variety of vehicles for an unforgettable day.

From an air-conditioned car or van to a limousine or luxury minivan to a helicopter to view the stunning waterfall from the air.

Any of these modes of transportation will take you along the world's longest coastal route on the way to the famous Hana Highway.

• If you plan to visit the Maui waterfalls and hike the road to Hana check out how to hike and what to see on the Road to Hana.
• Wear appropriate clothing.
• Wear comfortable shoes suitable for wet areas.
• Bring a bathing suit and towel.
• Don't forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
• Remember that you will be traveling for several hours, bring water and some snacks for the road, especially if your excursion does not include meals.
• If you are traveling with small children, pack some toys to distract them.
• Always follow the safety recommendations of your guide.
• Always stay with your group.