Waimea Falls in Oahu: admissions, how to get, tours,,,
Ready to see the natural wonders of Oahu? In Waimea you will find some of the best that this beautiful island has to offer and here I share with you all the information you need to organize a memorable visit.
Waimea Waterfall | ©Harold Litwiler
If you are on Oahu and you dare to take a trip to the north of the island you will discover, among other incredible places, Waimea Valley, the ideal place to enjoy tropical nature, because in addition to trails and vegetation, it has one of the best waterfalls on Oahu.
How to get to Waimea Waterfall?
If you want to visit the Waimea Valley and Waimea Waterfall, I recommend you to choose between two alternatives:
The best option: an organized excursion
The best way to arrive and enjoy a day in the nature of Oahu is to hire a tour in the north of Oahu. This option not only includes minibus transfers from Waikiki and the company of an expert guide, but also allows you to enjoy the following places:
- Diamond Head State Monument and Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve natural areas.
- Halona Blowhole.
- Tropical Farms, The Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet.
- Mokoli'i Island.
- Banzai Pipeline.
- Haleiwa.
- Dole Plantation.
- Waimea.
In Waimea you will travel by bus through the valley, full of waterfalls, trails and a beautiful botanical garden, and by the bay.
Renting a private vehicle
One of the few problems with a trip to the archipelago is the transportation options on Oahu, especially if you want to explore the island beyond the Waikiki and Honolulu area. There are certain areas that are difficult to reach by public transportation and you will need to rent a vehicle.
If you have your own vehicle you should take the H-1 road heading west; completing the route will take approximately 1 hour without stops and it is best to have a map of the route at hand.
How much are the entrance fees to Waimea Valley?
Access to Waimea Valley has a price that allows you to enjoy all the facilities, including the waterfall, botanical trails and more. Below I share with you the price table by category.
- Adults: Approximately 25 ¤ per adult ticket for ages 13 to 61 years old.
- Seniors 62 and older: Approximately 18€ for ages 62 and older.
- Students: Tourists with accredited student ID pay €18 upon presentation of ID.
- Children: Approximately 14€ for children ages 4 to 12 years old.
Are there guided tours to Waimea Valley or Waimea Falls?
Of course there is! Waimea is a favorite tourist attraction and the best way to get to the waterfall is to take a tour of North Oahu. Waimea tours run every day, but they sell out extremely fast so I recommend booking in advance.
It is a full day adventure that departs early in the morning (around 6:45 am) to be back in Waikiki after 6 pm.
Inside the park, for an additional cost you will have access to the Botanical Garden.
How long does it take to visit Waimea Valley or Waimea Waterfall?
To visit Waimea Falls and the attractions offered, you must reserve at least 5 to 6 hours of itinerary time. This time includes two hours of transportation (one hour to and one hour back to Honolulu) and about 3 hours to enjoy the Valley, the waterfall and its attractions.
However, if your trip to the Hawaiian archipelago includes 3 days on Oahu or more, my recommendation is to reserve a full day for the experience and take advantage of the trip to the north of Oahu to visit other interesting destinations.
If you additionally want to free yourself from the hassles of planning, book a North Oahu tour that includes Waimea among the key activities.
Is it advisable to go to Waimea Falls with children?
Yes! Definitely, if you go to Oahu with children the Waimea Waterfall and Waimea Trail are among the recommended activities, as it is a fairly easy to run shaded trail and a short duration.
However, although it can be a fun activity to do as a family, remember that the age of your children is an important factor to consider. For example, if you are traveling with a baby, he or she should be on your lap during bus transportation.
In addition, you will have to walk a lot along the way, as well as get on and off the bus several times, so a backpack is always a much better option than a conventional stroller.
Is Waimea Valley included in any tourist pass?
Yes, Waimea Valley and Waimea Waterfall are included in the island's most popular tourist pass, the Go Oahu Card. If you purchase this pass you do not need to buy tickets to visit Waimea while your pass is active and valid. All you need to do is present your ID at the ticket booth when you enter.
What you can't miss in Waimea Valley
The attraction is zoned, so it may be helpful to have a map of Waimea Valley handy during your visit.
The flowers and vegetation of the valley
It would take a long time to explore Waimea Valley 's botanical collection but the maintenance and display staff do their best to display as many specimens as possible in as little time as possible.
Water lilies floating on the water, the beautiful hibiscus flower, bamboo plants, begonia, ginger flower and numerous tropical fruits await your appreciation.
A guided tour to learn about the local botany takes place daily at 12:30h in Waimea and is free with the purchase of your ticket.
Traditional Hawaiian games
Na Mea Pa'ani is the area dedicated to traditional Hawaiian games and one of the children's favorites inside the park.
The presentation hours are every day between 11 am and 2 pm. You'll find trained staff showing children and adults how to enjoy 'ulu maika and moa pahe'e (games of skill), konane (strategy game) and 'o'o 'ihe (game of strength).
Bird watching
Waimea is also one of **Oahu'**s birding hotspots. Small, colorful feathered birds predominate.
If you are fond of photography, birds or both, bring your camera battery ready and charged!
The Waimea Trail
The Waimea Valley Trail is considered one of the best hikes on Oahu. With a distance of just one kilometer long, it's a nice, leisurely walk on a shaded path and surrounded by exotic flowers to admire.
You will also find the famous Hawaiian structures known as Hawiian Hale and at the end of the walk the reward is the beautiful Waimea Waterfall, where you can swim, rest and relax for as long as you like.
Waimea Valley Schedule
Waimea Valley is open to the public daily (Monday through Friday) from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. This schedule is maintained even on most holidays in Hawaii.
However, keep in mind that the enclave is closed on specific dates, such as Thanksgiving Day (in the United States it is the 4th Thursday of November) and Christmas Day. If you plan to spend a few weeks in December on Oahu, don't schedule excursions on that date.
Can you eat in Waimea Valley?
At Waimea Valley you will find several food and beverage stands and areas in which to sit and enjoy a meal if you decide to prepare it beforehand. If you decide to eat inside the facilities I will inform you about the opening hours of each of the establishments.
- Hale Kope Cafeteria: The opening hours are from 08h to 15h in the afternoon. Here you can see the menu of Hale Kope.
- Kikoni Bar: The opening hours are from 10h in the morning until 16:30h in the afternoon; on Thursdays they work extended hours until 18h due to the celebration of the Hale'iwa Farmers Market. Here you can see the menu of Kinoki Bar.
- Wahi ʻĀina Grill: Their official hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here you can see the Wahi Aina menu.
- Wailele store: The light snack store is open from 10 am to 4 pm. It is very close to the waterfall.
Is it possible to swim in Waimea Falls?
Yes, you can swim at Waimea Falls unless the weather conditions are not favorable on the date of your visit. There are three pre-established conditions that determine whether or not you can enter the water: regular swim, limited swim and no swim.
The lifeguards are the ones who set the special schedule for swimming in the waterfall. Normally, it can be done between 09:00 am and 17:00 pm. This is an approximate schedule, because during the summer months on Oahu the window of time is wider, while in the winter months may be reduced.
Waimea Waterfall has an impressive height of 14 meters and the water flow leads to a pool more than 9 meters deep.
Tips for your visit to Waimea Falls
Finally, a few tips to make your Waimea Valley hiking trip as fun as possible.
There are lockers and changing rooms near the waterfall
You'll find a whole service area with restrooms, lockers and changing rooms where you can store your belongings near the waterfall and enjoy the water without fear of losing or damaging your items. If you can't find the signs, ask the staff in charge.
What to bring to Waimea Valley and Waterfall
Visiting Waimea guarantees you a few hours of fun in nature, but to enjoy it more I recommend that you bring some basic accessories, such as sunscreen, a cap and hat for the sun and mosquito repellent, because the humid tropical climate favors the appearance of these annoying creatures.
In Oahu the rains are very frequent, so it would not hurt to bring a coat or waterproof jacket as well as an umbrella for the rain. If you go to Oahu in a group, make sure that each member of the family has the accessories they need.
Finally, take a bottle of fresh water with you. You will need it!
Take a botanical tour
There are many activities in the park, but my favorite is the botanical tours that take place every day around noon, around 12:30H.
A botanical expert guide in charge of the park's plants takes the group of hikers through Waimea's private botanical collection to learn, appreciate and get to know the local flora loaded with striking and beautiful colors.
If you are traveling on your own you can ask for information at the ticket booth, but if you are traveling on a private tour ask the organizing company if this experience is available among the scheduled activities.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
On this adventure both your clothing and footwear should be optimized for a day in nature. I recommend closed toe shoes like sneakers or hiking boots and avoid ballet flats, sandals or platforms.
Also prioritize breathable materials like cotton. In general, any sports or gym clothing that facilitates mobility should work in this type of environment. Finally, don't forget to bring your swimsuit!