Waimea Valley

It’s a nice place to visit. It’s all paved and the greenery is very nice. However, if you have to drive from Waikiki just to visit the valley it’s not worth the drive. Better if you combine it with other activities in the same area or maybe swim at the Waimea beach which is very nice. The swim at the falls is not always allowed. Better call ahead to verify.

Lots of parking, and a well groomed path make this an easy hike. Be ready to pay admission, but the fee is deflected in the conditions of the park. The path and grounds are groomed nicely, plenty of bathrooms and trash bins make for a great experience. The falls are the star for sure, and changing rooms with life vests are great for swimmers. Recommended if you have time to make the stop!

Loved walking through the botanical gardens and learning about Hawaiian culture. Such a beautiful place to spend a few hours. The waterfall is nice but lots of people.

Amazing walk through the botanical gardens and ended off with a a beautiful waterfall. Paths are easily walkable, came with my mother and younger child. We stopped in the huts and received a pin after answering some questions. Just a wonderful experience and would recommend it especially to a family. And buy the souvenir book, my daughter had fun checking off all the birds she saw, and used it throughout the rest of our trip.

A beautiful place to enjoy nature in a very accessible environment. It’s $25 admission, which seems steep, but it’s very worth it. The main paved path is 3/4 miles to the waterfall, but there are many side trails that take you through different botanical gardens with plants from areas around the world. The side trails were steeper and had steps, but were much less crowded and gave you some really amazing views of different plants. There was a model traditional living site and tents along the way with staff showing off different artifacts, ukelele music, and games. There was also a hula show in the amphitheater that we saw the end of just before 12. The waterfall was flowing nicely so it was crowded, but they offered free life vests for everyone swimming. We spent a bit over 2 hours and still didn’t get to see all the different botanical terraces. There’s bathrooms at the entrance, water filling stations along the way, and food options and gift shops before admission to the garden. Overall this was a great stop, even with the $25 admission!

Just a lovely walk to a waterfall. Little stops along the way for ukulele music, education, flora and fauna. Really refreshing swim by the waterfall. There is a stand for shave ice at the top and a café near the entrance. Nice way to spend a day!

I love this place. It’s sort of expensive ($25) for adults, but it’s worth it. Look at all of the amazing plants, and take a swim in the waterfall area. There are changing rooms and lockers (charge) near the swimming area. There is also a shuttle that can help get you there (also charged).

Beautiful place to take an amazing walk through an incredible area of Ohau. We walked up to the waterfall, I wish I would have brought my swimsuit so I could have jumped in the water. I highly recommend if you want to take a cool dip next to a waterfall you visit this place and take in all the scenery.

Had a wonderful experience volunteering at Waimea Valley! We weeded a section of the property for about 90 minutes. Cody gave an inspiring botanical tour. He was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Waimea Valley, the plants, the animals, and trees of Hawaii. He explained the conservation work of Waimea Valley. It was truly a joy to witness his passion for the work and he made sure we understood how to use conservation principles in our lives. Mahalo!

This was well worth the money. such a beautiful botanical Gardens and Waterfall. We spent 3 hours there and could have spent more. The highlight was the garden tour Dayton gave us. He did an awesome job! We loved his enthusiasm! He greatly added to the day. Thanks so much Dayton! Maybe we will see you in Dayton, Ohio ( only about 30 minutes from where we live) some day.

Currently the best botanical garden I've ever seen in my life. The location is actually massive and it's very easy to hang out in for hours upon hours if you want to savor every experience this luscious landscape has to offer. The waterfall at the end is definitely a nice treat, fairly large size every time I've been, which is nice considering some waterfall trails can be disappointing based off the past weather. Kid friendly experience, life jackets provided at the falls. Tickets are 25 dollars per person with discounts for military, and there's multiple shops to grab snacks/drinks. A definite must if you're willing to make the drive out.

If I could give this place 10+ stars I absolutely would. This was an amazing hike. It's paved all the way through. There are scooters you can rent as well in case the hike is too much. There's a really cute gift shop and a luau (pay extra) But let me tell you about the place itself ... all the different types of flowers, trees, birds and honestly the sheer sound of being out in nature was absolutely captivating !! Our entire family hiked to the waterfall and it was truly such a beautiful sight. There's a little snack shop along the way before you get to the waterfall with fruit, shaved ice among other snacks. There are life jackets when you get to the waterfall , these are required !! I highly highly recommend this place. You learn a lot, so many things to read along the way and all the history in this place as well, it's beautiful! Just get out there & do it!!!

Nice little hiking while visiting Hawaii. Admission is $25 per person for adults which I felt was kinda overpriced. Parking is free so that is a plus. We came early and had no issues with parking. This trail is known for their water fall which is all the way at the end. It takes 30 minutes from the entrance, give or take. Easy trail for everyone. There are restrooms, snacks and coffee shops as well. There is shuttle ride but for additional cost. To get into the water, must wear life vest which is provided. The place is well maintained. Beautiful sceneries and a nice day out. It did rain a bit but that didn't ruin the experience.

Waiamea Valley is beautiful and breathtaking. It is a must see place. Enjoy the day soaking up the fresh air and seeing the beauty of Hawaii

Had the best time here. We decided to pay for the cart to take us up and down to get the most time in the water and we are so glad that we did- we have two young kids and knew at some point we were going to pick someone up so the cart ride was worth it. We brought our own life jackets for the kids and borrowed life jackets for us. You definitely need water shoes here. Some rocks have moss and you will slip right off. This was an ultimate experience in Hawaii. So glad we got to experience this.

What a beautiful adventure we had here! This property is breathtaking visually and physically! You hike through all the lush greenery surrounded by beautiful trees, flowers, animals in between a canyon to this amazing waterfall. You get to take a dip in at the end and it is amazing! The hill gets a little steep but they have some scooters available to rent or you can be taken through on a golf cart. So many native flowers and birds. It is really a sight to see! A good 3/4 mile hike with a great visual waterfall treat! A must see!

There are a number of factors that most reviews do not mention, and would have impacted our decision to visit Waimea Falls. Yes, the entire trail is paved, but it is not all in shade and has many uphill sections. I find the 15 minute estimation impossible, unless you are jogging. There is a golf cart shuttle that is $10 one way. The falls have great facilities: Restrooms, cafe down by the entrance, and changing rooms up by the falls. However, noone mentions how difficult it is to enter the falls without water shoes on the slippery rocks. Also, there is a massive leptospirosis warning sign. Do your research and measure your risk tolerence before investing the time and money to make it all the way up.

First we stopped and visited the plant sale with great directions to it from Val. Mikey D, was super helpful and we purchased a plant he says will do well in our location. Then, we enjoyed the free tour at 12:30pm the Valley offers and had Cody as our tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about the specimens, and even went into detail about the Valleys efforts of conservation. My experience on the tour was so great I ended up upgrading my ticket to a yearly pass. All the staff was amazing. I am so excited to come again and learn and see more!

One of the best places to visit on the island. It has everything from history, culture, beautiful flowers, plants and lots of birds (amateur birder) - LOL Nice paved walk up to the Falls, there are ride options available, but if able definitely walk as the beauty is worth it. We got there early (plenty of parking) and they have a great snack bar with good coffee and baked goods. They also have other food & drinks. The Falls are the pot of gold at the end of the Rainbow. They have really built it over the years with bathrooms & changing rooms at the top near the falls. They also have a gift shop & snack bar. We spent hours enjoying all that the valley had to offer.

Probably nice if you wanted to walk around the trails. $100 for 4 to walk to the falls. $10 each one way if you want a ride. Then the tip jar at the falls. I'm sorry, this is all ridiculous. Must wear a life jacket. There is lifeguard onsite. There are some raised seats with a shade if someone on your party wants to go into the murk. Maybe it is not like this year-round but in mar 2025 it was disgusting looking and wife stunk when whe got out and that clung around since there is no where to hose the fetid water off you. I hope if you decide to go here the water is in better condition then this.

Beautiful as always! This was our second time visiting and this time it didn't rain. Overcast but it was perfect for walking around. Appreciate that all tickets are online but it would be nice if they could have one line for people purchasing tickets and another for those who have already purchased tickets. We did not go in the waterfall this time and the water was not flowing super strong but plenty of people were in the water. They do require life jackets that are provided and there is a sitting area for those who don't go in. The whole place is well maintained but when we went there were not a lot of flowers in bloom. Definitely recommend taking the 12:30 pm tour that is led by one of the staff! It makes it so much more enjoyable and educational. We've come before and wandered the lovely grounds but having a knowledgeable guide makes it better. The entry price is a bit high at $25/pp but knowing it is for a non-profit that seeks to preserve flora and fauna of Hawaii definitelymakes it worth it.

Visited Waimea Valley for a short day trip to explore the botanical gardens and hike up to the waterfall. There is SO MUCH to see and explore within the gardens we had to restrict ourselves from wandering off the main path as we didn't have time. The main walk up to the waterfall was very easy and paved the whole way. Lots of side adventures you could go on that seemed to be higher difficulty. We saw lots of really cool plants and plenty of wildlife as well... and SO MANY SNAILS. The waterfall had been dry for a few weeks when we went but finally was pushing through water for the first time the day we went so we were lucky to actually see the waterfall but because it had been dry for a while the waterfall was very brown with sediment. The journey up to the waterfall was definitely more exciting than the fall itself. It rained the day we went but of course the gift shop had ponchos ready to go for us. Great day trip and definitely would come back and leave even more time to explore.

(9/2023): The gorgeous Waimea Valley: I was in awe the moment we entered. So much diversity, paths to explore, and cultural history. Also, at the time when we went, they were setting up some kind of event. Can definitely imagine having a wedding here. The waterfall is a thirty-minute walk on a paved path. There is a a shuttle service available, but at an additional cost. I just wish we had more time to explore, but we had to scurry back to catch our luau. If I lived in the area, I would buy a pass/membership in a heartbeat!

We loved Waimea Valley! First, admission was free with our luau tickets (you MUST go to Tao Luau in the valley), so it was an easy yes for us to hike the valley. They have done a great job with the marking of all the trees and plants along the way. They have also done a great job of creating historical check points so you learn more about the islands, the valley, and the culture. The falls were SO much fun! It is beautiful and refreshing. You are required to wear life jackets, but they are provided to you at no additional cost. They have a couple different gift shops, and do a great job with offering food and beverages throughout the experience.

GO CHASING WATERFALLS | We decided to check out Waimea Valley before our Toa Luau reservation and it is absolutely beautiful. The "hike" is super easy since it is paved and clear. Maybe a bit more touristy than the other hikes and sightseeing spots we'd visited. I also was not prepared to get bitten up like crazy by Hawaiian mosquitos - will bring bug spray next time. Waterfall was GORGEOUS! But is there really any natural spot in Hawaii that is not? You can swim in the waterfall - rent a free life jacket easily right at the falls! Be sure to wear your swimsuit and bring a towel. Definitely worth visiting while in Honolulu!

Such a beautiful place ! My husband and I wanted to come here because this was a site where they filmed some scenes from the TV show LOST. It's about a 30 minute leisurely walk from the entrance to the waterfall, which is where my husband and I wanted to see and swim. However, since we arrived at 3:00 and the garden/valley closes at 4:00, we did a speed walk to the falls maybe in about 12 ish minutes. The waterfall itself was not super big, but still very beautiful to see. They provided lifejackets for everyone which I was glad about because the waterfall area is actually 30 feet deep to swim in. I wish they had taken time to try and dry the lifejackets in between users because it was kind of gross and cold to wear recently worn, wet ones - but that is the germaphobe in me. They also had storage for $10 there. There are also bathrooms and a snack shop right outside of the waterfall as well. Though the valley closes at 4pm, the gift shop closes at 5pm, so we had the chance to look at the shop as well. Overall, the valley was a very pretty place and I wish our time was not so rushed there, we could have gone earlier to spend more time there !

This is a good mainly flat hiking/walking area which leads to the waterfalls near the end. Good for family activities or solo. They have free parking but you have to pay for admission to get in. You can pay to get shuttled from starting entrance to end and back. But can't stop and walk in between. Or you can walk/hike to the end, and pay to get shuttled back for the second half. Which I did since I don't have enough energy lol. It was $10 if I recalled to get shuttled back for the shuttle back. You do have to option to pay ahead at entrance or a little more at last minute. Beautiful place to view gardens, plants, games and huts. You can swim at the waterfall area.

Went to Waimea valley with the fam over fall break. We love to take the little 30 minute paved walk back to the falls and explore all of the areas and learn about the Hawaiian history. There is also a little tram you can take as well if you are unable to do the trek. There are changing rooms and a shower by the falls so you can change in or out of your swimsuit. Keep in mind, there are only two stalls. Once you arrive at the falls, you put your things down and grab a life jacket. They are required for all swimmers. If you go on a Thursday, kamaʻāina and military are free, and they also have a cute little farmers market as well.

Parking is plentiful as there are several lots available. As you turn in, there's a small lot on the right available to beach goers (Waimea Bay is right across the street). As you drive in, there are several lots, including the lot fronting the entrance of Waimea Valley. The shops, restaurant, coffee shop, and bar located right behind the entrance are all open to the public. If you walk further, you'll find the entrance to the park and waterfall. If you're local, don't forget to mention it to get the kama`aina rates. It makes a pretty good difference in price. The nature walk provides a trail that is full of greenery, history, and guidance. You'll find tents in the beginning with employees that are ready to provide lessons about Hawaiian history, and crafts. What else is along the trail? Many, many different trees and species of plants. On my most recent visit (a Saturday), there was live entertainment provided by a beautiful halau (group of hula dancers). At the end of the trail, you'll find the waterfall, which makes for a beautiful resting place and a great way to cool off if you'd like to jump in the water. Not willing to jump in? They have lifeguards on duty and life vests available for everyone. Still not willing? There are stadium style concrete benches with shade available to enjoy the view. In the entryway of the waterfall area, they have swimming gear for sale. Can't make the entire walk to the waterfall? Or don't have it in you to walk the whole way? Shuttles are available for $10. Need a break? Not to worry, there are benches, restrooms, vending machines, and a snack shop along the way. We finished off our visit with lunch at the Open Kitchen. The wait for our food wasn't too bad considering the dining area was full and there were several others waiting for their food at the same time. I opted for a BALT (Bacon, Avocado, Lettuce, and Tomato) sandwich, the kiddos had spam musubis and chicken strips, and my better half had a cheeseburger and fries. All were pretty tasty, but we could have done without the overcooked chicken tenders. We enjoyed drinks from the coffee shop and next time, will try a specialty cocktail from the bar. Waimea Valley is definitely an attraction that as a local, I don't take advantage of often enough. Now that I've been back after several years, I will make sure to visit more often.

My visiting family consistently enjoys the best experiences at Waimea Falls. The experience is fantastic, starting with the warm welcome by Aunty Desma at the gift shop and the stunning walk to the falls. All the staff are wonderful, but Nick, the lifeguard at the falls was especially impressive. He went above and beyond to assist my mom with her vision impairment, even securing her glasses while she enjoyed the waterfall. On the way down on the tram ride Logan shared insights about the bird friends in the Valley. On your way out don't forget to great a coffee from the cafe! Thanks for a great morning Waimea valley staff and crew!!!!

It was a beautiful spot with plenty of vegetation to explore. The day we went it was very dry and the falls was just a trickle. The hike was all paved, however you could explore small paths off the trail.

Waimea Valley is located on the northwest side of the North Shore, near the Ekuhai Pillbox. There is an entry fee to visit the waterfall at the end of Waimea Valley, however, it was included with our purchase of the Toa Luau which is located in Waimea Valley. The walk to the waterfall took us about 25 minutes, it was a very scenic walk and the waterfall was beautiful. Many people were swimming at the bottom of the falls, life vests are distributed for free and are mandatory for safety. There are also lockers and changing areas for those who want to swim which was a nice perk. I would definitely include Waimea Valley in your itinerary if you're up on the North Shore, and would absolutely recommend going to the Toa Luau if you have the time! Best, Charlie

It's a very beautiful area! I really enjoyed walking around and looking at all the plants and trees in the area. I especially liked that there were descriptions along the trails so I could learn more about the valley and what I was looking at. It's definitely a great place that you should come to at least once, I definitely plan on coming again so I can explore more.

I love waterfalls! When i heard there is a botanical garden with a pretty accessible fall i was excited... well did not expect that the fall would have a lifeguard and life vests in it lol i have traveled the world and have never really seen anything like that. Making a waterfall as a swimming pool especially that the Waimea Valley is supposed to be a sacred place for Hawaiian culture and history. I am actually not sure how i feel about it. Apart from that the Botanical Garden is just stunning and majestic. I really enjoyed walking around! Warning the price to visit is $25 per adult ( they do have discounts for residents and military)

Beautiful park with lots of parking. Entry is reasonable for Kamaaina on Thursdays and the have a freat farmers market. The falls environment is awful with all the loud malihini, life vests, etc.... I miss the days of old when we could just jump in and swim. Food is expensive but yummy. Id go back.

A paved path makes for an easy hike to the waterfalls. Children and stroller friendly. Admission is 1/2 off for residents and free on Thursday. Along the path you can stop and educational tables and learn about the culture and sacred grounds this sits above. The lush vegetation is a botanical garden of sorts with many side trails to explore. Once you get to the waterfall, there is a refreshment stand and a small swim shop.

Sadly rained the day we went to Waimea, but beautiful with foliage and exotic flowers just as you would expect from Hawaii. The falls are a highlight. We attended the luau which, fortunately, was undercover. While the entertainment was excellent, the food was not. The only disappointing meal I had in Hawaii. Note all the posters of the many movies filmed in the Valley. Still, glad we went, for the nature. 13

My friends recommend this place as a must do on north shore! Such a beautiful scenic area, large gardens, walking trails (not difficult) bring comfortable shoes but good for kids, elderly etc. I did pay ahead online for a reservation to swim in the waterfall but decided not to when I arrived. I loved the walk and see no all of the plants, animals, flowers and waterfall. The water was really cold and looked a bit murky so I decided it was best to skip it. They do require you to wear a safety vest while in the water (life guards are there) Come in a bathing suit if you wish to swim! There's scooters available for rent! Came here for a wedding and it was beautiful, they have a few different areas for the ceremony. Gorgeous backdrop! They served excellent food, we had a Dj, open bar etc. great spot to consider for a wedding here, photographer and everything was included!

Really lovely falls, well maintained grounds and garden. Nicely paved paths. Honestly you can spend at least 4 hours inside the valley just wandering around and looking at all the gardens. The waterfall really depends on the amount of rainfall, so don't expect a lot of water if there hasn't been a lot of rain! You can swim in the waterfall, and they offer/require life vests. The map is not very well done. Even though there is good signage marking the different gardens, the map itself does not tell you where you are, and not all paths lead back to the main paved path, you might have to wander a bit. There are no physical maps, they ask you to take a photo of your map. Make a reservation before you go!

Stunning and worth the visit, for sure! I've visited the falls both solo & with my son. Absolutely stunning! Without being told, you could probably guess, based on the beauty of your surroundings, that many movies were filmed here. After you visit, consider a drive up to Kaena Point... many snack stops along the way! Gotta love the North Shore vibe.

Very pretty to see. It's $25/adult and swimming in the waterfall wasn't as cool as we'd hoped. It was short, cold, and a long walk. I believe it's a One and done. If Waimea Bay is too dangerous to swim, I suppose this is a good option to make the trip up that side of the island worth your while.

Yes, yes yes yes yes YMA Valley was amazing. Do the private tour and I'll take you behind the scenes the waterfall was amazing and we got to swim in the lagoon. It couldn't have been more perfect. We had a two-year-old all the way to an 80 year-old and everybody had a great time

Waimea Valley...a beautiful escape from the city. I've always loved coming here to reconnect with nature and explore the beautiful botanical garden which includes 52 themed gardens and is the home to over 5000 documented types of tropical and subtropical plants including native Hawaiian plants and globally endangered species. If interested, they do have plant sales on Saturdays. I recommend going on the Botanical Tour which is at 12:30pm. It is a guided tour by an horticultural specialist - very informative and interesting! What most people frequent here for is the waterfall, which is 3/4 mile nature walk. They do require everyone to wear lifeguard jackets, making it safe for everyone. As someone who is not a super strong swimmer, I appreciated that I was still able to enjoy the waterfall when I came years ago. Waimea offers several events throughout the year as well, such as the Summer Concert series which I attended last year and it was a blast! A more recent honorable mention is the Moonwalk. I attended this last night and it is truly a magical escape, very different feel than the daytime. It's only $10 for admission from 8-10pm. It's only happening 2 more times this year, so I recommend going if you can. Kamaʻāina discounts available, otherwise $25 GA. Different parking lots you can park. Small lot in the front but the rest is dirt. May have to do a short walk. There is a cafe, food, and a bar available inside.

So so beautiful. My favorite part is the lei garden because of the beauty and the cultural significance of Aloha. I also really like the animals endemic or not. They were all really cute. Saw a alae ula and tons of Geico Geckos (what inspired Geico's logo). The people here were so kind too and loving,

How is this place not 5 stars?? Such a gorgeous lush location and the waterfall/pond where you can take a dip at the end of a short easy walk is a once-in-a-lifetime type experience. It also offers a great opportunity to learn more about the local culture, customs, and history. We made some art, talked to the locals, ate some good food, and had a great visit overall. I can't recommend this place enough.

I believe if we went a few hours later, I might be rating it a four star because huge crowds were entering but we went while it was pouring rain with our ponchos on. We had free admission from the Luau and a few hours to burn and the rain was on and off. The garden is extremely beautiful! We spent a few hours but I wish we had more time. It's only 3/4 miles to the falls and we had our stroller with us. It's paved the whole way. The nature was beautiful the whole way and because of the rain, the waterfall area was relatively empty so there weren't too many people swimming. It's so nice how they have free life jackets offered (should tip) at the pool and it was such a sweet experience to be able to swim under a waterfall. If you're willing to spend the $ I would recommend the luau so your admissions are included but if not, come on a less crowded day or earlier! It's so worth the views if you love nature.

Waimea Valley provides a nice little family-friendly activity on the north side of the island. The highlight is an easy walk (or shuttle) to a waterfall at the end of the valley. Swimming is allowed at the base of the fall, which is pretty cool. There is a bit of sticker shock -- you'll get hit with an entrance fee of $25 per person, so it's not cheap. And while the waterfall was beautiful, anyone looking for nice hikes on a budget may not need to prioritize Waimea Valley relative to the many other hiking trails on Oahu.

Waimea Valley was definitely in my plans for my 1st visit to the North Shore. Fam & friends suggested to come here & I'm so glad we did. It was Beautiful!! So much to see, that you should give yourself a couple hours here. I had booked Reservations in advance for Toa Luau & knew that entrance to Waimea Valley is included. Just need to show your reservation confirmation at the entrance. Your Waimea Valley access pass is good for 7 days the week of your luau. Just know that Waimea Botanical Garden and Falls is open on Mondays all year Except for 4 months (Jan, Feb, Oct & Nov). We went in September & it was perfect. It seemed crowded in the morning through lunchtime. Glad we came after lunch. It was a tad warm, but got cooler in the afternoon. It's about a 30 min hike on a paved road. It was pretty easy, just lots of walking. Wear comfortable shoes or comfortable slippas. When you reach the waterfall, you can sit back & relax or go in the water. They provide free life vests, if you plan to go in. Also, having swim shoes would help since walking into the water is rocky. Tips: - Parking was free when I went - Take a hat, sun screen & bug spray - Wear comfortable shoes/slippas for walking - Check to see if there's any closures before arriving - If you plan to swim, wear or bring your swim attire as well as a change in clothes. - Bring water & don't forget to hydrate. They have a couple of water filling stations. - There's a small shuttle for a fee if you can't make the hike up or down

Took the Ohana to Waimea falls. Make sure you bring your Hawaii state ID so you can get the Kamaina discount. For adults it was $10. Per person. There were places to sit and eat, there were gift shops and bathrooms that were quite convenient along the walk. The main walk was asphalt paved, but there were many trails on either side that led to different sceneries of the valley. Lots of shade. The falls were beautiful to see! This place was breathtaking in all its beauty. Watching the beautiful performance by Halau O Mailelaulani made this place more special than ever. This halau is what Hawaii is about.

I love recommending Waimea Valley for anyone visiting and planning on going to the North Shore-- it's more than just a hike with a waterfall. The area is so well-maintained with beautiful trees and native plants all around. You can stop at Hawaiian cultural spots like a kauhale or play some traditional Hawaiian makahiki games. Admission is $25 for adults if you're visiting and $10 for kama'aina with free admission every Thursday from 12-3pm for kama'aina. It's less of a hike and more of a leisurely stroll, great for people of all ages and active abilities. I think they even off a golf cart ride straight to the waterfall- which is $10 for each person one-way. The waterfall is cold... and you are forced to wear life jackets. But it is really fun and there's lifeguards on-site- making it the safest waterfall on the island. The waterfall isn't always swimmable, you can call them for swimming status which is determined everyday at 9 am. One of the highlights of my visit was seeing the alaeʻula, a native bird that makes their homes in the Waimea ponds. This area is so beautiful and I'm so grateful that this ahupua'a is being so well kept and teaches people about Hawaiian culture.

What a wonderful and beautiful place. Parking was easy. We called several times to ask if swimming would be allowed at the falls that day (recommended on their website). We kept being told they didn't know yet. We went anyway. It was a short walk, on a paved path to the falls. Best to bring water shoes. We left ours at the hotel and regretted it. The rocks can be tough on your feet. We had a blast swimming at the waterfall. The gardens were amazing. You could spend all day wandering. We stopped to play Hawaiian games. It was a great family "adventure". When we were there, it was not overcrowded, but by the time we left, there was a line to swim with the falls.

Beautiful and serene! This place is amazing with its flowers and trees and green fields. We went for the waterfalls but the "hike" made us fall in love with this place. Parking is free and you pay for the entrance when you get in. The booth closes at 4pm so as long as you're there before then you can still get in, they give you 1.5 hours to enjoy it after 4pm. There is a shuttle to go back for people who can't do the hike. The hike is fairly easy, some inclines but not too bad, my parents did fine, it was also paved so it was more like a walk, you're not really climbing anything. It took 25-30 minutes to get to the waterfalls, there is a changing area and life vests are required. The water was cold but manageable. Everyone had a great time. Definitely a must if you're in the area. Can't believe we almost skipped this place due to time but I am so glad we went!

No waterfall, should notify on the website, because once we get there we feel force to buy it since we drove over an hour from hotel to see water fall which is the main attract. Not their fault, there was no rain, just wished they updated it on their website. But all is good! I enjoyed the hike. It's a beautiful garden with lots to see other than the waterfall, but again, it is the main attraction. Tl;dr - 25$ adult entry. No rain = no waterfall. Feel free to call in advance to ask.

Cody led my tour of the botanical gardens. His knowledge and enthusiasm were superb! I had a tremendous time learning about so much

The geckos!! A wonderful hike in the rain. The hibiscus flowers were blooming beautiful. A great experience.

Paid $25/person for an overrated waterfall and kind of a tourist trap. Stunning botanical gardens and amazing staff. The walk up to the fall is amazing surrounded by the gardens. The waterfall itself is underwhelming, water is murky and there's warning signs everywhere not to get in the water because of the bacteria. But they still provide you with life jackets and tell you to enter at your own peril. Disappointed from having trekked a mile to nothing to write home about, they provide you with a shuttle back down for $10 where you can ponder your regret in peace. "Best $10 spent here" was a common throughly among the rest of the guests. Amazing gardens though! Really, go for the garden not the fall

I'm a big plant enthusiast and it was amazing to see all these Alocasias, Philodendrons, Monsteras, Peperomias, calatheas and more growing in their natural environments. The waterfall was nice too but the outstanding part was all the huge plants thriving as nature intended them to! I just wish they labeled them more clearly but that would be a big task. Also the entire hike to the falls is paved so it's easy to stroller the kids