Kulaniapia Falls Day Pass Review: Swimming Under a 120-Foot Private Waterfall Near Hilo
Whether you’re between hotels, catching a late flight, or just looking for an awesome waterfall swimming hole, you’ve found it here. Escape for a relaxing day under a breathtaking waterfall and explore over 40 acres of land at Kulaniapia Falls.
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Activity Overview
Kulaniapia Falls Swimming Highlights
- 3- to 4-hour access depending on entry time
- Most guests choose to stay for 1.5-2 hours.
- Access to a private, 120-foot waterfall and over 40 acres of property, including hiking trails and bamboo gardens
- All ages welcome, discounts for under 9 years old
- Discounted Arrival Time: Daily 10 am (your whole party may arrive early if any of you book an activity that starts before 10 am).
- Additional entry times (full price) are available at 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm.
- Walk-up tickets are not available
- Note: They may not allow swimming in March and April due to heavy rains.
- Kulaniapia Falls access is located at The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls, a 15-minute drive or 4.9 miles from downtown Hilo
Book Direct for Kulaniapia Falls Day Pass
Our family was hesitant to book this day pass at first, given the price and uncertainty about what to expect. We loved our experience, hence we’re recommending it! It even made our list of the Best Things to Do in Hilo!
Everyone down at the swimming hole enjoyed the private waterfall swim, took kayaks and standup paddle boards (SUPs) out on the water, and relaxed with their picnic lunches.
If you’re looking for a waterfall swimming experience on your trip to the Big Island, this is great for the whole family. Another excellent waterfall swimming experience is the Kohala Waterfall Swim and Hike.
Review: Kulaniapia Falls Details
Booking a day pass for Kulaniapia Falls gives you plenty of options for how to spend your day. Take a swim beneath a gorgeous waterfall, rent a kayak, SUP, or rappel down the waterfall, take a hike amongst 42 acres of property, or even take a farm tour – all of which are eligible for a discount with their day pass.
This is a very exclusive experience because only a few visitors are allowed each day, so it never feels crowded.
Plus, there are very few waterfalls on the Big Island that permit swimming or are safe to swim in, so this experience does check all the boxes. This is a great option if you’re between hotels, as it’s right between typical check-out and check-in times, or if you have a late flight off the island, it’s a relaxing way to spend your day.
Our family did this private waterfall swim and loved it. It was a perfect way to spend the day. We did the swim during our transition between hotels from Hilo to the Kailua-Kona side. You can see the full swimming experience in our 7 Best Big Island Waterfalls video.
As for equipment rentals, it was a smooth process: you can reserve one before you arrive or when you are down at the waterfall. Once we arrived, we realized a kayak was a must, so we scanned the waterfall’s QR code and took one out for 30 minutes.
The SUP boards are very popular, so be sure to book your time slot before you arrive. The day we visited, everyone wanted the SUP rentals.
As you go through the booking process, they’re very upfront about additional charges you could incur for check-in or returning equipment late. This can feel a little off-putting, but we didn’t have any issues upon arrival.
More Than a Private Waterfall Swim
The family that owns and operates access to the waterfall also has an inn on the property. They also provide other activities that you may want to check out. If you’re planning to spend the day at the waterfall, consider their other experiences. Learn more and book here.
Kulaniapia Falls Directions
Click here for Google Map directions to Kulaniapia Falls.
To get to the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls, where the falls are located, it is a 15-minute drive from downtown Hilo or a 25-minute drive from Hilo International Airport.
The falls are located up the mountain, east of Hilo. It is a gorgeous drive as you climb Mauna Kea through tropical farmland.
The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls will provide details on finding the entrance and getting into the property for check-in.
FAQs for Kulaniapia Falls Day Pass
What is the cancellation policy?
Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 48 hours’ notice of cancellation for 2 guests, 72 hours for 3-4 guests, and 7+ days for 5 or more guests.
Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to safety or other unforeseen circumstances; however, please note they operate rain or shine.
On days when swimming is not safe, you may still access the trails, etc, but they do not provide refunds in such cases. Contact them by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.
How does the discount work?
Once you book your day pass, you’ll receive a discount code in your confirmation email, valid for waterfall rappelling, the cooking class, and the farm tour.
Can I show up and get a day pass the same day?
No, this experience is by advanced reservation only; walk-ups are not available.
What should I bring to Kulaniapia Falls
Bring everything you need to enjoy your day, such as water, lunch, a bathing suit, a towel, etc. They do not have any food/beverage service onsite unless you join their cooking class or prebook a grab-and-go lunch by 8pm the night before (details in confirmation email).
Do I need a Kulaniapia Falls day pass if I’m staying at the Inn?
No, you don’t need to purchase a separate day pass if you’re staying at the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls.
Other things to know about Kulaniapia Falls:
- Kulaniapia Falls is a wild, natural, off-the-grid setting with no lifeguard on duty.
- They do not allow access to the property without first checking in at the office and signing liability waivers. You cannot enter the river unless staff advises that conditions are safe on the day of your visit.
- Swimming and renting kayaks and paddle boards are only available when river safety conditions permit and may not be possible after excessive rain. Exploring the property/trails, getting close to the falls, etc., is still possible during such times. If you are not able to swim, you will not be provided a refund, but you may schedule a visit on another day, free of charge. You will be refunded any prepaid rental fees for kayaks / SUPs.
About Kulaniapia Falls
Kulaniapia Falls is Hawaii’s largest privately accessible waterfall, just 15 minutes from Hilo. Sitting on 42 acres, Kulaniapia Falls hosts a limited number of visitors a day, keeping it exclusive, protected, and well-maintained. The largest waterfall on the property cascades from just over 120 feet, which is 40 feet taller than the famous Rainbow Falls. Their private lands are really remarkable.
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