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Tour Highlights

• Waimea Valley waterfall swim will bring you to the valley, but the history and gardens will have you recommending your friends to visit
• Admission is available Tuesday through Sunday 9 am-4 pm
• Safe waterfall swimming in Wailele falls (40-ft falls) with a lifeguard on duty and life jackets available (included in the ticket price!)
• 1/3-mile walk to the waterfall through the botanical garden
• Don’t want to walk? A shuttle is available from the entrance (Hale Ho’ike) to Wailele waterfall for $10 per person
• Multiple discounts are available, and admission is under $25 per person!
• Children under 4 are free
• Book the Toa Luau at Waimea Valley separately, the best luau on Oahu

Waimea Valley Waterfall Directions

Waimea Valley is on Oahu’s famous North Shore. The valley is as famous as the popular beach and big wave surfing spot of Waimea Bay which is located adjacent to the valley entrance.

Waimea Valley is located 10 minutes (4.5 miles) north of Hale’iwa and an hour (34 miles) from Honolulu. Click for directions to Waimea Valley.

Our Waimea Valley Waterfall Experience

Our family visits Waimea Valley during most of our trips to the North Shore. Watch our latest visit below as we explored the cultural sights and went swimming in the 40-foot falls at the end of the valley.

Here is why we like visiting Waimea Valley waterfall and gardens:

• The waterfall is one of the best on the island and the safest for swimming
• The walk to the waterfall is an easy hike at 1/3-mile on a paved trail that goes through the botanical gardens so it is great for kids
• Waimea Valley is a Hawaiian non-profit. Part of their mission is to preserve the valley, rejuvenate the land, and share the history and culture of the Hawaiians who lived here.

Waimea Valley waterfall makes our list of the top things to do in Hawaii and our #1 easy hike on Oahu.

Waimea Valley Waterfall Tour Details

Take a walk through the beautiful botanical gardens of Waimea Valley to end at a gorgeous waterfall cascading into one of the safest waterfall swim areas. This is a great option for families as the walk to the waterfall is only about 1/3 of a mile with plenty to see on the way. For those who prefer, they also offer a shuttle to the falls for an extra cost per person. We love this waterfall for its safety. We feel great about having a lifeguard on duty and life vests available at no additional cost.

One of the best things about this self-guided tour is the flexibility it offers. Tickets are general admission, so you can arrive at whatever time is best for your vacation. We recommend booking your admission a few days to a week in advance to avoid the line. They even offer discounts for military members, seniors, students, children, and groups.

Expect to spend 2-3 hours there, but you’re welcome as long as they’re open.

If you want some extra information about what’s blooming, join their staff at 12:30pm daily for their “What’s Blooming Botanical Tour,” that is included in the admission price.

They also have a coffee house, bar, and snack bar on location for goodies and refreshments.

Swimming at the waterfall is dependent on daily waterfall conditions, lifeguards make the swim call for the day at 9am. Call 808-638-7766 to check on the status of the waterfall.

Make the north shore a full-day affair with a Luau to cap off a lovely day after visiting the botanical gardens and waterfall. One of the best luaus on the island is the Toa Luau, which is located within Waimea Valley.

The Toa Luau offers two shows per day, at 12:30pm and 5:00pm, giving you maximum flexibility to structure your day. If you choose to go to the luau, general admission to Waimea Valley for the day is included in the luau ticket.

About Waimea Valley

Waimea Valley is owned and protected by a partnership of city, county, state, and federal-level organizations. These organizations came together to create Hi’ipaka LLC, a Hawaiian non-profit dedicated to preserving and rejuvenating the land while engaging and educating visitors.

As a way to achieve these goals, Waimea Valley offers a more interactive way through the botanical gardens: Ka’apuni o Waimea.

The overarching cultural value of Ka’apuni o Waimea is ho’okipa – which is hospitality from a cultural perspective, the action of treating others as we would like to be treated. It is our hope that through this experience, guests will learn about the positive impact of ho’okipa, and will carry this attitude throughout the island.

Guests who choose to participate in this more immersive educational experience (as part of the walk through the botanical gardens) will receive an identifying sticker at each cultural site. Once completed, you will earn a Ho’okipa Cultural Ambassador Certificate and a unique Waimea Valley collectible pin.

Ka’apuni o Waimea is just one example of the great care that goes into cultivating a rich experience for Waimea Valley guests.

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