Wailua Falls

Wailua Falls is a double waterfall on Kauai in the United States that drops in two parallel streams about 26 meters (85 feet) down a steep rock face. The falling water collects in a natural pool at the base of the cliff before continuing into the South Fork Wailua River.

The falls were revered by Hawaiian communities for centuries, who performed spiritual rituals here and considered the area a sacred site. The waterfall gained international attention in the 1970s when it appeared in the opening sequence of the television series Fantasy Island.

The name "Wailua" comes from Hawaiian and means "two waters", referring to the twin streams that flow side by side over the cliff. Local traditions tell of royal warriors who proved their courage by diving from the top into the pool below.

A paved viewing platform sits directly at the parking area along Maalo Road, a few miles north of Lihue town, and offers a frontal view of both cascades. Those who want to take the steep, unmarked trail down to the base should expect slippery roots and wet ground.

Rainbows often appear here in the morning when sunlight hits the rising spray and breaks the light into colors. The pool at the base attracts strong currents fed by multiple tributaries, amplifying the flow into the Wailua River system.