Wailua and Opaekaa Falls

Kauai is known for waterfalls, and two of the easiest to see are on the east side near Lihue and Kapaa. Wailua Falls drops in twin streams of roughly 80 feet into a deep pool, and a railed overlook beside the road lets you view it in a few minutes. Opaekaa Falls, a taller ribbon of water tumbling down a green cliff, can be seen from a roadside lookout above the Wailua River valley. Neither requires a hike, which makes them perfect for visitors with limited time or mobility. After heavy rain the flow can be powerful, and in dry spells it thins to a trickle.

Wailua Falls is reached by a short, winding road from Lihue through sugarcane fields and tropical forest, ending in a small parking area with a rail overlook. The twin cascades plummet into a wide pool framed by lush vegetation, and on sunny mornings a rainbow often forms in the mist.

The falls were featured in the opening credits of an old television series, which helped make it one of the most photographed in Hawaii. A steep, slippery, informal trail leads down to the pool, but it is dangerous and discouraged; enjoy the view from the rail and leave the descent alone.

Opaekaa Falls sits a few miles north along the Kuamoo Road, with a lookout where you can see the falls and the Wailua River valley below. The name means rolling shrimp, a reference to the freshwater shrimp that once filled the stream. Across the road, a viewpoint overlooks the river, and nearby Kamokila Hawaiian Village, a reconstructed settlement on the river, offers cultural experiences by arrangement. The two falls make an easy pairing with a Wailua River kayak outing or a stop at Lydgate Beach Park, forming a compact east side day.

Time your visit for morning, when the light is soft and the crowds are fewer. Heavy rains swell the falls dramatically, while dry periods reduce them. Pack a rain jacket, because showers come and go, and be aware that parking is limited, so avoid blocking the road. Keep valuables out of sight in your car, as thefts have been reported at some pull-offs. Use zoom lenses rather than climbing to get close, and treat the sites with respect, since they hold cultural and ecological importance.

A little planning makes the stops richer. Both falls feed the Wailua River system, which drains the slopes of Mount Waialeale, one of the wettest spots on Earth, so a day or two after heavy rain they look their most dramatic, while a long dry stretch can leave Wailua Falls as a pair of thin ribbons. Check the forecast before you go, pack a small towel for lens-wiping in the mist, and think about timing a visit with the Wailua River kayak trip or the Fern Grotto cruise so the whole valley makes sense as a single story.