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Kalihiwai Falls
Located within the North Region on Kauai
Kalihiwai Falls
Kalihiwai Falls is a two-tiered waterfall on Kauai's north shore that you can see without leaving your car. No hiking required. Just drive to the bridge over the Kalihiwai River and look up.
Viewing the Falls
The falls are visible from the Kalihiwai Bridge on Highway 56, between Kilauea and Princeville. The best angle is from the bridge when heading toward Princeville (westbound). There used to be a pullout near the bridge, but it has been closed.
Walking across the bridge for a better look is not safe given the narrow road and fast-moving traffic. View from your vehicle or find a safe spot to pull over before or after the bridge.
When to Visit
The falls run best after heavy rain. During dry spells, the flow can thin to a trickle. Kauai's north shore gets plenty of rain, so chances are good during winter and spring months. After a big storm, the falls run wide and powerful.
The falls are on private land, so there is no legal trail access to the base. What you see from the bridge is what you get. Some guided horseback riding and kayak tours in the area pass near the falls for a closer perspective.
Photo Tips
Shoot from the westbound lane side of the bridge for the best framing. Morning light works well since the falls face east. A zoom lens helps pull in detail on the cascades. Overcast skies actually produce better waterfall photos than harsh midday sun.
The falls are just past mile marker 25 on Highway 56 — a smaller unnamed waterfall near the marker comes first, so don't mistake it for the main event. You'll cross the bridge on your way to Princeville and Hanalei. Easy to catch on a north shore day trip.
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Founder & certified Hawai'i travel expert with 20+ years in Hawai'i tourism, University of South Carolina climate-research training, and NOAA weather-station experience.
Dry conditions on Oʻahu today, with breezy wind in exposed areas. Drier weather continues through Wednesday as moisture clears out.
A medium-sized northwest swell will bring elevated surf to north and west-facing shores tonight through Sunday morning—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. Winds remain breezy through Sunday, easing slightly Monday and Tuesday before picking up again Wednesday. A Small Craft Advisory is active through Monday morning for most coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Scattered showers arrive Thursday into Friday.
South and west shore beaches work well through Sunday for calmer conditions. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're drawn to bigger waves.
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Skies are drying out across Maui today through Wednesday as moisture clears. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed and terrain-favored spots.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell moves in—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then strengthen again Wednesday. The next chance of scattered showers arrives Thursday through Friday.
If you're heading to the beach, south and west shores are your best bet through Sunday. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're into bigger waves.
0:000:53
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Mostly clear and dry today on the Big Island, with noticeably breezy winds in exposed areas and terrain-favored spots. That breeze continues through Sunday.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell arrives—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. South shores stay small. A Small Craft Advisory covers most coastal waters through Monday morning due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive statewide Thursday to Friday.
Head to the south and west shores for beach and snorkeling through Sunday. If bigger waves interest you, the north shore has surf to watch tonight into Sunday morning.
0:000:49
Voice
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Drier air is moving in through Wednesday. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed areas.
Tonight into Sunday morning, a medium-sized northwest swell will push elevated surf onto the north and west shores—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive Thursday or Friday.
Hit the south and west shores for swimming and snorkeling through Sunday. If you want to watch big waves, the north shore is worth a look tonight into Sunday morning.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
Created with AI from this HawaiiGuide page and read by a computer-generated voice. Double-check fees, hours, and reservations on the full page before you head out. Hawaiian pronunciation is tricky for synthesized speech and a few words may land slightly off; mahalo for your patience as we keep refining.
Mele and Kani are computer-generated voice options chosen for clarity and warmth.
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