Opaekaa Falls

Opaekaa Falls, Kauai

This is one of Kauai’s best-known and main waterfalls. Most people view it from a lookout off of Kuamoo Road, as it is a difficult and tricky hike around its top and pool. If you want to see Opaekaa Falls up close, find the trailhead at the top of the falls, close to the 2-mile marker that is past the fall’s lookout on Highway 580.

Going all the way to the waterfall can be well worth the trip, but the trail is muddy. It takes about a half hour, but the view of Opaekaa Falls and the lush, tropical rainforest surrounding it makes for a great photo opportunity.

Opaekaa Falls is a solitary location on most days because most people do their observations from the highway lookout. The name “Opaekaa” means “rolling shrimp” in the Hawaiian language. The waterfall was named after the shrimp that were once in abundance in its stream and pool.