Kohala Waterfalls Hiking on the Big Island: Gorgeous Waterfall Swimming

I love a good guided hike and have gotten to go out with Hawaii Forest & Trail several times for them. The Kohala waterfalls hike and adventure to the North Shore of the Big Island is such a special, unique sort of day trip. If you’ve ever wanted to swim in a Hawaiian waterfall or explore the lesser visited side of the Island of Hawai’i, this is a great option to add to your trip. I particularly like the balance of island stories, science talk and outdoor adventures when we’re out with Hawaii Forest and Trail, so the Kohala Waterfalls trip was perfect for what we enjoy.

Have you gotten to visit the fifth mountain of the Big Island, Kohala? If not, no worries. Between having the transportation and the access to private land secured through our tour, it was really easy and fun to see the Kohala area. We’ve got the full scoop on the Kohala Waterfalls adventure and how to add a Hawaii Forest and Trail trip to your time on the Big Island. If you have any questions about this guided hiking experience or other Big Island ideas, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great Aloha trip!

Highlights of Kohala Waterfalls Hiking

Having gone out with Hawaii Forest and Trail a few times (the Hualalai Volcano hike was awesome!) I can say that there are two big things that make their experiences great: their unique access to private land and their amazing tour guides. So much of the Big Island of Hawaii is protect land or owned by Kamehameha Schools (KS), so is private property. Hawaii Forest and Trail works closely with KS to provide controlled access to precious, private lands. The Kohala Waterfalls hiking excursion is a great example of a beautiful place that the general public cannot visit and that really is special.

During the excursion to Kohala, the fifth mountain on the Big Island, you’ll park quite far up the hillside to begin your trek into the woods to the waterfalls. Since very few people get to visit the area, the trails and forest are in great condition, save what the animals do to the area. When you get to the first waterfall, it’s just as you imagine: tropical, cascading, and the perfectly Hawaiian waterfall swimming experience.

When it comes to the guides, each one we’ve gone with has been so full of knowledge, both about the history of the Big Island and the natural world. Going on a beautiful drive around the north end of Hawai’i and hearing all about geology and birds was a highlight to visiting the Kohala Waterfalls. And with this particular tour, when we hiked to our first waterfall, our awesome guide didn’t just say “Here’s a waterfall for swimming; be safe” but he actually jumped in with us and was a part of the experience. Doing a tour like this that is clearly fun for everyone and is done in such a way that you feel welcome in a special place is what makes spending a day with Hawaii Forest and Trail so cool.

Book the Kohala Waterfalls hiking here!

Tips for a Great Kohala Waterfall Swimming Hike

Since swimming in waterfalls in Hawaii is at the top of EVERYONE’s bucket list (or it should be), it only makes sense that you don’t let your time on the Big Island slip away without getting to do it. When you’re planning your Big Island itinerary, be sure to schedule your Kohala Waterfalls guided hiking for the beginning of your trip just in case for some reason there’s any reason for cancellation or delay. The tour goes out in any weather as long as it’s safe, but making certain to get to enjoy a bucket list activity like the Kohala Waterfalls is important.

Also, because going up to the northmost point of the Big Island is a bit of a drive, you’ll need to be sure to have nothing super important planned for the late afternoon. We departed from the Hawaii Forest & Trail office in Kailua-Kona at 7:30 am and returned around 3:00 pm. This was perfect for having a full day enjoying the hiking and waterfall swimming and then ending the day at the beach.

On your Kohala Waterfalls tour there are snacks, drinks and lunch provided. This makes it really easy and low stress when it comes to getting the family or your travel pals ready for an adventure. If you have any dietary restrictions you can let the Hawaii Forest and Trail crew know in advance so they can accommodate you. There is a stop in the town of Hawi where you can grab your own snacks at the market if you like, but in general the crew will have already gotten it all covered for you.

What’s included in your Kohala Waterfalls Hiking and Swimming Day

So what is actually the plan when you book your guided Kohala Waterfalls swimming and hiking adventure? Quite a bit actually. Your transportation (more on that at the end), access to private property for hiking and waterfall swimming at two different falls, your awesome guide, and then lunch at one of the prettiest places on the Big Island… which in turn became a really great birdwatching stop while we ate lunch. The crew preps the van for all weather, so in the event the day turns to rain, Hawaii Forest and Trail provides rain jackets because that hike is happening even in the rain. They also provide sunscreen, bug spray and towels for after waterfall swimming. Gratuities for your guide are not included but always appreciated.

TIP: the standard gratuity for a tour guide is similar to the American standard for tipping when dining, which is 20% of the coast. You’re always welcome to provide a gratuity in whatever amount you’re inspired to though.

Being Prepared for Kohala Waterfalls Hiking

Remember, the highlight of doing the Kohala Waterfalls hiking trip with Hawaii Forest and Trail is getting to SWIM in waterfalls. That means you need to be ready to swim when you get picked up for your tour in the morning. Either be ready and dressed in quick dry clothing or put on your swimwear in advance. You get plenty of time at the waterfalls to enjoy having a dip under the fresh water stream, so you might as well take advantage of it.

Also, I always wear my Keen sandals when we do any sort of hiking in Hawaii, especially if there’s a waterfall involved. Waterfall swimming on the Big Island means that there are rocks at the base of the falls and you’ll have rocks to cross to enter the splash pool. Water sandals are key to not having your waterfall swimming impacted by sore feet.

Another piece of gear that’s important when you’re doing the Kohala Waterfalls hiking tour is a good waterproof case for your phone. I love getting a good under-the-waterfall selfie and also like the added protection of a waterproof case, so I never leave on a tropical hike without it. You could also use a GoPro, but I find that my phone is always better for getting photos and doing water activities.

Transportation and Parking for Hiking with Hawaii Forest & Trail

When you book your day of waterfall swimming and hiking at the Kohala Waterfalls, Hawaii Forest and Trail will coordinate collecting you for the trip. You can drive yourself to their office near Home Depot in Kailua-Kona or if your accommodations are along the way, they will tell you where to meet them and at what time. Our trip made two pickups along the way, one at the Four Seasons and another at the Queen’s Shops in Waikoloa. I liked being the first ones picked up because we got to know our guide a bit more before everyone else was in the van, and then on the way home we got extra chatting time with him. The transportation element of our waterfall swimming day was a great highlight I didn’t expect.