01. Swim under Hawaii Waterfalls

Seems like one thing everyone who comes to Hawaii wants to do is find a waterfall with a crystal pool underneath it to swim in - and not that I blame them, I'd like to do this myself, but never have. Someday ... and when I do, you'll get my first-hand blow-by-blow, but until then, here's your guide to going yourself -- but if you do, you have to come back and tell *me* about it!

Several waterfalls are on private property and you'll need to join a hiking tour to get to them, but I will specify ones you can get to yourself. Get safety tips for swimming under waterfalls, hiking, and trraveling in Hawaii.

• Maunawili Falls
  

  You can hike out to these falls yourself, follow directions and safety precautions (plus common sense) given on above page.

  If you pick up the Oahu Revealed book, it will detail all the waterfalls and hikes for you.

• Kapena Falls
  

  Ok, this waterfall was in Lost. that's cool. Apparently, from the time I first wrote this page to now, this waterfall is now recommended against for swimming under because of dangers of leptospirosis. I wonder if that's all waterfall pools in Hawaii.

  You can hike out to these falls yourself, follow directions and safety precautions (plus common sense) given on above page.

• Manoa Falls
  

  You can hike out to these falls yourself, follow directions and safety precautions (plus common sense) given on above page. These falls are even less safe than others for swimming, but the picture-taking possibilities are good.

  Yeah, you definitely don't want to swim here - there's barricades and everything, but it's a really cool hike.

• Waimea Falls Park
  

  If you pay to enter the park, there are several activities there, and when conditions are good and there are no cliff diving shows going on, they let you swim in the pool below the falls.

  Update! The last time I was here they weren't letting you swim under the falls because there wasn't a lifeguard on that particular day. Maybe call first.

• Exact directions and details for all waterfall hikes are available in the Kauai Revealed Book
  

• Kalihiwai Falls Hike
  This one is *really* an adventure. It looks awesome.
  
  

• Kalalau Falls
  There are several waterfalls along the 11 mile Kalalau trail but the trail is quite an undertaking, so maybe save these for a trip when you are planning on camping in the area.

  What's cool is that these falls are the real deal - what everyone thinks of when they think of waterfalls in Hawaii. They may be hard to get to, but are they worth it?

• Wailua Kayak Adventures
  You don't need to take a tour to reach Wailua Falls up the Wailua River, but if you want to, there are several to choose from.

• Maui Revealed

On Maui, I really recommend that you get the guidebook Maui Revealed. This book will show you exactly where every single waterfall is on Maui (most of them are hidden alongside the road to Hana) and tell you all about them.
• Hiking Paradise
  Two different waterfall hikes offerred.

• Maui Hiking Safaris
  Two really cool waterfall hikes offered. Easy and moderate.
  
  
• Oheo Gulch
  Past Hana, the Oheo Gulch offers several waterfalls and pools to swim in - also known as the Seven Sacred Pools, and is part of the Haleakala National Park.
  
  
• Hike Maui
  3 different waterfall hikes. cool options.