Manoa Falls Trail
Manoa Falls Trail
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
126 reviews
Excellent
75
Very good
37
Average
10
Poor
0
Terrible
4
WDHNL27
Honolulu, HI16 contributions
Jul 2019
Not worth your time. Between this place and the pineapple plantation, I don't know which is worse. There are beautiful grounds at Manoa Falls. The landscaping is NUTS. Honestly, I was truly taken aback by the beauty I was able to be in the presence of...... HOWEVER, here's the thing, all the while, on the drive there, on the walk around the grounds,... the whole time, all I could do is be excited about the falls. If I recall correctly, they even had some footsteps or signs along the way stating little messages like, "You're almost there"
Everything about this place builds your anticipation for this waterfall you think is gonna knock your socks off. Well, I regret to inform you, the falls are super short, they are not what you think they're going to be. There's show on them to boot with a guy who jumps off different ledges of the rocks of the falls but honestly, I'm sure the pool's diving board at most universities are higher than the one at most universities.
Underwhelmed is how you'll feel afterwatching the show at the falls and again, if you've been to Niagara or Victoria or Kaieteur Falls, you're gonna have to do a double take when you see Manoa Falls.....
Don't say I didn't warn you!
Everything about this place builds your anticipation for this waterfall you think is gonna knock your socks off. Well, I regret to inform you, the falls are super short, they are not what you think they're going to be. There's show on them to boot with a guy who jumps off different ledges of the rocks of the falls but honestly, I'm sure the pool's diving board at most universities are higher than the one at most universities.
Underwhelmed is how you'll feel afterwatching the show at the falls and again, if you've been to Niagara or Victoria or Kaieteur Falls, you're gonna have to do a double take when you see Manoa Falls.....
Don't say I didn't warn you!
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brown_Samantha
Kennewick, WA1,759 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
We debated back and forth on if we wanted to do this hike; so glad we decided to go! Yes, even with sunny Waikiki, this rain forest will be misty and showery. We went prepared: umbrellas, dark colored good walking shoes (do not wear anything white or nice). Your shoes will get dirty. Even with rocks on the trail, our shoes got a little bit dirty. Nothing a quick clean up didn't fix. No big deal.
The trail is so well maintained. It is a trail to waterfalls, be realistic people!! Some areas will be steep and steps required. But as far as waterfalls trails go, we thought this one was EASY!
It just amazes us how Jurassic Park this "feels". Just lovely. We spent about 2 hours or so enjoying this area. At the end, we were rewarded by nice flowing 150 feet drop Manoa Falls. She sure is lovely.
They put "do not go beyond" signs at the end of the trail, but plenty of people scramble to the water's edge. We went earlier in the morning, when we finished, definitely more people.
There is a nice clean up area, bathrooms, snack bar, etc. Easy to get Uber rideshares to and from. Highly recommend the hike.
The trail is so well maintained. It is a trail to waterfalls, be realistic people!! Some areas will be steep and steps required. But as far as waterfalls trails go, we thought this one was EASY!
It just amazes us how Jurassic Park this "feels". Just lovely. We spent about 2 hours or so enjoying this area. At the end, we were rewarded by nice flowing 150 feet drop Manoa Falls. She sure is lovely.
They put "do not go beyond" signs at the end of the trail, but plenty of people scramble to the water's edge. We went earlier in the morning, when we finished, definitely more people.
There is a nice clean up area, bathrooms, snack bar, etc. Easy to get Uber rideshares to and from. Highly recommend the hike.
Written August 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise
Green Bay, WI2,237 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
Holy cow was it a work out! Expect incline and lots of rocks. The Rainforest beautiful. A couple small waterfalls as hiking up. The main waterfall is long and beautiful, wished water volume was more. Be sure you wear good shoes, maybe bring a hiking stick - the rocks definitely gave parts of my body a work out. Two hours they gave us on a self guided hike - pretty reasonable. I may have went slower and paused more if not on time constraints
Written October 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guywilltravel
Toronto, Canada209 contributions
Oct 2022
This 2.7 km (return distance) well maintained trail is as popular as it is beautiful. It has 89 meters of elevation change as you walk UP to the waterfall. There are lots of rest stops along the way so take your time. It is worth the couple of hours to go at a comfortable pace and take all of those pictures you will be compelled to take!
Written December 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bookmom27
Countryside, IL10 contributions
Nov 2021
A beautiful hike with amazing scenery. The trail is clearly marked but very rocky and muddy. Would definitely not wear sandals and bring mosquito repellant. Parts of the trail are quite steep, but doable if you take your time. The payoff of the waterfall at the end is worth the work. We stopped at the snack shop for fruit smoothies at the end and they were delicious. The attendant at the counter also provided us interesting information as we waited.
Written November 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mundell22
Oahu, HI90 contributions
Jun 2021 • Solo
I was excited to hike the trail for two reasons. One, it has been closed for almost 2 years and two the DNLR has been working all that time to make "improvements". Unfortunately, they have ruined one of my favorite hikes on Oahu. The trail now resembles a gravel road. Gravel that is oversized and loose under foot. It is quite treacherous in some sections of the trail. The lower half of the follows the old track but at the upper section they decided to to carve out a wide swath in the side of the mountain. All the cool nuances of the old path, shady canopy, winding turns, view of the water in the ravine below, the first glimpse of the falls as you make the final turn and the diverse variety of plant species are all gone. Now you are in the full sun, bamboo on the upside and nothing on the downside. And then you get to the falls. OMG. The trail abruptly ends at a point about 60ft above the pool at the base of the falls. The viewing area is small and sourounded by a rock wall topped with very unfriendly pointed stones. Apparently to prevent visitors from sitting on the wall to enjoy the view. The canopy of foliage that used to frame the falls is gone. It is so meh now! Very disappointing. I can only hope that, over time, nature will fill in the blanks.
Written June 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lpand5
Orange County, CA8 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Simply beautiful! This is what I imagine when I think 'tropical Hawaii'. But today, July 4, was busy. We walked really slowly to time it in between bigger groups so we could have a calm, peaceful experience. Wear closed toed shoes due to larger, loose rocks and slippery mud. The drizzly rain didn't bother us
Written July 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
potterkd2
MA96 contributions
Mar 2022
Easy hike (hour most round trip) to a smaller waterfall - and is easy to fit into the day if you do not want to do a more extreme hike. Word to the wise - wear good shoes - the trail is very muddy and rocky. It is also popular but not overly crowded.
Written April 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moni G
5 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This hike is a bit long and steep most part. Up and back down takes about 2 hours. I had to take about 8-9 breaks! Take plenty of water!! The steepness and high steps in some areas were more of the difficult part. Some hikers aren’t mindful there’s a going up and going down .. I had to literally bump travelers not to bright of them. So I would say be mindful of other hikers that aren’t respectful.
Written July 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
williwanna
Boston, MA105 contributions
Apr 2022
Very chill and nice trail. paid 7 dollars for parking. when reach the waterfall, although it said do not go into the water, people still did. Kind of fun. They went under the waterfall. I can tell it is very very cold there. Haha. Nice tropical trail near the airport.
Written April 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where does one park if driving to the trail?
Written July 19, 2018
Hi
There is a little hotel near the trail and there is an open parking lot next to it. They have someone collecting the parking fee. it was a reasonable amount. Five dollars rings a bell.
Hope this helps.
Ken
Written July 20, 2018
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