Things to Do on Oahu: Hiking to Waimano Waterfall and Pool
(All photos on this blog post taken with my Samsung Galaxy Note 7) It’s been awhile since I’ve posted any personal photos, I’ve just been kept busy with all you wonderful families coming to see me for family photo sessions on the beaches of this beautiful island. With slightly sore thigh muscles this afternoon, I wanted to share this hike we did yesterday. We ventured to the Waimano Waterfall and Pool in central Oahu. I have this hiking book and am only interested in the 3 miles round trip or less hikes. I am a miserable person if it is any farther than that. I need to tell you that I only zoned in on that “3 miles” and honestly, should have researched this hike a little more. That photo above is of my two kids going downhill on our way to the waterfall, it’s nickname is Cardiac Hill. Oh yes, downhill, is not so bad, uphill will be sure to get your heart (and thighs) pumping.
Here’s the marker just before that downhill where things start getting challenging. We veered to the right, 3/4 miles to go. But what you don’t realize is that it’s a pretty winding, narrow .75 miles to the destination and somewhat muddy is some places. Well placed ropes to grab onto to help you carefully climb down rocks. Always follow the pink/red/green ties that guide you along the well defined trail. It’s a nice shaded trail so you aren’t sun beaten from the sun. Be sure to bring bug spray though, just in case.
When you arrive, there are two natural pools, an upper pool and the lower pool and some really cool rope swings for a little fun. This one is the lower pool which is deeper to jump off. It took us roughly 75 minutes to make it here and it was a little busy with hikers enjoying their reward. Be sure to bring a good pair of hiking shoes, some reef walkers to change into, a towel, your swim suit and of course plenty of water and charge up food for the hike out.
This is the view directly behind me from where I was taking a picture of the lower pools. I did bring my film camera with me and took some pictures, but the hike got a little sketchy for me to have my equipment dangling on my body from the neck strap, so I quickly put my expensive gear in my backpack and left it in there and decided only to use my phone camera. My husband really enjoyed the beautiful, quiet sounds of nature of our hike. I have to learn to quiet down and listen as well… I’m guilty to a fault for having this inner dialogue of “Oh my goodness, ARE WE THERE YET?!!” and I’m just in a hurry to get to where I’m going that I forget to enjoy and savor the the time to get there.
The upper falls is beyond the rocks. I couldn’t get a good vantage point from where I was, but it was really beautiful.
That’s my husband ready to take his turn with the rope.
There’s my son doing his swing jump. He was having so much fun! We spent a little less than an hour there. We arrived late to the hike and it took us longer than we thought to get there and I didn’t really want to leave to late and be hiking back in the dark. I’ve done that once before and I promised I would never do that again… it’s no fun and it can be a bit scary.
Before we left, we hiked up just a wee bit further so I could get a shot of the waterfall and the upper pool. There really is no good way to get down there. You have to go through the lower walls and tiptoe on the rocks to get to the upper pool and see the waterfall to get up close. I opted for the paved trail, but oh so carefully. It was very muddy and narrow and I just didn’t want to fall and hurt myself. We headed back, begrudgingly, not looking forward to really meeting Cardiac Hill. Honestly, the hike up wasn’t as bad as the hike down. It took us 45 minutes out of there. I would say this is not a hike for a beginner hiker, more intermediate for sure. I’m glad we did the hike, but I probably won’t do it again simply because I am a big baby and it was a bit to winding for me on the way down. But if you are adventurous, definitely put this hike down on your Things to Do while on Oahu bucket list. Thanks for stopping by and as always, get in touch! I’d love to photograph you!!
Professional Oahu Photographer, Jennifer Brotchie, specializes in family photo shoots and portraits at the beach as well as engagement/couples shoots and senior portraits. Serving fun families lodging in Waikiki, Disney Aulani, Four Seasons and Marriott in KoOlina, Turtle Bay Resort in North Shore, Lanikai, Kahala and all points in between. Beach photography sessions available in the morning and for sunset. Family Vacation Photos, Engagement Couples Photo Sessions, Elopements and yes, weddings! Destination weddings too! Waikiki Portrait Sessions. Available for Editorial photography assignments. Jennifer loves to hike and hang out at the beach giving you locations for “things to do” and “places to visit” while you are vacationing on Oahu.
