“Swimming in the pool at the waterfall and going behind the waterfall wall was the best!”
Verified Review
Tucked into the lush hills just outside Līhu‘e, this easy-to-moderate 90-minute guided hike takes you to two secret waterfalls on private land, where the only footprints are yours and the ones you came with. You’ll walk a short trail through tropical forest and bamboo groves, stopping first at 30-foot Bamboo Falls, perfect for photos. Then, continue to 60-foot Papakolea Falls, where the real adventure begins—climb behind the curtain of water or leap in for a swim beneath the cascade. With views of the Ha‘upu mountain range and the Hule‘ia River valley, this is a hidden pocket of Kaua‘i worth discovering.
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For ages 8 and up, group size up to 10 guests.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate - jungle trek and waterfall swim.
WHAT TO BRING
Swimwear, towel, sun protection, water shoes (can rent)
CANCELLATION POLICY
Changes or cancellations must be made 24 hours prior.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.7★ from 150+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Guests love this mellow, mud-splashed hike for its balance of adventure and calm—wading streams, grabbing ropes, and finally swimming under a hidden cascade. Reviews praise the guides for being patient, well-prepared, and tuned in to local history and plants. Many say it’s the perfect half-day for families and first-timers wanting something quiet, off the beaten path, and deeply Kauai.
Duration: 90 minutes - 2 Hours
About:
This 1.5-2 hour guided tour takes place on our private property that overlooks the Hule’ia watershed and Ha’upu Mountain range and has two secret waterfalls. A quick quarter mile (one way) hike is a great opportunity to visit two secluded waterfalls in the Lihue area. The 30’ Bamboo Falls is a great spot for pictures, and the 60’ Papakolea Falls offers the exciting opportunity to swim in, and climb behind a cascading waterfall!
Requirements:
Participants must be able to walk up and down at least 8 flights of stairs and be able to handle slippery, muddy, and uneven terrain. Minimum of of 8 years old.
What to Bring:
- Water Shoes, Towel, Swimsuit, Bug Spray/Sunscreen.
We reserve the right to cancel a trip due to safety concerns, extreme weather, or not meeting the minimum tour count required to operate. Tours are not cancelled due to rain.Da Life Outdoors is the sister company to Kauai Beach Boys—same local heart, same warm welcome. Rooted in Kalapaki Bay since 1983, this family-run crew makes outdoor experiences feel like wandering through a friend’s hidden backyard. With Da Life, it’s simple: they guide small groups deep into Kauai’s lush interior, tracing old footpaths to tucked-away waterfalls and sharing stories that let the jungle breathe at its own pace.
Da Life Outdoors Gear Shop, Kalapaki Beach, Lihue, Kauai — check in 15 minutes before tour start. From there, guests are shuttled to the private trailhead on Hulemalu Road.
** Same Day Cancellation is 100% charge.
** No-Shows are charged 100%
** Customers who are late and unable to attend scheduled activity for any reason including medical, will be charged 100% and are welcome to reschedule ONLY on stand-by basis. Rescheduling the activity is only allowed ONCE.
** 24-hour cancellation policy. No charge if cancelled prior to 24 hours cut off.
**Parties of 6+ is a 72-hour cancellation policy.
**Cancellations within (24/72) hours of activity time are subject to a 50% charge.
** To cancel please call our reservation line 246-6333 during business hours. No voicemails or emails after hours.
** True Blue Inc. reserves the right to cancel the activity due to unsafe weather/ ocean conditions or for not reaching the minimum number of participants. In the event of a cancellation by True Blue Inc. no charge will be incurred by participants, and any deposits will be refunded in full.
Weather Concerns
Tours/Lessons are rarely cancelled due to rain. If our team determines that there are no existing safety issues of concern, such as flash flood, extreme winds, or strong currents, the tour will run as scheduled. Rain around the island is often an unpredictable temporary event.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Into the Jungle: A Hidden Kaua‘i Waterfall Hike
You don’t need to disappear into the wilderness to get that secret waterfall moment. Just a few minutes from Līhu‘e, this private 1.5–2 hour tour gives you exclusive access to two stunning waterfalls nestled in a lush forest reserve above the Hule‘ia River. The trail is just a quarter mile each way, but it feels a world apart—quiet, green, and untouched.
Just a short hike from town leads to the kind of waterfall swim you thought only existed in movies.
Your guide leads the way through tall bamboo stands and muddy jungle paths, sharing a bit about the surrounding landscape and its connection to local culture and history. The first stop, Bamboo Falls, is postcard-perfect—tall, graceful, and framed by greenery. But it’s the second waterfall, 60-foot Papakolea, that steals the show. Here you can climb behind the cascading water for a full sensory rush or take a swim in the cool pool below. It’s safe, manageable, and unforgettable.
Ideal for families, nature lovers, or anyone looking for a quick but rewarding off-the-beaten-path experience, this adventure is low on crowds and high on magic. Plus, with limited group sizes and a private location, it really does feel like your own little slice of Kaua‘i.
