📸 Upper Waikani Falls | Maui’s Famous “Three Bears” Waterfalls
📝 My Story:
One of the true hidden gems along the Road to Hana is Upper Waikani Falls — more affectionately known as the "Three Bears" waterfalls.
You might easily miss it if you’re not paying attention, but trust me, it’s absolutely worth slowing down for.
We pulled off the road just before the bridge (parking can be tricky — be careful!) and made our way down to the falls.
The sight was pure magic: three graceful waterfalls pouring into a lush, tropical pool below.
The water was refreshingly cool, the mist felt amazing after hours in the car, and it felt like we stumbled onto a real-life postcard.
It’s a quick stop, but honestly one of my favorites from our entire Road to Hana drive.
🌎 Location:
📍 Google Maps: Open Upper Waikani Falls in Google Maps ➔
📌 Quick Info:
🏙️ City: Hana Highway, Maui
🅿️ Parking: Limited roadside pull-offs near the bridge
🚻 Bathrooms: None (plan ahead)
🚲 Bike Rentals: Not available
🧭 Travel Tip: Go early to beat the crowds — and be extremely cautious when pulling over
📸 Photographer’s Note: A wide-angle lens beautifully captures all three waterfalls
🛐 Etiquette: Respect the area — don’t block the narrow road or bridge!
🕰️ Best Time to Explore: Early to mid-morning for best light and fewer visitors
♿ Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible; uneven footing and steep path
💡 Pro Tip:
Wear water shoes if you plan to hike down to the falls — it can be slippery, rocky, and muddy, especially after rain.
📸 Photography Tip:
Bring a neutral density (ND) filter to smooth out the waterfall flow in your photos.
A shutter speed of around 1/4 to 1/2 second creates that silky water effect without overexposing in the tropical light!
🎉 Fun Fact:
Upper Waikani Falls gets its nickname "Three Bears" because the three waterfalls appear in three distinct sizes: one tall (Papa Bear), one medium (Mama Bear), and one smaller (Baby Bear)!
🌺 Return to Main Hawaii Travel Story
Want to read the full story of our unforgettable adventure across Kauai and Maui?
👉 Click here to explore our complete Hawaii Travel Journal ➔
🗺️ Planning Your Own Hawaii Adventure?
If you’re planning your own trip to Maui (or anywhere across Hawaii), you can find this hidden gem — and many more — on my public travel map:
👉 View My Hawaii Travel Map Here ➔
