The Famous Hawaiian Waterfall You Can Only See Via Helicopter

The Hawaiian Islands are home to some of the greatest waterfalls in the world – and nowhere will you find more magnificent waterfalls that the Garden Isle. Located deep in the heart of Kauai is a waterfall so famous I’m not sure there’s anyone in the world who wouldn’t recognize it – unless you don’t own a television set, that is. The waterfall is Manawaiopuna Falls, more commonly known as Jurassic Falls – after its famous appearance in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 classic, Jurassic Park.

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The picturesque Hawaiian waterfall was once relatively unknown, but that all stopped when several shots of Manawaiopuna Falls were used in the classic dinosaur film: now, it’s a wildly popular tourist destination.

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The only reason the waterfall - located in the heart of south Kauai’s Hanapepe Valley - isn’t more popular is that it is located on private property, and you’ll have to contract a helicopter tour company to get there.

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While many tour companies advertise that they can fly near "Jurassic Park Falls," there are a select few that have permission to land at the base of the falls - just like they did in the movie. One such company is Island Helicopters Kauai, which boasts that patrons will be able to feel the waterfall’s mist, take once-in-a-lifetime photographs, and learn about the history of this remote area, including geological formations, native plants, and agricultural history.

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The only other way to access the stunning waterfall is by getting permission from the Robinson family, and taking a 4-6 hour round trip trek on a muddy and wet trail deep into the valley where you can experience the 400-foot waterfall up close and personal. Don’t ask us how to get the proper permission for this adventure though - it’s pretty elusive.

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Manawaiopuna Falls is a true show-stopper, a virtually untouched slice of paradise that flows from the mountaintops of Kawaikini into a lush, green cliff face. It's for good reason that this beautiful attraction is the most asked-for stop on any number of Kauai helicopter tours.

While we’d like to argue that Manawaiopuna Falls is the greatest waterfall on the island, Kauai’s Weeping Wall might be a tad more impressive, albeit less famous. Don’t forget to add Hawaii’s 14 tallest waterfalls to your bucket list while you’re at it, as well as these 12 sites straight of Jurassic Park if you’re a major fan like me.