Waimea River
The Waimea River drains Waimea Canyon — the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” — a 14-mile-long canyon up to 3,600 feet deep on western Kauai. The river flows 12 miles from the canyon floor down to Waimea Bay on the west shore, passing the historic town of Waimea where Captain Cook first landed in the Hawaiian islands in 1778. The river is the principal drainage of Waimea Canyon State Park and the Kokeʻe State Park backcountry, and the upper reaches are subject to dangerous flash floods. The Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park sits at the river mouth.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.