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You must have seen rainbow in the sky after rain till date. But have you ever seen Rainbow Waterfall? If not, then you must go to Hawaii and see this miracle.
There is a waterfall in Hawaii where a complete rainbow is formed not in the sky, but inside the waterfall itself. Yes, you read it right. A waterfall, inside which a complete rainbow is formed. Its name is Rainbow Falls, which people also fondly call Rainbow Waterfall. This unique sight is located near the city of Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, America.
Every morning when the sun rises from the east and its rays fall on the water of this 80 feet high waterfall, a complete circular rainbow of seven colors is formed inside the waterfall. This scene is so beautiful and rare that photographers and tourists from all over the world line up with cameras even before 7 in the morning. This waterfall falling from the Wailuku River is just 2 kilometers away from Hilo city.
This is how rainbows are formed
When water hits the rocks from a height of 80 feet (about 24 meters), millions of small water droplets fly into the air. The sun’s rays break in these drops and the entire spectrum (VIBGYOR) starts shining inside the waterfall. The most surprising thing is that the rainbow is visible only between 9 am and 11 am, because at this time the position of the sun is perfect. By afternoon the angle changes and the magic disappears. Local people say that in olden times Hawaiians considered it sacred. It is believed that Goddess Hina, who is considered the mother of the rainbow, lived in the cave behind the waterfall. For this reason, the original name of the waterfall is “Waianuenue”, which means “water that rotates every now and then”. But today the world knows it only by the name of Rainbow Falls.
This waterfall is very special
The specialty of this waterfall is that during the rainy season the flow of water increases and the rainbow looks even brighter and bigger. Sometimes even double rainbows are formed. When seen from above, it seems as if a curtain of seven colors is hanging in front of the waterfall. Just a 10-minute drive from Hilo International Airport. Parking here is free, entry is free and there are two viewing platforms. One shows the entire view from above, the other goes down and takes you closer to the waterfall. But caution is necessary here. The rocks are slippery and entering the water is strictly prohibited. Even in 2025, this place remains a top tourist spot.
