Hawaiian Falls Waco: A Baylor Student's Complete Water Park Guide
If you've spent a summer in Waco without hitting the water park, you've been missing one of the best warm-weather escapes near Baylor. Hawaiian Falls Waco is a full-scale water park about 15 minutes from campus, and at $30.99 a day — or $49.99 for an unlimited summer pass — it's one of the most affordable ways to survive a Texas summer.
This guide covers everything you need to know: pricing, the best rides, how to save money, Camp Fimfo Waco (the newer outdoor resort), and why 19Eleven's indoor pool makes a solid backup when you can't commit to a full day out.
Hawaiian Falls Waco: The Basics
Address: 900 Lake Shore Drive, Waco, TX 76708
Distance from 19Eleven: ~9 miles northwest, about 15 minutes by car
2026 Season: June 29 through Labor Day weekend
Hours: Monday–Thursday and Sunday, 10:30am–6pm | Friday–Saturday, 10:30am–7pm
Hawaiian Falls is a Hawaiian-themed water park with wave pools, lazy rivers, multiple slides, and dedicated kids' areas. It's not a massive Six Flags operation — it's a well-run, community-sized park that's exactly the right size for a half-day or full-day trip with friends.
2026 Ticket Prices
Here's what admission costs in 2026:
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Big Kahuna (guests 48"+) | $30.99/day |
| Little Kahuna (under 48") | $20.99/day |
| Online discount pricing | $25.99 (Big Kahuna) / $15.99 (Little Kahuna) |
| Summer Passport | $49.99 (unlimited visits + early entry) |
| Combo ticket (daily + meal voucher + drink wristband) | $36.99 |
The most important math: Buy tickets online. The $5 online discount means two people save $10 on the spot — always check the website before driving out.
Summer Passport strategy: If you plan to go even twice, the $49.99 Summer Passport pays for itself. Two full-price Big Kahuna tickets ($30.99 × 2 = $61.98) cost more than a season pass. For students who stick around Waco all summer, the math gets even better — four visits at $25.99 online = $103.96 versus $49.99 for unlimited access.
Group tip: Hawaiian Falls has group rates for 30 or more people. If you're organizing a Greek event, floor social, or apartment complex outing, contact the park about group pricing before buying individual tickets. Private cabanas are also reservable — worth it if you have 8+ people and want a home base for the day.
The Best Rides and Attractions
Hawaiian Falls Waco has nine distinct attractions:
For thrills:
- Tempest Tower — Multi-story enclosed slides (42"+ required). The highest-adrenaline ride in the park.
- Tiki Tower Slides — Classic open-air tower slides (48"+ required). The go-to for groups.
- The Rush — Fast-paced tube slide (42"+).
- Pineapple Express — Curved enclosed slide (42"+). A great warm-up before Tempest Tower.
- Tsunami — Steep drop-style slide (42"+).
For relaxing:
- Breaker Bay — The wave pool. All ages. Perfect for just floating and talking.
- Kona Kooler — An 800-foot lazy river. Bring a tube and drift for as long as you want.
For families (or tall adults who want to act like kids):
- Keiki Cove — Smaller kids' area (36"-48"). Worth knowing about if you're bringing younger siblings or cousins.
- Kona Bay — All-ages interactive play structure.
If you only have time for three things: Tempest Tower, Breaker Bay, and the Kona Kooler lazy river. That sequence covers the full experience.
How to Do Hawaiian Falls on a Budget
Texas summers are expensive in calories and sunscreen, but Hawaiian Falls doesn't have to break the bank.
1. Buy online, always. The online discount alone saves $5 per person. On a group of four, that's $20 back in your pocket before you've parked.
2. Eat before you arrive. On-site food is convenient but priced for captive audiences. Grab breakfast at 19Eleven's coffee bar and pack snacks — most parks allow sealed snacks and water bottles through the gates.
3. Get there early. Arriving at opening (10:30am) means shorter lines on every major slide. By 1pm on weekends, Tempest Tower can have 20-minute waits. Early entry is also included with the Summer Passport.
4. Do weekdays. The park is noticeably less crowded Monday through Thursday. If you have a flexible schedule, a Tuesday or Wednesday visit gets you twice the rides in the same amount of time.
5. Carpool. Gas from 19Eleven to Hawaiian Falls and back is roughly $4–$6 total. Split between four people, that's less than $1.50 each way. Carpooling turns a $30 day into a $32 day — essentially free transportation.
At 19Eleven, the 3BR and 4BR floor plans often fill up with friend groups who end up road-tripping to Hawaiian Falls together. The 4-bedroom layout at $1,750–$1,800/month means each person's share is well under $500/month — leaving room in the budget for a summer water park pass.
Camp Fimfo Waco: The Other Water Option
Hawaiian Falls gets more searches, but Camp Fimfo Waco has been growing fast since it opened as a glamping resort with a dedicated water playground.
Address: 1000 Chickadee Lane, Waco, TX 76708
Water Playground season: Daily, May 22 – August 9; weekends only for the rest of the season
Day pass: $41/person (requires advance reservation at campfimfo.com/waco)
Camp Fimfo's water features are smaller than Hawaiian Falls — two water slides, two kiddie slides, a hydrostorm bucket, and water cannons — but the vibe is different. It's a full outdoor resort with glamping cabins, a pool, and food options, so a Camp Fimfo day feels more like a mini-vacation than a straight water park visit.
The $41 day pass is slightly pricier than Hawaiian Falls' online rates, and the attractions are fewer. But if you want a more unique experience — or want to book a glamping cabin for a weekend with friends — Camp Fimfo is worth knowing about.
For a pure water park day, Hawaiian Falls is the better value. For a group experience that goes beyond just waterslides, Camp Fimfo is worth considering.
What About Waco Surf?
If you've already checked out Waco Surf, you know it's a completely different experience — artificial surfing waves in a lagoon, not a traditional water park. Waco Surf is for people who want to surf or stand-up paddleboard; Hawaiian Falls is for people who want waterslides and a lazy river.
They serve different moods. Do both in the same summer and you'll have covered Waco's water activity scene completely.
19Eleven's Indoor Pool: Your Everyday Alternative
Not every summer day calls for a 15-minute drive and a $26–$31 ticket. That's where 19Eleven's indoor pool comes in. It's available to all residents, climate-controlled, and open year-round — which matters in a Waco summer when "just a quick swim" is all you need.
The pool works great for casual afternoons, early-morning laps, or cooling down between study sessions. When the full Hawaiian Falls experience is worth it — great. When it's not, the pool is right downstairs.
Planning Your Trip
A few practical notes before you go:
- Check the schedule. Hawaiian Falls closes for private events occasionally during the season. The 2026 season runs June 29 through Labor Day weekend, but specific closure dates are posted at hfalls.com/waco.
- Bring sunscreen. Waco summer sun is unforgiving. A $6 bottle from H-E-B beats the park store markup.
- Arrive with a dry bag. Keys, your phone, and your wallet don't belong on the Tsunami. A small waterproof bag or a locker rental saves the anxiety.
- Group cabana bookings require advance reservations — don't assume they'll be available day-of on a Saturday in July.
Hawaiian Falls Waco is worth building into your summer at least once. With a summer lease at 19Eleven, you've got the base camp handled — 15 minutes from the water park, with a pool waiting for you when you get home.
Schedule a tour to see the floor plans and amenities for yourself, or browse available layouts to find the right fit for your group.
