Zack was our guide and he was super nice and had great jokes. He was constantly checking in with everyone and I felt safe with him. The kayak portion was great; the hike wasn't as bad as what was warned- yes, it was muddy and there were streams to cross, but it was fairly flat and the walking stick was helpful. Your feet will be fully submerged and we wore hiking boots and sneakers, so our socks were squishing. You need to bring your own water and food as they do not provide any. read more

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We had a great experience here! We did the Wednesday morning kayak adventure so we got to the marina at 7am. It was just my family - the 5 of us - and our guide, Mikayla. Since there were an odd number of us, she gave us her single kayak so I was able to use that on the way out and then switched with my brother on the way back. It was really nice to basically have that private tour! Unfortunately because of the rain and rising waters, we weren't able to do the hike & waterfall portion of the trip but the kayaking along the river was really nice and enjoyable. Mikayla did take us out of the kayaks and show us some of the surrounding area and shared with us information about the different plants. It was fun! We only got a downpour on the way back for the marina for about 10min but that was part of the experience! We didn't eat breakfast before and do actually the length of time worked well for us. We left around 7:30am ish and made it back around 9;30am. The company refunded us 50% since weather made the hike portion impossible. Totally recommend bringing food though if you do the full thing:) and bring shoes good for hiking. Mikayla was friendly and helped get my two siblings (who hadn't kayaked before) adjusted and paddling in a straight line rather than zigzagging across. She was a great guide and would definitely recommend her! We learned a lot. And she gave us more recommendations around the island for the rest of our trip. read more

Great kayak and hike adventure to a local waterfall. Slippery spots and you will hug rocks and wade streams. Wear sunscreen. We are from Fl and burned. The sun is more direct here. My tan has still not faded. This is not a leisurely stroll. You will climb tree roots and climb up and down a lot. Great photos though. Tandam sit on tops used. read more

We went out with Hawaiian Brian for a kayaking tour on the river. Brian is a local with a lot of great stories and has lots of information about things to do in Kauai. Everything was seamless from start to finish. I would recommend! read more

There are no bad excursions in Hawaii Our guide Zak was great, bad jokes and all. He was a wealth of local knowledges and stopped often to tell us about history and foliage. Pulled a good joke on the laggard hikers near the end! Kayak back was work into a 20mph wind and with rain, be ready for varied conditions but still a blast! Highly recommended for those with adventure and some athletic ability, LOL read more

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Kayaking the river tp the Falls and swimming and kayaking back was a bit more challenge. It was very worth it anf very beautiful! A great scenic tour. read more

Hawaiian Brian was awesome! My husband and I both really enjoyed this excursion and felt the guide was genuine in caring for the guest's experience. A nice touch that I wasn't aware of beforehand is that sturdy wet bags were provided to each couple to keep personal items safe. Brian was very helpful in educating the group about the flora, island, culture and local recommendations. The guides would greet each other warmly when passing each other with different groups and it was clear this company has a welcoming and 'Aloha' environment. I would recommend this tour, can't wait to bring friends and family back for the same experience. read more

Duke's Kayak Adventure - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

What a wonderful experience we had on our kayak, hike, and waterfall experience! We started out by getting checked in by Annie. She briefed the group about the day and handed out dry bags to prepare to head out to the marina. Once at the marina, we were assigned kayaks and she helped everyone get into the water and start to paddle around in the cove. Keep in mind, your feet will get wet! We wore hiking shoes and socks and truthfully, we don't regret that! You then paddle up the river going as fast or as slow as you want. Annie was there to keep everyone on track while offering to take photos along the way! She provided interesting info about Hawaii and then area we were in while paddling to the hiking spot. Upon arriving at the kayak pull up, you will get wet again. We started the 1.5-2.0 mile hike to the waterfall. Be prepared to forge a few rivers! It did pour while on the trail, but honestly, it's part of the experience! There are a few places that are uneven, but overall, the hike was great. You spend about 30 min at the waterfall and it's beautiful! Worth the hike! The walk back seemed much shorter along with the paddle. We had an amazing time and enjoyed chatting with Annie during our paddles! We are two late 30 year olds in moderate shape and it was a breeze! Don't miss out on this great activity! Just go into knowing you will be wet :) read more

Duke's Kayak Adventure - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

We just finished an afternoon kayak on the Wailua River and hike to the water fall with Brian. He was fantastic and chock full of information and historical knowledge! My kids (11 and 13 y.o. boys) and husband are typically naysayers when it comes to adventures that I plan. Today, I actually heard "that was amazing and the waterfall was so cool!" BAM! Mom for the win. Brian was thoughtful, prepared, helpful, kind, and super positive. He's a Kauai native and knew so much about the foliage, surrounding areas, and local information. I highly recommend booking this on a Wednesday when Brian is working! Mahalo! read more

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In as few words as possible: GO, get Hawaiian Brian as your guide (there's a reason he's mentioned in so many people's reviews), and wear comfortable waterproof shoes. Let the guide handle the rest and you're golden. And seriously.... Hawaiian Brian is unbeatable. Amazing dude. read more

Duke's Kayak Adventure - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

These guys were wonderful! We all had such a great time and much of it was because Brian was such a righteously great tour guide! I already knew to sign up for the earliest tour to avoid the crowds and it's a good thing we did so. Brian got our pale asses up to the waterfall early enough that there were very few people around. We spent about an hour hanging out. By the time we left the place was absurdly packed. Like a tropical Mt. Everest hike. What I didn't know was how universally beloved Brian is as a tour guide. He kept us entertained the entire time with his many stories - both the true ones and the tall tales! He took lots of photos of everyone and shared them at the end of the tour. And yes, the tiger doves really do fly to his hand! So we were lucky with the tour guide, lucky w/ the 75-80 tops weather, lucky with the new planking installed to make the trek over the muddy parts more doable. As an added comedy bonus, when my kid went behind the waterfall and wiped her eyes, she found she was face-to-face with a big ugly rat clinging to the rocks. That lead to a lot of tourist hijinks as everyone in our group took turns going thru the falls to see the poor stuck rat. We couldn't stop laughing. I strongly suspect the rat is going to evolve into some tall tale Brian tells future tourists. Duke's was a great choice and I'm so glad I chose them over the other kayaking companies! read more

I'm pretty reserved normally but wanted to try something adventurous. My husband and I definitely chose the right tour. We did the Wailua River and Secret Falls Kayak and Hiking Morning Tour. The photos of the Falls don't do it justice. Our guide Dustin made the experience all that much more enjoyable. I am in my 50s and not the best shape but did fantastic. With Dustin's expertise and kindness, it was a lifetime adventure to remember. I've marked off a bucket list item and would recommend this to all. read more

Duke's Kayak Adventure - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

I came to Kauai for my birthday. Our tour guide was Hawaiian Brian. He was an excellent guide. Funny and a wealth of knowledge. He was kind enough to patiently take everyone's photos (including candids) and share his food. It was obvious that he loves Hawaii and loves teaching! read more

Duke's Kayak Adventure - Waterfall - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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We had a great time. We were in a small group of 10 people not including the guide "Brian". We aren't really group people, and this was pretty easy. It was easy to get to the harbor and kayak the Wailua river. Duke's provides, all needed gear including wet bags to store your things. Not all outfitters do. The trip was not crazy long. We headed out at 1:00 and made it to a hiking check point to hike a short distance, maybe a mile to the King's bath waterfall. We swam and played in the waterfall. There were several other groups out there and it was crowded at the waterfall. We had dinner reservations and our guide was cool with us going ahead on our own on the way back. So we hiked back and canoed back on our own. This was the best part. We were completely alone and it was around 5pm and the river was quiet. We returned the kayak at the desired location and that was that. Brian the guide was great and we really really liked him. He was so positive and well informed about the area. He had an incredible amount of energy. read more

We had an outstanding experience here. Brian, our tour guide, was incredibly skilled at story telling in many areas especially the history of the land and aka as the bird whisperer. We enjoyed ourselves very much. Beautiful scenery. As older and active adults, we feel that hiking boots should've been worn and highly recommended as a must have to prevent foot injuries or foot pain afterwards. We wore water shoes and regretfully felt the soreness afterwards. We recommend two sets of footwear. Wear a thick sole shoe for the home and/or bring water shoes for the kayak! Nonetheless, we had a fabulous time and highly recommend this tour. This is a long and strenuous adventure. Plan wisely. read more

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This kayak/hike was à beautiful part of our trip to Kauai. The weather was perfect, the scenery amazing, the guide (Brian) knowledgeable, friendly and fun and the secret falls were beyond word. Highly recommend this for anyone wanting to enjoy Kauai in a more active way. This does require a moderate level of fitness and good foot wear!! Flip flops, slides or anything else the looks like a slipper will at least fall off and at worst leave you with a sprained ankle. There are some sharp rocks to scramble over, so be sensible. read more

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This kayak tour to the waterfall was amazing. Hawaiian Brian was our tour guide and he made the adventure even better than it would have been on its own. He was so knowledgeable about our surroundings and made the trip so enjoyable. This tour was perfect for all ages and abilities and came with the most incredible views. Highly highly recommend! read more

What a fun day Kayaking and hiking with Brian our guide. He was so knowledgeable about everything-plants, island lore, things to see and do. He was also a lot of fun. He obviously had our safety in mind too. It's a beautiful area. The hike wasn't easy but very doable and the reward of playing in the falls was wonderful. I highly recommend this tour! read more

Definitely worth trying if you are in Kauai for the first time. Great view, great guide and a hiking trip to the falls is amazing. If this is your second time, save your money and rent a Kayak in Hanalei Kayak for $30/each after 1 PM. Take a self-guided tour with your partner and enjoy beauty peace without the crowd. read more

Amazing adventure. Brian was incredible. We've been to Kauai 5 times now and have done most excursions and he was hands down the best guide we've ever had. Thanks , Brian for the memories. read more

We didn't actually book with Dukes because I had found a discount coupon in a Kauai This Week pamphlet that was dated winter 2021 spring 2022 but when I phoned to book a trip and asked about using the coupon they flat out said they don't support that magazine anymore and they aren't honouring that coupon. Neither my husband nor I (having been in business ourselves for over 30 years) felt that that was very businesslike. We chose to go with a different kayaking company!! read more

Duke's Kayak Adventure - Coupon that Dukes Kayaking Adventure would not honour!! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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Brian '' Broke da Mouth '' Legend ! Number one local knowledge guide. Ryan was very professional, provided important safety information and was very personable and a lot of fun. read more

Hawaiian Brian is the Greatest Tour Guide of All Time. He made this experience unbelievable. I would recommend this to anyone visiting Kaua'i, and keep your fingers crossed you get Brian as your guide for the day. read more

100% of the Cost - 40% of the "Adventure" 1) We traveled during the rainy season (my wife and I and our 4 teenage kids) 2) Our tour guide (Brian) was great 3) Brian indicated at the beginning of the HIKING portion of the tour (after warning us a bit earlier of the possibility) that, if we did the initial river crossing, there was a chance the river might be running too strongly by the time we returned to be able to cross it, leaving us stranded on the other side. His demeanor suggested he thought it was a realistic possibility although not a certainty. 4) Decision of the group (including Brian and another couple that was with us) was made not to risk it, so we headed back - meaning all we did was kayak (plus Brian's - I believe, genuine, attempt to give us "a bit more" by driving us a short distance to view another water fall - from afar - and then return to the vehicles). No hiking, No swimming, no viewing of the Secret Falls. Realistically, we could easily have driven to the other waterfall ourselves. It was nice, but not terribly impressive. He told us a couple interesting stories and a little Hawaiian trivia during the drive and while at the falls, but, that's about all that was "added" that we couldn't have done ourselves with a few minute drive in the car. 5) Brian told me to contact the owner, Chris, and he'd probably issue us a discount, since we never were able to do the hike, see the falls or swim. 6) I called Chris later that day, he offered to reschedule, but I told him the rest of our time in Kaua'i was booked. He said he would not offer any sort of discount. 7) Hence, this review. We received, realistically, less than half of the real tour, and still paid full price. All in all, I think 2 stars is an accurate description of our experience. Had we received the full tour, I fully believe that we would have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and that Brian would have done a terrific job. I also believe that Brian probably made the right call in playing it safe. However, there is, realistically, no reason that Chris could not have issued us a partial refund, since the best part of the trip never materialized, and Brian really only spent a little over half the originally alotted time with us, total (even accounting for a little jaunt to view the other waterfall). I didn't expect half off. I didn't even throw out a number. I simply asked what Chris could do for us, since Brian had said I should give him a call. Even if he had given us 15 or 20%, I probably would have been fine with it. He still would have made a bit on the excursion, and would at least have walked away with a 4 star or possibly even 5 star review. Instead, he chose a little extra profit over the customer and this review is the fruit of that decision. That is unfortunate, but, it is the reality. Maybe he doesn't care because he's got a decent review profile, and maybe figures this won't affect him much. He probably also figures very few people ever take the tour again, so repeat business from us is unlikely. But, for certain, we won't be sending anyone else his way. Buyer beware. If you are thinking about this excursion, and you're taking it during the rainy season or after any heavy rains and the tour guide suggests there is ANY chance that the hike may not happen, consider how badly you want to kayak, because you may end up paying full price for an entire waterfall hiking tour simply to kayak down the river for a few hours - which, although nice, wasn't anything amazing. There are plenty of other FREE hikes/trips/excursions you can do on Kaua'i that will offer spectacular views and much more interesting scenery than the river offered, and you won't be risking a significant pricetag for what may be a very underwhelming experience. read more

Never actually got to go on this adventure. Serious family emergency prohibited myself and my sister from attending our reservation. It was an unfortunate and dramatic incident for our family and Duke's did not refund our money because it was outside the 24 hour cancellation window. While I understand the policy, there was no flexibility or grace shown for our situation. Some situations are out of one's control and it sure would have been nice to get the $250 back. Beware. read more

We had a wonderful experience kayaking up the Wailua river and hiking to a waterfall. Our guide Robert really enhanced our experienced with his knowledge, fun loving personality, and genuine love for the island of Kauai. I would highly recommend this adventure to anybody who feels up to kayaking up river for 45 minutes and having a relatively easy (but sometimes yet) hike. The scenery was gorgeous and the waterfall spectacular, even if the water was a bit "refreshing." Mahalo! read more

Went for apps & dessert and was not disappointed. Personally, lava flow wish a little extra rum on top is perfect and make sure to ask about the hula pie, which can be made two different ways. I prefer the one with more chocolate. read more

Took the morning Kayak tour, would definitely recommend taking the morning tour to avoid kayaking in the hotter part of the day. Easy difficulty kayaking, medium difficulty hike due to the mud, but totally worth getting a little dirty! Without a doubt Brian, our tour guide, made the experience phenomenal. Best guide ever. read more

Overall this was a good trip. Kayak up the river, and then hike to a nice waterfall. Unfortunately, we did not get Brian (whom everyone raves about in these reviews). We got Miguel. He was very nice, and clearly knew what he was doing. But I do have a few constructive criticisms for him. First, either wait for the back of the group to catch-up or SPEAK LOUDER when giving details about local plants and lore. If you weren't next to him you couldn't hear him. Also, he should have given more kayaking instruction to the newbies. We had two newbies in our group and they didn't really know what to do. Miguel's instructions were very brief. I knew what he was talking about, but I have kayaked (and canoed) many times. The newbies were more confused. Also, the waterfall gets busy despite the need to kayak and hike there. There were probably 40 people there (including us). Not the fault of Duke's, just mentioning it so would-be kayakers have a reasonable expectation. When one group would leave it would "open-up" a bit for photos and swimming, but another group would arrive not long after. Still, a very nice water fall and idyllic spot to hang out for half an hour (I wish they gave us a little more time here). Duke's provides a dry-bag, flotation devices, and DEET. Plus kayaks and paddles, of course. There are no snacks except what you bring with you. read more

Rob was our tour guide for the Wailua river and secret falls tour. He was very informative and shared information about local plants and stories of movies that have been filmed on the island. He made the experience so much fun for my husband and I and the other parties in our tour, and even offered to take pictures for everyone. Thanks Rob for an awesome tour! We would definitely recommend Duke's to those looking for a great kayaking and hike to secret falls. read more

Duke's Kayak Adventure - On our hike to secret falls - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

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OMG!!!!! This company is truly amazing. The owners are very involved and care about the experience their customers have while touring with them. We went first with our friends and then later on a separate trip took our children. Both times were great we felt like the guides were very engaging not only with the kids but the older folk too. The gear they had looked new. The whole experience felt organized, safe, fun and easy to make part of our Hawaii vacation. Thank you Duke!!! read more

If you have ever dreamed of being given a tour by the stingray teacher in Finding Nemo, take the kayak tour with Brian at Duke's Kayak Adventure! He is super knowledgeable, warm, friendly, and made my whole family feel completely at ease the entire time we were with him. The kayak trip was beautiful and we learned a lot hiking through the Hawaiian ruins as well. We loved Brian's tour so much that we talked about it frequently for the remainder of our trip. Take this tour. You won't regret it. A tip: bring sunscreen, water shoes, and a snack for the waterfall. It's an easy hike! read more

Duke's Kayak Adventure - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Kapaa, Hawaii

Hawaiian Bryan was an amazing tour guide. Very knowledgeable about the history of Kauai along with the plants of the area. He was so funny and welcoming to all of us. He also had patience with us beginner kayakers. This is a must do with Hawaiian Bryan! read more

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This was a fantastic tour!!! My fiancé and I went on the morning trip with Brian. He was a great tour guide, and had good stories too! It was a beautiful morning and the hike to the waterfall was so fun! Be prepared to get muddy, but that's part of the charm! The waterfall was flowing and beautiful. We went for a refreshing swim and took some great pictures too! I definitely recommend this trip, and ask for Brian as your guide!!! P.s. Don't forget the (waterproof)camera, snacks, and bug spray! read more

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OK, we did not expect this activity to be the blast that it was. Our guide, Annie, made this the best experience with her fun and friendly personality. I can't imagine a more perfect day! The hands-on experience was great; from setting the kayaks into the water, cruising the Wailua River at your own pace in the double kayaks, to hiking/climbing to Secret Falls, aka Uluwehi Falls (a bit challenging for the inexperienced hiker but so fun) and a chilly but exhilarating swim in the pool at the falls. Annie was the best at keeping us entertained and engaged. Just a great day in Kauai. Mahalo! read more

Brian was such a nice guide to have on the kayak and Uluwehi Falls Adventure! He is a thoughtful and caring individual who truly wants everyone to have a good time on the tour. Extremely energetic with great stories and kept us entertained the entire time. He was very adamant about safety and kept everyone out of harms way. If Brian was leading another tour on this island I would be the first to sign up! read more

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Brian the man - hella good time. My wife and 4 kiddos went yesterday. Perfect day. :)

First let me say be prepared for a killer workout. Kayaking is no joke and it may be hard for some but the guides are very patient. The adventure begins with everyone receiving a dry bag to put their gear in and then we all pile into a van and drive to the loading dock which is a short drive. The kayaks are all two seaters so be prepared to communicate with your partner lol. You start with kayaking up the river about 4 miles and then hike back to the waterfall which is about a mile hike in. The ground is very muddy and slippery so have shoes on not sandles, you will get dirty and it is best to walk through the mud instead of around it for your safety. The waterfall is very beautiful and well worth what you go through to get there. We ended up staying and having a small lunch, we brought lunchables and it was just enough food, we swam in the water for a while, took a ton of photos and then started heading back. We had James as our tour guide and he was awesome! Very cool and knowledgeable about the island and where we were heading. He was also a very cool guy to talk to and even offered to let us kayak back in a single kayak in case anyone was too tired he was there to help out. WHAT TO BRING: water, small lunch, sunscreen, sun protection like a hat when kayaking there was no shade, bug spray, shoes, bathing suit if you want to swim, towel, a great attitude lol read more

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What an absolutely amazing time we had with our tour guide Evan!! He was very informative & made our kayaking/hiking adventure fantastic !! We would totally recommend going with this company!!! This was definitely one of the best highlights of our trip Scott & Carrie Las Vegas, NV read more

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Luckily for my sister and I, we were the only ones in this group w/ the tour guide of course and we had the best time. Our guides name was Andre, and he was the absolute highlight of this day! We laughed so hard this entire trip - we felt like we've known him for years. He talked about his family & shared where he came from & vice versa. He even went off to one of the trees on the river to pick us a lilikoi... and gave us a coconut to bring home at the end! Anyways... we arrived to the shack & drove to the river - about a 5-10 minute ride - super close. He helped us into our kayaks, taught us how to keep steady and we were off! Very relaxing & beautiful ride. Lots of history & facts behind the trees and birds around us. You kayak to a secluded area and go on a mini hike through the forest to a beautiful waterfall! I would recommend doing the single kayaks because from the looks of it from the people we saw in the doubles, its hard paddling in sync & when you're in a single you can all go at your own pace and paddle next to each other (instead of staring at someone's head the whole time) Make sure you buy/bring water shoes!! You walk through the lake at some parts.. which I have no idea how people do in flip flops. Also wear a lot of insect repellent... which I'm not sure will help, cause I put on a shit ton and woke up the next day with 20+ bug bites. Tough out the bugs cause it's worth it! read more