This was, hands down, the highlight of our trip!!! We visited at the end of June and Joe was an incredible guide and teacher. There were five of us-youngest 7, oldest 67-and we all agreed this was our favorite event of the trip. Joe taught us how to paddle, and gave us an engaging lesson on the history of his people and the islands. He is an extremely knowledgeable and engaging guide, and was very patient and encouraging with our children. We saw turtles on the way over and a monk seal was sunning itself on the beach when we arrived on the island. Swimming in the Queen's Bath will be one of our most treasured memories. It was an extremely windy day and took us longer than usual to get there, but Joe didn't cut our time on the island short. He really wanted to give us the best experience and we are so grateful. This will always be the number one experience we recommend to friends visiting the island. If I could give it ten stars I would. read more

I did a sailing canoe tour with a friend and this was by far the best excursion I have done in awhile. Our tour guides were native Hawaiians that told us endless stories about Hawaiian traditional culture. Stories that were told to them by their ancestors and some that they learned in elementary school. That was honestly my favorite part of the tour sailing in the ocean and listening to traditional stories from his childhood. Like other reviewers we went to the small island and got to visit the tide pools and even have a tiny delicacy as a snack :) Mahalo and hope we get to cross paths again! read more

Kailua Ocean Adventures - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me

We did a 3-hour canoeing tour for our group of four. It was around 1.5 hours of steady paddling and the rest of the time exploring a beautiful island we paddled to with a natural pool to relax in. The paddling was fun and a good easy workout, definitely not too hard for people of all ages to do. Bring lots of sunscreen and consider wearing a long sun shirt. Water climbing shoes are also a huge plus if you have them so you can climb and explore the island rocks easier. KOA had a water proof bag to keep personal items and provided water. I would suggest bringing easy snacks to enjoy and then hitting up the bar restaurant across the street from the beach when you're done! read more

Kailua Ocean Adventures - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me

This was my second time touring with this company and this experience was vastly different. I had such a blast the first time in 2019. My sister heard how great it was, it was her number one activity she was looking forward to. We had different guides for this tour. The older (more experienced) guide was extremely rude to us throughout the tour. My sister was apprehensive as this was her first time going out in the ocean. When she tried to ask questions, she was told to be quiet and there "was time for questions later once we were out on the water." Once I mentioned I lived here, anything I had to contribute was contradicted. This experience is clearly catered for tourists. We spent two hours getting to Moku Nui and were told when we landed we weren't able to spend much time there. Completely understandable as wind, ocean, weather conditions vary. I did ask if we could still visit the Queen's bath, as that was a highlight before. I was asked (sarcastically) "Can I do my job or do you want to run this show?" which I have recorded. It made me feel belittled. They seem to be the only company that offers an authentic outrigger canoe tour, which is a shame because I can't recommend them again after this most recent experience. Their customer service seems to be severely lacking. If you're a tourist you can take a gamble that you will get a good guide but I'd steer clear if you're a local. read more

Sign up for this fun and amazing tour! It was not hard and just breathtaking! Toby was a fabulous tour guide home for the summer from college. The ocean was his daily view and his stories were delightful. We asked him many questions on a variety of topics and he was game to answer them all! The paddling wasn't hard just a bit sore the next day from unused muscles. The views cannot be beat especially the view from the destination island Mokulua back to Lanikai. We saw 3 turtles while paddling and a monk seal napping on the sand. Bring snacks, water and plenty of sunscreen and prepare yourself for a fun 3 hours! read more

Kailua Ocean Adventures - View from Mokulua island - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me

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This was definitely the highlight of our trip this year and maybe of the many trips we've taken to Hawaii over the years. An amazing time sailing, paddling and also a little exploring on the island in tidepools and some baths. The crew were fantastic, super friendly, knowledgeable and great sailors and navigators. I was impressed with how careful they were being sailing through all the coral reefs and rock areas. There really isn't a better way to spend the morning. Definitely recommend the earlier morning tour, you have to get out early, but the water is better. We also got to see a few turtles throughout the morning which was also fun. Really a great time, couldn't recommend enough and Kailua beach is beautiful and worth spending some extra time on as well! read more

Our experience with Joe was phenomenal, My fiance and I carefully researched the variety of canoe and sailing adventures that were available for our travel dates in Oahu, HI, and ended up selecting this adventure with Kailua Ocean Adventures. Joe was a fantastic tour guide and left no stone unturned when navigating us through the beautiful ecosystem in which he grew up in. Our tour was extremely fortunate as we were able to visit the bird sanctuary island and swim in the tide pools that had formed. We were also able to see two monk seals on the Mokuluas. Furthermore, Joe made our experience very memorable by telling us stories of his time growing up on the water and incorporating the culture and traditional aspects of the canoe boat when answering our questions. Thank you for the exceptional tour Joe, you made our vacation and experience immensely better. You were an exceptional guide and made the experience seem more like friends hanging out and exploring than a paid-for activity! read more

Loved everything about our guided tour with our guide Brian. We kayaked to the Mokulua Island. I am told that at times when it's very windy that this kayaking trip can be pretty challenging so keep weather and fitness levels in mind when you book. It was just us and our guide so we were able to chill in the water, snorkel, and checkout the island as well. We had enough time to do a ton and were pretty tired after coming back to shore. So if you're planner you might want to plan for some chill time after this excursion. They serve you lunch and provide you with snorkeling gear, kayak rental, and a dry bag for your items that can't get wet. Would highly recommend them if you're in the area. read more

Kailua Ocean Adventures - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me

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Toby was the perfect guide for our family of four. He was engaging, enthusiastic, and very attentive. Our group overwhelmingly voted the canoe trip with Toby as our favorite activity of the many, many adventures we engaged in during our week in Oahu. The experience was good for novices like us but Toby kept us focused on our goal of reaching the twin islands. Toby was very encouraging. We got to see hermit crabs and taste what we now call "salty grapes" when we reached the bigger of the two islands. We spent enough time on this island to regroup, and enjoy the scenery and the water before making our way back to the beach/our starting point. Mahalo Toby and Kailua Ocean Adventures for a great way to start our vacation. read more

Kailua Ocean Adventures - Awesome time canoeing with Toby at Kailua Ocean Adventures - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me

We did the 11:30 am Outrigger paddle to Moku Nui. There were 3 of us, and two others and our very good guide John. A little crowded on the Moke, they say the 7:30 am trip is the sweet spot. Nonetheless, we had a wonderful time, and I would call the activity moderate for intensity. The paddle out was about and hour and the return with the wind at our back and gained outgoing experience was a half hour. There is a short hike to the "Queens Bath" but it's not for everyone, requires dexterity. But the short hike is not required to have a throughly enjoyable time. read more

I chose this tour, instead of Kailua Beach Adventures, because you don't have to drag the canoe 1/2 mile to the beach. KOA's sailing canoe was right on shore and we didn't have to paddle much due to the trade winds. It was a lovely journey across the bay to Na Mokulua. We saw 4 turtles along the way. Our tour guides were very knowledgeable about the endemic birds of the island, as well as the history, culture and language of Hawai'i. I learned more about the island on this trip, than at the luau. I felt blessed soaking in Queen's Bath. The saltwater pool and view of the Lanikai was an honor I'll never forget. read more

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I had a blast on this tour! The process of booking was super easy too! I found out about it on Airbnb! I didn't know that you can book experiences on there! I was glad to find this though! It started off with directions on where to meet and at a certain time. You can't miss the yellow sail! We walked towards the bout which is actually 2 canoes with a yellow sail and a motor! Pretty neat! Our guides was super cool and knowledgeable about Kailua and the Flat island and Mōkūlua islands aka twin islands! Juices and waters were provided so I'd recommend to pack your own lunches and make sure you bring sunblock and your beach towels! When we got onto the island we were able to do the mini tour to the Queens bath. The views were breathtaking! We also got time to chill on the beach too at Mokulua island. This was a great experience! I highly recommend this! read more

Kailua Ocean Adventures - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me

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This place was awesome. Shout outs to Cathy, and Will. Both of them were extremely helpful with the tour, making sure we were good, whether or not we were struggling. They also were really fantastic when it came to taking everyone's pictures; it's something that can feel bothersome to ask for, especially when they have already done so much to help us with getting to the island, so I really did appreciate it. It was also great learning about the island we beached on and getting to learn about it. Will and Cathy honestly felt like acquaintances just showing us how to kayak, which is phenomenal because it was my first time kayaking. Also another big thanks to Will and Cathy for pointing out sea turtles to us! So thanks you guys! P.S. Also, thanks to the people who helped us launch and beach. I'm sorry, I forgot their names. :( read more

Definitely a guaranteed fun time! We paddled a bit but then got a good gust of wind. The storytelling was very interesting! The island had a few good places to relax and explore. It's worth booking! read more

Our tour guide Joe was awesome. Shared so much culture with us made the trip amazing. We did a little swimming on the island and we where lucky enough to get pictures of the seal and swim in the queens bath. This was so fun. We would recommend this to all our friends. read more

This was such a special adventure and the watermen (and woman) brought so much authenticity and genuine Aloha spirit to this trip it was an absolute highlight of many trips to the islands. It was relaxing and fun even though we definitely helped with paddling and landing the IWA P'EIA after the 2 mile cruise to the island off Lanikai. Kavela and his wife Keri were educated on local culture and language and we learned so much about the sea and natural world. We saw man Honu as we crossed the bay! Mahalo! Definitely worth every penny! read more

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Absolutely amazing experience! If you're looking to visit Na Mokulua, definitely book with Koa Canoes! These guy are so knowledgeable and made the experience one of a kind. Joe and Griffin were very informative the whole tour! I did the 3hr sailing canoe tour. There are there different tour times for this tour. 7am, 11 am, or 3 pm. You meet on the beach in front. The sailing tour is nice because its a motored boat. They do offer a 2hr canoe surfing option, however you have to paddle and sometimes if the waves are too big, water can fill the canoes. Haven't done this tour yet, but it sounds equally as fun! When you get to the island, you can decide what kind of activities you wanna do. You can go snorkeling, hike to queens pond, or just lay out on the sand if you want. If you can't swim, they do have a board to paddle you in and out, which is nice. We also saw a bunch of turtles which was awesome!! Make sure to pack sunscreen, a towel, and maybe some snacks!! The sun can be scorching! They also have dry bags to put your belongings in to keep everything dry. Loved how knowledgeable and interactive these guys were. Would definitely do it again! Don't forget to check in to get 10% off your first tour!! read more

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: After signing up for the Canoe Sailing Adventure, we learned that the liability waiver (1) allows the company completely unrestricted use of your image (photo, video and audio) and (2) requires you provide your full birthdate (not just age or birth year). When I asked if we could sign all aspects of the liability waiver EXCEPT these seemingly unrelated and unnecessary invasions of my privacy, the owner refused. We did not sail and he did NOT refund our money. Also, always unwelcome, the price changed from the advertised price of $145 to over $180 during booking due to taxes and unspecified "fees." For all I know, the sailing part may be quite fun, but the proprietor clearly isn't interested in using best practices when it comes to booking and liability waivers. Due to their no refund policy, ask all your questions and request a link to the liability waiver BEFORE booking. read more

The canoe sailing was an excellent way for us to end our trip. It was a very relaxing experience sailing so close to the water that you can touch it. You don't have to kayak for 3 hours. Kayaking is only needed while you are taking off or when there is less wind. Otherwise, you are mostly sailing. My only disappointment was that when we stopped at the island, I would have liked to roam around instead of just chilling on the beach. read more

Kailua Ocean Adventures - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me

We had an outstanding time on our Na Mokolua tour. Na Mokolua is composed of two islands (one does not allow visitors at all, one does). We went to the one that allows visitors. The guides told us about the birds that live there and gave us some history and understanding of the culture and beliefs about the islands. It was really cool. There was a sandy beach to hang out on and a tide pools to wade around in. Very cool. We did the sailing canoe tour and didn't really have to paddle that much. It was awesome. We had two people who were weak swimmers and a little scared of the water but they felt comfortable, safe and had a great time. Worth every penny! Guides were nice and helpful and it was just a great time. read more

We are wet, sandy, and worn out from a day of fun. Please be aware, a sailing canoe is more of a canoe, and less of a sailboat. We paddled about 45 minutes, played in the water, had an eco tour, learned about Hawaiian history, customs, and wildlife, surfed our canoe, then paddled another 45 minutes home. We had old and young people in our vessel, and it was totally makeable for all. Our guides were amazing, very informative, and had aloha spirit. We are both glad we went. read more

This was an amazing adventure! The guides were very knowledgeable and had great stories to tell about the history of the area. Be prepared to get wet! read more

5 stars is not enough! I am only bummed I haven't done this sooner, as it is so much fun, and will be a great way to enjoy the beautiful Mokes with friends and family in the future. From beginning to end, Jonny and Devin (our guides) we so awesome, and really helped make the day special for my wife and I. They were so helpful with making sure that we were having a good time, took breaks if needed, and did a good job of preparing us for the paddle to and from the Mokes. The paddle made a good workout, but a lot less strenuous then our previous attempts to island with Kayaks. Although I think it due to my wife trying to impress Jonny, cause he's a stud, haha. The waves were strong on the shore of Moku Nui, and I was impressed at the way Jonny knew the perfect time to bolt for the island while the waves were down. He also explained to us how to safely get in and out so we would not get hurt. When we got on shore we were offered water and lunch, but had our own cooler. They also explained the rules of the island, which is a bird sanctuary, and we're really respectful of the land, making sure we didn't go to any areas that are off limits. NY wife and I did take a short 5 minute hike on the right side of Moku Nui so we could swing in Queens Bath, which is like a private saltwater pool. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in having a good time with good people. It makes way more sense to do this, rather than rent a kayak, which takes longer and more effort to get to Oku Nui. Thx once again K.O.A. for making our early Valentines Day, and first trip to "The Mokes" a very memorable one! read more

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Joe and his team do an amazing job daily. Gave us insight, knowledge, history about the canoe and places in and around Kailua. They kept everyone safe as well throughout the adventure and gave us detailed instructions on canoe paddling. Went to mokulua island to adventure the different spots on the island as well as surf waves around the sides of the island. Highly recommend KOA canoes for anyone (visitors or locals) planning to have an awesome day cruising at mokulua or popoi'a island. This sure beats renting kayaks and hauling them yourself to the beach. Thanks for taking us out Joe and Kiki; will be back for more. Mahalo, -Dedy read more

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This review is for a pre-pandemic tour experience we did and is long overdue. I can't say enough good things about the experience. In fact, the memories of our tour have provided us much joy during the pandemic. I can't wait to go back on another outstanding adventure. read more

First, a major caveat: we did not complete the excursion. I will get into the details, but we booked and paid for the excursion but due to safety concerns we did not go on the boat. I still would strongly suggest reading our experiences for anyone who is not a strong ocean swimmer / very confident on small craft i open ocean. We booked this excursion through our hotel concierge - and rented a car to drive over from Waikiki for it. Before driving over, I had a phone conversation with Kelly (the owner's mom) to mention that although my kids are strong swimmers, my wife can't swim. And we are all safety conscious - so let's discuss that at the outset. She assured me they have extremely high safety standards and that the captain would emphasize safety at the outset Then we get to the beach. First, the boat. It is really tiny. Two little canoes with a small platform across. Doesn't look sturdy or stable. Wind was blowing fairly strong (maybe 20 miles per hour) and the sea was quite choppy. Said hello to the captain and mentioned that it looked a little windy and the sea was pretty choppy. His exact words "i understand if you might not want to go out - it's entirely at your discretion". Not "don't worry - these are totally normal conditions and you will be safe". We saw a few kayaks capsize on the rough surf as they tried to land on the beach. Then we asked about snorkeling out at the island and they said "maybe... although the conditions are a little rough". (To be honest, in retrospect i don't think he really wanted to go out - guess it's easier to spook a family and get paid anyway?) Anyway that was it from our perspective - we canceled the trip. To the agencies credit after a fair degree of persuasion by our hotel they refunded 25% of the cost. I guess they sometimes cancel due to conditions - but they need to be really poor? (Hurricane? Gale force winds?) . If your snorkel sail is too windy to snorkel shouldn't it be canceled? Bottom line - i would NOT pre-book. Wait and be sure the weather is looking mild. Also, i guess other people loved it but looking at the boat it's like $150 bucks a pop for a guided kayak ride. (not like a catamaran snorkel sail where there's a real boat with a proper crew). Clearly a lot of people had fun given all the positive reviews but anyway this was our experience. read more

Didn't end up being able to go on my scheduled adventure, but the staff were kind, responsive and able to help me cancel my trip without any stress or difficulty. I was very impressed. Will absolutely rebook with them next time I am in O'ahu. read more

Had the most amazing experience with this guys. Gabe Joel and John gave my family and I the most memorable part of our trip to O'ahu. They were welcoming from the start. We had an amazing time paddling and once we reached our destination they shared all their knowledge of the island and Hawaiian chants and lore. The water was amazing and so was the scenery. I would highly recommend doing it again and will be back on my next trip back home. Mahalo nui loa guys for sharing your Aloha with my family. read more

We had a great time, Joe and his crew were welcoming, professional and knowledgeable. We had great sailing and saw Monk seals, turtles and tropical fish while snorkeling on the Moke. Highly recommend this fun adventure! read more

Took two doubles out to the Moko islands with our guide Maggie, and it was an incredible experience. Our guide was very knowledgeable and kept things safe and fun at all times, even though we did get a little close to dry reef! It was sick learning about the bird population on the island as well. read more

This was not only an opportunity to paddle and explore the Mokes but to share an adventure with knowledgable and super nice guys while supporting a local Kailua family run business. They made the afternoon very enjoyable by personalizing the trip to our paddling ability and we felt safe due to their knowledge of the ocean. In addition to paddling the canoe, they led a great tour of the island. They taught us some local history, pointed out some creatures in the tide pools, and gave us an understanding of what it is like to grow up in this beautiful area. Our 11-year old had a blast. It was one of the best memories from our recent trip! read more

Bunch of scammers, beware! We booked a sailing experience got wrong instructions all around they took our money and refuse to refund. Nonexistent customer support give them your money at your own risk read more

David and Joe gave us the BEST experience we had on the island of Oahu. They are obviously passionate about their craft and take great pride in taking care of their guests and their island. We always felt safe, even when the waves were bigger than expected and we had to swim to the shore of Moku Nui instead of beaching the canoe (which to me was hardly an inconvenience and actually enhanced the experience!). DEFINITELY a must for anyone visiting Oahu, whether it be your first or umpteenth time visiting, these guys will give you an adventure you'll never forget. read more

We had an amazing time today with our guide, Goose, on a five hour kayaking trip to the Mot Islands. He was extremely knowledgeable regarding the history of the area and provided a fabulous eco tour too. Highly recommend the company and must ask for Goose as your guide. read more

Must do if you're near Kailua!! Surfing on the waves in the outrigger canoe was super fun and Brandon was a great instructor. This has been my second time here but my first time riding in an outrigger. Paddling is a bit of a workout but once you catch a wave it's so worth it! They also offer kayak rentals which are great to paddle out to flat island (small island off the shore which is mostly reserved as a bird sanctuary). read more

Great Time well worth the money Capt.Joe & deck hand first mate Gabe our guides made the experience very exciting and interesting during our time on the water and the walk around the small island.... watch the sea turtle's pass you by as you float on the sail boat.. luv the experience !!! read more

Wonderful experience! Joe guided our group of five on a sailing adventure out to the Mokes / Mokalua islands. We had all been to the Mokes previously via kayak, but this was our first time going there on a sailboat. The experience was lovely, we had a great time! The views of Kailua and LaniKai were breath-taking; It was a joy to be able to experience the island from a new perspective. Joe was very professional and knowledgable; He knew the area and the ocean well. Once on the Mokaluas, he took the time to guide us on a short hike to Queen's Bath, as well as teach us about much of the wildlife on the islands. With a strong background in lifeguard safety, and a lifetime of ocean experiences, we all felt safe sailing with Joe. We truly enjoyed this excursion and will be recommending it to all of our friends & family. (: read more

Born n raised here in hawaii n when coming back to the island's, paddling with Jonny n his crew is the best there is! we were out there for a private cruise and there is no other experience that matches. Go to Kailua ocean adventures and make sure to ask for Jonny! My daughter is 8 years old and she had a blast! they let get out of the canoe and let her swim in the middle of the ocean, awesome experience! read more

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I have lived my whole life, 60 years, on Oahu surfing, sailing and paddling and never sailed a canoe or gone to the Mokulua islands. It was a memorable experience and one I would do again. Joe and Jase were excellent in their knowledge of the area and their ability to navigate in and around the reefs. Great experience. Aloha, Peter read more

If you find yourself on island with an afternoon to kill I would 100% recommend looking into Kailua Ocean Adventures! Joe and his crew are stand up guys who made the trip out to the mokes that much more enjoyable. Seeing the monk seals and hearing a little bit about their history was definitely something I wouldn't have found out otherwise. This canoe trip is such a hidden gem on the island i plan to schedule another tour next time I'm on island for sure. So check out Kailua Ocean Adventures and go have a great time! read more