1. Kayak Kauai

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    Kapaa, HI

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    Kayak Kauai

    4.4 (393 reviews)
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    Paul N.

    Definitely had a wonderful and great learning experience with Kayak Kauai in December 2023! Steven was our tour guide and he did such an excellent job in teaching us how to kayak properly as well as going over all the safety rules and helping us out if we ran into trouble along the way. And he helped carry our sandwiches (which are included in the tour price) to the waterfall. We just had to do our part of carrying the drinks, cookie, and chips (also included in the tour price) in our dry bags. Steven also shared a lot of stories and cultural backgrounds about Wailua River and parts of the trail leading up to Secret Falls. We were provided with double-kayaks, and my partner and I were able to get through the somewhat rough stretch of Wailua River, though we often fell behind the others (haha!) but thankfully we did not flip over into the water! It's about 40-45 minutes in each direction and there is a designated section at the trailhead where we will leave our kayaks. Lots of other tour groups and those hiking and paddling independently! It had been a few years since kayaking a longer distance; the last time for me was Flat Island and Mokulua Islands in Kailua on Oahu in January 2017. As for the trail itself, yes it is muddy here and there and can be slippery. Therefore, it is best to use closed-toe water shoes and a hiking stick, as you will have to cross through at least 5 streams along the way and depending on the weather and other factors, the water level can get up to the knees or even waist-high and the currents can be strong too! The wet season is certainly a good time to see Uluwehi Falls (Secret Falls) at its finest! My oh my was it flowing! Lots of other people came to take a dip in the water, and eat their lunch nearby. Be aware, there are lots of feral chickens in the area so you really have to keep an eye on your food, otherwise they will literally steal it if you are not paying attention! When we got back to Kayak Kauai's main offices and store, we all had some delicious pineapple, and definitely much-needed after a long excursion! Overall, this is such a great experience and I would totally recommend it!

    Can't miss it for meet up in building
    David C.

    June 2023 So of course, we had to go kayaking while in the area. We took the Wailua Secret Falls tour. Izzy was very personable giving a lot of cultural background and history while taking time to talk with everyone along the way. She definitely made the experience great for us along the way while ensuring everyone was safe during each part of the trip. Especially while walking across muddy areas or fast moving water on foot. We had gotten the tour just after noon. This was nice and felt pretty relaxed as far as the timing of everything. It didn't feel too rushed at different places. You get to see a lot of nature along the way. We were visited with some birds and a meandering cow along the paths on the side. The walk we got to see some usual suspects along the route and feed worms to one of the birds. The falls can be pretty crowded with the water decently cold. We had initially sat at one of the logs over the water for lunch but quickly found mosquitos were eating us alive. I'd stay near the rocks instead. Great experience though and one of the highlights of the trip for us.

    Greg S.

    Hanelie Blue Lagoon Kayak and Snorkel What an amazing day! J was our guide and he is amazing. We had arranged for him to pickus up in Princeville. We then rode to Hanelei where we enjoyed kayaking up the river and then out into the Ocean to Hideaway beach where we lunched and snorkeled . J regaled us with tons of Hawaiin/Polynesian history and Island lore. It was a blast. Pro Tip: bring at least a liter of water each, plenty of sun screen and waterand be prepared to use some muscles you might not usually work!

    Secret falls
    Deb D.

    Superbly helpful young entrepreneur genuinely interested in assisting his customers. Michael easily mult-tasked with two client groups, instructions, and loading of kayaks. Highly recommend! We rented the premium kayak for $95. Included dry bag, life preserver. Bring plenty of your own water for the hike to Secret Falls!

    Kayaking on the Wailua River
    Taylor U.

    Easy to book, communication through email was great. Izzy, our guide, was phenomenal. Super personable, knowledgeable and incredible guide on our tour today. She was all encompassing! Making sure everyone had everything they needed including making sure everyone was safe and having a great time. Highly recommend this company for its attention to detail! Thank you Izzy for making our day amazing!

    Courtney C.

    This was one of the highlights from our time on Kauai! We did the Wailua River Sacred Falls Kayak/Hike adventure. It is a 2 mile kayak upstream and then a 1.5 mile hike to the falls. This is a must do!! My husband and I have kayaked before but others on our tour were slightly older and not as experienced but they were able to complete both the kayaking and hiking so I would say this is doable for a range of fitness levels. The river kayaking is very easy and laid back. The hike does require you to go through a few streams as well as some muddy and/or uneasy surfaces so just be aware. A couple members in our group used walking sticks to help navigate the sometimes slippery terrain. The waterfall at the end though is stunning!! The water is freezing cold, but you made it all that way so I definitely recommend wearing a swimsuit so you can go in to say you did! :) Our tour guide Izzy was absolutely incredible!! She was so generous and shared so much knowledge along the way about Kauai and its history. I won't spoil anything, but she definitely has a few surprises along the hike when it comes to the local flora and fauna. She was so friendly and welcoming and told stories and even shared her local recommendations (all of which were fantastic). This tour also gives you sandwiches when you get to the falls (which I did not see other tours doing) and it was nice to enjoy a little lunch while appreciating the beauty of the scenery. Izzy absolutely elevated the experience of going to the falls and we so appreciated her and would highly recommend her if you get a chance to take one of her tours!!

    The boardwalk that is on part of the trail.

    We took the Wailua Secret Falls tour with Harrison as our guide. He did a great job providing kayaking instruction which we needed, this was our first time. It's about 2 miles each way. The hike while mostly flat was a bit challenging with a stream crossing and some rocks along the way. A boardwalk covers some area f the trail. The hike is really beautiful with lots of trees, plants, flowers and a few birds. Harrison shared interesting information about the plants and wildlife as well as some cultural and historical highlights. The waterfall was amazing thanks to the recent rains. The sandwiches were hearty and included with the tour. And, of course, there were chickens waiting for some food. This tour is a great value, a bit strenuous but worth the effort!

    The open ceiling sea cave where we met the turtle (who declined to be photographed).
    Beverly F.

    My teenage son and I shared an open top double kayak in a group of six people led by our guide Mike for 18 miles from Ha'ena to Polihale. It was arduous for me, a physical challenge on par with natural childbirth. I'm consistently active in daily life but not athletically conditioned like the rest of the group was. That said, fitness is not enough, and I'm glad that we both had ocean kayaking experience. Neither of us normally experiences motion sickness so I'm very thankful that we took the advice of the staff in the shop and took Dramamine the day before and the morning of the trip, and that I brought some along with me, which we both needed. A combination of clothing and aggressive use of sunscreen is a must. I wish I had consumed more calories throughout the morning, but I had stowed our snacks in an inconvenient location that made their retrieval time-consuming. Lesson learned. Because we were paddling through stronger than normal headwinds, I had to lean forward into each stroke and suffered heartburn. As I've never had heartburn except while pregnant, I was unprepared. I would have had an easier time paddling if I had brought along some Tums or Rolaids. Even more important, I wish I had brought my inhaler. I don't normally have any breathing trouble on the water or while traveling, so I did my normal morning treatments and left it at that. Three hours later I noticed significant lung constriction that made paddling much more difficult. Apparently the mold level was quite high, and we were weren't far enough offshore to escape it. I really should have had the inhaler with me. Two changes along the way made our experience better. First, I started looking up more. The Na Pali coast is a strikingly beautiful slice of Creation, and the cliffs and coastline not only lifted my spirit with their beauty but also encouraged me by marking our progress, which is difficult to see against the open water. Second, we took Mike's suggestion to hang back more. With more space for my son to experiment with working the rudder and more leeway to have a not-exactly-straight path without encroaching on anyone, we gained more ground with less paddling and less stress. The instructions Mike gave were spot-on, but there was little of it because this is not a trip for beginners. Instructions included rudder use, righting the kayak after a flip, and getting in and out without flipping. You will need to get in and out to perform Necessary Bodily Functions in the ocean water. Why did we choose the 18-mile version instead of the 10-mile version? I'm physically more suited to the shorter trek, but I wanted my son to have this experience to remember. Honestly, that's not a great reason, especially as the asthma attack I nearly had at the end is not the kind of epic memory I was aiming for. The longer trek, the traditional one, is definitely more beautiful and includes multiple sea caves that we paddled into. I'm told that the shorter trek (which I haven't done) has fewer caves and no cliffs but much more wildlife. Initially I was a bit disappointed about missing out on the dolphin encounters I could have had, until a large turtle swam up to our kayak in one of the caves. We were resting at the time, so it was his doing and not ours, and it was our joy to quietly receive his attention for a moment. The humans on the journey were consistently positive and supportive. I'm not just referring to our guide, blond Mike, but also to the rest of the staff, especially ginger Mike, and to the other visitors. Most of the time, though, we we too far apart for any conversation to be audible over the roaring of the surf, so be prepared to dig deep if you take up this challenge. There were moments when I questioned my choice, but I'm glad we did it. Thanks, Micco, for the adventure of a lifetime.

    Keli S.

    I had the best time kayaking and hiking to Sacred Falls with Izzy who was so fun and full of interesting info. Would definitely do it again but would request her.

    One of the many beautiful and scenic routes

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    9 months ago

    Best experience ever and the guy renting them is great! Very informative. Our 2nd year renting from him

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    2 years ago

    Enjoyed our kayak and snorkeling tour in Hanalei Valley and bay. Our guide Harrison was knowledgeable and friendly.

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    Page 1 of 10

    Kayak Kauai Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kayak Kauai

    Is the hike difficult?

    Which hike? That said, for the vast majority most of our hikes are doable by most folks in good shape. Micco/head guide… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Kayak Kauai

    I thought, oh it's a waterfall, but swimming out to it and looking up at the water tumbling down was amazing.

    Mentioned in 69 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Kauai Beach Boys

    Kauai Beach Boys

    4.6
    (115 reviews)
    5.9 mi

    We were on the NCL Pride of American and wanted a beach day…read more Within 15 minutes of walking, here we were, the beach. We rented chairs and an umbrella. We thought we would get small beach chairs. Nope, we got nice lounge chairs! The umbrella was a must as it will rain on and off. Also, it provides nice shade. We were close to restrooms, shops, and Duke's restaurant. The staff were super friendly and accommodating. We will book through them again.

    Beach Boys catamaran sunset cruise…read more I arrived to the Nawiliwili Bay & Hulei'a River cruise boat slip to join the other passengers on a sunset cruise. This particular day, for whatever the reason, didn't have too many passengers. It made for a better cruise experience, in my opinion. After the normal safety briefing, we set off on the Kalapaki Kai II (smooth sailing gorgeous catamaran!) with the captain narrating the entire evening. While this was not a dinner cruise, we did enjoy a full service bar with light snacks during the evening. In my opinion, the cruise seemed uneventful and not very entertaining, but I am not necessarily interested in history, which is mainly what the captain spoke about during the cruise. He did a thorough job speaking about the Kauai scenery, fish ponds, mangrove trees, Haupu mountain range, Kalapaki Beach, the lighthouse, golf-course and Kauai's still-standing original hotel! We even watched numerous people surfing in the Nawiliwili Bay.... Can't say I'll see that anywhere else except Hawaii! The sunset was not anything to speak of the night of my cruise... but that is clearly out of our control! While I had a ho-hum evening... I will still highly recommend this sunset cruise! It was an incredibly smooth sail.... Short & sweet -- started at 5:30p and ended just as the sun set!

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    Kauai Beach Boys
    Sunset on the cruise
    Sunset on the cruise
    Having a great time

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    Having a great time
    Ali'i Kayaks

    Ali'i Kayaks

    4.7
    (596 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    We had a great adventure with Ali's Kayak Rental! Booking…read moreonline was easy, and since the guided tour was full, we did the self-guided kayak and hike to the secret waterfalls. Its a more budget friendly option but you don't need to drive your kayak to the river, its just a short walk. Before launching, the owner gave us a quick and helpful presentation on where to go and how to handle the kayaks. Just note there is an additional $5 per person river fee (or a state park fee). The trip involves about two miles of kayaking and a mile-long hike each way. Because the trail has lots of rocks, muddy areas, crossing a river and roots, I wouldn't recommend it for small kids or anyone who isn't relatively fit. Overall, the equipment was excellent, the staff was great and we highly recommend it!

    On May 5, 2026 my husband and I went on a Kayaking adventure with Ali'i Kayaks in Wailua, Kauai…read more This was our first kayaking experience and it did not disappoint! Our guide for the day was "K-man". He was awesome! He had a great personality, was very knowledgeable and was funny. He was also great with names; he remembered everyone's, and he made it a point to make conversation with everyone single one of us. Our adventure started off by meeting at the office/pick up location. Then we loaded up into a van and made the short drive to the slipway. There we selected kayaks and were given oars and life jackets. Once we got situated, we hit the water. The weather that day was perfect; the sun was out with some clouds, and there was a light, constant breeze. Our journey on the water was a beautiful one. The water was cool, the scenery was green. I'll admit, the kayaking distance was a bit challenging. Maybe a bit more so as my husband and I are competitive and we were nearly racing with another couple. LOL! Once we reached shore, we gathered up and made our way to the hiking path. Honestly, the hike itself is not hard, with the exception of a few spots that may require teamwork/assistance. (**READ TIPS BELOW) Once we reached the waterfall, most of us went into the water. We stayed there for about 20-30 minutes. Our guide never rushed us. He sat back and let us enjoy ourselves. It was only when we all gathered up again that we headed back, same hike in reverse back to the kayaks. Once in the kayaks it was the same way back as well. The scenery was VERY beautiful. Several pictures were taken. Overall we had a great day. We would definitely recommend to anyone who has never been to Kauai and to anyone who is interested in being surrounded by beautiful scenery. TIPS: - [ ] Wear good shoes! The terrain can be unstable due to river rocks, tree roots, mud, and uneven ground. Your feet WILL get soaked and the ground is unstable. My husband and I both opted to wear sneakers that we were ready to retire. When we were done we threw them away. Another couple wore aqua shoes and they said they were extremely uncomfortable: good for water, bad for the rough terrain. Another couple wore brand new hiking boots and they became water logged. - [ ] Wear sunscreen!! Even if it's overcast, the harsh island sun will magnify through the clouds. - [ ] Sunglasses and a hat/visor is a wise choice. **if you wear a hat or visor, it may create a blind spot. Keep your head up! One person in our group hit their head twice on the same tree branch! - [ ] Wear clothing you can get wet. You will get wet from the waist down from the kayaking and hike. - [ ] Wear swimwear underneath your clothing. When you get to the waterfall, there is a pool of water you are able to swim in. - [ ] Bring a backpack/secure bag with water and snacks! You will need it! - [ ] Bring towels and leave them in the car. At the end of the day, when stripping off your wet shoes and socks the towels come in handy. *** For reference, our groups ages ranged from 52 to approximately early 70's.

    Photos
    Amazing rivers. Be prepared to get your feet wet on this amazing experience.
    Amazing rivers. Be prepared to get your feet wet on this amazing experience.
    Mana putting the Aloha filter on our selfie!
    Mana putting the Aloha filter on our selfie!
    This grasshopper (coconut leaf) made it in Los Angeles. Thanks Kai for this remembrance.

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    This grasshopper (coconut leaf) made it in Los Angeles. Thanks Kai for this remembrance.
    Kauai SUP

    Kauai SUP

    4.9
    (58 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Awesome friendly staff, they were able to explain how to get to the waterfall and answered any…read morequestions we may have. If you're strong and up for the challenge, paddle boarding 2 miles to the waterfall is awesome but very very challenging especially on the way back! They even loaded up and took down our paddle boards from the car with foam pads, so the car wouldn't get scratched!

    With well over ten years of SUPing experience, we knew we didn't want to paddle up the river on…read morerecreational SUP boards. I sprung for two touring boards which turned out to be a good decision. Keylan was very professional and helpful answering all our questions. He showed us an aerial view of the river on his computer screen so we had a visual of where we were going before heading out. He set us up with two 4" x 4" foam "boards" which were placed on the car roof before loading the SUP boards. He provided us with straps to hold the boards securely up there for the very short drive (about five minutes) to the launching spot on the river. The paddle up the river and the hike to t he waterfall was definitely worth the effort. We did that first at Keylan's recommendation, then went to see Fern Grotto. Allow yourself lots of extra time for the return trip as you will be paddling into the wind which can be quite strong in certain areas. We had a great day thanks to Kauai SUP and Kayak. I highly recommend this business.

    Photos
    Inside.
    Inside.
    Falling is SUP surfing??
    Falling is SUP surfing??
    Hand drawn map, don't leave without one

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    Hand drawn map, don't leave without one

    Kayak Kauai - rafting - Updated July 2026

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