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Wailua Kayak & Canoe

3.8 (139 reviews)
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Updated 2 months ago

Wailua Kayak & Canoe Photos

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Not so secret falls LOL
Scott G.

We had agreat time paddling/hiking to Uluwehi Falls, AKA the "Not-So-Secret Falls". We didn't join a tour because it was less expensive and we have some kayaking experience. This outfit was pretty good and we would use them again. The staff person was really nice and informative. They rate the trip as moderate and that was pretty accurate. We are senior citizens in decent shape and it was challenging but not too difficult. On the upside... 1. Pretty good tandem kayaks and fast 2. Reasonable pricing and good instructions. 3. Really beautiful scenery. On the downside... 1. Some parts of the trail are muddy, rocky or a maze of exposed tree roots. 2. There is a thigh deep river crossing. 3. The paddle back has a tradewinds headwind. Tips: Wear closed toe water shoes not sandals. Bring 1-2 hiking poles for the river crossing. Bring a lot of water, camera and snacks. It's a blast and highly recommended.

Y B.

Had a great experience today with WKC! Rented a tandem kayak for 5 1/2 hours for $125. Great equipment and check in experience. The river is very easy to navigate and the hike is lots of fun! Highly recommend wearing water shoes like Tevas or Chacos. The trail is pretty muddy and slippery. You'll also walk through a number of streams and part of the river. Waterfall is beautiful but there are a a lot of people up there enjoying lunch and getting their pics. Go in the morning for less crowds and better weather (not as hot). Highly recommend renting from this company and experiencing the Wailua River in such a special way.

Michael was our tour guide. Very knowledgeable, full of dad jokes. Did not disappoint! Water was brisk being early in the morning. Was worth the hike.

Relaxing at Secret Falls. Worth the hike!

These guys are great! We did a tour today to Secret Falls. Daniel was our guide and he was awesome! Lots of fun and interesting facts and stories on the river and the hike. Water was smooth, camping was fun and the hike is a beautiful, trek through rain forest and river trails. Lots of variety and then you come to a huge water fall to swim in and relax! Bring water and a snack or lunch for the falls. Daniel is a cool guy guy and super friendly and knowledgeable. He made the trip even more fun!

Ryan P.

Noni is very nice- I don't envy them. I work in hospitality, I know how over confident, under prepared and uninterested in instructions many people can be. I can only imagine what they deal with all the time. We rented two singles- like others say, you get a quick rundown for what to go and where to see. I'm so glad we hustled- we got the falls to ourselves (after an easy hike) and had a nice swim. The river is very pretty. On our way back, there was a LOT of tour groups- felt like so many people. So happy we got there early. One more thing- flip flops will be a nightmare, you do get very wet crossing the river, and yea- like all trails in hawaii it is muddy. One more thing: kayaking back is against the wind- that's not so easy. Thanks Noni, we enjoyed you. I love your sense of humor.

Secret Falls
Anavi K.

Went for the guided Wailua river kayak and hike to secret falls. The kayak was super fun and challenging - about 1hr each way. The hike was 40-mins each way and relatively easy and we were able to swim in the waterfall which was awesome!! Be prepared to get your shoes and bottoms wet as you will be walking into the river and streams multiple times. Our tour guide Michael was v helpful and funny :) The only complaint I have is for the lady at the front desk/answering the phones who was extremely rude and needs to tone down the sarcasm and witty replies for simple questions. Not a great look for them & a reason I unfortunately wont be booking anything with them in the future.

Map up the river to the falls. It's worth it!
Karmen B.

Great SUP rental! Great and helpful staff! Highly recommend. Get there early for the quickest service and enjoy a less crowded river too. Will rent here again next time we are in Kauai.

Where to get the goods
Mandy L.

We didn't want to pay a ton of money for a guided tour so this spot rents out the kayaks for the day and you follow the map on the oh so rustic board and make it happen yourself. I disagree with folks who say you need to have done this before doing it on your own. This is a very popular spot so there were already tours out in force on the river. We paddled per the directions when renting the kayak and easily found the spot to park since there were already several parked on the bank. We just hiked it and there were people coming and going the entire time; it is pretty fool proof to get lost. We did it and had never been before. Don't forget sunscreen! I thought I did so I didn't enjoy the falls as much as I would have liked to enjoy if I thought I could swim more and not worry about washing off the sunscreen I had on. My guy was nice enough to chat up some other nice folks and help me out but just come prepared then you don't have to worry about it, lol. Super busy but super pretty and I'd totally do this again! We went in April and weather was lovely. I've heard later in the year there are more issues with mosquitoes but when we went it wasn't a problem. I hiked in chaco's which are open toe sandals but strap on. I didn't want to bring extra shoes since I knew the hike was short - maybe 1 mile or so in. You cross through water though and I don't have tough feet so for me this was perfect. I was careful on the trail not to stub my toe and it was fine. I saw crazies going barefoot - more power to them but not this girl. My feet are not that tough!

Crossing the final stream
Richard L.

My wife and I are 63. We're active but not marathon runners or anything like that. Both the kayak and hiking portions of the trip are challenging but doable. We have experience kayaking, so we were the second people to arrive at the falls at about 9:15. We were part of the 7:15 group, so it took us about 1.5+ hours of paddling and walking to get there (after the check-in and orientation). There is a river crossing, 3 stream crossing and a lot of muddy, slippery trail and rocks to get over, so if your not reasonably agile, you might have problems. I'd never want to do this if it was raining or had been raining a lot in the previous few days. Just too much sloppy, slippery mud to deal with. Also, the return trip down the river is harder, even though you're going downstream, because the wind picks up and is blowing against you. This makes it significantly harder, and you're also likely tired by this point. There are also a LOT of people from the various tours that all end up at the same spot, so be prepared for a crowd. This equipment was okay, but heavily used. My paddle grip covering was torn up and uncomfortable. My wife ended up with blisters on her thumb by the end of the trip. The kayaks were stable, sit-on-top style. Heavy out of the water, which made loading the kayak back onto the wheel-carrier challenging. The employees give very basic instructions as to your route and some basic warnings about the mud and creek crossings. You have to roll the kayak maybe a hundred yards or so to the water, launch it to get the wheel carrier off, return the wheels, and repeat all this upon your return. You also need to be able to drag your kayak up the beach at the upstream landing site. They are pretty heavy. The strap that held the kayak onto the wheel-carrier was broken, so it was a bit of a nightmare to get the kayak back. When I told the attendant, he just laughed and said, yep there are some old ones that don't work very well. So I guess everyone else that used that wheel set had the same bad experience that we did, and they knew about it, but didn't fix it. It would be nice if they had staff available to help with the kayak loading onto the wheels. Off loading wasn't too bad, but everyone we saw on the return trip had trouble lifting the kayaks and getting them on the wheels properly. There's probably a trick to doing it easily, but no one was there to show you how. Overall, it was a good trip. The falls were pretty, and the jungle lush and beautiful. Consider the weather, and your ability to kayak and hike on rough trails for 3-4 hours. Make sure to have good footwear, water, a towel, and a few snacks or lunch. Sunscreen and bug spray too. Lots of people manage to make the trip, so if you're in decent physical shape, it should not be a problem. It was a fun adventure. I would hesitate to use this company again. They were okay, but not great. It's nice not to have to put your kayak on top of your car to take it to the river like some companies do, but I think at least one other company has direct river access.

Secret Falls

My family and I did a guided tour to the Secret Falls yesterday. We had so much fun! It is definitely a little difficult at parts but highly recommend this company if you are looking for a guide! We had Michael and he was amazing and very knowledgeable about the area! Thanks for a great trip!

Mike is the best tour guide we have ever had! He was funny and more than helpful and attentive to both adults and kids. The trip to secret falls was so much fun with him. He helped those who didn't know how to kayak and answered all of our questions and more. He is beyond patient with kids and engaged in there jokes. They provide water bags and coolers. If doing a guided tour we highly recommend requesting Mike!

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

We booked last minute and we're glad we could do a rental without guide. It was easy process to get to the water and get going!

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3 years ago

The girl we talked to lied to us, instead of being truthful. She said you have to have a permitted guide to kayak on the river

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Wailua Kayak & Canoe Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Wailua Kayak & Canoe

We're in Kauai today and it's raining off and on in addition to being windy. Would we be able to take a guided kayaking tour in this type of weather?

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Review Highlights - Wailua Kayak & Canoe

On the trail to the waterfall, he had all sorts of cool talking points as well as tips for hiking safely.

Mentioned in 34 reviews

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Ali'i Kayaks

Ali'i Kayaks

4.7
(594 reviews)
0.0 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.
Kayak Wailua Tours

Kayak Wailua Tours

4.7
(463 reviews)
0.4 mi

We came during off season in mid-January. It was cloudy and sunny, and there were no bugs. We took…read morethe 9:00a to 2:00pm tour. I think we got back to the retrieve our belongings at 1:30p. Our guide Kyle was amazing! Since it was off season, he took about 8 persons, 2 tandam kayaks. One guide can take 12 persons maximum. It was great that our group was smaller. The Wailua River is really serene and calm, so both persons forward paddle, versus the back person back paddling in more rapids like Colorado or Sacramento River. We paddled 1 mile to the hiking, and 1 mile back. My arms were a little sore afterwards. The highlight is the hike to the water fall, which is about 0.2 mi in, 0.2 mi out, however it took about 30-40 min one way. Some areas are bush whacking, river crossing (bring water shoes like Teva), some very muddy so you have to slow down, some have wood planks built. When you the to the waterfall, it is gorgeous, and we packed our own lunch to enjoy for about 30-40 minutes at the falls. There were no bugs as we went in mid-January. Morning tours are more cold, so bring a light wind jacket or rain jacket. Afternoon tours are warmer, but you risk having bugs and sunburn. Our guide Kyle, has been feeding this bird along the hiking path for 8 years. He is tame and will come for photos. I'm a bird feeder and watcher, so major kudos to Kyle! The scenery of the hike and kayak trip was surreal and will blow your mind. The photos don't do it justice. You will take a van from kayak launch at Wailua River about 3 minutes back to base camp. Kayak Wailua provides you a water proof bag for your belongings, and a cooler bag for your lunch. They also have a locker for other stuff you don't want to bring along. I love this alot, and the tamed wild bird was the big plus!

This was a last minute adventure and boy am I glad we did it! We had an afternoon tour with…read moreMichayla. Butchered her name I am sure but there's Y somewhere ;) she's hilarious and very knowledgeable. 'Hele on to kauai' is in repeat because of her. We enjoyed it so much! Hike to the water falls was fun. Water was super cold, but we wear about go under the falls which was fun. Wear water shoes with nice grip. Wear insect repellent, coz something definitely bit me. Wear sunscreen!!

Photos
Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls
Kayak Wailua Tours
Kayak Wailua Tours

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Duke's Kayak Adventure

Duke's Kayak Adventure

4.7
(150 reviews)
0.4 mi

We had a great experience here! We did the Wednesday morning kayak adventure so we got to the…read moremarina 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.

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

Photos
The deepest river crossing
The deepest river crossing
Kayak landing point, hike trail head
Kayak landing point, hike trail head
Duke's Kayak Adventure

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Wailua Kayak & Canoe - rafting - Updated July 2026

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