Kauai Kayaking

Kauai offers the only navigable waterways in the Hawaiian islands, perfect for tranquil paddles to hidden waterfalls and secluded beaches. Check out these quality guided kayak tours! This page features jungle kayak tours on Kauai's streams. For ocean kayaking along the Na Pali, see our Napali Coast Kayak page.

Secret Falls ... guided Wailua River Tour

5 Hour tour: $85 per adult; $60 for children 11 & under

The most popular kayak tour on Kauai ... journey up the Wailua River for an adventurous paddle, hike, and swim at Secret Falls.  This trip is offered by Kayak Kauai ... the island's premier kayak outfitter. They have the best equipment including tandem kayaks with rudders ... they have the best guides who are trained in water safety and paddling instruction ... they will ensure that your trip through the jungle is safe, fun, and memorable!

Secret Falls is an amazing place; one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Hawaii to which you can hike. The kayaking portion of the trip just adds to the allure! This waterfall is so tall you'll find it impossible to fit the whole thing in one picture. Thanks to wide angle lenses and the magic of Photoshop's "photomerge" feature, here is a composite photo that gives you an idea of just how majestic this place is! Click on the photo for a larger view. Check in at the Kayak Kauai shop in Kapaa is at 7:45am for the morning tour or 12:15pm for the afternoon tour. Lunch and beverages are included. A credit card number is required to guarantee a reservation with Kayak Kauai, but they do not charge you in advance. You pay for this activity when you check in at their office on the day of your tour. Not available on Sundays or Holidays.

Blue Lagoon ... guided Hanalei River Tour

3 Hour tour: $60 per adult; $45 for children 11 & under

Experience a three-hour guided tour operated by Kayak Kauai along the scenic Hanalei River and Bay Reef Lagoon.  This safe family adventure highlights include views of Bali Hai (Makana Peak), and the sweeping "South Pacific" panorama.  Watch birds, turtles, and snorkel with colorful fish in a protected bay.  Wade by a sandy beach. The more adventurous can paddle out in a surf kayak.  Perfect soft adventure for all ages, couples and families.  Come frolic in these calm, clear tropical waters! 

Check in at their shop in Hanalei at 9:15am for the morning tour or 1:15pm for the afternoon tour. Beverages and snorkel gear are included. You'll really appreciate their unique location RIGHT on the Hanalei River, including their easy launching ramp (see the photo above). A credit card number is required to guarantee a reservation with Kayak Kauai, but they do not charge you in advance. You pay for this activity when you check in at their office on the day of your tour. Not available on Sundays or Holidays.

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS

The Secret Falls Kayak is available in the afternoon of day 1 for NCL passengers and requires a cab ride of about 15 minutes, or we can arrange a rental car for $38 per day including shuttle pickup at the dock ... go to our  rental car page for more information.

The Blue Lagoon Kayak is available in the afternoon of day 1 for NCL passengers and requires a drive of about an hour. We can arrange a rental car for $38 per day including shuttle pickup at the dock ... go to our  rental car page for more information.

The Na Pali Kayak is too long of a tour to fit any cruise ship itinerary.

ACTIVITY TIPS

Most kayaking in Hawaii is done on the ocean, which at times can be rough and at other times can be downright dangerous. Kauai offers the unique opportunity to kayak NEAR the ocean on some jungle waterways. This makes for a safe, tranquil outing ... and an opportunity to absorb the sights, sounds, and smells of the jungle from a unique perspective. 

Never kayaked before? No worries ... it isn't difficult at all to get the hang of it. All the instruction that you need is provided. It doesn't take a tremendous amount of effort to paddle ... you'll be surprised at how easily you move through calm waters with very gentle strokes. 

Both of these tours are OK with children ... they don't have a minimum age per se; parents know their kids and their capabilities. As a general rule, these tours are fine for anyone who is of average health and is comfortable in and around the water. 

Just a word of caution. River kayaking is a popular activity ... some companies are better than others ... and some lure you with discounts to get you to attend timeshare tours. We book with Kayak Kauai because they are the best. In the summertime they even outfit ocean expeditions of the rugged and wild Na Pali coastline. This fine company was recently featured on the cover of National Geographic Adventure magazine.

Kauai Kayak Reservations

Upon submitting your activity reservation for processing, we will make reservations for you and send an e-mail confirming all of the details. These confirmations are often sent a few minutes after your reservation, but some activities take longer to confirm than others. You will receive an e-mail confirmation by the end of the next business day at the latest. There are no tickets that you need to pick up prior to your event. Your e-mail confirmation will have all the details you need to check in and enjoy your selected activity. This saves you precious time when you arrive in Hawaii. 

Please be sure that you have typed your email address perfectly; an incorrect address will prevent you from getting your confirmation details, and we will have no way of knowing that you never received your confirmation. We cannot be responsible for errors that clients make which causes them to miss their tour. If you do not see your email confirmation within 24 hours please call us right away to check on the status of your order.

A credit card is required to guarantee payment for your reservations, but the activities on this page ARE NOT CHARGED when your order is placed. These activities are operated by vendors who charge you at the time of check-in for your activity. Adventureinhawaii.com will provide this vendor with your billing information so that your space is reserved. Even though your credit card is not charged in advance, it is import to realize that you are making a confirmed reservation. No-shows will be charged in full by the activity provider on the credit card used to secure the reservation .

After making reservations, you may reschedule or cancel your activity up until 48 hours prior to its start (a few activities have 72 hour cancellation policies ... see your confirmation e-mail for details). Within 48 hours of the start of your activity all reservations are final and non-refundable (unless the event is cancelled by the vendor due to weather or other factors ... in which case you are refunded in full). Due to our incredible climate here, weather cancellations are rare.  No-shows and cancellations without adequate notice are charged in full on the credit card used to secure the reservation and are non-refundable.