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Kayak in Pristine Waters and Explore Offshore Islands!

Oahu Kayak Tours



Highlights

  • Paddle the stunning waters of windward Oahu
  • Explore offshore islands!
  • Self-guided and fully-guided excursions available
  • Excellent outfitter with great Kailua location

Description

Oahu kayak tours gives you some of the best opportunities to explore the stunningly beautiful windward side of Oahu. A fringing reef miles offshore causes the large waves to break in the distance, offering miles of pristine bay that are just begging to be explored! The shallow waters and sandy bottom paint the ocean in striking hues of emerald green and azure blue, which contrasts beautifully with the stunning spires of the Ko'olau Mountains.

We offer kayak experiences with Oahu's premiere tour operator, Kailua Sailboards and Kayaks. Their shop is located in the Kailua Beach Center which serves as the staging area for their operations. Restroom facilities, changing rooms, lockers, and showers are available here. They have dry bags you can use to protect the things you want to take on the tour that you don't want to get wet.

Professional guides lead paddlers through the protected waters and seabird sanctuaries of Kailua Bay and its offshore islets. All guides carry certifications in adult and pediatric CPR, as well as first aid training. These guides function as your informed eyes and ears out on the water. They will instruct you in paddling techniques, educate you about the ocean environment, and assist you in launching and landing your kayak. Three different experiences are offered!


Cost

2 Hour Guided Kayak Tour Rate (KSK1)

$193.43 per Adult, $172.49 per Child (8-12)   (Hawaii sales tax included)

The two hour guided excursion is perfect for first-time kayakers and families with children 8 years of age and older. While the kayaking portion itself is two hours in length, the tour also includes lunch and two hours of "beach time" with boogie boards and snorkel gear included.

Following basic paddling instruction, you'll have a short walk to Kailua Beach Park where your guide will assist you in launching your sit-on-top ocean kayak. The destination is usually Popo'ia Island, a protected seabird sanctuary located about 1/3 of a mile offshore. As you near the islet you will likely encounter some "Honu" ... Hawaiian green sea turtles that make this area their home. Once you land on the island's sandy beach, you'll venture out on a 20 minute guided eco-hike around the island to explore tide pools. If you are lucky, you might see a Wedge-tailed Shearwater hatchling crawling out of its egg!

After returning to shore, you'll be served a deli lunch and then enjoy another 2 hours of free time at Kailua Beach where boogie boards and snorkel gear are provided.

This is a beginner-oriented trip and the minimum age is 8. All participants must be able to swim.


5 Hour Twin Islands Guided Kayak Tour Rate (KSK2)

$266.73 per Participants   (Hawaii sales tax included)

The four+ hour guided excursion is designed for physically fit, adventure-minded beginners, as well as intermediate and experienced kayakers. All tour participants must be able to swim and feel comfortable in the water (doggie paddling is OK). Snorkeling equipment and top of the line kayaks are included on this tour. The tour length is about 4 hours, but is somewhat dependent upon the kayaking ability and stamina of the paddlers on any given tour. Aim for 4 - 5 hours to complete this route.

Once you launch from Kailua Beach, the first stop is tranquil Lanikai Beach which has been rated as one of the top beaches in the world by the Travel Channel's "Dr. Beach." While some guests take a break by lying in the sand, most will head out for a snorkel with reef fish and live coral.

After the briefing, kayakers are off to the Mokulua Islands which lie one mile offshore. It is about an hour paddle one-way to this sea-bird sanctuaries. Upon landing on the island, the guide will lead you on a hike as you explore this island and its fascinating inhabitants ... including a variety of seabirds, green sea turtles, rock crabs, and more. Ocean conditions permitting, a secret tidepool, Queen's Bath is visited. Paddle back to Lanikai Beach for snorkeling and enjoy a hand made deli sandwich. Guests will have a chance to kayak surf, explore the beaches or go for a swim.

This is an intermediate level trip and some previous paddling experience is recommended. Minimum age for this tour is 13. All participants must be able to swim.


5 Hour Self-guided Kayak Tour Rate (KSK4)

$106.66 per Adult, $96.19 per Child (8-12)   (Hawaii sales tax included)

This self-guided experience is designed for those who have an independent streak and want ocean adventure at their own pace. Kailua Bay offers kayaking opportunities for beginner to experienced paddlers and you have your choice of several different offshore islands to explore. A comprehensive video briefing, weather updates, and staff instruction prepare you for your day on the water. Lunch is included, and when you are done kayaking you can use boogie boards and snorkel gear during the rest of your time at Kailua Beach.

Minimum age of participation is 8 and all guests must be able to swim.


Location

GPS Location: 130 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734 Click to view map


Details

Schedule: Monday through Saturday

Tour includes: Deli lunch with fruit, drinks and snacks, aluminum water bottle (guided tour only)

Gear Provided: Kayak, paddle, life-jackets, lockers, and dry bags

What to Bring and Wear: Swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, towel, change of clothes

Minimum Notice for Cancellations / Changes: At least 48 hours before the start of the event.


Kevin at Falls

Kevin's Activity Tips:

While a "rent a kayak and go out on your own without a guide" option is available, we HIGHLY recommend that you take one of the guided tours. Not only will you have someone with you who is trained in ocean safety, you will also LEARN a lot more and SEE a lot that you might otherwise miss. You'll also make new friends during your ocean adventure.

We highly recommend the 5 hour guided tour ... myself and one of my staff enjoyed this tour. The paddle out to the Mokulua islands is not difficult and landing on this island was a real adventure! From a distance it looks like a barren rock, but as you explore the island you'll discover it has a rugged and exquisite beauty. The lava rock formations on this island are colorful and fascinating, and we saw dozens of wedge-tailed shearwaters paired up in their ground nests anxiously awaiting the arrival of the season's one and only egg.

We found the staff and tour guides to be friendly, knowledgeable, and they did most of the "grunt" work getting the kayaks unloaded at the beach. At the conclusion of the tour, we paddled a short ways up an estuary to a riverbank location where we disembarked. The staff said "leave everything here ... we'll take care of it." That's a nice touch.

Please note that all tours are subject to wind/weather conditions. Kailua Sailboard and Kayak is committed to your safety and knows the waters of this bay very well. They have specific guidelines for when these tours may and may not operate based upon current conditions and forecasts. Decisions on operating the tours are solely at their discretion. Tours may occasionally cancel due to high winds; we suggest that you reserve this tour for your first or second day on Oahu so that if your tour is canceled you have the opportunity to reschedule for another day. If the tour operator cancels your program and you are unable to reschedule, you will of course receive a complete refund.