Kayaking Tours and Locations on Kauai

Hawaii is a top vacation destination for many people because of the welcoming atmosphere and the adventurous spirit for the outdoors that flourishes on the island. The latter is fueled by the majestic landscape, from islands and waterways, to volcanic mountains and unending greenery.

The Hawaiian island of Kauai remains one of the most visited places in the state and one of the most magnificent destinations in the world for kayaking.

Other outdoor Kauai attractions are plentiful including hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, tubing, ziplining, boat tours, and vast state parks.

Perfect Kayaking Destination

There are plenty of adventures and attractions to choose from on any Kauai things to do list. But, water sports such as kayaking should certainly be one of them, even if you have limited experience.

This island is a perfect destination for water activities, from canoeing and kayaking to snorkeling and swimming. For kayaking enthusiasts, Kauai is also the place to be in Hawaii because it has the only navigable rivers on the island.

Kayaking in Kauai is quite unlike anywhere else with a vast number of rivers that can be navigated throughout the island. It is one of the best ways to explore this majestic and mysterious island.

Kayaking Tours

Many of the local kayaking tours are lengthy and designed to provide you with the best opportunity to view the local scenery and wildlife, taking you to exotic parts of the island that would otherwise be difficult to explore.

The tour companies here offer a plethora of kayaking adventures across some truly beautiful routes that can last up to 2 hours or even longer. A variety of options are available for people of different fitness levels. Your tour provider will let you know upfront what you can expect in terms of the physical demands of each option. The routes take you through the jungles, the sculpted cliffs, and the meandering river beds. They can also take you near some impressive waterfalls and beautiful water bays, where every bit of scenery is breathtaking. You can opt for tours that include swimming, hikes, cliff jumping, or zip lining adventures. Self-guided or guided tours are available, depending on your comfort level and experience with kayaking.

There are two main options for kayaking on the Kauai Island: river kayaking or sea kayaking. River kayaking mainly occurs on three rivers: the Wailua River, Hule’ia River, and the Hanalei River. The Wailua River is one of the most traveled routes and is popular because of its length and gentle waters. It takes you through the interior of the island, where you can also find other Kauai attractions.The Hule’ia river is found in the Lihue area and it takes you through the popular Kipu Ranch, whose scenic sites have hosted some well-known Hollywood blockbuster filming locations. The final river is the Hanalei River, which is the least traveled and thus an interesting choice because of the low traffic. It takes you through the captivating Hanalei Valley, coming to an end at the beautiful Hanalei Bay.

Ocean kayaking is a different experience altogether. It can be quite a challenging experience and is recommended only for those over the age of 16 years. To participate, you will also need to be physically fit. For some of the tours, the currents mostly flow in one direction and there is no place to land; therefore, you have to completely finish the course and need to be fit enough to do so. Some of the tours are also over 10 miles in length. Sea kayaking is usually done on the beautiful Na Pali Coast of Kauai, but other options are available as well.

Tour Companies

A few of the top local providers include Alii Kayaks, Outfitters Kauai, Rainbow Kayak Tours, Wailua Kayak Adventures, Kayak Kauai, and several other companies. Many of them are highly experienced and always provide you with a sufficient level of training before your kayaking adventure, with safety always being a top concern. Some of their popular kayaking tours include a visit to the Secret Falls, a historic site once accessed only by royalty, or trips deep into the Wailua River. Every tour is different and explores different shores of the island.

East Shore Tours

Alli Kayaks

Alli Kayaks offers a 4-mile kayak tour with 1.5 miles of moderate hiking. You start the tour by paddling 2 miles upstream the Wailua River then after securing your kayaks on the shores of North Fork your 1.5-mile hike begins. The hike through the lush rain forest is gorgeous and you learn about the local flora fauna from their knowledgeable guides. The hike ends up at the beautiful 120 foot Uluwehi Falls, aka Secret Falls!

• Cost: $65 per person
• Days Offered: Daily except for Sundays
• Times: 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., & 11:30 a.m.
• Tour Duration: 4.5 – 5 hours
• Office Location: 180 Wailu Road, Kappa, HI 96746

Outfitters Kauai

Outfitters Kauai offers multiple kayak tours of different parts of Kauai. If you want to see famous waterfalls, this is the tour provider for you! They offer two that are primarily East Shore Tours: Hidden Valley Falls Kayak Tour and Wailua Waterfall Kayak Tour.

Hidden Valley Falls Kayak Tour

This half-day Kauai tour is perfect for kayakers of all ages and abilities. The adventure starts by a two-mile downwind paddle of the gentle Hule’ia River through the beautiful landscape surrounding the National Wildlife Refuge. Instead of kayaking back, this tour offers a relaxing ride back on a motorized canoe through this amazing area. This is the only kayak tour in all of Hawaii that offers this!

• Cost: $199 for adults, $99 for children 3-14
• Days Offered: Daily except for Sundays
• Times: 8:45 a.m.
• Office Location: 2494 Niumalu Road, Lihue, HI 96766

Wailua Waterfall Kayak Tour

This is a top-rated Kauai kayak tour! You will paddle deep into the heart of Kauai on Hawaii’s largest tropical river: the Wailua. You must be able to walk two miles of rugged trail and kayak 60-90 minutes. This is their most strenuous river kayak and hiking tour. 

• Cost: $109 for adults, $89 for children 5-14
• Days Offered: Daily except for Sundays
• Times: Thursdays ONLY 11 am, every other day 7:45 a.m.
• Office Location: 2494 Niumalu Road, Lihue, HI 96766

Rainbow Kayak Tours

Rainbow Kayak Tours offers a kayak tour called the Da Kine Kayak Tour. It is a river kayak tour through the majestic Wailua River. After paddling past numerous cliffs, you will reach Kamokila Village, a replica of an ancient Hawaiian village sacred for fishing and farming. Once you reach North Fork, you will paddle through the Garden Isle’s most beautiful jungle river until you come to the trailhead for Secret Falls.

• Cost: $85 for adults, $65 for children, youngest allowed 5 years old
• Days Offered: Daily except for Sundays
• Times: 7 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.
• Duration: 4.5-5 hours
• Office Location: 440 Aleka Loop, Kapa’a, HI 96746

Wailua Kayak Adventures

During this kayak tour offered by Wailua Kayak Adventures, your guide will fill you in on the historical and religious significance of Kauai’s most spectacular and scenic river valley. While you are paddling you will be able to enjoy views of Mt. Waialeale and Sleeping Giant Mountain. Once you reach a certain point, you will also hike through the ancient rain forest to Secret Falls.

• Cost: $60 for adults, $40 for children 12 and under
• Days Offered: Must call to book a reservation (808-639-6332)
• Times: 7 a.m. or 1 p.m.
• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Office Location: 1347 Ulu St., Kappa, HI 96746

South Shore Tours

Outfitters Kauai offers two South Shore tours: Poipu Whalewatch Sea Kayak Tour and Miloli’i Ocean Paddle.

Poipu Whalewatch Sea Kayak Tour

This sea kayak tour takes you to secret beaches hidden on Kauai’s rugged Poipu shore. It is a very vigorous and active 8-mile ocean kayak trip. Whale watching, snorkeling, bodysurfing are all included and you will paddle past the Spouting Horn, a saltwater geyser!

• Cost: $159 for adults, $129 for children 12 – 14, no children under 12 years old allowed
• Days Offered: Tuesdays and Thursday
• Times: 7 a.m.
• Duration: 8 hours about
• Office Location: Guests check in at their Poipu shop location (2827a Poipu Rd., Koloa, HI 96756)

Miloli’i Ocean Paddle

Guests will meet at Poipu and ride in a van to the launch site at Polihale Beach. This is a beautiful, secluded beach at the southern end of the famed Na Pali Coast. The tour will be a 5-mile journey to Milolii, a remote beach only accessible by kayak and the site of an ancient Hawaiian fishing community. You will enjoy a provided lunch before paddling back to Polihale Beach. This is a 10-mile total paddle.

• Cost: $189, no children under 15 years old
• Days Offered: Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Times: 5:30 a.m.
• Office Location: Guests check in at their Poipu shop location (2827a Poipu Rd., Koloa, HI 96756)

West Shore Tours

Outfitters Kauai offers one West Shore tour and it is the Na Pali Sea Kayak Adventure. On this adventure, you will kayak along Kauai’s famous Na Pali Coast. This is a very vigorous and active 15-mile ocean kayak ride. It is a full day activity with breathtaking coastal scenery!

• Cost: $249, no children under 15 years old
• Days Offered: Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Times: 6 a.m.
• Office Location: Guests check in at their Poipu shop location (2827a Poipu Rd., Koloa, HI 96756)

Kayak Kauai

Kayak Kauai offers two kayak tours one is a West Shore tour, and the other starts at the North Shore of Kauai and you go around the island to the West Shore. Both are very vigorous adventures.

Na Pali Polihale to Milolii and Back (West Shore Tour)

In the morning while paddling or snorkeling, there will be pods of Spinner dolphins and green sea turtles. Monk seals often greet the tour during the lunch at Miloli’i Beach. This is a 10-mile journey.

• Cost: $216, no children under 16 years old, 16-year-olds must get guide approval
• Days Offered: Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays
• Times: 6 a.m.
• Office Location: 3-5971 Kuhio Highway, Bldg 3 Kapa’a, HI 96746 (located at the Wailua River Marina)

Na Pali Tour Ha’ena to Polihale (North Shore to West Shore around the island)

This is the roughest and longest sea kayak tour offered. It is not only a 12-hour 17-mile paddle, but surf launching and landings are often the norm. You usually have to surf to negotiate at Polihale.

• Cost: $240, no children under 16 years old, 16-year-olds must get guide approval
• Days Offered: Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays, & Sundays
• Times: 6 a.m.
• Office Location: 3-5971 Kuhio Highway, Bldg 3 Kapa’a, HI 96746 (located at the Wailua River Marina)

Other Kauai things to do that these providers offer to include tubing, zip lining, rugged hikes, downhill biking, stand up paddle boarding adventures and much more.