Top 15 Canoes & Kayaks in Kauai

1.Secret Falls Kayak and Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,403 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125Our pick

Paddle about 4 miles on the Wailua River, then hike 1.5 to 2 miles through muddy rainforest trails to Uluwehi Falls. Your guide supplies the kayak and safety gear, shares island stories, and leads the way. Guides such as Cory, Kman, Kai, Mana, and Sam have earned especially warm praise. Bring water, snacks, and strapped footwear.

“My husband and I really enjoyed this experience. Lono was our guide and he did a great job telling us about the river, trees etc. and what it was like to grow up on Kauai. Definitely bring water and a snack and shoes that can get wet. There are a few water crossings.”

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2.Kauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,387 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $140

Paddle about two miles each way on the Wailua River, then hike roughly two miles through muddy, rocky rainforest to Uluwehi Falls. Guides such as Zach, Brian, and Mikayla provide instruction, local stories, hiking sticks, and safety help. Bring water and secure shoes you can get wet.

“We weren't able to go because of the high winds. The trip was canceled but the operators and Brian took our number and reached out with updates to see if we could get in with another group. Brian was really concerned about our safety. That's a five star to me!”

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3.Secret Falls Kayak & Hike Guided Adventure on the Wailua River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,212 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $145

You’ll paddle 2 miles up the Wailua River, cross streams, and hike through rainforest to Uluwehi Falls. Guides such as Levi, Jonathan, and Nathaniel add Hawaiian history, safety help, and, in Levi’s case, ukulele music. Expect wet shoes, mud, a cool waterfall pool, snacks, and a six-hour outing for $145.03, plus a $5 state park fee.

“Adventure should be capitalized with Kayak Adventures. What an incredible tour. We were fortunate enough to have the islands most sought after guide. “Levi”, pronounced Levy. Not only did he get us all to and from the waterfall safely, he played his Ukulele and sang through hiking portion of the tour. If you are looking for the most picturesque and adventurous tour on the island, look no further. Thank you Kayak Adventures and especially Levi. The Allen’s”

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4.Wailua River & Waterfalls Kayak Tour: Expert-Guided Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 790 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $145

This 5 to 6-hour Rainbow Kayak Tours outing pairs a 4-mile tandem paddle on the Wailua River with a roughly 3-mile rainforest hike to Secret Falls. Guides such as Thomas, Sierra, Ty, and Kay share local plant, animal, cultural, and geological stories. Expect wet shoes, mud, four river crossings, lunch, and a real workout.

“Great outdoor experience, one definitely worth taking. We were well taken care of by our very knowledgeable guide. She made our trip up to the waterfall a memorable moment. Would say this is a must do for those who enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.”

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5.Wailua River Kayak and Sacred Falls Guided Hike with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 783 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $155

You’ll paddle a tandem kayak about 2.5 miles up Kauai’s gentle Wailua River, then hike roughly 1 to 1.25 miles through rainforest to Uluwehi Falls. Guides such as Annie, Harrison, Lindsey, Anya, and Jay add local insight, safety help, and humor. Lunch, snacks, water gear, dry bags, and walking sticks are included.

“A beautiful tandem kayak trip up the river so it wasn't too hard with 2 people paddling. The shoes you wear on the kayak get wet and also are your shoes for the hike. The hike took us through water half way up to your knee, over rocks, mud, and roots. The waterfalls are beautiful but not too full when we went. You could swim in the fresh water pool at the bottom of the waterfall. There were lots of rocks on the bottom so difficult to walk around. We hung by the waterfall and had lunch and got in the water. Then headed back repeating the hike and kayak…”

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6.Hanalei Bay Morning Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 567 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $160

Paddle from a private dock down the Hanalei River and into Hanalei Bay, with guides such as Gabe and Kolo sharing island history, plants, and reef life. You’ll look for Hawaiian green sea turtles, snorkel for 45 minutes, then eat a deli lunch on the beach. Gear, instruction, water, and dry bags are provided.

“Our guide was great and knowledgeable about the area. Kayaking was fun to get out to the bay and the snorkeling was great. Saw so many different specifies of fish , including a sea turtle , manta ray , and an eel . The check in area had a local coffee shop , some shopping , bathrooms and changing area. It was a great experience”

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7.Hanalei River Paddle and Bay Snorkel Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 216 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $155

Spend about five hours kayaking Hanalei River and Hanalei Bay with a local guide such as Samuel, Jay, Koa, or Harrison. You will paddle past taro fields, snorkel in the shallow Bay Reef Lagoon, eat a deli lunch on the beach, and return by kayak. Ocean conditions can be choppy, so basic comfort in the sea matters.

“Awesome laid back day and great tour. Samuel was the bomb and we listened to suggestions for food and he was on spot!”

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8.Huleia River Hidden Valley Falls Kayak & Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 156 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $162

You’ll paddle a tandem kayak through Huleia National Wildlife Refuge, pass Menehune Fishpond, hike a muddy rainforest trail to Hidden Falls, and swim in its pools before riding back in a powered Hawaiian canoe. Guides such as Eli, Patty, Riker, and Zeck provide patient instruction. Expect about 3.5 hours, a small group, and moderate activity.

“This was good for our party of 9: family of 5 (kids 8, 10, 12), plus two grandparents in their 70's and an aunt and uncle in their 30's. You will ride in a tandem, so if your party size is odd, you'll buddy up with a stranger or guide. My athletic (but minimal arm strength) 10 & 12 year old were paired up and ended up getting towed by the kayak one of our guides rowed (thanks). Sore arms, but nothing too much. Muddy walk that a grandparent 3 months out from a hip replacement could do, albeit slower. Rope swing into the muddy water was a hit with…”

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9.Stand Up Paddle Rental- Wailua River to Secret Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 107 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $64Best value

Pick up a stable stand-up paddleboard, paddle roughly two miles up the calm Wailua River, then hike to Secret Falls. Kauai SUP provides the board, paddle, leash, life vest, dry bag, map, straps, and a short lesson. You need a vehicle, sturdy wet footwear, water, and enough time for a self-guided outing.

“It was very easy to pick up the paddle boards, they help you load the boards on your car and walk you through the path you'll go on. The shop is super close to where you launch the boards so it was just super easy.”

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10.Hanalei Bay PM Kayak & Snorkel in Kauai

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $145

Join Gabe, Kolo, or another Kayak Hanalei guide for a four-hour afternoon trip from a private dock down the Hanalei River and into Hanalei Bay. Paddle a tandem kayak, look for Hawaiian green sea turtles, snorkel for 45 minutes, then relax on the beach with snacks, drinks, island stories, and perhaps a song or two.

“Kolo and Gabe were awesome, loved the kayaking portion and saw a lot of cool fish and marine life. 5/5 stars”

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11.Wailua River Paddle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

You’ll paddle about 4.5 miles round trip on the calm Wailua River with a local guide from Kayak Kauai. The winter paddle-only route skips the waterfall hike and suits families, seniors, and first-time kayakers. Guides such as Izzy, Jeffrey, Sarah, and Justice add safety tips, island stories, snacks, pineapple, and cold drinks.

“Jonah was a great tour guide. Very knowledgeable about the area! A gorgeous day to kayak and to see the terrain from the river was more beautiful than from land. Our first time in a tandem kayak.”

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12.Wailua River Kayak, Hike & Waterfall Picnic by Outfitters Kauai

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 61 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Paddle a two-person kayak about two miles up the Wailua River, then hike roughly one mile through muddy rainforest to Uluwehi Falls. Guides such as Ryker, K-Man, Michael, and Lono add local stories about Kauai’s plants, history, and culture. Lunch, drinks, dry bags, and a swim at the falls are included.

“Breathtaking! Elvis was great, we traveled as a family...kids still saying, well...Elvis said....”

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13.Outrigger Canoe Surfing at Kalapaki Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $72

At Kalapaki Beach, you paddle a traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe with a trained steersman, then ride several ocean waves back toward shore. Guides including Kristian, Krishawn, Kashawn, and Krishna have led this one-hour outing. You need at least two paddling adults, and groups are limited to four people.

“Really fun! Our guide was great and did a nice job of reading the sea and catching us some great waves.”

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14.Kauai Sea Kayaking 10 mile tour – Na Pali Iki (Polihale to Milolii)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $295

Set out at 6 a.m. from Kapaʻa for a guided kayak trip from Polihale to Milolii. Expect warm coastal paddling, shallow caves, secluded beaches, hanging valleys, snorkeling, and lunch on a quiet beach. The route is physical, the group is capped at 13, and guides such as Jay and Cooper bring steady support and local stories.

“Our guides were super knowledgeable and the kayaking was rigorous but really fun. Would totally recommend to anyone interested!”

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15.Poipu Sea Kayak Tour: Turtle, Dolphins and Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $269

Kayak Kauai guides you along Poipu’s rugged south shore, with Web and Dan among the named guides. Expect three to four hours of intermittent paddling, possible whale, dolphin, turtle, seal and seabird sightings, an optional snorkel stop, lunch, and a shuttle from Wailua River Marina. Winter weather can change the route.

“Excellent guides (Web and Dan) who were professional yet very fun and dynamic. The primary tour guide was insanely knowledgeable and has been at this for a long time. As described in the details this is an active paddle. Conditions change quickly but you're rewarded with great views, an awesome private beach lunch spot and what feels like an ocean to yourself. In the winter the conditions are a bit different and they launch at Poipo and end at Port Allen. I would trust them any time of year and anywhere they told us to go.”

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