15 Canoes & Kayaks in Oahu to Build a Day Around

1.Kailua Bay, Oahu: Epic Kayak and Snorkel to Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,311 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $114Our pick

Paddle from Kailua Beach to Popoia Island or the Mokulua Islands with a guide or on your own. You’ll get kayaks, snorkel gear, lockers, showers, permits, and lunch. Guides such as Mike, Evelyn, Alex, and Tupre add local stories and wildlife help, while calm weather gives you the best chance to snorkel and reach the outer islands.

“very friendly. very organized. substantial free lunch. all of the equipment worked well and was well maintained. a slick video to watch beforehand was helpful. the activity was amazing. it was good to get an early start since the water was very calm and there was little wind. both flat island and the other island were worth the effort. the snorkeling at Lanikai beach was great. we saw dozens of species of fish and even an eel. the water was calm and perfect for snorkeling.”

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2.Kailua 2-Hour Guided Kayaking Excursion, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 442 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $199

Paddle Kailua Bay toward Popoia, also called Flat Island, with a guide such as Hopoe, Brandon, Mike, or Braden. You’ll learn about local wildlife and island geography, look for sea turtles, enjoy lunch, and keep access to snorkel gear, bikes, and beach equipment afterward. The group is limited to eight.

“Experience shared with friends was memorable. Evelyn, our kayak guide, had a plethora of information and shared her passion and respect for the island and all its inhabitants.”

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3.Kailua Twin Islands Guided Kayak Tour, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 379 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $275

Paddle from Kailua across Lanikai’s clear water to the Mokulua Islands with a naturalist guide such as Tommy, Austin, Mike, or Will. You’ll explore a seabird sanctuary, visit Queen’s Bath, snorkel, swim, and eat lunch on the beach. The five-hour trip is active, scenic, and limited to eight people.

“Wonderful employees. It was our best vacation ever. Perfect weather. Our sons are really enjoying kayaking for hours.”

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4.Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery in Kailua, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 249 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $110

Start at Kailua Beach Adventures on Kailua Road, collect a single or double kayak, snorkel gear, dry bag, and beach equipment, then paddle toward Lanikai Beach and the Mokulua Islands without a guide. You get about five hours to explore, with bikes available for ages 13 and up.

“We were so glad we did self guided and could relax at each island and go at our own pace-a lot is included for the price which is great-dry bag, cooler, bike rental, beach chairs, all inclusive. We were super fortunate that the monk seal decided to nap on the beach of the island and we got to see him up close-awesome! Lots of sea turtles we also saw while kayaking and we snorkeled and saw beautiful fish and a sea turtle eating off the reef. A super fun day! Highly recommended!”

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5.Paddleboard Yoga Class in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $57

Meet Yoga Floats at Ala Moana Beach Park for a 75-minute paddleboard yoga class in waist-deep water. Your instructor explains balance, leads seated, kneeling, standing, and stretching poses, then finishes with a floating savasana. No yoga or paddleboarding experience is required, and groups are limited to 10.

“Yoga Floats was such a relaxing time! I went with my brother, who has no experience with yoga, and neither of us had paddleboarded before. The instructor was so nice and showed different variations of each pose so that everyone could participate no matter how experienced at yoga you are. This is a must in Honolulu!!”

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6.Kayak, Snorkel, and Surf with Turtles in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 95 reviews · from $200

Join local guides Shane and Neil for a three-hour Waikiki water outing capped at five people. You will kayak or stand-up paddle over coral, snorkel at Turtle Canyon and a shipwreck, then get beginner-friendly surf instruction. Hotel pickup, gear, water, snacks, and private transportation are included.

“Great experience! Must do! Captain Neil and Shain were great! Knew all the best spots to kayak, swim with turtles, snorkeling for fish! Also never thought I could but with their help I was able to surf! So much fun and highly recommended for everyone!”

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7.Night SUP Yoga in Honolulu, Hawaii

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $74

Meet at Yoga FloatsMagic Island for a 75-minute night class led by a local instructor such as Julie. You’ll learn basic SUP skills, follow a gentle yoga flow on a lit paddleboard, and finish with floating savasana beneath Honolulu’s city lights, moon, and stars. Gear and guidance are included.

“This was so much fun and good for beginners and advanced yogis. It was such a great experience and we had a great view of the city anytime we looked up, and Friday night fireworks. Highly recommend doing the night SUP yoga!”

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8.North Shore Haleiwa Paddleboard River Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 2 hours · from $34Best value

Meet Blue Planet Adventure beside Haleiwa’s Rainbow Bridge for a two-hour paddleboard rental on the calm Anahulu River. Julie, Luke, Max, Mitch, Devin, and other English- or Japanese-speaking staff provide clear instruction, launch help, and quality gear. Look for honu and birds, with kayaks available if standing feels uncertain.

“Affordable and enjoyable experience, the rope seing was good fun, and jumping off the bridge was the cherry on top Would recommend and would do again”

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9.Single & Double Kayak 3-Hour River Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 31 reviews · 3 hours · from $75

Paddle the calm Kahana River and Bay for three hours in a single or double kayak. Single kayaks use a sit-in hull to help keep you dry, while doubles offer an easy way to paddle with a partner and hop into the warm sea. Host Larry and his wife welcome you at their property, with paddles and life jackets included.

“Dont be afraid to book this excursion! Me and my girlfriends booked a 3 pm kayak session on 9/25. We followed the map location given on the website and entered between the two surfboards. The tour does begin at the hosts residence. From what I understand, the owners are native hawaiians that have owned the property for over 150 yeats. Host Larry and his wife were very welcoming and hepful. We had arrived a little early and brought our lunch from Adela’s Country Eatery and they allowed us to take our time and utilize their tables and chairs for an outdoor picnic. The river went on and on, bonus it…”

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10.Oahu Snorkeling with Turtles, Water Scooter, Paddleboard

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 23 reviews · 2 hours · from $120

Join YOLO HAWAII LLC for a two-hour guided catamaran outing from Waikiki to Turtle Canyon. You will snorkel with Hawaiian green sea turtles, try an electric water scooter, and use a stand-up paddleboard when available. English, Japanese, and Korean support is offered, with musubi, cup noodles, snacks, drinks, and a framed photo included.

“Amazing !! We see a lot of turtles 🐢 and so many amazing fishes”

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11.Kailua Guided Kayak Excursion with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 19 reviews · 2h 30m · from $196

Paddle calm Kailua Bay with a small group and English-speaking guide, landing at Popoi'a Island for nesting seabirds, tide pools, and an eco-hike. Look for green sea turtles, collect marine plastics, and enjoy lunch. Your day pass also covers snorkel gear, bikes, boogie boards, beach chairs, lockers, showers, and parking until 5 p.m.

“Wonderful experience! Our guide Hopoe was friendly, helpful, and patient. Highly recommend.”

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12.Kaneohe Self-Guided Sandbar Kayaking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 17 reviews · 4 hours - 570 minutes · from $96

Pick up a kayak, gear, pads, and straps at Active Oahu Tours in Kailua, then choose a longer reef route or a shorter harbor launch to Kaneohe Sandbar. You paddle without a guide, walk the sandbar, and snorkel near coral and turtles. Staff, including Ethan, can help with loading and route advice.

“100% worth it every penny for every moment was fantastic! We saw a majestic turtle near the sandbar and the reefs were full of life! Loved it! The gentleman the works there was very courteous and knowledgeable.”

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13.SUP (Standup Paddleboard) Yoga Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 1h 15m · from $53

Meet your instructor at Magic Island for a 75-minute SUP yoga class in waist-deep water. Learn seated, kneeling, standing, and reclining poses on an anchored paddleboard, with options for all skill levels. Allie is among the instructors praised for her patient, friendly guidance. Equipment and storage are included.

“C était super! J’ai adoré ! La prof de yoga est top ! À refaire l année prochaine !”

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14.Kaneohe Bay Coral Reef Kayaking Rental

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 4 hours · from $85

Pick up a kayak and snorkel gear from Active Oahu in Kailua, then transport it to Kaneohe Bay in a 4-door car. Paddle 15 to 20 minutes to the coral reefs, swim and snorkel near the outer reef edges, and watch for green sea turtles. This self-guided rental gives you four hours, dry bags, and freedom to explore without a guide.

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15.Mokoliʻi Kayak Rental and Self-Guided Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5 reviews · 4 hours · from $82

Pick up a kayak and safety gear in Kailua, then drive about 30 minutes to the launch area. Paddle to Mokoliʻi, also called Chinaman’s Hat, and choose an island hike or coastal walk. You’ll have no guide on the water, so bring water shoes, sunscreen, and basic kayaking confidence.

“Hidden fees was not a hour and guides were rude”

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