The 15 Best Kayak Trips in Hawaii

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.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”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.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…”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.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”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 551 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $130

Meet at Makena Landing at 7 a.m. for a three-hour clear-bottom kayak and snorkeling trip with Ohana Ocean Adventures. Guides such as Kyle, Curtis, Marc, and Michael lead small groups over Turtle Town reefs, where you may see turtles, fish, rays, seals, and winter humpback whales. Snorkeling is optional, and no prior experience is required.

“Kyle gets a five star review. He was very patient with my mom helping her get back in the kayak. Tour was great. Kyle talked about the area and pointed out some different fish. We saw lots of turtles. Busy area with other tours but the turtles seemed to enjoy the spectacle of finned people. Kayaks get a two star rating. Wide and clunky, hard to paddle because the paddle hits the sides. It’s scratched so you can’t see much of the bottom anyway and even if you could, you might get seasick which brings me to remind you to take your Dramamine before you go! Wish we did! Also…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.3.5 Hour Kailua-Kona Ocean Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 384 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $99

Start early at Keauhou Bay with guides such as Ryan, Miles, or Kevin. Paddle stable kayaks along Kona’s coast, explore sea caves and lava features, snorkel over coral and colorful fish, and try a cliff jump if conditions allow. Groups average four to eight people, with a maximum of 10.

“Miles was a great guide on our kayaking and snorkel tour we had a great time even though the water was a bit choppy. We highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Turtle Town Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 345 reviews · 3 hours · from $120

Paddle about 1.5 miles through Makena Bay with a small group of up to 10 people, then snorkel among Hawaiian green sea turtles, reef fish, and coral. Guides such as Tyler, Jake, John, and Jeremiah offer calm instruction for beginners, with early morning departures best for gentler water.

“We saw several humpback whales up close, a pod of dolphins and one sea turtle. We were enjoying the close encounters with the whales so much that we never bothered with the snorkeling. John, our guide, suggested that this was an unusually eventful trip. It seemed like we were with whales almost the entire time. We got to see a calf playing near its mom and a male singing right beneath us. John was informative, and clearly very passionate about the whales, ocean life, and Hawaiian culture. He was usually encouraging, and he spent a lot of time making sure we were prepared for the challenges of kayaking.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Turtle Reef Kayak Tour of Makena, Maui

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 328 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $121

Paddle 1.5 to 2 miles from historic Makena Landing with a CPR-certified guide, then snorkel above Turtle Town’s reef. Single and double kayaks, safety gear, snacks, and drinks are included. The 7:15am trip welcomes ages 5 and up and usually offers the best visibility, calmer water, and livelier reef activity.

“This was so much better than I could have ever imagined. Jeff was awesome and super knowledgeable. We lucked out and got to spend a ton of time with a mama and baby whale before snorkeling. We would go back in a heart beat! Don’t sleep on this tour! And ask for Jeff!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Private Stand Up Paddle Boarding Tour in Turtle Town, Maui

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 293 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $169

Meet at 7:15 am in Makena for a two-hour private paddle with guides such as Aqua and Sky. Learn SUP skills, look for sea turtles, coral, fish, and possibly monk seals, hear about Maui’s culture and geology, and receive digital photos afterward. Equipment, life jackets, storage, showers, and changing rooms are included.

“My boyfriend and I had the best time paddle boating with Sky. Right off the bat he was so friendly and warming making us feel comfortable with our private tour with him. He went out of his way to explain everything to us in depth and took many nice pictures of us on his go pro. He even let us stay over time so we had time to snorkel a little and look around underwater. Highly recommend this tour to everyone of all ages!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.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!”

Check availability →Read our full review