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Wailua River Kayak Tour: Explore Nature and History
4.8
801 Ratings
Kapaʻa
For two decades, Rainbow Kayak Tours has been offering guided excursions on the Wailua River. Our seasoned guides are knowledgeable about the local wildlife and vegetation, as well as the rich history of this remarkable location.
For two decades, Rainbow Kayak Tours has been offering guided excursions on the Wailua River. Our seasoned guides are knowledgeable about the local wildlife and vegetation, as well as the rich history of this remarkable location.
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Wailua River State Park - Embark on a scenic paddle along the stunning Wailua River, covering 2 miles each way (4 miles round trip). This area is the original settlement of the first Hawaiians, who journeyed 1500 miles from the Marquesas Islands to Kaua’i nearly 1500 years ago. Discover the legends and explore the diverse flora and fauna of…
- Wailua River State Park - Embark on a scenic paddle along the stunning Wailua River, covering 2 miles each way (4 miles round trip). This area is the original settlement of the first Hawaiians, who journeyed 1500 miles from the Marquesas Islands to Kaua’i nearly 1500 years ago. Discover the legends and explore the diverse flora and fauna of Kauai’s most sacred region.
- Secret Falls (Uluwehi Falls) - After a 1 1/2 mile hike through the lush rainforest, guides will lead visitors to Secret Falls, also known as Uluwehi Falls. This breathtaking waterfall plunges 110 feet into a refreshing swimming hole, perfect for a swim and a delightful lunch! The return hike is 1 1/2 miles back to the kayak (3 miles of hiking round trip). TRAIL CONDITIONS MAY VARY WITH WEATHER. THERE ARE 4 RIVER CROSSINGS WITH LOOSE ROCKS IN THE RIVERBED TO NAVIGATE AND AN UNPAVED TRAIL TO THE WATERFALL. REMEMBER, THESE CROSSINGS WILL BE PART OF THE RETURN JOURNEY AS WELL. FOOTWEAR WILL BE COMPLETELY SUBMERGED IN WATER DURING THE ADVENTURE.
Bring Closed-Toed Shoes / Reef Shoes / Teva-Style Sandals.
Tours proceed rain or shine, unless a weather advisory is issued. If a tour is cancelled, rescheduling is possible based on availability, or a full refund may be provided.
What's Included
- Tandem kayaks
- Paddles
- Back rests
- Dry bags
- Lunch
- Tandem kayaks
- Paddles
- Back rests
- Dry bags
- Lunch
What's Not Included
- Footwear - Bring Closed Toed Shoes / Reef shoes / Teeva Style Sandals. NO FLIP FLOPS OR CROCS
- Entrance fees
- Footwear - Bring Closed Toed Shoes / Reef shoes / Teeva Style Sandals. NO FLIP FLOPS OR CROCS
- Entrance fees
Additional Information
- No Recent surgeries or bad knees/ankles/hips. If you have any health conditions, recent surgeries, or physical limitations related to the knees, back, ankles, shoulders, or hips (including joint replacements) that would affect your ability to safely participate you will be responsible for full payment.
- No pregnancies at this due to safety concerns….
- No Recent surgeries or bad knees/ankles/hips. If you have any health conditions, recent surgeries, or physical limitations related to the knees, back, ankles, shoulders, or hips (including joint replacements) that would affect your ability to safely participate you will be responsible for full payment.
- No pregnancies at this due to safety concerns. If you are pregnant at the time of the activity, the company may refuse participation and full payment will still be required
- Must be 5-70 years old to participate. If you do not meet the age requirements at the time of the activity, you may be denied participation and will remain responsible for full payment
- As of February 15, 2026 The State of Hawaii will be charging $5 per person for non resident fee to enter The Wailua Marina. Please be advised guests are responsible for payment at entry by credit card
Location
440 Aleka Pl
Aleka Place
440 Aleka Place, Kapaa, Hawaii, 96746. We're located behind Coconut Marketplace in the Aston Islander on the Beach Hotel parking area next to Johnny'z Wingz N Tingz. You can check in at Snorkel Depot.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(801 Ratings)
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Robin
Mar 11, 2026
Going with the “flow” - The trip was a combined kayak/ hike at 7am. We kayaked for 2miles and stopped to begin the hike to the waterfalls. The guide got word more rain had fallen at the top of the mountain causing flooding downstream where we would have to cross making it dangerous. Hiking was canceled. We were served lunch and kayaked back. We received a partial which we thought was fair. Kudos to this company and guide for putting safety first instead of money! We truly appreciated it. It was a great kayak trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H392nulizf
Mar 4, 2026
Morning glory! - What a great way to spend the morning, kayaking and hiking to an incredible waterfall and back. We did the earliest trip leaving at 7am and the early hour was ideal - fewer people on the trail and at the falls.
Our guide Thomas was great - laid back, knowledgeable, interesting, fun guy. The office provided wet bags, walking sticks, water, snacks, and lunch - we recommend bringing your own water bottle and not consuming more plastic bottled water. And don’t bother bringing much since you’ll be carrying it from the river to the waterfall in the wet bags that convert to backpacks.
Definitely have shoes with some grip though they’ll get muddy and the trail is slick so you need to navigate with care. We encountered people of all ages along the way and expect those who are a bit more fit and able will enjoy it more since it’s a lot of paddling and some scrambling to the waterfall.
Loved going into the waterfall as well - powerful and refreshing!
Great trip, great guide. great experience - recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barbararf5326qo
Mar 4, 2026
Great adventure to the waterfall - Amazing trip with our guide Thomas- he was knowledgeable, helpful and fixed a beautiful lunch by the waterfall. The kayaking was easy though there was some wind on the return trip. The trek to the waterfall was muddy and bumpy at times 2 or 3 river crossings so listen to them when they say wear good shoes . NOthing beats getting in the river near the waterfall
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eduardo_d
Mar 3, 2026
Wonderful experience - This is a wonderful experience. We believe it was better to take the 7am tour to avoid crowds and hot weather on the river. It is a workout especially the kayak portion if you're not used to it. The waterfall was spectacular and refreshing! Tom was a great host, very knowledgable & fun. Definitely worth the time & money as it was one of the better tours we did on the island!
Review provided by Viator
M3273knpamr
Feb 25, 2026
Great outing! - Great tour. Tour guide Thomas was wonderful!
Kayaking was easy for all in group (6 of us). I was a little nervous about the hike as one of our group has issues with balance (and given many comments in other reviews). It was very muddy and have to walk through streams, but he had walking sticks which made it very doable. If balance is an issue, bring walking sticks. Also, Thomas had some wood walking sticks which were great for others who wanted to use them, and highly recommend.
Just FYI - the first stream crossing is the hardest. After that, no problem. Also, the mud was the worst at the start. Then it gets much better, and there are wood walking paths for much of the way. So don't panic if you find the beginning tough to navigate.
It was a great outing and we loved it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kathleen_s
Feb 25, 2026
Book it - Breathtaking, Guide was amazing and informative. Family of 7 ages 63-27 highly enjoyed and recommend this trip. 10/10
Review provided by Viator
Brent_s
Feb 7, 2026
Great experience Thomas... - Great experience Thomas was an excellent guide and knew everything about the local plant life you come in contact with on the trail
Review provided by Viator
T3771wfmelissad
Feb 4, 2026
Great guide, gorgeous experience. - We had a wonderful kayak and hike with our guide (Kaylee? Kylie? I'm so sorry! She was fantastic, though). The hike and paddle do take effort, so you need a decent base fitness level. If it has rained recently, it will be muddy and slick in spots. We had two in our group with some slower mobility and she was wonderful to work with us and get everyone up and down safely. The waterfall is beautiful and being in the river is a different perspective on the gorgeous Kauai valleys. Bring plenty of water - I was surprised how much the paddle had tired me out when I stood up for the hike. Our guide hiked barefoot, carried all our lunches like it was nothing, and had birds eating out of her hands. It was like hiking with a Disney princess (in the best possible way).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mariella_k
Feb 22, 2026
Great tour and tour guide! - Wonderful your! Our guide, Trae, was a wealth of knowledge about the plants and land we were walking through, along with the work being done to save the native species. The waterfall was beautiful, but chilly in February. The kayak trip and the hike were all perfect lengths; not too short and not too long. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon on the island! And Trae said we were the fastest group back to the marina he’s ever had. That was thanks to the very strong headwind that made us all not want to “lose ground” so to speak. My only complaint was it was not very clear which business front we were to meet at. The address takes you to a hotel and then nothing said “Rainbow….Tours”. Thankfully we saw a sandwich board in front of a business in the strip mall next to the hotel that said “Kayak Tours”. It’s next to the Sleeping Giant Grill if that helps others find it.
Review provided by Viator
Erin
Feb 2, 2026
A fun adventure! - We enjoyed the beautiful kayak paddle down the Wailua River to get to this very neat trail- even had a wooden boardwalk for a good chunk which really helped. Otherwise it was moderately difficult with some navigation through lots of tree roots, a few crossings over a small river, and a few rock scrambles. It would be VERY muddy and slippery after a rain. The waterfall area is beautiful and great to sit and eat and relax before turning back. I’m proud and really glad we did this one, thank you to Sierra for guiding us!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor