Wailua River Paddle: A Family-Friendly Exploration on Hawaii's Sacred River

Embark on a family-friendly paddle adventure on Hawaii’s sacred Wailua River. Discover the tranquil beauty and rich history of this sacred place with a knowledgeable guide.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 3-5971 Kuhio Hwy - During our off season when the the sunsets earlier we offer this mellower 4.5 mile guided paddling tour. Availability will vary during the holiday seasons.
    Enjoy a tranquil “taste” of the Wailua River.
    This is a perfect alternative for those who prefer to bypass the challenge of the hiking portion, have younger children or…
What's Included
  • Snacks and pineapple
  • Local guide expertise
  • Tropical juice and sparkling flavored water
  • Bring Your Own container for water refills
  • All local taxes included
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

A Peaceful and Safe Sojourn on the Wailua River
This guided three-hour tour offers a delightful paddle journey suitable for the entire family, serene rowing down the Wailua River. With a backdrop of spectacular panoramic views, your aquatic guide will authentically and safely unfold the landscape’s and natural history.
In ancient times, Wailua River…

Location
3-5971 Kuhio Hwy
Kuhio Highway
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(61 Ratings)
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Goalieruss
Sep 22, 2025
Paddling in paradise - Jay was an amazing guide and this was a perfect way to spend our afternoon. Would highly recommend this trip for everyone that visits Kauaʻi
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S5793jerebeccaj
Sep 1, 2025
Fun family adventure - My family included an age span of 11 to 75 years old, with a huge variability in fitness. All of us were able to handle the 45 minute (each way) kayak portion. Calm river, beautiful scenery, relaxed pace (unless your kid likes racing the other kayaks!). Expect your feet to be in water and possibly mud. I wore Chaco hiking sandals and they were great for the water and the hiking terrain. The 1 hour trail was challenging for the 75 year because of the uneven ground (rocks, roots & a few clambering maneuvers over large boulders) so she needed a hand a few times. The trail is tricky for anyone unsteady on their feet or worried about falling, so I would keep that in mind if going with seniors. The end pay off is a lovely fresh water pool fed by a waterfall. We ate our sandwiches and then most of us swam in the very chilly water. It felt amazing after being so hot from the exercise. There were resident chickens and roosters hanging around so that’s always a fun site. Our guide Lyndsey was lively and engaged…super fun person with an interesting life story! She was great staying back at a slower pace with our family member who took longer kayaking. She also took a bunch of photos for each group. Not many bugs, though my daughter did get a few mosquito bites. Summer dry season was best time to go to avoid what can be very muddy trails. Be aware no bathrooms over the 4-5 hour trip! Overall a fun experience - honestly probably more challenging for the average American adult than the website portrays.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zeninmotherhood
Aug 12, 2025
Great way to spend half a day enjoying Kaua’i! - We had a great time! Second time with the tour and enjoyed the Wailua River and falls. Our guide was informative and I thought the size of our group was great
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O166goheidic
Jul 30, 2025
Fun and adventurous! - We had so much fun! Lindsey was a great guide! We had our daughters, ages 10 and 15, and they both had a blast! We had a tsunami warning and had to get back quickly. Lindsey was calm and gave us directions to get to higher ground. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear as directed. You will hike across the river! Highly recommend Kayak Kaua’i!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Petemy1081rl
Jul 24, 2025
Wailua River and Hike - Our Wailua River Sacred Falls paddle and Hike guided by Lindsey was a perfect day out! Lindsey prepared us well as to what to expect and provided tips and historical information along the way. Would recommend this trip to those who enjoy an active tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patrickvn5777df
Jul 24, 2025
Awesome Waterfall Adventure - Awesome adventure and the waterfall is gorgeous! Lindsey was a great tour guide. She taught us tips on kayaking and about the land.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
500marileeg
Jul 23, 2025
Kayak Kauai…Book it! - Lindsey was our guide for the day and was amazing! Very knowledgeable, friendly and patient. Our day was awesome thanks to her.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Safari324372
Jul 23, 2025
- Our last day in beautiful Kauai we booked this tour! Lindsey was our guide and she is Amazing! It turns out she was our guide in Seward AK years ago..small world and still top notch service! Thank you for the tour and great service! Highly recommend doing this tour was beautiful!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Corinnea159
Jul 21, 2025
- We did the Wailua River Sacred Falls Paddle and Hike/Guided tour. It was AMAZING! I highly recommend it. Our tour guide Lindsey was awesome, informative and easy going. The kayaking wasn't too difficult and the hike in was nice. Be prepared for mud. We hiked in water shoes, this was a perfect choice for foot attire for us. I will definitely do this tour again whenever I come back to Kauai
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Isimpson01
Jul 17, 2025
Kayaking - The tour was beautiful, all of the scenery is truly incredible and there is no better way to see it then by kayak from the water. It was extremely enjoyable to sightsee and be a part of the nature that way. Great way to enjoy for adults and kids alike. While the scenery was wonderful, the tour guide was less so and did not add to the positive experience. Unfortunately, the guide came off somewhat rude making comments about not liking children, being upset about other tourists and consistently critiquing everyone on the tour for their kayaking skills. a different perspective from the tour guide would greatly benefit this experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $121
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).