Hanalei Bay Tours and Tickets

Q: Is Hawaii’s Hanalei Bay open to tourists?

Yes, Hanalei Bay is open to tourists. It’s popular with travelers because of its beautiful views and beaches (especially Hanalei Beach) and its great conditions for surfing, swimming, kayaking, bodyboarding, and other watersports. There’s also good accommodations and plenty of facilities near the beach to make visiting easy.

Q: Why is Hanalei Bay famous?

Hanalei Bay is famous for its great surfing conditions. It’s also known as a Hollywood filming location, although it’s often standing in for other places rather than playing itself. Movies featuring Hanalei Bay include musical South Pacific (1958), Paradise Hawaiian Style (1966) starring Elvis Presley, and The Descendants (2011) starring George Clooney.

Q: Is it safe to swim in Hanalei Bay?

Yes, Hanalei Bay is safe to swim in, but generally only in the summertime, between June and August, when the sea is at its calmest. The rest of the year it’s much too rough for swimming, although Hanalei Bay is popular among surfers. The beaches are usually patrolled by lifeguards.

Q: Is Hawaii’s Hanalei Bay the same as Hanalei Beach?

No, Hawaii’s Hanalei Bay isn’t the same as Hawaii’s Hanalei Beach, although Hanalei Beach is in Hanalei Bay. The 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) crescent-shaped bay has three main beaches: Hanalei Beach, Black Pot Beach, and Waioli Beach, which are all continuations of the same stretch of sand.

Q: Can you walk from Hanalei Bay Resort to the beach?

Yes, you can walk from Hanalei Bay Resort to Puu Poa Beach along a paved road. The resort is located at the northeastern end of Hanalei Bay, whereas most beaches are further south. The main Hanalei Beach/Waioli Beach is about 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers), or a 10-minute drive, from Hanalei Bay Resort.

Q: Are there turtles at Hanalei Bay?

Yes, sea turtles live in Hanalei Bay and they often lay their eggs on the beaches of Kauai’s northern coast. The Hawaiian green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, and the leatherback turtle both thrive in the waters there. However, it’s not that common to see them on the beaches.

22 results

Best Seller

Hanalei Bay Morning Kayak and Snorkel Tour

4.9

(577)

Hanalei Bay Morning Kayak and Snorkel Tour

5 hoursFree Cancellation

from $160

Private Hanalei Sandy Bottom Surf Lesson on Kauai

Learn to surf Kauai’s famous waves at a private surf lesson for up to four people on the shores of beautiful Hanalei Bay. Your instructor, a local surfing expert, will meet you where you are. Beginners learn the fundamentals of paddling, reading the waves, and standing up, while more advanced students can perfect their technique. Note: please arrive 30 minutes prior to your lesson time to check in.

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4.9

(355)

Private Hanalei Sandy Bottom Surf Lesson on Kauai

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $119

Price varies by group size

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4.7

(207)

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Kauai

6 to 20 hoursFree Cancellation

from $20

Per group

Hanalei River Paddle and Bay Snorkel Tour with Lunch

Explore the tropical waters of the Hanalei River and Hanalei Bay on this two-in-one Kauai tour, which combines both kayaking and snorkeling in one fun outing. With just your guide and a small group, paddle through the lush surroundings down the river and to the bay, where you can glimpse Makana Peak (also known as Bali Hai). Then, snorkel through the Bay Reef Lagoon, home to sea turtles and brightly colored tropical fish.

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4.7

(220)

Hanalei River Paddle and Bay Snorkel Tour with Lunch

5 hoursFree Cancellation

from $159

Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Kauai’s unique scenery and see a side of the island most tourists miss out on. Tick natural wonders like the Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, Hanalei Bay, and tropical waterfalls off your sightseeing bucket list as you and a small group soar over the "Garden Island" in an aircraft specially designed for sightseeing. Your pilot provides narration through high-tech headsets during the flight, so you can enjoy their local insights.

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4.9

(2,219)

Kauai Deluxe Sightseeing Flight

1 hour 5 minutesFree Cancellation

from $159

5.0

(83)

Hanalei Bay PM Kayak & Snorkel in Kauai

4 hoursFree Cancellation

from $145

Creative Soul Scavenger Hunt of Hanalei Kauai

Take a break from the traditional tours of Kauai by exploring Hanalei through an interactive scavenger hunt. This experience is ideal for those who love adventure and challenging themselves. You'll become an amateur detective for a few hours as you search for the type of local stories a good tour guide would tell you. Correct answers get additional stories from your host who journeys with you via WhatsApp.

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4.9

(39)

Creative Soul Scavenger Hunt of Hanalei Kauai

2 hoursFree Cancellation

from $39

Kauai Airplane Tour: Na Pali Coast, Waterfalls & Window Seats

4.8

(1,997)

Kauai Airplane Tour: Na Pali Coast, Waterfalls & Window Seats

1 hour 5 minutesFree Cancellation

from $159

KAUAI LUXURY 60-Minute Doors-Off Helicopter ADVENTURE

4.8

(336)

KAUAI LUXURY 60-Minute Doors-Off Helicopter ADVENTURE

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

from $399

5.0

(2)

Private North Shore Kauai Photo Session

1 hourFree Cancellation

from $450

Per group

Best Kauai Northeast, Fern Grotto River Cruise & Lighthouse Tour

4.6

(198)

Best Kauai Northeast, Fern Grotto River Cruise & Lighthouse Tour

6 hoursFree Cancellation

from $242

Kauai Adventure Bundle: 4 Epic Audio Driving Tours

Explore Kauai at your own pace with this self-guided audio tour bundle, featuring four immersive GPS-triggered driving tours. Discover iconic spots like Waimea Canyon, Boudhanath Stupa, and the Na Pali Coast, alongside hidden gems, lush valleys, and pristine beaches, all while learning about the island’s history and culture. With lifetime access, offline navigation, and total flexibility, this tour lets you create your own unforgettable Kauai adventure.

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4.6

(217)

Kauai Adventure Bundle: 4 Epic Audio Driving Tours

4 daysFree Cancellation

from $35

Per group

Kauai Private Doors-Off Helicopter: Ultimate Waterfalls & Canyons

5.0

(1,593)

Kauai Private Doors-Off Helicopter: Ultimate Waterfalls & Canyons

1 hour 15 minutesFree Cancellation

from $415

4.8

(114)

Kauai Cessna Private Air Tour

1 hour 5 minutesFree Cancellation

from $189

North Shore Kauai Self-Guided Audio Tour

4.7

(14)

North Shore Kauai Self-Guided Audio Tour

2 daysFree Cancellation

from $20

Per group

Our tours are lead by a small local family owned business with over 20 years of experience in the field. This is not your ordinary tour. We crafted this experience as if we were going on it. We believe in quality over quantity, and we want to deliver more than what you dreamed of. Make sure to let us know if you want to customize your experience. Our tours support small Kauai owned businesses. The Kauai North Shore Gems tour is food for the soul and a feast to the eyes. Our professional guides will immerse you on the natural beauty of Kauai's North shore while sharing with you marvelous stories about past and present. On this tour you will visit: King Kong Mountain, Kilauea Lighthouse (entrance fee included), Anini Beach park, Hanalei Bay and pier, Hanalei Taro fields lookout, Waioli Mission Park, Kilauea Bakery, and Hanalei town. We look forward to guiding you on beautiful Kauai

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5.0

(2)

Kauai's North Shore Gems: Private Tour

6 hoursFree Cancellation

from $299

Price varies by group size

Kauai Island Private Guided Movie Tour from Lihue

See the Garden Island through a filmmaker's lens on this full-day tour of Kauai's most famous movie locations, led by your expert guide in your choice of English or Spanish. Travel aboard a luxury SUV to the beaches, towns, waterfalls, and lookout points that have captivated Hollywood directors in films like 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,' 'The Descendants,' 'Blue Hawaii' starring Elvis, and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark.' Compare famous movie scenes to the breathtaking natural beauty right before your eyes. This female-owned company brings these iconic locations to life with behind-the-scenes stories and local insights.

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5.0

(1)

Kauai Island Private Guided Movie Tour from Lihue

7 hoursFree Cancellation

from $275

Price varies by group size

Discover Kauai’s highlights and hidden gems on a full-day private tour that offer a personal glimpse of the island’s local culture and history. Navigate the Garden Isle in a private minivan, and feel the mist from a pair of beautiful waterfalls. Look out to sea from the Kilauea Lighthouse and Hanalei Bay, and watch for whales and endangered geese at a wildlife refuge. Visit Kauai hidden beaches and ancient sites and learn about Kauai's history and local culture along the way.

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5.0

(40)

Private Kauai North Shore Tour

7 hoursFree Cancellation

from $360

Price varies by group size

Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Highlights & Movie Sites

Escape to another Hawaiian island for a day on this all-inclusive island-hopping tour. Indulge on your vacation and leave the planning to us! Interisland roundtrip airfare from Oahu to Kauai, roundtrip transportation from the Lihue Airport (LIH), a sightseeing land tour and lunch. Discover why Kauai’s natural splendor is the scenic backdrop for so many blockbuster movies and TV shows. Travel through the heart of the garden island, engulfed by vast rainforests and mountainous valleys to arrive at the most famous filming locales. Stroll down iconic Hanalei Pier surrounded by miles of ocean and clear skies. Behold Opaeka'a, a beautiful 151-foot waterfall, and birds-eye view of the tranquil Wailua river. View clips from the comfort of your mini coach at each location. Explore historic Hanalei Town and have lunch on your own. Visit local hot spot Tahiti Nui where the movie “The Descendants” was filmed.

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3.8

(54)

Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Highlights & Movie Sites

16 hoursFree Cancellation

from $654

Discover Kauai Helicopter Tour from Princeville

Embark on an sky-high adventure that will have you seeing the Garden Isle in a whole new way. This unforgettable helicopter ride from Princeville will soar across the emerald-green Hanapepe Valley, get up close and personal with the famous “Jurassic Park” waterfall, Manawaiopuna Falls, sweep down the awesome Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, and weather permitting, view the dormant volcano Mt. Waiʻaleʻale, covered in lush plants and trickling waterfalls.

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4.9

(32)

Discover Kauai Helicopter Tour from Princeville

45 minutesFree Cancellation

from $505

To fully appreciate the beauty of Hawaii’s ‘Garden Isle,’ take to the skies above Kauai on a helicopter tour in a new Eurocopter Eco-Star. Soar over the island’s diverse terrain, from rain-soaked Mt. Waialeale and the waterfalls of Waiapuna to the dry red ravine of Waimea Canyon and the emerald spires of the Na Pali Coast. A two-way radio for communication with the pilot, along with an expansive viewing glass, adds to the unforgettable flight experience.

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4.8

(2,039)

Kauai Eco Adventure Helicopter Tour

50 minutesFree Cancellation

from $450

Kauai North Shore Private Guided Tour with Hotel or Port Pick-up

This private tour makes it easy to see the natural wonders of Kauai’s lush north shore, all without renting a car. Soak up the views and learn about the island’s history and legends while your driver handles the roads, stopping to explore must-see sites like Hanalei Bay, Tunnels surf beach, Wailua Falls, and the Kilauea Lighthouse. Plus, visit a sacred Hindu monastery tucked into the slope of a volcano—a place that most visitors don't know about.

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4.7

(7)

Kauai North Shore Private Guided Tour with Hotel or Port Pick-up

6 hoursFree Cancellation

from $1,211

Price varies by group size

What are people saying about Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Bay PM Kayak & Snorkel in Kauai

Lorraine_M, Mar 2026

Highly Recommend This Kayak & Snorkel Tour

We had a great time kayaking down the Hanalei River to Hanalei Bay. The snorkeling spot was teeming with fish. We especially enjoyed Kolo, our guide who was knowledgeable & entertaining.

Hanalei River Paddle and Bay Snorkel Tour with Lunch

Letitia_R, Apr 2026

Unforgettable experience!!

Samuel our tour guide needs to win an Oscar. He was just so much fun and very funny. But we did not make it easy for him. We kept tipping over Iin the ocean since we couldn't get our hips to "rock like Shakira" ( he can explain that to you), so we tipped. But he was there for us each time and helped us through it. He also took some unforgettable photos of us on the river kayak. The tour was amazing and so glad we went.

Hanalei Bay PM Kayak & Snorkel in Kauai

Matthew_A, Mar 2026

Fun and informative about...

Fun and informative about Kauai. The guides were wonderful. Highlight of the trip for our family!!!!

Hanalei Bay Morning Kayak and Snorkel Tour

Jaime_C, Mar 2026

Great trip, guides were...

Great trip, guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. Would recommend to anyone wanting to have a great time with family.

Creative Soul Scavenger Hunt of Hanalei Kauai

Tracy_L, Jan 2026

Not your typical Scavenger Hunt

This is a 2 hr scavenger hunt like no other. The tour operator communicated with us via WhatsApp messaging and encouraged our group to split into teams and come up with a team name - the competition began. We used an app to randoming sort our family of 6 (plus a baby) into 2 groups. As it turned out, the extroverts in our family were grouped together giving them a decided advantage. Tara walked us through the concept of the hunt - the goal is to learn some new things about Hanalei (where our hunt was happening), and Hawai'i in general. We all had a lot of fun searching out locations, deciding what we would do for certain challenges, meeting locals and finding out a lot of new and interesting things about the area and the Hawaiian culture. A day later and we're still talking about some of the characters we met and how we approached different challenges. Would highly recommend doing this activity with a group of friends or family; breaking up into teams was a great idea! Thanks Tara for the fun experience!

Hanalei Bay Morning Kayak and Snorkel Tour

David_S, Jan 2026

Fun experience

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

Hanalei Bay

5.0

(10,398)

Kauai

Know before you go

Lifeguards are on duty at Black Pot Beach and Waioli Beach Park.
Each of the three beach parks in Hanalei Bay offer bathrooms and showers.
You can rent snorkel gear, surf boards, kayaks, and more in Hanalei town.
You can camp at Hanalei Beach Park, but you’ll need a permit.

Hanalei Bay Tours and Tickets

22 results

What are people saying about Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Bay

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