Hanalei Bay Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Hanalei Bay. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Kauai Deluxe Sightseeing Flight

• Kauai Eco Adventure Helicopter Tour

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

• Kauai Private Doors-Off Helicopter: Ultimate Waterfalls & Canyons

• Hanalei Bay Morning Kayak and Snorkel Tour

Hanalei Bay and its beaches are free to visit; however, many travelers choose to explore the area on a guided tour or take to the water to try out activities and sports. Tour options include surf lessons starting at US$120, kayaking and snorkeling excursions for around US$145, and self-guided audio tours from US$20.

Yes, Hanalei Bay is worth visiting. This beautiful outdoor wonder on the north side of Kauai is a great spot for surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, or simply relaxing on the beach. Many visitors prebook surfing lessons for the convenience of equipment rental combined with expert guidance. Kayaking and snorkeling tours are a fun way to explore the bay, and sightseeing flights and helicopter rides offer aerial views.

Per one customer who booked the Hanalei Bay Morning Kayak and Snorkel Tour, "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 species of fish, including a sea turtle, a manta ray, and an eel. The check-in area had a local coffee shop, some shopping, bathrooms and a changing area. It was a great experience."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Hanalei Bay. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Kauai:

• Na Pali Coast

• Mt. Waialeale

• Waimea Canyon

• Lihue

• Wailua River

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Kauai.