Wailua River Kayak, Hike & Waterfall Picnic: Expert-Guided
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Kauai, USA
- 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get an insider’s view of Kauai’s natural side on a guide-led kayaking and hiking adventure. Paddle along the sacred Wailua River, once reserved for Hawaiian royalty, then hike about a mile to a spectacular 100-foot waterfall. Enjoy a picnic lunch and time to swim in a local swimming hole surrounded by lush rainforest before returning to your departure point.
- Learn about the natural history of Kauai from your guide
- Indulge in an included picnic lunch served in a hidden valley
- Enjoy a more personal experience on a small-group tour
- Paddle in a deluxe kayak for two people
What's Included
- Deluxe two-person kayak
- Dry bag/day pack
- LunchPicnic lunch of a turkey sandwich, carrots, and a brownie (menu subject to change without notice)
- Cold spring water and juices
- Small Group Experience
- Local Taxes
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Gratuities
- Government Fees$5.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 3-5971 Kuhio Hwy, Kapaʻa, HI 96746, USA
Park at Wailua Marina at 3-5971 Kuhio Highway. As of 2/15/26, the State of Hawaii will be charging $10 per car to park and $5 per non-resident for entrance, and you are responsible for those fees. Credit card only. After parking, walk to the marina to meet your guide by the Outfitters Kauai van.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Secret Falls (Uluwehi Falls)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Minimum of 4 passengers required for tour departure. Maximum of 12 passengers per tour
- One guide for approximately every 8 - 12 passengers
- Hike is moderately strenuous (approx. 1 mile each way, typically in muddy conditions)
- Kayaking is 60-90 minutes each way (approx. 2 miles each way)
- Items to bring: Swimwear, footwear with an aggressive tread pattern and that can get wet (i.e. Teva-type sandals or aqua socks), towel, sunscreen, insect repellant, waterproof camera
- Minors must be at least 5 years old and accompanied on tour by a parent or guardian.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
We had such a great experience with this excursion! I was worried the kayak portion would be too strenuous but we found ourselves wishing it was longer. The scenery was gorgeous and our guide, Michael, was very fun and informative. The hike was also stunning! Definitely bring Chaco or Teva type sandals if you have them. It is a very muddy hike, and you have to cross through a river at one point, but we did see kids and elderly people doing the hike so it’s not too hard. The best part is the beautiful waterfall at the end. It was by far my favorite part of our trip to Kauai and I would recommend it to anyone! They also provide lunch, lots of water, and dry bags for anyone that wants to use one.
Reviews
4.8
based on 80 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
The weather really impacts this experience. It was a rainy day, so we had a challenging paddle up stream, then had to turn around in the middle of the hike, and then a challenging paddle back with the wind. We were issued a partial refund, so that was great. While the hike was too dangerous to continue, I never felt like I was in an unsafe position. Our guide was very knowledgeable and kind. We loved her!
This is about a 2 mile kayaking adventure on the way to a sometimes challenging trail--maybe a mile long, to the beautiful Secret Falls. Then taking the traik back abd getting in the Kayaks again for the 2 mile trip back to the starting point. We were all given dry bags for our things and a nice stay dry pouch for our lunch which was provided. I am 70 and it was difficult. Paddling is not so difficult and our guide, Eli, helped those falling behind by towing behind his Kayak. The trail is not steep but there a muddy portions and water crossings A rather long portion of the trail has Trex like bolted down planks, but other portions were full of large boulders abd huge tree roots. The tour and guide were exceptional. I would certainly go again but would not advise this for those not in good physical condition nor elderly with limitations. Was great for kids, adults and those in good physical condition ni matter what age.
Amazing tour, but an even better tour guide. Eli was helpful, friendly, and genuinely fun to be around
It rained during our kayaking and hiking trip and it was an absolute blast! Eli was a cool guide, keeping us safe and up for the adventure!
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Mahalo for the great review! A little Kauai rain can make the adventure even more fun! We’re so glad you had a blast and that Eli took great care of you along the way. 🌿🤙
Haylen was a great guide and we had an amazing time on this journey to the falls. Lunch was perfect and it was just the right length of time!
This experience was one of the highlights of our vacation in Kauai. The kayaking was fun; the hiking was strenuous; seeing and swimming at the waterfall was priceless. A fun activity! Our guide Eli was wonderful.
This trip was great! Definitely on my list when I visit this island. Our guide was Eli and he was amazing. 5 stars for sure.
Hike was tough for older people
Too cold to swim so missed part of adventure
Very difficult to kayak back due to wind
Older people should not do this
Cannon is a great tour guide, talked some history about the island and made sure everyone had a great time kayaking!
Both kayaking the Wailua and hiking to the falls were amazing. My guide, Elliot was very friendly and knowledgeable. He made the trip really funny. Great way to spend a day!!
Cannon was a wonderful guide! He made it really fun. He interacted with all of us. We thought it would be hard. It wasn’t as hard as expected 😁. I recommend doing this if you visit Kauai
We had such a great experience with this excursion! I was worried the kayak portion would be too strenuous but we found ourselves wishing it was longer. The scenery was gorgeous and our guide, Michael, was very fun and informative. The hike was also stunning! Definitely bring Chaco or Teva type sandals if you have them. It is a very muddy hike, and you have to cross through a river at one point, but we did see kids and elderly people doing the hike so it’s not too hard. The best part is the beautiful waterfall at the end. It was by far my favorite part of our trip to Kauai and I would recommend it to anyone! They also provide lunch, lots of water, and dry bags for anyone that wants to use one.
Our excursion location was changed due to weather conditions, but we still kayaked, hiked and swam in a pond! The experience was fun, energizing and enjoyable (minus the tons of mosquito bites- wear bug repellant!!) Very enjoyable and Lono our guide was knowledgeable and helpful.
fascinating river paddle and walk through river and mud trail to see fine falls!
good guide telling about Kauai history and plants
It was so fun. It was an adventure!! Definitely worth it, but a bit strenuous. We went when it was muddy. So the trail was very muddy. You need a sturdy pair of shoes. Ryker was a great guide. Very fun and knowledgeable.
Ryker was the best guide. He made the experience more fun. Kayaking was tough but satisfying. The hike was beautiful. Waterfall was amazing. Cold water, but gorgeous.
We had Ryker as our guide and he was phenomenal! He was very patient and attentive with each person in our group - we are a family of 5 with an 18 y/o, 15 y/o and 11 y/o. He was also very knowledgeable about the plants, wildlife, hiking trail and even gave us recommendations of places to go and things to see in Kauai. He made it an awesome experience for everyone!!
We had the best time! Our guide K-man was the absolute greatest. So knowledgeable about the island and flora/fauna but also just a great guy. He balanced humor with knowledge perfectly and was so attentive to everyone on the tours needs. 100% recommend this tour and try to get K-man if you can!
-Reanna and Chris
This was a fun trip. Just know there are many different tours all going and coming at similar times.
The kayaking was good, and the short hike is moderate. It is not hard, but it isn’t exactly easy as there are some rocky spots.
The tour guide had good knowledge about the plants which was interesting.
It was definitely very challenging kayaking and challenging hiking but well worth it to the waterfall!
Wonderful trip hosted by a friendly guided tour. Lunch was great and had enough to get us through the day. Highly recommend ! The views are one of a kind.
Our tour guide (Tegan we think, sorry!) Was excellent! This experience showed so much beauty beyond the beaches of Hawaii. The cool water waterfall was a nice treat after the hike!
Fun, scenic combo of kayaking & a jungle walk. Mitch was a great guide. The brownie at lunch was awesome 😎
This paddle/hike was a super experience for both myself and my wife. We had the most amazing tour guides. Hawaiian Brian was so knowledgeable about the land, language and culture; we loved hearing all about it and learned to appreciate the land we were using. He was also generous with offering to take pretty great photos of each group in our party. Ross the Boss was attentive to all in our party and seemed genuinely interested in getting to know what we were passionate about and connecting with each of us. He shared stories about the islands, shared info and points of interest along our drive, discussed other great hiking trails on the Islands and told lots of dad jokes. This experience was a fairly easy paddle and hike to a great waterfall/pool; I’d recommend it to everybody. There was plenty of water provided and the packed lunch was delicious and plentiful. The timing of the whole experience was perfect to allow our group ample time at the waterfall without being over crowded! ** We hope Hawaiian Brian was able to recover his phone. 🤞🏼
Saber was a great tour guide and this 5 hour adventure is the best way to enjoy the beautiful river views, get a little workout, enjoy a hike (it WILL be wet and muddy, so prepare!) and see one of the most beautiful waterfalls you'll ever see up close. Saber will make sure to take a great panoramic picture for you at the falls! Small enough group that it didn't feel unwieldy. Definitely recommend doing this adventure!
Meeting the group at the launch site was confusing we were asked to park well away from the boat ramp at an unrelated business to meet the driver who had us get in the van to drive to the other end of the parking lot together. The guide was nice, but we had to pull information instead of having it provided. Seeing ducks wag their tails at the excitement of pending feeding was novel, but should a guide really be demonstrating feeding wild animals? Beyond that, the beautiful waterfall destination was very crowded at one point we counted 6 different tour groups bathing.
This was an unbelievable experience, and worth every cent. The Kayaking was a first time event for the three of us, and the climb to this breathtaking waterfall was not to be missed. This had to be our favorite event of our time in Kauai. Thank you to our wonderful guide Tristan, who took such good care of us, We will be back
Great Kayak down a beautiful river with a nice cool dip at Kauai's secret waterfall over packed lunch. The paddle home was pretty strenuous for us against the current and wind, but everybody made it safely.
Breathtaking! Elvis was great, we traveled as a family...kids still saying, well...Elvis said....
This tandom kayaking and hike trip up the Wailua River and the Valley of the Kings was very enjoyable and quite stunning. The guide was very informative regarding the extended history of the Hawaiin people and their habitation of the area.The adventurous walk on the jungle path was beautiful.
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