Emerald Cave Kayak Tour: Scenic Paddle with Optional Shuttle
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Las Vegas, USA
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Leave the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas behind and get up close to the Colorado River on this half-day kayaking tour. Board your shuttle at Mandalay Bay Resort (if option selected) and travel to Willow Beach. Embark on a relaxing 5-mile (8-kilometer) journey through Black Canyon, including a visit to the picturesque Emerald Cave. Enjoy included snacks and water as you take in the natural beauty around you.
- Explore the Colorado River, Emerald Cave and Black Canyon
- Safety gear, kayaking guidance, and refreshments all included
- Option of round-trip transit from the Las Vegas Strip makes logistics easy
- This kayaking excursion is beginner- and family-friendly
What's Included
- Round Trip Transportation from the Mandalay Bay Hotel (if 'With Shuttle' option selected)
- Professional kayak tour guide
- Single or double kayak and life vest
- SnacksWe provide bottled water, bananas and granola bars - if you have any food allergies or sensitivities please bring your own snacks
- Round-Trip Transportation (if SELF-DRIVE option selected)
- National Park entry is free for kids, NPS card holders and military; For adults it is$15.00 per person
- If you meet us at the launch site, National Park charges a $25 entrance fee per vehicle.$25.00 per booking
- Natinal Park Entrance is FREE with NPS Card, Millitary ID, Veteran ID and kids under 16.
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
What To Expect
For this Emerald Cave kayak tour, either meet at the designated location in Willow Beach or reserve pickup from the Mandalay Bay valet pick-up area in Las Vegas. This tour is ideal for travelers who’re staying in Vegas but want a little break from the bright city lights.
Once you arrive and check in, get assigned to a kayak for this day tour. At checkout, you can book a single or double kayak, depending on your preference.
A guide leads you on the 5-mile (8-kilometer) kayaking trip down the Colorado River to the Black Canyon and Emerald Cave. Make a stop at a historical outlook for a short hike before getting back on the water to make your way to the cave for more impressive views.
Your kayak tour ends back at Willow Beach.
Once you arrive and check in, get assigned to a kayak for this day tour. At checkout, you can book a single or double kayak, depending on your preference.
A guide leads you on the 5-mile (8-kilometer) kayaking trip down the Colorado River to the Black Canyon and Emerald Cave. Make a stop at a historical outlook for a short hike before getting back on the water to make your way to the cave for more impressive views.
Your kayak tour ends back at Willow Beach.
1
Colorado River
2
Willow Beach
3
Emerald Cove
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Infant seats available
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Maximum weight limit is 300lb/person
- What to bring? Hat, sunglasses, sunblock, water shoes, comfortable clothing, swimsuit (under clothes)
- It's a family friendly group activity, NO ALCOHOL OR SMOKING ALLOWED
- Only service animals are allowed on this tour with SELF-DRIVE option only
- Please note that if you bring any electronics with you during the tour, it is highly recommended to bring a waterproof case
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 96 travelers
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Frequently Asked Questions (11)
Q:How do I arrange pickup for the Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup?
A:The meeting location is the Hoover Dam Lodge on U.S. 93 in Boulder City or from the Mandalay Bay Hotel at the shuttle pick-up area on the lower level. Please specify your preferred departure location in the "Special Requirements" box at checkout.
Aug 2021
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Daisy_C
Really enjoyed this tour! Our tour guide Juston was very informative but very entertaining as well. The tour is only as good as your guide and he definitely knocked it out the park. Would definitely recommend to try atleast once.
Reviews
4.9
based on 2,994 reviews
Toni_A, Apr 2026
Beautiful experience. Even if you kayak somewhat regularly be prepared it’s a good arm workout. Definitely need to have strength to do so.
Genevieve_W, Apr 2026
A lot of fun and a very relaxing day our guide Anthony was very informative. I would recommend this tour.
Mia_L, Apr 2026
It was great! The picture didn’t exactly describe the experience but it was still 100% worth it! Beautiful views, snacks and drinks, and our tour guide Anthony was great! :)
Kieran_D, Apr 2026
Me and my wife had an incredible time on this trip , tour guide Robby was so friendly and outgoing full of energy and was so knowledgeable of the area and had an answer for any question we had. Would 100% recommend this experience and this company, a great time overall. Killer playlist in the transport as well 10/10
Christopher_H, Apr 2026
It was not quite the photos online but a good experience and good guide. Very entertaining! Would definitely do it again.
Abbi_L, Apr 2026
DO NOT GO IF IT TOO WINDY!!! The total experience is nice onto he way to the "indent" in the mountain. Not a true cave. Pretty but because of the 40 mile an hr winds against the current made it not enjoyable. I am an experienced "lake kayaker" so i know how to ride a kayak but in a river with high winds it sucked. Many people struggled and a few were actually stranded on paddle boards (not part of our group). Inexperience with paddle boards and kayaks left them not capable to get back to shore and had to be towed in by another inexperienced good Samaritan. Overall, nice trip but was left underwhelmed by the "cave". Very pretty and probobly worth it on a calmer day.
Victoria_C, Apr 2026
Took my friends and family kayaking at Emerald Cave and it was such a great experience from start to finish. Our guide, Justin, was absolutely fantastic—super supportive, incredibly knowledgeable, and made everyone feel comfortable on the water (even the beginners).
The tour is about 3.5 hours with roughly 4 miles of kayaking, which felt like the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. The views were beautiful, and Justin made it even better by sharing fun facts along the way and keeping the energy up the whole time.
Bonus: he took tons of photos for us, so we could actually stay present and enjoy the experience instead of worrying about our phones.
If you’re thinking about doing Emerald Cave—ask for Justin. He truly made the trip memorable for all of us.
Michelle_C, Apr 2026
Great day Kyaking with Zen, we are both 60 (ish) and had a double kayak , we paddled for 4 miles (2 miles there and 2 back) Zen was very knowledgable and stopped off on the way back for some great photo opportunities. Would defo recommend
Caitlyn_S, Apr 2026
The cave is quite smaller than i expected it to be but it was so cool and the water was so green. Our tour guide, Kwame, was amazing and so informative on the history and nature of the river. He took so many pics of my mother and I on the kayaks. He even stopped on the way home to see some rams at a park. 10/10 experience and well worth the money to get the shuttle!
Naomi_B, Apr 2026
Very doable for inexperienced kayakers. Zen did a great job leading the tour! Beautiful scenery all around!
Heather_C, Apr 2026
Our guide was very knowledgeable and had some cute dad jokes. The cave was very cool, with gorgeous green water.
Jessica_E, Apr 2026
Kwame was a fantastic guide and the river is so beautiful. If you love being out in the sun and fresh air, and can reasonably paddle for 4.4 miles round-trip with a few breaks, take this tour. HIGHLY recommend you have previous kayaking experience.
Some important points:
~ The start time of this trip may change due to weather (high winds, etc.). The guide will text several times the day before with the correct info, and ask for confirmation texts back. Ours started at 8 am and we were texted to show up 10-20 min before that at Mandalay. We had high winds predicted starting around 1 pm so the guide wanted to get going an hour earlier than this ad states. The drive is an hour out and an hour back. You will pass the Hoover Dam and go into Arizona.
~ Recommend you plan ahead to NOT be out partying until 3 am like some of our group was. 😄
~ You will want to wear exercise wear or swim stuff under quick dry clothes. Bring a change of clothes and shoes. Backpacks can be left in the locked van while on the water.
~ Part of the road (maybe 3-5 miles?) is very curvy. If you get carsick easily, ask to sit close to the front of the van.
~ Desert sun is strong. I wore 50 spf on my face and arms and still got red, but I am very pale normally. Recommend a long sleeve fishing shirt and tight athletic wear pants for best sun protection, along with sport sunglasses and a hat that will stay on your head in windy conditions. Don't forget sunscreen on the backs of your hands.
~ Your feet and lower legs will 100% get wet so plan accordingly.
~ Guide offers granola bars and bananas as a snack midway, along with plenty of bottled water. I recommend bringing protein snacks if you need them OR the van will stop at the visitor's center before and after the tour. They have bathrooms for changing and a shop with drinks, snacks, and souvenirs...along with hats, glasses, water shoes, sunscreen, etc.
ENJOY!
Dave_B, Apr 2026
Good time on the river, caves not much. Interesting rock formations explained by guide. Could have had more bananas.
Alan_C, Apr 2026
Had an amazing time kayaking at Emerald Cove with two of my friends. The whole experience was top tier from start to finish. Xander and Justin were incredible guides—friendly, professional, and made the trip fun the entire time. They kept the energy up, made everyone feel comfortable, and knew all the best spots. Beautiful views, great vibes, and an unforgettable experience. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun adventure!
Cindi_T, Apr 2026
Great experience! Johnny was fantastic and even towed our friends’ kayak when they were struggling. He took pictures for us, told us all about the area, and really made the experience terrific!
Theresa_F, Apr 2026
Great time! Xander was our guide and gave us lots of great information about our surroundings. Very friendly and would highly recommend!
Pilar_R, Apr 2026
Our kayak trip on the Colorado River was absolutely unforgettable! From start to finish, the experience was seamless and so well organized. The scenery was simply stunning — breathtaking views in every direction.
Kwame was an excellent guide. He took the time to learn everyone’s names, which made the experience feel personal and welcoming right away. He was informative, sharing fascinating details about the river, the landscape, and the surrounding area without ever making it feel overwhelming. You could tell he genuinely loves what he does.
One of the highlights was that he sent us photos afterward — such a thoughtful touch and a great way to relive the adventure!
Our group of four (all 60+ years young!) enjoyed it tremendously. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for a memorable and beautifully guided experience on the Colorado River.
Wayne_H, Apr 2026
Emerald cave is only green in the fall and the sun has to be shining in at the right angle. S
If it's windy the water will be choppy.
Mark_P, Apr 2026
Bring water shoes and be ready to take a swim. Very refreshing. Cave is a bit of a disappointment, unless going at “peak” season. Trip to cave very enjoyable. Bring sun screen and bathing suit. Bring a dry bag or plastic case for phone.
Madeleine_S, Apr 2026
What a brilliant activity to do. We had an amazing time and Johnny was a great instructor! We would highly recommend this tour to see another side of vegas than casinos!
Sandra_R, Apr 2026
Was skeptical, but Justin made it an awesome experience! Definitely worth it! Thanks again Justin!!💪🏼
Kevin_C, Apr 2026
The Colorado River gorge is a wonder to see. From the emerald green water to the ability to see down 25+ feet is really cool. If you get Robby as the tour guide, do it.
Daisy_C, Apr 2026
Really enjoyed this tour! Our tour guide Juston was very informative but very entertaining as well. The tour is only as good as your guide and he definitely knocked it out the park. Would definitely recommend to try atleast once.
MD_B, Apr 2026
This was a fun paddle for all experience levels. We really enjoyed the beautiful day on the water, exploring iconic sites and laughing with strangers who become friends. Xander curated such a fun, vibrant and relaxed experience.
Jason_B, Apr 2026
We had a great kayaking experience last week while in Vegas. Our guide was Anthony and he was great! Funny, told us stories and the history of the area. We saw big horned sheep drinking by the river. The weather was gorgeous and our group was a perfect size of about 15 of us.
jason_k, Apr 2026
excellent tour and our guide robby was very knowledgeable! bring sunscreen! the snacks provided could have been better but there is a shop there to purchase food drinks before and after if required.
Nicholas_G, Apr 2026
Our tour guide, Anthony, was great. He offered informative facts about the history of the Colorado River and was a good kayak instructor/tour guide. He picked our group up on time from the Mandalay Bay. The weather was perfect in early April for the 4 hours spent on the water. We stopped for a dip in the river and a bite to eat halfway through.
Grace_P, Apr 2026
Great fun, I was lucky enough to have been put with a great bunch of people including the tour guide. It was my birthday and it was a great place with great people.
Jonathan_M, Apr 2026
A fun and easy day trip from Vegas. Especially fun on a hot day. Anthony W was phenomenal as our guide. Highly recommend.
Renee_R, Apr 2026
Had a wonderful day kayaking. The sights are fabulous. Xander was a great guide. We had various levels of kayaking strength on the trip but Xander watched us all and checked in many times to offer support if needed. It was a perfect length of a day time activity of you have teens. Highly recommend!
From $89.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Emerald Cave Kayak Tour: Scenic Paddle with Optional Shuttle
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