River Kayak & Waterfall Hike

This is the most popular kayak tour in Kauai!  The Wailua River is perfect for kayaking and you’ll paddle two miles each way up to a trailhead accessible only by water. From here, you’ll hike through a Hawaiian Jungle for one mile until you arrive at a beautiful waterfall.

The river is calm with no current to speak of so this is doable for beginner paddlers. The padde is done in two-person kayaks so you’ll share the work with a partner in crime. The hike itself is mostly shaded in lush jungle. Boardwalks have been put in place that make the hiking easier than it used to but it can still be muddy and slippery in parts. There are a few stream crossings to navigate as well! Wear good shoes.

The tour includes a 1 hour stop at the waterfall! Take a swim, soak in the scenery and be sure to take lots of pics! You’ll hike back and paddle the way you came. Total duration of this activity is about 5 hours.

We have partnered with the tour providers seen in the green tabs to bring you this adventure. These companies conduct the exact same tour. The only difference being Ali’i Kayak is the cheapest as it does not include lunch or beverages. If you can’t find availability please give Activities of Kauai a call as we have other options (including do it yourself rentals) we can book by phone.

For most people this is certainly an adventure! It’s 4 miles of paddling and 2 miles of hiking roundtrip. The hiking portion requires a few stream crossings and you’ll need to navigate some rocky and slippery spots! It’s well worth it, just understand you should be ready for adventure and be in great health. Wear a bathing suit, sunscreen, sunglasses and closed-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting a bit muddy.  Bring bug spray and lunch/water if the tour does not provide it. Waterproof dry bags are included so bring a camera or smartphone.