Beginners As Well As Extreme Adventurers Will Enjoy A Kayaking Adventure
One of the most enjoyable activities on the Garden Isle of Kauai is taking a kayak trip in the ocean or up one of the island’s several navigable rivers. No other island has the kayaking opportunities as Kauai does.
In the ocean you can kayak along the most rugged and remote stretch of coast in all of the island chain – the Na Pali Coast. Guided tours are offered along this challenging stretch of ocean, usually starting in the north at Kee Beach and ending at Polihale on the southwest shore. This tour is for the adventurous only as there is a good chance you will encounter some choppy water and ocean swells.
If that is a little too extreme then perhaps you may just want to kayak around in beautiful Hanalei Bay or up the Hanalei River. You can even catch some waves along the shoreline in Hanalei, and when you kayak upriver you will pass underneath the historic Hanalei Bridge as you take in the scenic, waterfall-laced mountains surrounding this north shore valley.
Also on the north shore is the Kalihiwai River that features a short kayak up from the bay and an option for visiting a lovely waterfall and pool in the stream.
On Kauai’s eastern shore you can kayak up the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto – a fern-covered amphitheater in the rock – and also to the hidden 120-foot Uluwehi Falls (Secret Falls) that requires you to leave your kayak on the riverside and take a short hike. This whole Wailua River area is dotted with sacred Hawaiian sites including one at the very top of the watershed at Mt. Waialealae.
If you are confident in the water and have plenty of experience then you may want to venture out on your own. Always check with lifeguards, however, as ocean conditions are often unpredictable and currents and winds can quickly get you into trouble.
Kauai Kayak Tour Companies
Ali‘i Kayak Tours (808-241-7700; Kapa‘a)
Alii Kayak Tours on the east shore offers a Kayak and Hiking Tour that lasts about 4½ hours and goes up the north fork of the Wailua River to Secret Falls. This tour includes about four miles of kayaking that is fairly easy, as well as the 1 ½ mile hike to the falls.
Outfitters Kauai (808-742-9667; 888-742-9887; info@outfitterskauai.com)
Outfitters Kauai in Poipu on the south shore provides tandem self-bailing kayaks with foot-pedal controlled rudders. Their Poipu Whale Watch Sea Kayak tour visits remote beaches and takes time for snorkeling as they search for dolphins, turtles, and other sea life, including whales during the winter months.
Outfitters Kauai also offers a Na Pali Coast kayak tour that goes for 16 miles along this world famous coastline from Kee to Polihale while visiting sea caves and stopping on some stunningly beautiful remote beaches. Other tours include the Wailua River and Hanalei Bay.
Kaua‘i Beach Boys (808-742-4442)
Located next to Dukes Restaurant at Kalapaki on the east side, Kauai Beach Boys offers kayaking as well as a variety of other ocean sports activities from stand up paddling to snorkeling, sailing, and outrigger canoe paddling. Kauai Beach Boys has both double and single person kayaks.
Kayak Kauai (808-826-9844; 800-437-3507; info@kayakkauai.com)
Kayak Kauai has outlets on both the north and east shores, in Hanalei and Kapaa. Guided tours are offered as well as kayak rentals. Special adventure tours are offered if there are enough people signed up.
Kayak Kauai tours include Hanalei River and Bay, a 5-hour tour beginning in Hanalei Bay, a paddling and hiking adventure on Wailua River, and whale watching tours off of Poipu on the south shore.
Kayak Kauai also offers Na Pali Coast kayak tours as well as kayaking school classes covering various skills. A special 7-day adventure tour is inclusive of food and lodging.