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.
