Wailua River & Waterfalls Kayak Tour: Expert-Guided Adventure
Description
Rainbow Kayak Tours has been providing guided tours of the Wailua River for 20 years. Our experienced guides are well versed in the flora and fauna of the area, as well as the history of this incredible place.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Paddle the majestic Wailua River for 2 miles each way (4 miles total round trip), original home of the first Hawaiians, who paddled 1500 miles from the Marquesas Islands to Kaua`i almost 1500 years ago. Hear the legends and learn about the flora and fauna of Kauai`s most sacred area.
After hiking 1 1/2 miles through the rain forest our guides will take clients to Secret Falls also known as Uluwehi Falls. This beautiful waterfall cascades 110 feet into a refreshing swimming hole, where they can go for a dip and enjoy a terrific lunch! You will then hike 1 1/2 miles back to your kayak (3 miles of hiking round trip). TRAIL CONDITIONS CAN VARY DEPENDING ON WEATHER. THERE WILL BE 4 RIVER CROSSINGS WITH LOOSE ROCKS IN RIVER BED THAT YOU WILL NEED TO CROSS AND UNPAVED TRAIL ON YOUR TREK TO THE WATERFALL. AND KEEP IN MIND YOU WILL CROSS THEM ON THE TREK BACK AS WELL. THERE IS AN AREA WHERE YOU MUST BE ABLE TO CLIMB A 25FT EMBANKMENT OF ROOTS & ROCKS (WHICH ARE WET AND SLIPPERY) FOOTWEAR IS COMPLETELY SUBMERGED IN WATER DURING YOUR ADVENTURE. Bring Tennis Shoes or Hiking Sandals/Boots(NO FLIP FLOPS OR CROCS) Tours go out rain or shine, unless there is a weather advisory. In the event the tour is cancelled, you may reschedule depending on availability or fully refunded.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- No Recent surgeries or bad knees/ankles/hips. If you have any health conditions, recent surgeries, or physical limitations related to the knees, back, ankles, shoulders, or hips (including joint replacements) that would affect your ability to safely participate you will be responsible for full payment.
- No pregnancies at this due to safety concerns. If you are pregnant at the time of the activity, the company may refuse participation and full payment will still be required
- Must be 5-70 years old to participate. If you do not meet the age requirements at the time of the activity, you may be denied participation and will remain responsible for full payment
- As of February 15, 2026 The State of Hawaii will be charging $5 per person for non resident fee to enter The Wailua Marina. Please be advised guests are responsible for payment at entry by credit card
Reviews(826)
The hiking trail is very muddy rocky. Guide was very knowledgeable and gave us great insight into the wonders of Kauai
The hike and kayaking was amazing. Our tour guide was amazing.
This was a beautiful experience with a knowledgeable and friendly guide, Thomas. My teenagers had fun and so did my spouse and I. That hike is not difficult, but be prepared with Keens or some kind of water/hiking shoe. There are some slick parts that are muddy.
Great experience and guide. Learned a lot about local flora and loved kayaking down the river... Both relaxing and a good upper body workout.
Really fun adventure both kayaking and in the hike. Guide was great keeping track of us both in the kayak and on the hike and providing local knowledge as we hiked.
Excellent! Great experience….Tom our guide was incredibly knowledgeable.
Great trip. Save some energy for the kayak trip back against the breeze. Thomas was a fantastic guide!
This was a fun but tiring expedition. Plan accordingly. Lots of paddling and ours was a mud drenched hike. Slippery, going through a thigh high deep running river on slippery rocks. This trip is NOT for everyone. If you go, make sure you plan accordingly. Don’t be the guy wading through the rushing river carrying his entire family’s electronics hoping not to fall in. Saw many people on this excursion that were not prepared and even some that had difficulty walking. Make sure you know what you’re getting into.
What a fabulous adventure we had yesterday. Our tour guide Thomas made all the difference sharing about the flora and history of the island. His personality made our trip to the beautiful waterfall more fun than anticipated. Would highly recommend this to all just remember to wear sneakers you won’t mind getting very muddy! Thanks for a great memory!
Awesome experience….from start to finish! Tom was our guide today! He is great; very knowledgeable about all the flora and fauna and quite funny! The experience was one for the books, and you can’t go wrong using Rainbow Kayak Tours!
