Most-reviewed trip
Alii Kayaks Secret Falls
Kauai: Secret Falls Kayak and Hike runs through Alii Kayaks, LLC. Rated 4.8 across 1,660 reviews. Runs 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.). From $135.
Kauai Kayak Tours
Most kayaking on Kauai happens in two places: the Wailua River on the east side and Hanalei Bay on the north shore. The Wailua runs flat and calm far inland, and guided paddles there pair the river with a short hike to Secret Falls, a waterfall you can only reach by boat or on foot from the landing. Hanalei adds a reef and snorkeling to the paddle. Four guided tours cover this ground, every one rated 4.8 or better, and each allows free cancellation.
Kauai Kayak Tours Compared By Price And Rating
Four guided kayak tours make up the roster here, and every one carries a 4.8 or 4.9 rating. Three paddle the Wailua River inland to Secret Falls, pairing time on the water with a jungle hike, while the Hanalei Bay option adds snorkeling on the North Shore (see Hanalei Kayak). Prices run from $135 per person with Alii Kayaks up to $164.87 with Rainbow Kayak Tours, and all four listings include free cancellation. Review volume ranges from 626 to 1,660 guest reviews.
Dukes Kayak to Secret Falls
5 hours (approx.) · Duke's Kayak Adventures
from $150per personKauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide runs through Duke's Kayak Adventures. Rated 4.8 across 1,488 reviews. Runs 5 hours (approx.). From $150.
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Wailua River Kayak and Hike
5 to 6 hours (approx.) · Rainbow Kayak Tours
from $164.87per personWailua River & Waterfalls Kayak Tour: Expert-Guided Adventure runs through Rainbow Kayak Tours. Rated 4.8 across 846 reviews. Runs 5 to 6 hours (approx.). From $164.87.
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Hanalei Bay Kayak and Snorkel
5 hours (approx.) · Kayak Hanalei
from $160.49per personHanalei Bay Morning Kayak and Snorkel Tour runs through Kayak Hanalei. Rated 4.9 across 626 reviews. Runs 5 hours (approx.). From $160.49.
Check availability →How To Choose Between Kauai Kayak Tours
Start with the river you want. The three Wailua trips all aim for Secret Falls, but durations differ: Alii Kayaks runs about four and a half hours, Duke's Kayak Adventures five, and Rainbow Kayak Tours five to six, the longest day on the water. Permitted outfitters on the Wailua operate Monday through Friday under long-standing rules, so weekday planning matters here. Whichever you choose, each listing carries free cancellation.
Hanalei Bay splits from the rest. Kayak Hanalei's morning tour, rated 4.9 across 626 reviews at $160.49 per person, trades the waterfall hike for reef snorkeling in a bay framed by mountains, and it suits travelers who want open water rather than a river. On price, the Secret Falls trips start at $135, so cost rarely settles this one. Duration, scenery and whether you want to swim decide it instead.
When To Book Kauai Kayak Tours
Book ahead regardless of season. The Wailua and Secret Falls trips are among the most booked activities on the island, and their permitted weekday-only schedule compresses demand into five days. Summer brings calmer river conditions; winter rains can brown out the water and occasionally suspend the falls hike, so a flexible plan helps then. All four listings carry free cancellation, so reserving early costs you nothing if the forecast turns.