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Aloha Kayak Co
Category: Active Life Rafting/Kayaking Rafting/Kayaking [Edit]
79-7248 Mamalahoa HwyHonalo, HI 96750
(808) 322-2868
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 7:30 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
Juliette B. said: "we used this company for two excursions and had great experiences on both trips. the company seems to cater to smaller groups than many of the other outfitters in kona and i really liked how they seem to be a bit more environmentally…" read more »
23 reviews for Aloha Kayak Co
23 reviews in English
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Review from John O.
Anchorage, AK
12/23/2011
Super helpful and laid back kayaking outfitters. I don't like going on tours w/ people and these guys were the cheapest guys I could find who rented kayaks by the day. The kayaks aren't super high end and have some wear, but, the gear definitely gets the job done for the average kayaker.
They helped me strap the kayak on top of the rental car and gave me all the gear I needed to kayak in the ocean. I took the kayak down to Kealakekua Bay and spent the day down there kayaking. It was a beautiful day.
I'd definitely recommend this laid back outfitter and suggest you check them out. I think they are a wee bit cheaper to than the other guys in town. -
Review from Max S.
San Diego, CA
1/11/2012
Perfect experience. The guy who worked with us was very helpful and nice with great recommendations and a wall of pictures to help guide us on our way. The kayak worked great. We took it on our rental jeep down to the launching spot for captain cook monument and kayaked out to the monument for snorkeling. It was our favorite excursion on the big island.
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Review from Vladimir G.
Washington, DC
11/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was my first snorkeling and kayaking on the ocean experience. At first I was little hesitant to it all but to be honest it all depends on the instructor and the atmosphere. John took us kayaking to lava caves or "tubes" then snorkeling with turtles by the bay. This was the best tour in Hawaii so far. I felt very safe, at ease and very relaxed. The people at the shop are super friendly to our group and made us feel welcomed in their are. Great drive to the bay and it's not busy with tourists. I would recommend Aloha Kayak to anyone I know who's coming to Kona.
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Review from Jose O.
Alameda, CA
1/26/2011
The guys at Aloha Kayak are really awesome people with tons of useful information. The owner is native born and knows the waters of Kona (along w/ local politics) like the back of his hand. The owner and staff loaded the Kayaks onto the rental and gave us a useful crash course.
The do's & don'ts of Kealakekua Bay (local politics) included shady locals, state park law and natural wild life. All the information given was useful and actually played a factor in our water adventure -so pay attention.
Although Aloha Kayak offers tours I would recommend you follow our steps. Rent the Kayak and do your own thing. Navigating a Kayak isn't rocket science.
Rent period: 24 hours
2 Twin Kayaks w/paddles
4 Life jacket
4 Sets of snorkel gear w/fins
Cost: $160Listed in: Bucket List
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Review from Josh H.
3/31/2011
Like everyone else has said, these guys are awesome. My fiancee and I were in Captain Cook for our last day on the big island, and she really wanted to kayak across to the monument. We stopped off at Aloha and Iwa had stepped out. We tried to call the number he left on the door, with no luck, our cell reception had dropped. We went to another kayak rental place who would have charged us for the whole day rental, some ridiculous rate.
Disappointed, we decided to try Aloha again. Iwa was still gone but we were able to get reception and finally get a hold of him.
He came right back and hooked us up with all the gear we needed, and the half day rate, since it was late in the afternoon, for less than the unavailable half day rate at the other place.
His pitbull (dozer?) is a sweetheart too. -
Review from James S.
San Francisco, CA
9/23/2010
A great day of kayaking and snorkeling started with Aloha Kayak Co. They were more reasonable in price than other nearby companies - and even better than some of the illegal vendors down by Captain Cook. They rented me a single, gave me all I needed to attach it to my car, and also rented me snorkel gear for the day.
I was planning to go to Captain Cook (Kealakekua Bay) and when I inquired about crowds, they told me exactly when the big boats would start showing up, and they also suggested another nearby snorkeling spot (City of Refuge) that was less crowded and had a lava tube I could explore via kayak. The directions (with pictures) they provided for both locations were very helpful.
They mentioned how to encourage interaction with the dolphins, but did advise me not to chase them. I appreciated their concern, given how heavily impacted the Kealakekua Bay area is from all of the tourists.
They even provided a great recommendation for lunch at the Japanese restaurant across the street. All in all they got me set for a very fun day. -
Review from Noah H.
San Francisco, CA
10/4/2010
Don't let the tattoos or pitbull fool you, these guys are awesome. My wife and I were staying in Kona for CME and our one year anniversary so we decided to call around to find a reasonably priced kayak rental. After a few calls, Aloha had the best price so we decided to risk it.
We worked directly with the owner, Iwa Kalua and he gave us the run down. Really clear instructions and he even has pictures of important land marks so you don't get lost. On top of all this, he was a really cool guy. Recommended, would do business again.
-Noah, SF, Ca. -
Review from Emily C.
San Jose, CA
10/2/2010
We walked in and received a THOROUGH set of instructions about where to kayak, how to get there, where to go in the water, where to snorkel, what times to go to avoid the tour boats, warned us about illegal activity at one boat launch, things to look out for in the water and on the shore, etc. Awesomely, this was all illustrated with dozens of snapshots and some hand-drawn maps, tools effectively used in the guy's well-practiced spiel. He made putting the kayak up on top our car seem easy -- it's not, unless you're as buff as he is -- but it's doable.
We didn't make it to the sea caves near Honaunau -- the surf was too rough over there and we were scared off -- but we did spot dolphins and sea turtles before the weather went south.
If you feel even marginally competent in your paddling abilities, it's worth a shot. These guys are a solid local business. -
Review from Jen S.
Berkeley, CA
7/6/2007
Though I definitely recommend Aloha Kayak, I left with mixed feelings. Mostly, the feeling that the trip could've been better organized somewhat overshadows my positive experience. The lesson on how to paddle lasted about 30 seconds even though only about 3 of 12 people in the crowd admitted to having any experience. No, it's not rocket science, but it wasn't so easy, either. We could've used some information about how the day would proceed and more careful instruction about how to properly get into and out of the kayak while the bay's extremely choppy. Again, I guess the balancing of weight and whatnot is common sense, but I'm also certain there were some pointers we missed out on.
Though other people were provided with dry bags, we weren't. I guess we were supposed to know to ask for it, but didn't. Definitely would've been useful. Was also kind of weird to have mismatched fins. I had to settle for the wrong size because mine was nowhere to be found. The gear was a little old and worn, though entirely functional.
Was kind of weird to find two kayaks belted to the top of our rental car when we came back from grabbing a bite down the street. (We arrived an hour early, stomachs on empty, wanting to try a cafe very nearby and walked.) It's not as though it was problematic at all, but I guess a heads up would've been nice.
All in all, I felt kind of uninformed. It also was kind of awkward that the company quoted a price for the adventure but failed to mention a generous gratuity that would be added on. The kid taking my payment said, "Well your total is ____ but if you think we did a good job, you can add on more!" "Oh really? I can give you more money? Sweet, thanks." Hmmmm, okay. I didn't give more on the bill but slipped our guide Buddy a $20 for being the most helpful and friendly of the guides.
Again, I had a great time and do recommend this company. However, maybe read up a bit on your own if you're not familiar with ocean kayaking and/or Kealakekua Bay. -
Review from Mohamed N.
Durham, NC
7/28/2010
"Affordable kayak rental, excellent orientation"
We rented a two-person kayak from here to go out to the Captain Cook memorial. The price was better than some other places nearby- $65 for the full day, including all gear (kayaking and snorkeling). Was easy all the way, and the gentleman who helped us clearly had done this many times before.
What was most impressive was the "orientation" ahead of time on all details- how to paddle, how to tie the kayak to the roof of the car, where to go, how to avoid people trying to get us to pay for things we shouldn't at the launch/ landing site, new federal rules about the Captain Cook memorial area, how best to see the spinner dolphins in the area (again, while complying with the rules), etc. Neither of us had ever used a kayak before (though I canoe a lot), and the advice on all parts was spot-on.
He also said we could turn in the kayak after hours (and showed us how), though we didn't do this.
Overall, very satisfied, and I'd heartily recommend them to anyone who asked! -
Review from Rachel O.
San Francisco, CA
8/30/2011
Yea, these guys are the real deal. Awesome attitude, great gear, good prices for the area. They give you everything you need, including a full rundown of where to kayak/snorkel to see exactly what you want. Very chill. And yes, their dog is freaking adorable. We did Pu`uhonua o Honaunau with the sea cave and the City of Refuge. It was a blast, saw some turtles. Wish we would've squeezed in Captain Cook also. Tip: use at *least* SPF 50, and don't forget your back. Aloha Kayak Co. also does a manta ray tour, which sounded awesome, but we didn't have the extra time/funds.
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Review from Pedro C.
Framingham, MA
11/27/2010
My wife Cathy found Aloha Kayak through the Big Island Revealed book, which recommended them. From our experience, the author of this book series is mostly right on in their ratings.
We picked up our kayak early Saturday morning. Iwa is the owner and operator. He set up our car and gave us all our equipment. Then, the best part, he took us inside and spent a good amount showing us the photos and directions for our kayak trip. Iwa explained where to go, what to look for, how far to navigate in the water, and types of things we would see. This was very helpful for us. Our experience turned out much better because of this.
Upon returning our kayak that day. We met the cutest most handsome dog "Bull Dozer". He is so affectionate and almost begged us not to leave by rolling around and getting belly rubs. Such a friendly and beautiful dog.
Support hawaiian small businesses like this one because they offer the best of what's out there. -
Review from Claudine C.
San Francisco, CA
12/14/2007 2 photos
We had a great experience with these guys. They were friendly, really easy on the eyes, and exceptionally helpful. Perhaps what also helped was the fact that I was with a group of friends who were fairly experienced with kayaking and I felt utterly comfortable that they would have my back. Still, I had never gone open-sea kayaking before, I was going in a solo kayak, and all their instructions and tips, short of actually accompanying us on our excursion, were very helpful. Pricing is very reasonable -- $35 for 24 hours and $25 for a half day of 12pm-5pm. They also rent snorkel gear, boogie boards, surfboards & wetsuits. Next time we might spring for a guided tour in one of their glass-bottomed kayaks.
They provided us with 4 kayaks (2 singles and 2 tandems) and assorted gear (wetbags, lifejackets, oars) and strapped them onto our vehicles for us. They gave us logistics instructions - how to get to Kealakekua Bay, what to expect when embarking on the ocean, and the route we would take to get to Cook's Monument for snorkeling. They gave us tips on where we might see dolphins, warned us to avoid the rocks and spiky sea urchins.
Early in the morning there can be only I guy manning the store, so service can be a tad slow, especially if a huge group of 8 arrives before you. Call ahead and make sure they have enough kayaks for your group. We ended up having to purvey 4 kayaks from another outfit.
Did I mention that Ilo, the owner and his assistant are really easy on the eyes? ;) -
Review from Paula N.
San Diego, CA
10/21/2009
Free beer! = Automatic 5 stars!
This is a super chill kayak rental place. If you've been on the Island for a couple of days and have a little experience kayaking, this place is right for you. The guy that helped us out was really laid back, and gave us some Budweisers for the road (!) Turning in our kayak was a cinch, he told us not to worry about making the 5 pm deadline of bringing back the kayak (which was great because it took up some time to put the kayak up). This place is definitely for the younger, adventurous, laid-back crowd -- if you're used to having your hand held or have no experience kayaking, then the laid-back attitude may be disconcerting, but it's definitely the Hawaiian spirit coming through.
This is also one of the few places that let you rent for an afternoon only, and really that's all you need because it's difficult and slow to drive with a big ol' banana kayak on your car rooftop. -
Review from Mochi L.
San Mateo, CA
5/3/2009
We just rented a kayak from Aloha Kayak Co. We got a pretty thorough orientation about how to load the kayak into the waters and about how to get the kayak on and off the rental car. There were some small details though that were left out of the instructions... such as to remember to secure all lose items on the kayak in case of capsizing... which we did. We lost our rental snorkel gear and had to pay the price for it.
The owner was pretty sympathetic but couldn't do much to help. We rented the kayak for the day but ended up going back early without much success without the snorkeling gear.
I just think it's awesome to patronize a true local company and am glad to stop by their shop. -
Review from Jan C.
Los Gatos, CA
8/29/2010
We took the tour to the ocean caves and cliff jumping trip. Adam was our guide and he did a great job. My husband and daughter did the jumping and I took photos from my kayak. The surf was a little rough on the day we went but I felt relaxed and that we were with someone who was watching out for our safety. Going into the sea caves was very cool...We also got in some nice snorkeling.
Kayaking is a beautiful way to see the coast as well as get close to the sea life. We were the only ones on the tour so we were able to take as long as we wanted on each activity.
We will do it again on our next visit. I also like that this business is Hawaiian owned. -
Review from Chris T.
Sacramento, CA
6/27/2011
Aloha Kayak Company provided our family one of many highlights of our vacation. The initial contact with the owner (Iwa) was informative, friendly and knowledgeable. He offered assistance and answered questions right away.
On the day of the kayaking and snorkeling, we were outfitted and made ready quickly.
Our guide, John, was more than just a guide. He provided history and local knowledge as we kayaked along the deep blue water. We got a real sense of the respect that the Hawaiian culture has for it's environment. It made the kayaking and surrounding environment more meaningful.
Snorkeling was awesome. John was patient with us especially with a our two boys. He helped them along, but did not baby the kids. They were able to swim, snorkel and take advantage of the crystal clear waters in the bay around the Captain Cook monument. John provided a lot of history about Capt. Cook as well.
Aloha Kayak Company is the way to go when visiting the Big Island. Forget the rest.... just go with Iwa, John, and the rest of the crew at Aloha Kayak Company. -
Review from Eron S.
Los Gatos, CA
3/5/2011
The owner, Iwa, was extremely helpful and thorough in getting us set up for a day of kayaking. His directions and tips were clear and practical. He has great maps, photos and printouts to explain the best kayaking paths, places for putting in, mooring, land explorations, etc. The parking in front of the shop makes for easy pick up and drop off. The shop hours made it easy for us to pick up our kayak early and be on our way. Need a dry bag, snorkel gear, underwater camera, etc? They have it all covered.
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Review from Miss F.
San Francisco, CA
11/11/2011
The best part of this adventure is that it is all adventure and very little drudgery. The owner takes care of everything for you so that you, the customer are free to enjoy the experience without stressing about...how to tie a boat to a rental car...how to find your snorkel spot....what to take...what to wear...how to deal with helpful locals----(Pay them it is cheap and it IS worth it.) He takes care of all of it!! AND he charges less than most other rental outfits in the area.
This guy knows how to run a business. He is also a proud native Hawaiian which is a big plus. I would rather give my money to him than somebody who just came here to make a quick buck. I got tired watching him as he got all of us geared up and oriented and then packed all of our cars at the same time. We were in and out in twenty minutes.
We followed his advice and had a great day on and in the water.
When we were done, the guys on the dock met us and packed us up and we were back to Aloha Kayak in a few minutes.
Upon arrival the owner unloaded our gear, hosed it off AND rinsed off our car!!
Did I mention Bulldozer the rock chewing people loving dog?
We saw dolphins, we saw fish and we paddled over a mile each way to the Captain Cook monument!
You too can have a great day if you...
GO TO ALOHA KAYAK. -
Review from Whitney M.
Logan, UT
Updated - 8/2/2010 2 photos
Great service. They were very helpful, organized and patient with our large group renting kayaks for the day. Gave us all the information we needed for a full day of fun.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/2/2010
Good pricing. Great service. Great local knowledge.Took multiple calls to answer questions as I was… Read more »
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Review from Dori L.
Fresno, CA
6/10/2011
This company had well priced kayaks and great service when we went in to pick up our kayaks. Local who owns it, was super nice & friendly(just like his dog!), & my husband & I were glad to support a local business. Ewi (the owner) also took the time to explain hoe to get to a gret spot, how to get in and out of the water, & other different knowledge tips We had a great time & if we are back on this island, we will rent from Aloha Kayak again.
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Review from Jayme M.
Honolulu, HI
12/17/2010
this place was great. the guy was really nice and informative, told us about which spots were good and which weren't. and after when we got back they even washed our car for free. if you ever go kayaking this is the place to rent.
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Review from Sherry T.
Mililani, HI
6/22/2010
great experience!!! if you're coming from Kona this is the first kayak place you'll see on the right hand side. if you're kamaiiana, make sure you ask for the kamaiiana price. even if you're not kamaaina i found that the prices are very reasonable. The guys there are very helpful and very nice. The owner's name is Iwa and there was another dude there that showed us this baby gecko....cutest thing! we reserved a 3 man kayak but since I was worried about capsizing, he recommended a 2 man and a 1 man for the same price. I was hesitant since I would be the one kayaking alone, but he assured me that the bay was protected and the short trip to Captain Cook Monument would not be that bad. It was still hard to kayak alone but definitely doable for someone that's not that strong in the arms. oh and this snorkeling spot? WOW!!! that's all i have to say. there are still people down at the dock helping people which was definitely needed b/c there was no way the three of us girls would've ever been able to load and unload the kayaks. anyway, this place comes highly recommended by me.
