- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Kayak Wailua Tours
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Sat. 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
8 reviews for Kayak Wailua Tours
This was a nice surprise. I had looked at a "fancier" outdoor adventure company that charged double the price, and really, the only extra I could see was that they included lunch. Kayak Wailua provided coolers to bring your own food and, in our case, a couple of cans of beer! (Our awesome guide, when asked if we could bring adult beverages replied, "fine with me, as long as you can kayak back.") That said, I wish they would just raise their prices $5 and include the high backed seats for everyone. I don't know anyone who WOULDN'T want to upgrade to those, so it seems silly not to just include it in the cost.
The kayak trip itself is fairly beginner, which is fine for people like me. Don't expect white water rapids; this is a leisurely float down a beautifully calm river. The hike to the waterfall is sort of advanced beginner. I had no problem with it, and did it in water shoes (our guide was barefoot), but I could see it being a little difficult for someone not in great shape. It's steep at times and there are lots of roots and rocks to navigate. The waterfall itself was a beautiful and fun experience. Whether you swim in it or not, it's a nice way to soak in some scenery before the return kayak trip.
Our guide was Tarada and she did a great job. This is a family-run business and I was happy to support it. I'd recommend Kayak Wailua to anyone looking for an inexpensive guided tour in Kauai.
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
o man this tour is so fun! This was also the cheapeast tour i could find, gotta go with the raised seats just 10 bucks extra. Terada our tour guide was so knowledgable about the vegetation and history about the wailua forest. She also was very helpful in taking some awesome pictures of me and my honey posing under
the falls. I got tired during the kayak part though, we were always towards the back. I think my kayak technique is sub-par.
This was fun, I would 3.5 stars if I could though.
Very low overhead costs: you book, pay, and start your kayak/waterfall tour outside the Shell station along the main highway. Girl in a chair with a clipboard, credit card machine, and phone. I wondered how legit it was, but it turned out fine.
We paid about $100 for the two of us to go try to get up the river (we are such crappy kayakers, honestly) and then walk through the forest to the waterfall and back again. Simple, laid back.
You get a kayak lesson, then they drive you to the marina, you get in your kayak, and go where your guide says to paddle to. The walk through the jungle is really nice, but very heavily traveled (you see lots of other tourists along the way). Our guide, Turnada (sp??), talked to us all along the way and told us about all the surrounding plants and the geography and historic usage of the land.
You make your way to the waterfall and cool off (some companies give you lunch here, but this one encourages you to bring your own, good thing because those other companies' sandwiches looked gross anyway). We brought our poke along in a cooler bag and ate on the rocks in front of the waterfall.
There are two cats that live in the jungle/forest here, and we met one. There are also a lot of mosquitoes, so bring your bug spray for sure. I got eaten alive.
Also, be aware that the tip is automatically included in your fee - they don't really say this, they just tell you the total price, so just be aware, unless you are more generous than me and want to give away extra money.
24 hour cancellation policy. And upcharge for a fancy backrest.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
Pretty cool river tour where you get a guide and it's specially priced at $39 a person (about $47 after taxes and tip). It's about a 2.5 mile (5mile roundtrip) kayaking up the wailua river and a mile hike to the wailua falls where you could swim, eat lunch, and hang out under the waterfalls (be careful the water hits you pretty hard!). It was fun and you can go on your own or in a tandem two person kayak (lots of couples on this trip and lots of fighting to go along with it) but fun nonetheless! It's definitely fun even if you'r e not the most active person. the tour is meant to last 4.5 hours, but there's no rush, you cna pace yourself along the river and take breaks as needed =)
*oh, and if you get a coupon outta those guide magazines, its good for one bottle of water for each person in your party. You get coolers and a dry bag for food and clothes but the extra water for free is nice!
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (1)
I am biased... I live in Colorado where kayaking is a little more intense... This was really chill. it is like 5 miles or so round trip... Our Guide was Evan. He was really awesome! He knew lots of history and totally made the trip worth it. We kayed to a little spot and hiked to a waterfall...The Waterfall was awesome!! We ate lunch at the waterfall. Swam a bit and then hiked back to the kayak and kayaked back... Simple and worth it io would say! Ask for Evan!!!
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
Well priced kayak tour with a guide - ours was Danica, who was helpful, cautious & nice. After we called to sign up, we met up on the side of a Shell gas station, next to the bathroom. The girl at the table was completely non-communicative, therefore confusing. She forgot to give us the cooler for water and the dry bag had a hole. Not a good start. In our team, we had a hyper duper kid, who flipped over immediately, a couple with serious tattoos, & a strange old man who also kept flipping over, (poor Danica). It was all good, though, since the river is beautiful. The kayaking is surprisingly do-able even for a non-athlete, ie myself.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
If you want to see what you're missing on the old-folks recreated luau boat trips along with tourist hula lessons, well this is the best way to check it out. While you're having fun gently kayaking along the Wailua river, tourist boats pass by and you can check them out.
Better yet is to enjoy the jungle trees coming down to the water's edge, lunch at the waterfalls, a nice dip in the cool waters, the gentle hike through the woods, and the relaxed pace.
Oh, and if you're luck, you might see U'lu. He's a feral cat that has been basically adopted by a compassionate kayak tour guide who brings him food as she passes through. Although this cat has been on his own for who knows how long, he runs up to meet her and her flock of kayakers, both for a little food and a nice back rub.
One little gotcha - although the tours are advertised at one price, by the time they add on a basically-mandatory gratuity in advance, excise tax, and $5 each for deluxe hi-back seats, the less than $40 outing turns into over $50 each. It's still worth it, but it feels like a rip to see one advertised price and then get something else.
Plan ahead on weather so you are kayaking when it's cooler and calmer. Oh, and bring a hat and sunscreen. (no, I'm not your mom)
Our guide was Danica and she was a good guide. The tour was well priced ($47 after everything). The kayak through the river was not difficult, nor was the hike through the rain forest. The dip at the waterfall was nice. My only complaint is that this is a well worn trail due to all the tourists (I don't mean the forest was worn, but you see a lot of other tourists while en route).
