Kayak tours in Kauai

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.

Wailua means ‘two waters,’ and the Wailua River area was known to be one of the largest ahupu’a (land divisions) on Kauai.  It was very much one of the primary religious and political centers of the island.  The 2800-acre Great Sacred Wailua area was chosen for its royal purpose due to its access to nearby marine resources, excellent canoe landings and moorings, as well as the fertile land for agricultural purposes.  The region was named Wailuanuiaho’ano (the Great Sacred Wailua of the chief Ho’ano) and extended all the way from the ocean at Wailua Bay to the high mountain ridges of Kalepa and Nounou.  Wailuanuiaho’ano was a great chief who lived in the 14th century AD.  Centuries later, King Kaumuali’i, who was the last King of Kauai before the island were unified during King Kamehameha I’s reign, favored the Wailua area and preferred to reside there.

The Hawaiian Ali’i were the ruling high chiefs of the islands, who governed the land.  Ali’i was name given to the original Tahitian islanders who conquered the Hawaiian Islands in the mid to late 13th century AD.  Later, after mixing of bloodlines, the term ali’i was used to describe anyone of the ruling class.  This elite class of people ruled until 1893 when the last queen of the dynasty – Queen Lili’uokalani – was overthrown by the United States government.

The legacy of the Ali’i still stands today and can be observed in the seven important sacred sites that are dotted along the Wailua River, all the way from the mouth of the river at Lydgate Park, to the summit of Mt Wai’ale’ale, the second highest mountain in Kauai and one of the wettest spots on earth.   These sites are actually aligned from the shoreline to essentially the top of the island for spiritual purposes, and they include the remains of various structures that contain a great deal of history and significance.  They include heiau (places of worship), pu’uhonua (places of refuge) and birthing sites.  In ancient times, chiefs would travel through thick groves of lehua, koa and sandalwood trees to access the heiaus.

>The first site of significance is Hikinaakala Heiau, (which means Rising of the Sun) built approximately 1,200 years ago at the river mouth of what is today called Lydgate Park.  It is said to be located at the exact point where sunlight first touches the eastern shore of the island every morning.  It was also oriented to the North Star.  The walls of the heiau were once 6 feet high and 11 feet wide.  This Heiau includes the Hauola place of refuge, which can be likened to the purpose of a jail where people who broke a kapu (law) would be sent to find refuge from being killed which was the likely outcome of such an act.  They were allowed to leave when they took responsibility for their actions.  Fascinating Ki’I Pohaku (ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs) can also be found at the mouth of the river near the heiau.

The Kukui heiau is also a cultural site that is a part of Wailuanuiaho’ano.  It is situated across the rivermouth from Hauola, at Alakukua Point.  Apparently it was a navigational heiau – oral traditions indicate that the site served Polynesian navigators on canoe voyages to and from Kauai.

Slip into Hanalei River from our own private dock. We will head down stream sharing history of the Hanalei river & getting comfortable in our kayaks before heading out into Hanalei Bay where we spend the majority of our time. There we check out our Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Honu) before heading over to the beach where we will land our kayaks and take everyone out snorkeling (45 mins). Guides will share modern day reef ecology and point out what to look for while snorkeling. After snorkeling we provide a full deli style lunch, sit, hang out, & answer any questions you may have about our island. Our guides are born and raised here and take pride in sharing their island knowledge. This tour has an 8am check in time and runs from 8:30am-1pm. We will fit you for snorkel gear (you are welcome to bring your own full set of gear or a full set will be provided(no mix & match of gear)

The wetlands of Hanalei Bay were used to grow taro by ancient Hawaiians. By the 1860s, the new crop was rice, which was shipped to Honolulu to become the second largest export crop of the islands. The Hanalei Pier was built to help Hanalei farmers move their crops to market.

It has gained notoriety in recent years after being featured in the movie The Descendants, starring George Clooney. As early as the 1950s, Hollywood began to frequent Hanalei and the remote landscapes of the north shore of Kauai.

Uluwehi Falls, located in the lush Wailua River Basin, is often referred to as Secret Falls; however, thanks to its relatively easy access and stunning beauty there isn’t even a modicum of “secret” left here. That said, Uluwehi Falls deserves a stop on your Kauai must-see waterfalls list.   

Accessing Uluwehi Falls is best done via guided tour. Generally, tours include a 45-minute kayak up the river, followed by a 20-minute trek through the lush rainforest along the floor of the Wailua River Valley. Then you can enjoy a refreshing swim and a snack at the falls. Several tour companies offer guided tours of Uluwehi Falls and kayak rentals are also widely available. We recommend Kayak Kauai for the best guided kayak experience.  

. 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 ON YOUR TREK TO THE WATERFALL. AND KEEP IN MIND YOU WILL CROSS THEM ON THE TREK BACK AS WELL. FOOTWEAR IS COMPLETELY SUBMERGED IN WATER DURING YOUR ADVENTURE. Bring Closed Toed Shoes / Reef shoes / Teeva Style Sandals