USA » Hawaii » Kauai | 🏛 Kayaking Tour Kauai

Kauai: Wailua River Kayak Rental & Secret Falls Hike

Free cancellation

1/12

Duration1d

Mobile ticketAccepted

Paddle to Secret Falls: Kauai's Wailua River at Your Own Pace

You paddle Kauai's only navigable river on your own schedule, with equipment and loading help included; hike through jungle to Secret Falls and swim in the pool; transport the kayak on your car with assistance from the shop located just two minutes from the launch point; and spend four to five hours exploring at whatever pace suits you, with no guide or group to keep up with.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak Wailua River and visit Secret Falls

Pick up kayak rental equipment
Load kayak onto vehicle with assistance
Drive 2 minutes to river launch point
Receive quick orientation and safety tips
Paddle along calm Wailua River
Hike through jungle to Secret Falls
Swim and relax at Secret Falls
Return by paddling back to launch point

The Experience

Picture this: a narrow kayak cutting through dark water, jungle walls rising on both sides, the sound of the paddle the only thing between you and the river. That's the Wailua River on Kauai—the only navigable river in Hawaii—and it's waiting for you to move through it at whatever speed feels right. The rental shop sits just two minutes from the launch point, which means you load your kayak, get a quick orientation, and you're on the water before the morning gets crowded. They handle the loading assistance, walk you through the basics, and then it's yours: four to five hours to paddle, explore, and find your rhythm.

The real draw is the hike to Secret Falls. After paddling the calm stretch of river, you beach the kayak and walk into the jungle—lush, green, dripping. The trail isn't long, but it's real jungle, and when you reach the falls, there's a pool deep enough to swim in. People sit under the spray, float on their backs, or just stand there letting the water run over them. It's the kind of moment that feels private even when you're not alone. You set the pace the whole way—no guide narrating, no group waiting for stragglers, no schedule except the one you make.

The logistics are straightforward because the outfit is local and licensed. You transport the kayak on your own car (they help you rig it, and it works with most vehicles), and they provide everything else: the kayak itself, life vest, dry bag, and the knowledge to feel confident before you push off. There's a small state park entrance fee for non-residents, but that's separate from the rental. If you're booking a double kayak, you buy two tickets—one per person. The age range is 12 to 70, and they're clear about what they need from you: moderate fitness, a willingness to paddle, and no serious spinal or cardiovascular concerns. It's self-guided, which means you're not following a guide's pace or listening to a script, but you're also not figuring it out alone—the staff sets you up to succeed.

Book early if you can, especially in high season. The shop fills up, and since you're controlling your own departure time, an early slot means you hit the river before the afternoon heat settles in. Bring water, sunscreen, and a camera in that dry bag. The Wailua River doesn't require a tour operator's permission to move through it at your own pace—that freedom is the whole point.

What’s included

Single or double kayak.
life vest.
dry bag.
equipment to transport kayak on your car.
loading assistance.
expert instruction and orientation before launch.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Kauai SUP

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to explore Kauai's river and waterfall without a guide dictating the pace—you control the timing and rhythm, and the shop handles the logistics so you don't have to arrange transport or worry about equipment.