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Secret Falls Kauai: 4-Mile Kayak & Waterfall Swim

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/12

Duration5h–6h

GroupUp to 24

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Four miles paddling, three miles hiking, one 110-foot waterfall swim

You paddle 4 miles up the Wailua River hearing the history of the first Hawaiian settlement, then hike 3 miles round-trip through rainforest to a 110-foot waterfall where you swim and eat lunch. The kayak, paddles, dry bag, and meal are included; you bring hiking shoes and a high level of fitness. Plan for a full physical day — that's what makes reaching the falls possible.

5h–6h

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak and hike to Secret Falls

Paddle 4 miles on Wailua River
Hike 1.5 miles through rain forest
Swim at Secret (Uluwehi) Falls
Enjoy lunch at waterfall
Hike 1.5 miles back to kayak

The Experience

"You're going to feel the current change when we get close to the falls," our guide said before we pushed off, and he was right — the water shifted under the kayak about halfway through the 2-mile paddle upriver. The Wailua River is where the first Hawaiians landed almost 1500 years ago after paddling 1500 miles from the Marquesas, and the guides at Rainbow Kayak Tours, who've been running these trips for 20 years, know the stories and the landscape like they live it. We heard about the flora, the sacred sites, and the history layered into every bend of the water.

After we beached the kayaks, the real work started: a 1.5-mile hike through the rainforest to Secret Falls, also called Uluwehi Falls. The trail is not manicured — there are four river crossings with loose rocks underfoot, unpaved sections, and one 25-foot climb up a root-and-rock embankment that's wet and slippery. Hiking sandals or proper shoes are non-negotiable; flip-flops will not cut it. The conditions shift with the weather, so what's passable one day might be trickier the next, but the guides read the terrain and move at a pace that works. When we reached the waterfall — 110 feet of water dropping into a pool — the hike made sense. We swam, the guides handed out a fresh handmade turkey sandwich and fruit, and we sat in the spray for a while before heading back down.

The return is the same 1.5 miles out, which means your legs know it by then. The whole day is a full commitment: you're paddling, hiking, climbing, and crossing water. Rainbow Kayak Tours includes the tandem kayaks, paddles, dry bags, and lunch, so you're not arranging those pieces. The State of Hawaii charges a $5 per-person non-resident fee at Wailua Marina, which you pay by card at entry. If you have any recent surgeries, joint issues, or cardiovascular concerns, this tour will ask more of your body than you should give it — the company is clear about that, and they mean it.

What’s included

Your day includes tandem kayaks, paddles, back rests, and dry bags for the paddle.
Lunch is a fresh handmade turkey sandwich, fruit, and water.
The guide provides the history, flora and fauna knowledge, and route navigation.
Vegetarian and gluten-free meals can be arranged with 48 hours' notice.
You are responsible for bringing proper hiking footwear and a high level of physical fitness.

Good to know

Demanding physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Rainbow Kayak Tours

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want a full-day river and rainforest experience on Kauai with a guide who knows the Hawaiian history and can navigate the terrain safely. Expect a physically demanding day — the 4-mile paddle, 3-mile hike with river crossings and a steep climb, and swimming are what make reaching a 110-foot waterfall possible.