Day trip Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River boat

One island to another in a single day, with the flights and the itinerary already locked in

This all-inclusive day trip from Oahu to Kauai combines roundtrip interisland airfare, ground transport, a guided sightseeing tour, and lunch into one package, so you arrive and the day unfolds without planning. You'll cruise the Wailua River by open-air boat to Fern Grotto, see Opaekaa Falls and Spouting Horn, tour Waimea Canyon (nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific), and visit Kauai Coffee Estate. The 14-hour experience includes an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Island tour of Kauai highlights

• Fly from Oahu to Kauai
• Boat cruise down Wailua River
• Visit Fern Grotto and listen to Hawaiian Wedding Song
• See Opaekaa Falls waterfall
• Lunch in Old Koloa Town
• View Spouting Horn blowhole
• Stop at Pu‘uhinahina Lookout for Waimea Canyon views
• Visit Kauai Coffee Estate and sample coffee
• Return to Lihue Airport and fly back to Oahu

The Experience

The day starts with a roundtrip flight from Oahu to Kauai's Lihue Airport, where ground transport meets you and carries you through the island's main stops. You don't book the flights separately or worry about timing—the tour operator handles both the airfare and the connection, so you step off the plane and the itinerary begins.

The centerpiece is a boat ride down the Wailua River in an open-air vessel, where the captain shares stories of ancient Hawaiian temples that once lined the banks. The river narrows as you approach Fern Grotto, a cavern carved into the mountainside and draped in Boston Ferns; the boat stops there and you hear the Hawaiian Wedding Song echoing off the rock. From the water you'll also see Opaekaa Falls, a 151-foot cascade dropping into a hidden pool. After lunch on your own in Old Koloa Town, the tour moves to Waimea Canyon, where lookout points reveal the deep red cliffs and green gorges Mark Twain called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. You'll finish at Spouting Horn, where waves crash through lava rock and send arcs of salt water into the air—one of Kauai's most photographed sites. A stop at Kauai Coffee Estate, the largest coffee farm in the United States, rounds out the day with a sample of the island's famous brew.

The entire route is covered in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver and guide. Because the flights, transport, and sightseeing are bundled, the day holds together without gaps or decisions—you're moving between stops on a fixed schedule, which is what makes a full island tour possible in 14 hours.

What’s included

• Roundtrip interisland airfare from Oahu to Kauai.
• ground transport from Lihue Airport and throughout the island.
• open-air boat ride down Wailua River to Fern Grotto.
• stops at Opaekaa Falls, Spouting Horn, Waimea Canyon and Kauai Coffee Estate.
• professional driver and English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all land travel.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Polynesian Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want airfare, airport transfers, and a guided land tour bundled together—choose a self-guided rental if you'd rather explore Kauai independently after arriving.

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Top questions

Can I do a day trip to Kauai from Oahu without renting a car?

Yes. This tour includes roundtrip interisland airfare from Oahu, ground transport from Lihue Airport, and an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver for all sightseeing stops, so you don't need to arrange or drive anything yourself.

What is Fern Grotto and what happens when the boat gets there?

Fern Grotto is a cavern carved into the mountainside along the Wailua River, its roof draped in Boston Ferns. The open-air boat ride down the river ends at the grotto, where you hear the Hawaiian Wedding Song performed as part of the stop.

Is lunch included in the day trip price?

Lunch is on your own in historic Old Koloa Town, where you'll have time to eat surrounded by the town's charming atmosphere. The tour covers airfare, transport, guide services and sightseeing stops, but you choose and pay for your meal.

What is Waimea Canyon like, and why is it called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific?

Waimea Canyon is a deep valley with striking red soil, green gorges and layered cliffs. Mark Twain described it as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific for its scale and color. The tour stops at lookout points on the ascent so you can view the panorama from multiple angles.

How long is the entire day trip, and what time does it start?

The full experience is 14 hours from start to finish. It begins with your roundtrip flight from Oahu to Kauai, so the departure time depends on the flight schedule, which the operator confirms at booking.

Do I need a passport or special ID to fly between Oahu and Kauai?

A valid government-issued photo ID is required. U.S. citizens can use a driver's license or passport; non-U.S. citizens must bring a passport. The name on your ID must match exactly what you entered at booking—this is a TSA and FAA requirement with no exceptions.