Had a great time renting kayaks for a half day 12:30-5:30. Called in to make the reservation and…read morestaff was very accommodating. Wes met us at the river and went over very clear instructions and tips. It was great that they included wet bags to store your things. The river itself was beautiful, the waterfall 'hike' is generally very easy with a couple stream and river crossings that are slip hazards but overall not physically strenuous, and the waterfall is beautiful and the pool is swimmable. Plenty of time to check out both arms of the river. **WARNING - DO NOT park in the adjacent thrift store parking lot if the park parking is full. They slapped a huge sticker on our windshield and demanded $25 in payment when we got back to our car despite actually spending some time in the thrift shop and scheduling a donation time.

This one I'm going to have to file under one of the hardest things I've done in my life! But I'm so…read moreproud we accomplished this and did this! So many people talk about kayaking the Wailua River and hiking to Secret Falls. We didn't get a chance to do this on our last trip, but my youngest and I tackled this on this trip! Our guide, Ronda, arrived a couple minutes after our tour start time at 1pm. The morning guide said she'd be along "in island time." Once she got there, she took the time to tell us a little about herself, went around our group and had us each introduce ourselves and share a few words. She took the time to memorize all of our names! She also explained to us as all the other tours were heading out, that she liked to hang back and let everyone go do their thing so we can experience the falls privately as just our group. This girl knows what she's doing! It was about a two mile kayaking journey up the Wailua River with stops intermittently along the way for our "kayak kisses" so Ronda could tell us about the history and other aspects of the island. We were almost in our own little version of Survivor, thinking up ways we could survive out there and what we would need. It was honestly very cool. Once we got the end of the kayaking journey, we were given walking sticks for the moderate 1 mile hike to Secret Falls. There are a couple of areas where you have to cross through water, but nothing higher than the knees, at that time. The hike was beautiful! Ronda pointed out the Hawaiian Woodrose, kukui nuts, which we got to crack open and have a small sample, we washed our hands with awapuhi from the awapuhi plant, etc. it was such a cool adventure. We met the local songbird and dug to find worms for him to eat. He ate right from our hands! He actually landed on my hand and looked at me for a couple seconds! We saw cows on the journey home as well. Secret Falls is amazing. We had a blast swimming around there and resting from the journey. We met a lot of great people in our tour. It was like we all became a little family. We packed up and hiked back to our kayaks and headed back down the Wailua for the journey home. This time the wind was against us, so it was literally like paddling upstream both ways lol! This was such an amazing experience. I'm sure I'm leaving some things out because there was so much! I would say, if you're doing the 1pm tour, don't have any other plans the rest of the day. You don't want to be in a rush to get out of there. Our 5 hour tour ended up being close to 7 hours. It was nice because on the way back the motorized vessels were no longer on the river, so we didn't have to worry about other traffic. I'd also recommend having dinner for that night figured out ahead of time because most places locally close at 8pm. We were able to grab dinner from a spot about 10 minutes prior to their closing. They recommend tennis shoes or hiking boots, but my daughter and I used our water socks/reef shoes and while there were a couple times when we were bouldering I would have liked to have better shoes, ultimately it wasn't an issue. Ronda gives you an opportunity to unplug from the world, get yourself on island time, and take in all the beauty Kauai has to offer. Take it!

We did the tubing adventure. 10/10! Jacob was our guide. Super knowledgeable, super entertaining…read moreand funny. He is a Kauai native so he had endless recommendations for the best of everything on the island from a locals perspective!! (Pricless!) The other 2 young lady float guides were equally as awesome. I was amazed at how they remembered all of our names (and special events we were celebrating!) and kept checking in with us to see if we were all good. The tubing itself was amazing! It's a very invigorating and exciting experience floating threw the canals & tunnels. The tunnels are dark, but you have headlights! However, it did not at any point feel claustrophobic, they are pretty large! It's a 1 of a kind experience. We highly recommend this highly unique to Kauai activity!! We would definitely do this again!!

T is the best guide!! She's funny and informative. My family and I had had an amazing time. Even my…read more8 year old who was initially worried about the activity. We highly recommend and would love to do it again.

Had a great experience here, great service and good quality kayaks! Would definitely recommend…read morerenting from here!

Scotty's Surf was an amazing experience for our family to kayak the Wailua River. The gentleman…read morewho helped us, (Ben's dad), was extremely helpful and kind. What a great man! His information was spot on and easy to follow. We cannot recommend this small business enough and will certainly be back in the future!

Michael was responsive, helpful, had a great vibe. Highly recommend! And his gear was pristine.read more

Michael the owner was fantastic in communicating with me. Every time i needed to ask a question he…read morewas right on the phone responding quickly! That meant a lot to our group. He was also prompt in meeting us at the set appointment time. The kayaks were nice and clean and equipment ready to go on our arrival. He was also very helpful to load our kayaks on our car for us!! Thank you Michael!!

We had a wonderful experience with Kayak Kauai from start to finish. They were extremely…read morecommunicative and supportive during the booking process, answering all of our questions and making everything feel easy and stress-free. In particular, Micco was incredibly helpful and kind, making sure we felt comfortable and well taken care of. The tour itself was peaceful and absolutely beautiful. Paddling along the river was such a calm and scenic experience. We especially loved the winter paddle-only option--it was just right for me and my mom's needs and allowed us to fully enjoy the surroundings at a comfortable pace. This was a perfectly balanced, relaxing experience and one we truly appreciated. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a beautiful and well-organized kayaking experience.

Definitely had a wonderful and great learning experience with Kayak Kauai in December 2023! Steven…read morewas our tour guide and he did such an excellent job in teaching us how to kayak properly as well as going over all the safety rules and helping us out if we ran into trouble along the way. And he helped carry our sandwiches (which are included in the tour price) to the waterfall. We just had to do our part of carrying the drinks, cookie, and chips (also included in the tour price) in our dry bags. Steven also shared a lot of stories and cultural backgrounds about Wailua River and parts of the trail leading up to Secret Falls. We were provided with double-kayaks, and my partner and I were able to get through the somewhat rough stretch of Wailua River, though we often fell behind the others (haha!) but thankfully we did not flip over into the water! It's about 40-45 minutes in each direction and there is a designated section at the trailhead where we will leave our kayaks. Lots of other tour groups and those hiking and paddling independently! It had been a few years since kayaking a longer distance; the last time for me was Flat Island and Mokulua Islands in Kailua on Oahu in January 2017. As for the trail itself, yes it is muddy here and there and can be slippery. Therefore, it is best to use closed-toe water shoes and a hiking stick, as you will have to cross through at least 5 streams along the way and depending on the weather and other factors, the water level can get up to the knees or even waist-high and the currents can be strong too! The wet season is certainly a good time to see Uluwehi Falls (Secret Falls) at its finest! My oh my was it flowing! Lots of other people came to take a dip in the water, and eat their lunch nearby. Be aware, there are lots of feral chickens in the area so you really have to keep an eye on your food, otherwise they will literally steal it if you are not paying attention! When we got back to Kayak Kauai's main offices and store, we all had some delicious pineapple, and definitely much-needed after a long excursion! Overall, this is such a great experience and I would totally recommend it!

I had never kayaked before. Jacob was so patient with us giving instructions while letting us enjoy…read moreourselves. He provided a good amount of information about our surroundings during the hike. He even duh up a worm so that we could hand feed a bird during the hike. Overall it was a fabulous day, we thoroughly enjoyed both the kayak and hike. Jacob was friendly, funny and informative. I would definitely recommend to friends and family.

Call Jacob! He is an amazing guide. We went on a 1 mile kayak trip, hiked for a mile to a waterfall…read morethen hiked back and jumped back in the kayaks. Being on the older side of young he was very patient with us. Would definitely do this again!

We booked this experience with less than 48 hours' notice, which was super convenient. The check-in…read moreprocess was quick and smooth--just arrive at your scheduled time, get ready, and head out. You pull your kayak (on wheels) to the launch site and push off from there; it's definitely doable. We opted to go without a guide and simply followed the provided map, which was very straightforward. However, in my opinion, the activity wasn't worth the price. Paddling two miles each way was pretty strenuous, especially with kids. The hike to Secret Falls was extremely muddy, particularly after rain, and we saw lots of people slipping and falling. It's not a huge problem, but you'll definitely want to plan for a shower afterwards. They do provide a large wet bag, but ours smelled strongly of body odor from repeated use without proper cleaning--definitely unpleasant. If I could do it over again, I would have canceled and just explored the state park on foot. For the amount of effort required, I felt the experience was overpriced.

We did the Guided Wailua River "Secret Fall" Adventure with Wailua Kayak & Canoe, and it was an…read moreabsolute blast! The scenery along the river and hike was stunning, and the whole experience felt like the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Our guide, Michael, really made the trip special. He shared so much interesting information about the river, the history of the area, the plants, and the wildlife--and kept us laughing the whole way with his endless supply of dad jokes (now upgraded with 10% more!). If you're looking for a unique way to experience the natural beauty of Kauai, this tour is it. Come for the adventure, stay for Michael's humor. Highly recommended!

If you want to enjoy a water activity that doesn't involve the ocean, then Wailua River is your…read morejam. Next time we visit, we plan to rent kayaks and navigate this river either in a tour or on our own. There's so much to see and explore along this river. It's so lush and beautiful! We took the Smith's guided tour this time up to Fern Grotto and it was awesome!

If you're vacationing in Kauai, Wailua River is the place to visit. My best friend booked an…read moreexcursion for us ladies here to do some kayaking and hiking for the afternoon. It was about 5 and half hours long but so worth it. First you check in, listen to the tour guides instructions and then head out to the river. There was us 3 and several other groups that did this tour. We didn't know what to expect but that's what made this tour so fun! As soon as we unloaded the bus we parked our kayaks, packed up our belongings in water proof bags and set sail. Haha! If you're not a swimmer, they do provide life jackets. We kayaked along the River for about 45 minutes and then parked next to the hiking trail. Hiking sandals are a must need for this excursion by the way. I made the mistake of wearing hiking shoes which got all messed up in the mud. Yes, folks! When I say there is mud, be prepared to get your clothes wet and muddy. There is a part during the rocky hike where you will need to walk in the river waist deep to get to the other side. If you're not a strong hiker, a walking stick will help you keep your balance. I've seen a few people fall from the slippery rocks so make sure to keep a steady pace. With that in mind, you'll make your way to the beautiful waterfall that awaits you at the end. Picture worthy! For those who've never been here before, keep in mind of the time you'll spend here. As I mentioned earlier, it was about 5 and half hours long from start to finish. Kayaking there takes almost an hour. Hiking takes just as long. With all the slippery rocks and the mud, please don't wear your Sundays best. You will get dirty! Bring lots of water to stay hydrated and some snacks and a light lunch to keep your energy up. You will get tired hiking and kayaking back to base camp. Overall, this experience was pretty awesome! Definitely made some memories here that my friends and I will share forever.

One of the best things we did on Kauai. Very happy we did this with KA. The kayak was peaceful, the…read morehike was very pleasant, but the waterfall was something else. Our guide Ty was extra friendly and informative throughout the trip. The guide you always want on any trip to make it special. Note the paddle back is into the wind, so be sure to save some energy for that.

Shoutout Levi! He was an amazing tour guide, singer and storyteller. Appreciated the thoughtfulness…read moreof the tour. Had a blast! Would recommend water shoes over hiking boots/shoes as there's lots of walking in the stream. Liked the 8:45am start as you get to the waterfall right at lunch and get back with a decent amount of time to recover the remainder of the day. Liked the snacks and gear they provided. They do have some available for additional purchase like waterproof pouches, shoes, etc. Hydrate and prep for this tour! This journey is not a simple "walk in the park," but would recommend to anyone looking for a memorable adventure.

On May 5, 2026 my husband and I went on a Kayaking adventure with Ali'i Kayaks in Wailua, Kauai…read more This was our first kayaking experience and it did not disappoint! Our guide for the day was "K-man". He was awesome! He had a great personality, was very knowledgeable and was funny. He was also great with names; he remembered everyone's, and he made it a point to make conversation with everyone single one of us. Our adventure started off by meeting at the office/pick up location. Then we loaded up into a van and made the short drive to the slipway. There we selected kayaks and were given oars and life jackets. Once we got situated, we hit the water. The weather that day was perfect; the sun was out with some clouds, and there was a light, constant breeze. Our journey on the water was a beautiful one. The water was cool, the scenery was green. I'll admit, the kayaking distance was a bit challenging. Maybe a bit more so as my husband and I are competitive and we were nearly racing with another couple. LOL! Once we reached shore, we gathered up and made our way to the hiking path. Honestly, the hike itself is not hard, with the exception of a few spots that may require teamwork/assistance. (**READ TIPS BELOW) Once we reached the waterfall, most of us went into the water. We stayed there for about 20-30 minutes. Our guide never rushed us. He sat back and let us enjoy ourselves. It was only when we all gathered up again that we headed back, same hike in reverse back to the kayaks. Once in the kayaks it was the same way back as well. The scenery was VERY beautiful. Several pictures were taken. Overall we had a great day. We would definitely recommend to anyone who has never been to Kauai and to anyone who is interested in being surrounded by beautiful scenery. TIPS: - [ ] Wear good shoes! The terrain can be unstable due to river rocks, tree roots, mud, and uneven ground. Your feet WILL get soaked and the ground is unstable. My husband and I both opted to wear sneakers that we were ready to retire. When we were done we threw them away. Another couple wore aqua shoes and they said they were extremely uncomfortable: good for water, bad for the rough terrain. Another couple wore brand new hiking boots and they became water logged. - [ ] Wear sunscreen!! Even if it's overcast, the harsh island sun will magnify through the clouds. - [ ] Sunglasses and a hat/visor is a wise choice. **if you wear a hat or visor, it may create a blind spot. Keep your head up! One person in our group hit their head twice on the same tree branch! - [ ] Wear clothing you can get wet. You will get wet from the waist down from the kayaking and hike. - [ ] Wear swimwear underneath your clothing. When you get to the waterfall, there is a pool of water you are able to swim in. - [ ] Bring a backpack/secure bag with water and snacks! You will need it! - [ ] Bring towels and leave them in the car. At the end of the day, when stripping off your wet shoes and socks the towels come in handy. *** For reference, our groups ages ranged from 52 to approximately early 70's.

What an adventure we had!! Definitely a must do while on the island. The kayak and hiking trip was…read moreso much fun for our entire family. Our guide was Kamen aka K-man. Such a great guy with a wealth of knowledge about the land. He was very personable and made sure everyone was included in the Q & A sessions he gave throughout the tour. He had so much energy and really is a great asset to the tour company. We will absolutely come back again and ask for Kamen. The tour was a good 4-5 hours long. The things we were able to see on our hike were worth every dime spent. It was fun paddling on the river, slipping through the mud, hike up to the gorgeous waterfall. This is not something I would do with my parents who are elderly. I think the rowing alone would have worn them out. But it's the perfect trip for families with young kids. Thank you Ali'i Kayaks for a wonderful experience!