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 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!

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!

We came during off season in mid-January. It was cloudy and sunny, and there were no bugs. We took…read morethe 9:00a to 2:00pm tour. I think we got back to the retrieve our belongings at 1:30p. Our guide Kyle was amazing! Since it was off season, he took about 8 persons, 2 tandam kayaks. One guide can take 12 persons maximum. It was great that our group was smaller. The Wailua River is really serene and calm, so both persons forward paddle, versus the back person back paddling in more rapids like Colorado or Sacramento River. We paddled 1 mile to the hiking, and 1 mile back. My arms were a little sore afterwards. The highlight is the hike to the water fall, which is about 0.2 mi in, 0.2 mi out, however it took about 30-40 min one way. Some areas are bush whacking, river crossing (bring water shoes like Teva), some very muddy so you have to slow down, some have wood planks built. When you the to the waterfall, it is gorgeous, and we packed our own lunch to enjoy for about 30-40 minutes at the falls. There were no bugs as we went in mid-January. Morning tours are more cold, so bring a light wind jacket or rain jacket. Afternoon tours are warmer, but you risk having bugs and sunburn. Our guide Kyle, has been feeding this bird along the hiking path for 8 years. He is tame and will come for photos. I'm a bird feeder and watcher, so major kudos to Kyle! The scenery of the hike and kayak trip was surreal and will blow your mind. The photos don't do it justice. You will take a van from kayak launch at Wailua River about 3 minutes back to base camp. Kayak Wailua provides you a water proof bag for your belongings, and a cooler bag for your lunch. They also have a locker for other stuff you don't want to bring along. I love this alot, and the tamed wild bird was the big plus!

This was a last minute adventure and boy am I glad we did it! We had an afternoon tour with…read moreMichayla. Butchered her name I am sure but there's Y somewhere ;) she's hilarious and very knowledgeable. 'Hele on to kauai' is in repeat because of her. We enjoyed it so much! Hike to the water falls was fun. Water was super cold, but we wear about go under the falls which was fun. Wear water shoes with nice grip. Wear insect repellent, coz something definitely bit me. Wear sunscreen!!

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!!

To kayak up the Wailua River in order to see Secret Falls, I rented two double kayaks from KWA. For…read more$110/double kayak, you get the paddles, seats, a small dry bag, instructions on how to load the two kayaks on the roof with pads for the car and tie-down straps and a map of the route from 8am - 5pm. Initially, the process seemed complex: 1) arrive at the scenic outlook, 2) call KWA for approval to get kayak, 3) go to house to get kayaks, 4) learn how to load kayaks, install seats, etc. and 5) go to the launch point on the Wailua River, 6) do the opposite upon return. However, once you book, you not only receive all the instructions, which are very clear, but KWA will text you to confirm rentals, Waivers forms for each guest and a reminder so you don't forget. Ka'iulani from KWA was friendly and patient.

Kai and Steven are incredible and provided everything we needed for an amazing day on the river!…read moreThank you!

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.

My 11 year old son and I took the 830am zip line trip with Ryker and Eli. They were both so…read morehelpful through all the logistics. They supported us through any nervousness. They shared facts about the ranch property. Both were absolutely lovely. We had a terrific time with them.

My wife and I took our two teenage daughters on the 3-hour zipline tour with Outfitters Kauai, and…read moreit was hands-down one of the best and safest family adventure experiences we've ever had. We'd never done anything like this before, but from the moment we arrived, the team made us feel completely at ease. During our tour, the guides mentioned that the same company that designs ski lifts across the country engineered their zip lines -- that alone boosted our confidence in the safety and professionalism of the entire setup. You can tell they take their safety protocols seriously, without sacrificing any of the fun. The tour includes five incredible zip lines with breathtaking views -- you're literally flying across the same backdrops used in movies like Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones. It's unreal. One of the highlights was the 25-foot-deep swimming hole, complete with a mini zip line that lets you zip and splash right into the water. Our daughters loved it, and honestly, so did we! A massive shoutout to our guides -- Julia, Zeek, and Ryker. They were fun, knowledgeable, and created a super positive, relaxed environment that made the entire experience unforgettable. If you're visiting Kauai and want something adventurous, beautiful, safe, and genuinely memorable, I highly recommend Outfitters Kauai. We'll be talking about this day for years.

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!

Trey our tour guide was fantastic! He knew so much about the Hawaiian culture and the history of…read morethe land. He made me realize how important it is to preserve our land and country. The waterfall was amazing and the kayaking and hiking were awesome. Incredible views!!

12.01.25 - Our kayak tour to Secret Falls was absolutely incredible! Our guide, LEVI B., who was…read morethe best--knowledgeable, funny, and even played beautiful music on his ukulele along the way. My sister and I felt like we were on a true VIP adventure from start to finish. An unforgettable experience and highly recommended!