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    Kayak Hanalei

    4.4 (321 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

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    Path into the river
    Darren O.

    Fantastic trip down the river to the beach with an excellent guide. Would not have tried to go on the open ocean without someone who knew the ropes. Had a great time snorkeling at Hideways Beach. Highly recommend this adventure if you're looking for something more than just a typical snorkel outing. Trip was very well organized with all the gear needed plus lunch. Felt safe the whole time. Pro tip. Don't forget to apply your reef safe sunscreen to your shins. Who knew that's the spot that burns.

    Up river
    James K.

    We've kayaked the river a few times now and it's always a fun time. Kayak Hanalei is great! They're right on the water so it's easy to park and launch. The staff is great...super friendly and helpful. Always bring the aloha! You can paddle up river or down river from launch...or both! I love spotting the freshwater turtles. They're all over if you keep your eyes peeled.

    Tommy T.

    Loved the kayak adventure without the guide. Went up the river and got to see a lot of turtles. It takes about 1 1/2 hours to go upstream and the return is about an hour because you are going with the flow. Very tranquil and beautiful to see nature a long the way. The staff are helpful and the equipment is clean. They have nearby changing and restrooms. You can rent waterproof dry bags to store your items while on the kayak. They have plenty of free parking and there are many eateries within walking distance. Definitely worth the hour drive from airport area.

    seriously the highlight of my trip to kauai. started off the morning with some sprinkles, but once we made it to the beach and started snorkeling, it was magic. saw so many turtles and fish! they provide everything, snacks, lunch, live ukulele music, and amazing vibes! learned so much about the island and the nature and so glad i did this. gabe and kolo (hope i spelled that right) were awesome! 100/10

    $50 for a single kayak for ALL DAY is a deal you can't find anywhere else on the island. Being able to go up the river or down to the beach offers lots to do. Gorgeous nature to see and lush jungle to enjoy. The staff were all very nice and helpful. This place is also located next to an amazing coff shop, Wishing Well, which is a must do pit stop before or after. Would 100% do this again!

    Chauncey G.

    There are few adventures more quietly spectacular than a slow paddle through the Hanalei River. No engine. No urgency. Just the hush of the water, the flutter of wings overhead, and the occasional splash from a startled turtle or a curious fish breaking the surface. We rented our kayaks from Kayak Hanalei, a cheerful outpost just off the road, where the sand meets the green. The process was easy. The gear? Solid. The staff? Efficient, friendly, and knowledgeable. And so we set off. I had my daughter in my kayak. My wife paddled with our son. We glided upriver beneath a cathedral of jungle greens, as egrets stood like statues on the banks and the mountains watched from a respectful distance. We passed under vines, through reeds, alongside fish that seemed as curious about us as we were about them. We stopped mid-river to float and share snacks--tropical trail mix, laughter, and the sort of quiet that settles into memory. At some point, the children--sweaty, sunscreen-slicked and sun-kissed--wanted to switch. My son wanted to ride with me. My daughter with her mom. A simple request. A poetic moment. The kind of spontaneous decision that turns a great day into a legendary one. So we turned back toward the docks. And that's when it happened. A gentle but firm reminder from the staff: no switching boats. Against the rules. Liability. Policy. The kind of modern phrase that always feels like a door closing. And so, with a sigh, we ended the trip early. Now let me be clear--Kayak Hanalei is wonderful. The equipment, the setting, the ease of it all. I'd return in a heartbeat. But I can't help but wonder how much more magical it could be without such rigid rules. When you're floating through paradise, surrounded by birdsong and laughter, the last thing you want is bureaucracy in a life vest. Still, the memory remains--a river, a family, a kayak, and a day that almost reached perfection. Almost.

    Tian D.

    We loved our experience with Kayak Hanalei! Our guild is Kolo, he is great, he very knowledgeable, kind and lot of fun. He picked papayas and avocados to pair with our lunch, and at lunch he played ukulele at the beach for us. It was so perfect! Definitely need to check this place out when you are in Kauai!

    Kayaking in Hanalei Bay
    Holley Janae P.

    While visiting in Hanalei, my family and I took a kayak tour with Kayak Hanalei. Our tour lasted 3-4 hours and took us down the Hanalei River to Hanalei Bay. Along the way, we spotted many sea turtles floating along the river. Once in the bay, we snorkeled and eat local snacks. Our guides were incredibly friendly and informative. It made for a great afternoon and family outing!

    Kristin M.

    Amazing trip down the river to Hanalei Bay for sea kayaking and snorkeling. A million fish and sea turtles everywhere. Our guide Gabriel was super knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, and history of the area as well as adept at managing a group of novice kayakers and snorkelers. The gorgeous back drop of beautiful Hanalei bay made the trip even more wonderful.

    Map
    Gina L.

    Rented 3 single kayaks for a self-guided tour of both the nature + ocean. We were nervous about them running out of kayaks because it's first come first serve, but they had plenty to spare. However, a benefit of visiting earlier is the beat the afternoon fog, which may cover up the beautiful mountains and scenery during your ride. On the nature side of the river, you see plenty of trees (including coconut and banana), birds here and there, and beautiful views of the mountains. The turnaround point is a very obvious orange pipe that you will not miss. On the ocean side, you can kayak where the river meets the ocean, dock, and snorkel for a bit. It took us about 3.5+ hours to kayak all of it, with a few min spent hanging out at the beach. Unfortunately, we did not have our snorkeling gear, but if done again, we would have brought the gear, docked our kayaks, and snorkelled a little before returning. Definitely bring snacks because you'll need to replenish energy during the ride!

    Beautiful waters and experience!
    Emily A.

    We had the best time and a great guide with Gabe! Highly recommend this. Best snorkeling

    They even allowed my dog!

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    10 months ago

    Guide Kolo was great! Knowledgable and personable. He even played ukele and sang. Fun Hawaiian adventure

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    2 years ago

    Amazing time on the river. Really friendly and easy to get in and out of the water. Two double kayaks for a family of four.

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    Eating fresh Papaya & Hibiscus plants brought the true culture full circle, our guide was the best!

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Kayak Hanalei

    Review Highlights - Kayak Hanalei

    Kayak Hanalei offered a really fun, physical, beautiful and informative experience- our tour guide was Kolo.

    Mentioned in 58 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Na Pali Pirates

    Na Pali Pirates

    5.0
    (119 reviews)
    21.6 mi

    Without a doubt, the best experience I've had on the island. It was a blast from start to finish…read more If you're more into adventure and thrill, this is the ticket. They take you into caves and aren't afraid to squeeze in. What we didn't expect, getting MAJA island stories and information while the captain/DJ plays some great music and choreographed movie scores to go with the vibes. We met hundreds of SPINNA dolphins and during the one hour snorkel stop, we were escorted by a beautiful Honu across the reef. The wife and I talk about this trip all the time. The jokes and good conversations are something to remember from the staff as well.

    Easily One of the Best Experiences of My Life - 10/10 Would Do Again…read more If you're debating whether or not to book with Nā Pali Pirates, just do it. Hands down one of the coolest things I've ever done. Captain Dom was the perfect mix of chill, knowledgeable, and safety-conscious--dude knew exactly how to handle the boat, even when we got up close and personal with some pretty intense waves near the cliffs and caves. And Chaz? Absolute legend. Kept the vibes light with some solid (and delightfully cheesy) jokes, plus he snapped a ton of pics so we could actually enjoy the moment without worrying about our phones. But the real highlights? Getting insanely close to the cliffs and feeling the sheer power of the ocean, then just floating out in the middle of nowhere, taking it all in. Oh, and did I mention we saw THREE whale breaches and a bunch of dolphins? Unreal. If you're on the fence, take this as your sign to book it. Zero regrets, just pure adventure.

    Photos
    Deep in Pirates cave!
    Deep in Pirates cave!
    Na Pali Pirates
    Jumping off the bow in front of Kalalau.

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    Jumping off the bow in front of Kalalau.
    Holoholo Charters

    Holoholo Charters

    4.7
    (1.2k reviews)
    21.8 mi
    Locally owned & operated
    25 years in business

    Holoholo charters was my 8 year olds, and mines, most memorable and adventurous activity on…read moreKawaii!!! The boat, the crew and the Captain, took us on one hell of an adventure! If you're looking for some of the best snorkeling on Kawaii and a great trip, I highly recommend, Holoholo charters all day adventure!!!

    The sunset cruise with Holo Holo Charters down the Nāpali Coast was an unforgettable experience. We…read morebooked it to celebrate my husband's 40th birthday, and it was perfect from start to finish. Captain Max was incredible--his sense of humor kept us laughing even as the rain and mist rolled in. The two women on the crew (I wish I could remember their names) were fantastic, making sure everyone was comfortable and answering all our questions with a smile. The playlist on board was spot on, setting the perfect vibe. I wish I could find it on Spotify! Despite the weather, the views were breathtaking, and getting a little drenched just added to the adventure. The food was delicious, especially the smoked pork, salad, and fresh fruit, and my husband loved the mai tais. Even without the sunset, the whole experience was magical. After chatting with other travelers, I'm convinced we had one of the best tours available. especially after talking to a couple at our hotel pool who had paid more than we did and only got snacks limited alcohol. I can't recommend Holo Holo Charters enough, and I'm already looking forward to trying their breakfast or snorkel cruise next time. If you're looking for an amazing adventure, this is it!

    Photos
    Captain Kelly
    Captain Kelly
    Per Captain - Rare Turtle
    Per Captain - Rare Turtle
    Breathtaking

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    Breathtaking
    Duke's Kayak Adventure

    Duke's Kayak Adventure

    4.7
    (151 reviews)
    14.6 mi

    Great kayak and hike adventure to a local waterfall. Slippery spots and you will hug rocks and…read morewade streams. Wear sunscreen. We are from Fl and burned. The sun is more direct here. My tan has still not faded. This is not a leisurely stroll. You will climb tree roots and climb up and down a lot. Great photos though. Tandam sit on tops used.

    We had a great experience here! We did the Wednesday morning kayak adventure so we got to the…read moremarina at 7am. It was just my family - the 5 of us - and our guide, Mikayla. Since there were an odd number of us, she gave us her single kayak so I was able to use that on the way out and then switched with my brother on the way back. It was really nice to basically have that private tour! Unfortunately because of the rain and rising waters, we weren't able to do the hike & waterfall portion of the trip but the kayaking along the river was really nice and enjoyable. Mikayla did take us out of the kayaks and show us some of the surrounding area and shared with us information about the different plants. It was fun! We only got a downpour on the way back for the marina for about 10min but that was part of the experience! We didn't eat breakfast before and do actually the length of time worked well for us. We left around 7:30am ish and made it back around 9;30am. The company refunded us 50% since weather made the hike portion impossible. Totally recommend bringing food though if you do the full thing:) and bring shoes good for hiking. Mikayla was friendly and helped get my two siblings (who hadn't kayaked before) adjusted and paddling in a straight line rather than zigzagging across. She was a great guide and would definitely recommend her! We learned a lot. And she gave us more recommendations around the island for the rest of our trip.

    Photos
    The deepest river crossing
    The deepest river crossing
    Kayak landing point, hike trail head
    Kayak landing point, hike trail head
    Duke's Kayak Adventure

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    Blue Dolphin Charters

    Blue Dolphin Charters

    4.7
    (1.8k reviews)
    21.7 mi
    Family-owned & operated
    Certified professionals

    We had an absolutely incredible experience with Blue Dolphin Charters! From the moment we stepped…read moreon board, the crew operated like a well-oiled machine. They were organized, professional, and genuinely seemed to love what they do. We traveled the morning of July 9th (for credit to our crew). We did the breakfast/lunch snorkel and Nāpali coast catamaran. What stood out most was how well they cared for everyone on the boat. They were constantly checking in to make sure guests were comfortable, helping people safely up and down the stairs, serving food and drinks, and making the entire experience feel like an all-inclusive resort on the water. Every crew member was kind, upbeat, and made you feel like they were truly happy you were there. Our captain was fantastic--he was fun, knowledgeable, and full of interesting information about the Nā Pali Coast. We never felt rushed, and they even stopped so everyone could take photos of the breathtaking scenery. We traveled with our 15-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter, and both had an amazing time. There were also several younger children on board, and the crew was wonderful with them as well. The boat was clean, spacious, and easy to move around, which made the trip comfortable for everyone. The food was delicious, and the entire day exceeded our expectations. As if the stunning coastline wasn't enough, we were lucky enough to see two different pods of dolphins swimming alongside the boat--an unforgettable experience! The biggest compliment I can give? The next morning my 10-year-old daughter asked if we could book another trip because she loved it that much. If you're considering a Nā Pali Coast tour, don't hesitate--book with Blue Dolphin Charters. It was worth every penny, and the views are truly once-in-a-lifetime.

    My husband and I did the Deluxe Nā Pali Snorkel & Sunset Tour on 06/14/26 at 1:00 p.m., and we had…read moresuch a great time! The catamaran was big, clean, and really nice. We passed by a Captain Andy's catamaran during the tour, and ours honestly looked better. Ours even had a second deck, while theirs didn't, which gave everyone more space to spread out and take pictures without feeling crowded. The four crew members were all helpful and friendly. The food was also surprisingly delicious and honestly, it was even better than the food we had at the luau we went to! Overall, it was an awesome experience, and we'd definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Kauai.

    Photos
    We provide 'hydrophones' on our whale watching tour for you to hear these groups or 'pods' of whales socialize with each other!
    We provide 'hydrophones' on our whale watching tour for you to hear these groups or 'pods' of whales socialize with each other!
    Blue Dolphin Charters
    Such beautiful creatures!

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    Such beautiful creatures!

    Kayak Hanalei - tours - Updated July 2026

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