N
Calvin was great...
Calvin was great informative and entertaining guide. Gear was well maintained. Would recommend for active people looking to get out of town.
Emerald Cave Kayak Experience with Optional Las Vegas Shuttle
+21 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Price from
- $110 / person
- Location
- Las Vegas, United States
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 1,711 reviews
- Languages
- EN, ES
- Group
- Small group, up to 48
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Evolution Expeditions
- Meeting point
- Please meet us at the Paddle craft launch beach 30 minutes before your tour start time to meet your guide and get fitted with life vests and boats. Tours will begin promptly at their scheduled start time. The Paddle Craft Beach is the first beach on the left as you first come down to the water.
Description
Experience Emerald Cave with one of the original guided kayak tours on the Colorado River, backed by more than 20 years of experience exploring Black Canyon near Las Vegas. You’ll paddle from Willow Beach through dramatic canyon scenery to the famous Emerald Cave, discovering historic sites, scenic stops, and wildlife along the way—not simply kayaking to the cave and back. With expert guides, premium touring kayaks, personalized instruction, and a relaxed pace, you’ll enjoy a comfortable, memorable Black Canyon adventure whether it’s your first time kayaking or you’re an experienced paddler.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 8 times a day, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- Next available
- Tue, Oct 13
- Adult (ages 5+)
- $110
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Out at sunset: the 3:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:53 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 113 of the next 212 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 12.
Tour Options
What's included
Included
Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge Scenic Stop (If option selected)
Guided Emerald Cave Kayak Tour through Black Canyon
Cold
Snacks
Expert, Extensively Trained Certified Guide
Premium Touring Kayaks, Paddles & Life Vests
Round-Trip Shuttle from Select Las Vegas Strip Hotels (if option selected)
Not included
Transportation (unless option selected)
Gratuities
National Park Fee (included w/transport; not included w/self-drive or without transport option)
Pickup Locations & Times
***Pick up times from Las Vegas hotels are 90-110 minutes before the tour start time*** Venetian - 120min before...THE PICKUP LOCATION IS OUT THE FRONT DOOR AND TO THE RIGHT OF MAIN ENTRANCE. Bellagio - 110min before... THE PICKUP LOCATION IS AT THE RIDE SHARE TOURBUS PICKUP AREA DOWNSTAIRS. Mandalay Bay - 100min before THE PICKUP LOCATION IS ON THE BEACH LEVEL OUTSIDE AT BENCHES. (e.g. Pick up times for an 11:00 am tour are as follows: Venetian 9:00am, Bellagio 9:10am, Mandalay Bay 9:20am). Please be courteous to other participants and promptly show up on time at the tour bus area or launch location provided on the confirmation email. Please have your cellular phone on and available. Shuttles generally arrive back to Las Vegas Resort & Hotels between 90 and 120 minutes after the kayak tour ends. Shuttle times vary with traffic.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
1,711 reviews
How it compares in Las Vegas
- Rated higher than 74% of 622 reviewed tours in Las Vegas
- No. 39 by number of reviews among 1,301 tours in Las Vegas
- Starting price $110 is 31% above the typical $84 for tours of similar length in Las Vegas
Excurgo comparison of 1,301 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We offer single or tandem (2 seater) kayaks. Please specify which kayak you would prefer.
- The Emerald Cave is just a small cutout of the mountain for a great photo op!
- If you select self drive option, you will be meeting us at the marina. Have reliable transportation to meet us, there is NO cell service at the marina to call a ride share.
- If you have chosen and paid for this tour with shuttle, pick up times are: Venetian 110 minutes before, Bellagio 100 minutes before and Mandalay Bay 90 minutes before your tour start time
- Message us if you need a 2XL or larger life vest
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Emerald Cave Kayak Experience with Optional Las Vegas Shuttle lasts about 3 hours.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $110 per person for this Las Vegas experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 5 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does this tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 8 departures a day between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Does this tour sell out?
It can: 113 of the next 212 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. ***Pick up times from Las Vegas hotels are 90-110 minutes before the tour start time*** Venetian - 120min before...THE PICKUP LOCATION IS OUT THE FRONT DOOR AND TO THE RIGHT OF MAIN ENTRANCE. Bellagio - 110min before... THE PICKUP LOCATION IS AT THE RIDE SHARE TOURBUS PICKUP AREA DOWNSTAIRS. Mandalay Bay - 100min before THE PICKUP LOCATION IS ON THE BEACH LEVEL OUTSIDE AT BENCHES. (e.g. Pick up times for an 11:00 am tour are as follows: Venetian 9:00am, Bellagio 9:10am, Mandalay Bay 9:20am). Please be courteous to other participants and promptly show up on time at the tour bus area or launch location provided on the confirmation email. Please have your cellular phone on and available. Shuttles generally arrive back to Las Vegas Resort & Hotels between 90 and 120 minutes after the kayak tour ends. Shuttle times vary with traffic. Pickup points include Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 48 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is this tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 1,711 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Evolution Expeditions.
Reviews(1,711)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A
Easy paddling through...
Easy paddling through gorgeous views Wesr bathing suits water resistant shorts and top, water shoes and bring sunscreen
R
Great experience
Great experience, beautiful day! Our guide Tehya was superb! We saw bald eagles and desert bighorn sheep at the water’s edge. We enjoyed the hike that pointed out some of the area’s history, dipping in the cold river water and experiencing the emerald cave. Highly recommend this excursion.
7
Best bday experience
Calvin was an amazing guide! He was fun and knowledgeable
Operator response
Thank you for the great review! 😊 We’re so glad Calvin made your day on the river both fun and informative. He’ll really appreciate the kind words! Thanks for spending the day with Evolution Expeditions! 🌊🚣♂️ We’d love to have you back for another adventure!
D
Perfect weather day and really great tour
Really enjoyed our Emerald Cove tour this afternoon. Calvin was our guide, and his love and knowledge of the area was amazing for such a ‘young dude’. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience, and will recommend to our family and friends!
Operator response
Thank you for such a great review! 😊 We’re so glad you enjoyed your Emerald Cove adventure with Calvin. He really does have an impressive amount of knowledge and a genuine love for the river and the area—“young dude” and all! 😂🌊 We really appreciate you recommending Evolution Expeditions to your family and friends. We’d love to have you back out on the river for another adventure! 🚣♂️💙
J
Highly recommend!
Fantastic tour guide and experience from beginning to end. Couldn’t ask for a better tour. Highly recommended!
Operator response
Thank you for the awesome review! 😄 We LOVE hearing that you had a great time from start to finish! “Couldn’t ask for a better tour” is pretty much the best thing we could hear. 🌊🙌 Thanks for the recommendation and for spending the day with Evolution Expeditions! We’d love to have you back out on the river for round two! 🚣♀️☀️
L
Great time!
I did the 3-hour Emerald Cave tour and took the shuttle from Bellagio. Calvin was our guide. Great job, he was very informative and clearly passionate about the river, which made it both fun and educational. Highly recommended!
Operator response
Thank you for the awesome review! 😄 We’re so glad you enjoyed the 3-hour Emerald Cave tour and that Calvin made it both fun and educational. He really does have a passion for the river and loves sharing the history and stories that make the area so special! 🌊 We’re also happy the Bellagio shuttle made getting out to the river easy. Thanks for the recommendation and for spending the day with Evolution Expeditions! We’d love to have you back for another adventure! 🚣♂️☀️
E
Best day kayaking with Calvin
Had the most perfect day kayaking! The weather was amazing but our guide Calvin Olsen ensured everything was the best it could be! He was friendly, great sense of humor, so knowledgeable about the area, conscientious about the group’s experience and a lot of fun to be with! Give this guy the highest rating possible!!! I would absolutely recommend this tour to everyone. So great to be on the water and learn so much history! Thank you for the best day and memory! Lori Goldman
Operator response
Lori, thank you for such an amazing review! 😄 It sounds like Calvin delivered the full package—great sense of humor, tons of local knowledge, and making sure everyone was having a great time. We’ll definitely pass along your “highest rating possible” request! 😂🙌 We love hearing that you enjoyed being out on the water while learning about the history of the area. That combination is a huge part of what makes a day on the Colorado River so special. 🌊☀️ Thank you for recommending Evolution Expeditions and for letting us be part of such a memorable day. We’d love to have you back for another adventure! 🚣♂️💙
Y
Emerald Cave Kayaks Tours (Calvin 💪🏽)
The trip was great but our tour guide Calvin was super knowledgeable and a true professional. He made the trip very enjoyable 💪🏽🙏 I definitely recommend him to anyone doing this tour 💪🏽👀
Operator response
Thanks for the great review! 😄 We’re glad Calvin made the trip so enjoyable with his knowledge and professionalism. We’ll be sure to pass along the shoutout! 💪🏽🌊 Thanks for choosing Evolution Expeditions and for the recommendation! 🙏
B
Phenomenal fun day!
Calvin our guide was phenomenal. He is wise beyond his age. He was our guide and a driver on our trip back to the resort. I can not say enough great things about this young man. He connected with everyone in our group regardless of age. The tour group was awesome. They called to make sure we were up and ready to meet which was reassuring I was going to the correct pick up spot. They continued to texted until pickup. Traffic was horrible that morning due to F1 construction. It was reassuring that we were notified they would be a few minutes late due to that traffic. I was a solo traveler and never once felt uncomfortable during the trip. It was a safe, fun environment. Thanks so much for a great time. I will see ya next year!
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| Emerald Cave Kayak Experience with Optional Las Vegas Shuttle | 3 hours | 4.9 (1,711) | $110 | |
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from$110
4.9(1,711) Free cancellation