Wailua River Kayak & Hike Adventure to Secret Falls
Description
Skip the parking hassle and let us handle the logistics. Our guided Secret Falls kayak and hike adventure includes shuttle transportation from our check-in location to the marina, so there’s no need to worry about marina parking fees or directions. We provide dry bags, coolers, snacks, and drinks—everything you need for a smooth and well-organized day on the river. Our morning departures are intentionally scheduled for the best river conditions, helping guests avoid the typical afternoon wind and rain. From check-in to return, we focus on creating an easy, efficient, and enjoyable experience from start to finish.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Start your day right at our kiosk for check-in, located at Coconut Marketplace right beneath the iconic water tower.
Embark on a guided hike through the verdant trails of Wailua State Park to discover the enchanting Uluwehi Falls. The journey takes you along a scenic path, mostly boardwalk —winding through tropical foliage and over gentle streams—until you arrive at the captivating falls, where the lush surroundings and cascading water create a truly memorable experience.
There is a reason Kauai is considered the Garden Isle—lush jungles, scenic waterways, and cascading waterfalls set against dramatic volcanic mountains create the perfect tropical backdrop. While there are many ways to explore this natural wonder, kayaking uniquely lets you experience the many facets of this island paradise. Your kayak exploration of the Wailua begins with a two-mile paddle up Kauai’s only navigable river. Your friendly, local guide will help you find the best routes as you pass through Kamokila Village and toward the north fork of the river, sharing stories of the early Hawaiians who first paddled these waters over 1,500 years ago. After your paddle, you’ll step off your kayak for a moderate hike through a lush rainforest along the secret falls trail, until you reach a stunning 120-foot cascade plummeting down a mountain cliff. Finally, you’ll paddle back to your starting point, ending your tour with cherished photos and memories of an unforgettable adventure.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum age is 5 years old
- Trail conditions vary from super dry to very muddy depending on recent rain
- Hiking sandals like Tevas or Keens, water shoes or sneakers (your feet will get wet & muddy).
- No prior kayak experience is required
- Guests must be able to: Paddle total of 4 miles on the Wailua River
- Guests must be able to: Hike 2.5 miles round trip through uneven terrain
- We allow expecting mothers to join us up to 20 weeks. Please call if you have questions or concerns.
- We cannot accommodate individuals with bad backs, knee issues, or recent surgeries.
Reviews(1,280)
My 82 year old mother, myself and two adult children ages 25 & 22 really enjoyed this tour. We had to be patient with my mother but she was able to do it!! Thank you to our guide Levy for being extremely patient, playing the ukulele, singing & teaching us more about our surroundings. Thank you Levy, you were amazing!!
We (family from the Netherlands) had a great time with our kayaking/hiking tour to the secret falls. Good balance between beautifull nature, kayaking and hiking. Levi was a wonderfull and nice guide (played ukelele during hiking). Thanks Levi
Great experience. It gets very muddy and slippery in places, so have proper footwear. It is a fun, relaxing day. Thank you Levi for being our guide. You made our day much more pleasurable.
Ty was a wonderful guide. We happened to go out on a day with heavy rain during most of the trip. He kept checking water levels to make sure we were safe and made the best out of the rough weather. Beautiful scenery. I’d recommend going as early as possible to beat the crowds to the waterfall.
The highlight of our trip! Levi was an exceptional guide. He led us through our hike barefoot while playing the ukulele. He is a native Hawaiian whose passion for his home was clearly conveyed! Our excursion took place during some moderate rain, but it definitely enhanced our experience. Kayaking through the river in the rain was an incredible experience and kept us cool. The rain also caused some serious mud, which also made the hike more fun to trek through. The final waterfall point was gorgeous and the pictures don’t do it justice. I would definitely recommend wearing water shoes or old shoes you are OK throwing away after (especially if there’s rain). I would also recommend bringing a water case/bag for your phone so that you can take pictures on the kayak or near the waterfall without worrying about damaging your phone. Lastly, the kayaking and hike are not difficult overall but the rain made the hike incredibly slippery, so I would be prepared for that. Definitely recommend booking this experience!!
It does take physical labor, especially the kayak. There is a lot of mud!! Can be slippery and dirty lol. Tyler our guide was beyond amazing! Pointed out so much along the trek even the must places to eat while we were in the van ride over! He was insightful, enjoyable and a pure delight.
The kayak trip is very taxing and the hike through the muddy trails very difficult and requires very good balance. I slipped and fell four times. Our guide, Levi, was outstanding and played/sang for us the entire hike.
We went early in the morning for less boat traffic, which was a good call. We didn't get to see the waterfall due to flash flood warning but we were grateful to the guide for being conservative about keeping us safe. Note that the inbound kayak is against the current, and the outbound is against the trade wind, so at least one person in the kayak should be reasonably capable of consistent rowing. Would do this again.
Great time and we really enjoyed our guide Ty.
The Wailua River Kayak and Hike was our kids' favorite activity in Kauai this trip! Levi was our tour guide and he was amazing. He was positive, funny, musical, and interactive. He taught us about different native plants and their uses, and made sure everyone in our group stayed together during the kayaking. We highly recommend!
