Kauai Kayaking Tours. Kauai Kayaks

Kayaking on Kauai is a very popular watersport.

Whether you're interested in river kayaking, ocean kayaking, kayaking tours, kayak eco-tours, Na Pali Coast kayaking tours, kayaking Kauai through its rainforests and jungles or waterfall trips via the various kayak companies found on the island you will not be disappointed. Kayaking on Kauai is an experience you should not miss.

The island of Kauai is the oldest of the major islands in the Hawaiian chain and is the only Hawaiian island that has navigable rivers suitable for river kayaking, kayaking tours and other forms of Kauai kayaking. Its volcanoes have been extinct for about 5 million years. Being the northern most island in the chain also means that it is most often the first island that clouds from the northern and western Pacific basin are drawn to as they gather from thousands of miles in all directions.

Kayaking in Kauai comes in two basic versions: sea kayaking and kayaking on one of Kauai’s many rivers. They are quite different. Ocean kayaking is generally along Kauai’s spectacular NaPali Coast and is recommended for those over the age of 16 and for those in relatively good shape. The reason for this is that once you begin the 11 mile adventure you’re pretty much committed to completing the voyage. Ocean currents usually flow in only one direction and except for the frequently passed isolated beaches protected by absolutely monster cliffs on each side, there is no place to land. The ocean kayaking tours on the famous Na Pali coast are particularly spectacular but are generally reserved for the Winter months when the northern ocean swells and giant surf have subsided.

The other form of Kayaking is up one of Kauai’s sensational rivers. Picture gentle rivers here, not rivers with rapids that you might find in the Great Northwest. These gentle flowing rivers have a mirror like quality that reflects the sunlight shimmering through the jungled valleys leading deep into Kauai’s interior. On many of the tours you’ll tie your kayak at streams edge and hike a short distance to one of Kauai’s beautiful waterfalls for a dip and some lunch. The trip back may include some cliff jumping and additional swimming.

Kauai's 5000+ ft. peak is quite literally the wettest spot on earth and receives an annual rainfall in the vicinity of 420 inches a year. This tremendous rainfall over the years has eroded much of the soil from the higher levels and has deposited much of it on the leeward sides and created very flat areas called alluvial plains. These plains are very, very flat and the water which rushes from the top in giant cascading waterfalls calms to a gentle presence when it hits the flat plains below. Here the water meanders, winds and serpentines for miles in a very gentle and tranquil flow to its eventual destination in the ocean. These rivers are ideal for kayaking trips as the flowing waters ever so slowly wind their way through the ever present jungle. Kauai is the only Hawaiian Island that has such rivers and it is an incredible treat for those who choose to enjoy them.

Three of the most beautiful rivers are the Wailua River, the Hule'ia River and the Hanalei River:

• The Wailua River is probably the most traveled and winds kayakers deep into the islands interior. Its waters are very calm and beautiful. They are so calm in fact that the first portion of the river is actually used for water skiing as well.
• The Hule'ia River is located in the Lihue area and winds through the beautiful Kipu Ranch which has been the site of many Hollywood movies including Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Arc.
• The Hanalei River is the least traveled and can be found in the unbelievably beautiful Hanalei Valley emptying into picturesque Hanalei Bay in Kauai's northern sector.

Most of Kauai's kayaking companies which feature river kayaking, eco-tours kayaking, and kayaking in rain forests, waterfalls and jungle can be found on the Wailua, Hule'ia or Hanalei rivers.

Here are the best kayaking tour available to you on the island of Kauai:

Ali'i Kayaks - once home to the Alii, the Wailua River Valley is a very special and sacred area to the Hawaiian people. Your kayak guide will share myths and legends of the valley as well as history and culture along the way.

Dukes Kayak Adventure - is owned and operated by locally raised guides who offer a guided kayak tour of the Wailua River and Uluwehi Falls. Includes lunch and a Free Pass to Kamokila Hawaiian Village, for you to enjoy at your leisure, at the end of the tour.

Island Adventures - This kayak excursion, takes place on the beautiful Hulei'a River in the heart of the 241 acre Hulei'a National Wildlife Refuge and State of Hawaii Conservation District. The tour is a unique one-way paddle downwind with a short, easy jungle hike. There are four endangered species of birds under protection of the Wildlife Refuge. The river trip is the only access to this bird habitat. Includes a picnic snack with juice, kayak lifevest and instruction. Soft adventure and cultural education is the focus of this excursion.

Kauai Backcountry Tubing - Traverse Lihue's old sugar cane plantation into Kauai's pristine emerald green interior and enjoy breathtaking vistas and spectacular scenery. Then, grab a tube, don a headlamp and jump in for a leisurely cruise. Witness Kauai's spectacular engineering feats as you float down the tropical waterway consisting of open ditches, tunnels and flumes all of which were engineered and hand dug circa 1870. At the end of your tubing adventure, you will be guided to an enchanted picnic area for a great picnic lunch next to a natural swimming hole.

Kauai Water Ski and Surf Co. - offers guided deluxe and mini guided kayak tours, surf lesson and the opportunity to water ski, wakeboard and hydrofoil on the Wailua River.

Kayak Hanalei - located in beautiful Hanalei Bay. Slip back into time, experience the feeling of old Hawaii. Learn about Kauai's rich history, legends, folklore and natural beauty. Features state of the art equipment, double kayaks only, snorkel gear and waterproof bags provided.

Kayak Kauai Outbound - provides both: Hiking and Kayak tours of Kauai

Outfitters Kauai - offers: 1) Downhill Bike trips down Waimea Canyon. 2) Various River Kayak Tours (some with hiking). 3) Sea Kayaking trips. 4) 2 - Zipline Adventures

Princeville Ranch Adventures - offers adventures in Hiking, Kayak and Zip-Lining. Their experienced guides are CPR and First Aid Certified, well educated on Hawaii's History, Flora and Fauna.

Wailua River Kayaks - join in for an unforgettable kayak experience. You will be guided deep into a lush tropical rain forest in 1 or 2 person kayaks. Learn the importance of the Wailua River Valley to the Hawaiian culture with professional, experienced and knowledgeable guides. Paddle your kayak through the dense growth of the rain forest, then embark on a beautiful hike to a magnificent 120 foot waterfall. Swim, explore, play, relax and enjoy this tropical jungle.

This page contains information about: kauai kayaks, kauai kayak tour, kauai kayaking, kauai kayak tours, kauai kayak.

Hearing Impaired - Read the full transcript for this page's audio narrative.

Kauai Kayaking Tours - Kauai is different from the other islands in so many ways. One of the most notable differences however is the fact that it is the only Hawaiian island that has navigable rivers. Keep in mind that these are not “white water rivers” where you “shoot the rapids” but rather tranquil, quiet, and meandering type rivers that wind themselves through the interior in a gentle serpentine fashion. If you’ve ever seen the movie “Raiders of the Lost Arc” and you remember the river that Indian Jones landed on with his bi-plane in the jungle then you know the type of river I am speaking of, because that was filmed on Kauai. The many rivers of Kauai are perfect for a beautiful kayak ride. The rivers are great waterways leading into the interior of the island and provide a gentle way to negotiate your way through the rugged jungle landscape in relative ease. Some of the best kayak tours even provide for you to tie-up your kayaks at rivers end and hike a mile or two further into the forests to beautiful waterfalls through lavish jungles and forests.

Island of Kauai - Discount Tours and Activities
Kauai Air Tours - Fixed Wing	Inter-Island Excursions from Kauai	Kauai Surfing Lessons
Kauai ATV Off-Road Tours	Kauai Kayaking Tours	Kauai Unique Tours and Activities
Kauai Bike Tours	Kauai Kid's Tours and Activities	Kauai Water Skiing and Wake Boarding
Kauai Combo Packages	Kauai Land Tours	Kauai Watersports
Kauai Dinner Cruises and Sails	Kauai Luaus	Kauai Whale Watching Tours
Kauai Diving and Scuba	Kauai Massage	Kauai Zipline Tours
Kauai Dolphin Excursions	Kauai Sailing Charters	Visit Other Islands from Kauai
Kauai Fishing Charters	Kauai Scuba Diving	Discount Tours and Activities - Only on the Island of Kauai
Kauai Helicopter Tours	Kauai Sightseeing Tours
Kauai Hiking Tours	Kauai Snorkeling Tours	Napali Coast Tours in Kauai
Kauai Horseback Riding	Kauai Sunset Sails and Cruises	Ni'ihau Coast Tours in Kauai

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Kahului, Maui, Hawaii 96732

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