Kayak Wailua - Kauai

The Hawaiian islands are a great place to have your first kayak experience. On Kauai we chose Kayak Wailua, their store front is located in the town of Wailua, right next to a gas station (you can pick up refreshments and snacks here for your trip upriver). There was parking on the street and seemed relatively safe, we didn't get anything stolen from our rental car.

We had reserved our spots online at the Kayak Wailua website and they seemed like a good deal, $40 per person on a double-seat kayak including drybag and life jacket. Food is not provided by the company so plan on packing a lunch. And you don't want to pack too heavy because the kayak ride leads to a 20 minute hike to Uluwehi Falls where you get to eat and relax for a bit before hiking back down to your kayak for the return to the dock.

Our guide, Nathaniel, was a native Hawaiian, never having been off the islands in his 21 years. He was very patient, which I suppose is necessary in his line of work where some folks in our group seemed intent on kayaking into the line of trees along the river. Very amusing to say the least.

In total the kayak trip was 4 hours long, about 2.5 hours spent kayaking up and down the Wailua river, which is spectacular, and the remaining 1.5 hours hiking and relaxing at the falls. It's a lot of fun for couples who get to a kayak and for groups.

You can contact Kayak Wailua by phone at 808-822-3388, by email: kayak@kayakwailua.com or visit the KayakWailua.com website for more information.