The hike is about a mile and takes around 45 miles. Choose between a morning and early afternoon launch time and soak up the history of this sacred area of Kauai on your paddle to Secret Falls. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The trail will arrive at a stream crossing at approximately miles along, a rope has been strung across the river to assist in supporting you as you hobble across wet slippery rocks. Our fun and friendly Hawaiian guides share local Kauai history and lore as you kayak the lush and tranquil Wailua River. Tour times are 7:45 AM & 8:45 AM, Rainbow Kayaks includes lunch and water. The guides make a daily routine of this experience, so they are aware of what hazards exist on trail. The joy is in the moments in between and many great pictures can be taken of one of Kauai's most beautiful waterfalls.The way trip out is the reverse of the trip in, so pace yourself and gauge your timing. Please be aware of the wakes these boats can produce. If you opt to kayak Wailua River without a guide, which is totally feasible and also lessens the number of people on the river at one time, we definitely recommend Bring Me a Kayak. From the Wailua River Marina, the paddle to Fern Grotto takes about four hours round-trip. We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. This is Kauai's most popular kayak activity.
This expansive county beach park in the Po'ipu area is the perfect destination for calm ocean conditions and a relaxing beach day.
Park your boat here. After reading more about Native Hawaiians legitimate concerns about tourism, I am not sure I would return to the islands. The entire journey is 4 miles. 2 miles up and 2 back. And if you do opt for the tour, they will supply you with all you need to paddle and a guide. The 2800 acres oceanfront allowed for cultivation of large number of food crops including taro to support the "ali'i" or chiefs of the island in ancient time. The path is a combination of dirt and a raised walkway. With its calm waters and fairly straightforward route, the Wailua River is a great place for beginner and novice kayakers to explore on their own. For most people this is certainly an adventure! The easy-going nature of the river makes it possible to depart from and return to the same location, though it should be noted that you may be paddling into the trade winds on your route back. Wow! There was no discussion. She enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family by camping, hiking, and kayaking in her free time. I want to end the post here to be honest about our struggle about our trip to Hawaii. If these instructions are helpful, be sure to thank Maika by renting your kayak from Bring Me A Paddle. This was just thrust down our throat like were little kids. Though their main office is located in Kapaa, you will launch your rental kayak from the Wailua River Marina. When you reach the fork in the river, choose the right tributary and continue paddling for a short five to 10 minutes. Even if you dont arrive during a time of day thats busy for guided tours, when you will see plenty of kayaks and know where to park, the clearing is very obvious on your right-hand side. Serving up goodness since the early 1970's, the Hanalei Dolphin is a seafood lover's dream. It is the best place to get out into nature on Kauai's East side. If I was going to use a tour, I would continue to use either Airbnb Experience or Viator, and both have paddle tours of Wailua River and Sacred Falls. A former lava cave, this grotto is covered inyou guessed itferns, giving it a secretive feel. Starting that late in the afternoon meant it was too late in the afternoon when we finished the paddle for a staff member from Bring Me a Kayak to wait for us. These waterfalls looked incredible. She is part-Native Hawaiian from the island of Oahu, and a Kamehameha Schools and University of Hawaii graduate. Is this $50 total or $50 per person for the tandem kayak rental? So to accommodate usthank you again, Maria, they mashed up the options. Some of the links in this blog may be affiliate links. Although you cant technically kayak the entire river since it begins on Mount Waialeale and there is a restricted zone near Wailua Bridge (a designated swimming area past the marina where the river meets the Pacific), you can still kayak much of the river. Seeing Sacred Falls was my absolute favorite part of our time in Kauai. For adults (age 13+), the entire package costs $115+tax, and for children (ages 5-12), it costs $95+tax. The Hike:The trail to Uluwehi Falls begins at the kayak landing zone.
I will show you in pictures exactly how to get to Sacred Falls But let me first let me tell you the real reason why we could kayak the Wailua River without a guide : Maika. And it all happened with Maikas step by step instructions. As I have already stated, we decided to kayak real late in the game. Even then as we were there and attempting to book a tour to paddle the Wailua, we didnt realize that the reason no tours were available was because they were not allowed to operate tours on the water on the weekends to let the river rest. Advocates of the changes are also hoping that not allowing tours on the weekends will encourage more slow tourism as weekend tours tend to be those who island hop to Kauai over the weekend. 56). Tour times are 7:15 AM & 12:45pm, Kayak Adventures includes lunch and water. At a Glance:Highlights: Relaxing paddle upstream leads to a hike through jungle and rainforest with your ultimate destination being the 200 foot tall Uluwehi FallsActivity Level: Moderate to strenuous based on length of trip and trail conditionsOptions: Guided or self-guided by renting a kayak for the day.Hazards! I have really started to embrace slow travel too. This tour is perfect for beginners, including children, and prices start at $50 per person. RENTALS MON-FRI 7:15AM & 12:15PM ~ TOURS MON-FRI 7:45AM & 12:45PM - CLOSED SAT/SUN. On the Hawaiian island of Kauai, you will find this distant states only navigable river.
If you are a first time paddler or feel less confident navigating the hike to the waterfall, there are several companies that provide 5-hour tours. Prices begin at $50 per adult and $30 per child (5 to 7 years) and includes five hours of self-guided paddle time. Youve Arrived. Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life. He compares the foot traffic on the trail to Oahus Diamond Head, where you have to wait on the numerous people in front of you, or coming back down, before you can move forward. Because the company does not offer a guided tour and therefore, doesnt have a permit to tour the river, they can not bring your boats directly to the river. You have entered an incorrect email address! The pricing is: Wailua Kayak & Canoe is available Monday through Saturday and only closed on Sunday. Once you are down with the days paddle, you schedule a time with the staff member and meet them back at the lot. Is there a best day of the week or time of day to go? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Lyft, headquartered in San Francisco, lays dozens off, shutters division, San Francisco monkeypox cases rise to 141, lines for vaccines reportedly hit 9 hours, Funky Berkeley apartment complex sells for $112 million in all-cash deal. Once you are ready to launch, you will stay on the right side of the river as you paddle the 2 miles to the trailhead. Do not turn under this bridge. He helped us load the kayaks and make sure we had all the gear we needed. We are located on the north bank of the Wailua River at the bridge and traffic light. It was because of Maika, the wonderful driver of the Bring Me a Kayak van that our adventure to the falls was a success. Once you secure your boat, head up the river about 100 feet. Please note that individuals undergoing pregnancy, recent major surgeries, or a bad back or shoulder are restricted from kayaking. After launching your boat, youll go right. Copyright 2022 Powered by Customify. Pull close to the boat launch and unload your gear being careful not to block the boat ramp access. Godinez founded Kayak Kauai with his brother, Chino, in 1984. We do not, under any circumstances, for compensation or valuable consideration, sell or offer to sell, buy or offer to buy, or negotiate the purchase or sale or exchange of real estate, or list, or solicit for prospective purchasers, or lease or offer to lease, or rent of offer to rent, or manage or offer to manage, any real estate or options on any of the rentals posted on this site. We provide marketing services and act solely as an intermediary between Property Managers and Travelers. We marveled at how long it would have taken to build this walkway since we imagined they would have to haul in the planks by hand. But more than that he talked us through every step of the paddle. (I didnt know either). With that said, the place was being overwhelmed, so I agree with what theyre trying to do. The first Wailua River Secret Falls Rainforest Adventure starts at 7:45 am. Nestled back in a cove surrounded by lush jungle, this attraction is easy to spot on your left-hand side. However, if I did go to Kauai again, I would continue to travel slow: not island jumping but concentrating my time and my travel dollars on one island. Hannah, It was absolutely worth it. This spectacular waterfall lookout is easy to find via a short 5 minute drive up the Kuamo'o Road (rt. This pizza spot once had 4 SF locations. With the lush tropical rainforests and beautiful waterfalls of the Garden Island waiting to be explored, it is not hard to see the draw of a Wailua River kayak trip. Whether youre a beginner hiker or a more professional one, get ready for a hiking adventure through Kauai after your kayaking. Wailua Kayak & Canoe offers single, tandem and even tri-kayaks for rent. Even if its not raining where you are on the river, flash flooding can occur from storms on the mountains where the river originates. Once parked, make sure all your gear is secured either in a "wet dry bag" or clipped or strapped to the kayak. To further help you, should you choose to kayak the Wailua River without a guide, we have coupled pictures from our journey to Maikas step-by-step instructions. After the fork in the river, paddle until you reach this beach. You can also disembark from Wailua River State Park for a shorter trip as Fern Grotto is located within the park boundaries. In a nutshell, you can easily spend a half or full day on the river exploring the spectacular sights mentioned above in the accessible areas. The guide will stay with you throughout the tour and the hike. Instead of taking the right fork in the river from the Wailua River Marina or Kamokila Hawaiian Village, veer left up the south fork and you will find the enchanting Fern Grotto a short ways upstream. But be aware that beginning in December 2021, tour companies were no longer allowed to operate tours on the river during the weekend to allow the river time to rest and give locals time on the water. Id love to visit one day! I think the state, I think they went overboard giving some permits, he continued. From here, you'll hike through a Hawaii Jungle for 1 mile until you arrive at a beautiful waterfall. So e both Option #1 and #2 were out for us. You can find us at: We have morning and afternoon rental and guided tour packages available. And totally work the effort. Fear not the crowds, as they turn over quickly. However, be prepared for the occasional collision, and try not to laugh to hard if you or another party begin careening into the tree line. The Wailua River is perfect for kayaking and you'll paddle 2 miles each way up to a trailhead accessible only by boat. The high volume of people has caused damage to the trail, disturbances to archeological sites and a sea of kayaks on the water.When we would come up to the north fork, its like a marina. So you can absolutely do more paddling than just the river. Eventually you will come to a side stream approximately 1 mile into the hike on the left. All kayaks are self-bailing with comfortable seats, backrests, and life vests for a hassle-free adventure. At the parking lot for the river, there is a clear boat launch.
I would also still support local tours and businesses. He became, in fact, our guideless guide. The trade winds can become especially strong in the afternoons, which is one reason the majority of the local kayak tours launch in the morning.
We have two check-in times: 7:15 AM and 12:15 PM. For $95 for a double kayak, you can paddle all day on the Wailua River. They were the first to pioneer the Wailua kayaking tours as an adventure to a secret waterfall.Since then, competition has grown, and the waterfall is no longer a secret.
Larger boats use the river, so by staying on the northern or right side river shoulder you avoid the possibility of collision with the large boats. Tours start at $65 per person. Most paddlers only venture a few miles out to the main attractions of Secret Falls and Fern Grotto. From there, you will head up the river to Secret Falls, where you can enjoy a packed lunch (not provided) and swim in the pool at the bottom of the falls. My main thing was just the delivery.. It's 4 miles of paddling and 2 miles of hiking roundtrip. I visited Hawaii in August. Kayak Kauai is the exclusive outfitter for Wailua River State Park. Offering Kayak Rentals and Guided Wailua River, Rainforest and Secret Falls Tours Since 1995, KAYAK RENTALS MON - FRI 7:15AM & 12:15PM Volume and frequency of the tour is dictated by demand, summer being the most popular season for this excursion. After paddling for about 10 minutes, youll see a bridge on the right. You will cross a fairly deep stream, which may or may not have a rope to assist you at the time, along with another small cascade along the way. The second Wailua River Secret Falls Rainforest Adventure starts at 12:45 pm. Maika will help you load the boats on your car, and direct you a few blocks to the River. She's the former editor-in-chief of Hawaii and Mana magazines. Slipping and falling on trail is to be expected during extreme muddy conditions. Because the one thing we do understand in travels is that you should support the amazing local business owners and guides who help you experience such wonder. Confirm with your credit card, pay at check in. But at the parks, which were built in the 1960s and 70s, and where the resources are fragile, he said its been tough adapting to higher tourism capacities. Nou Nou. This looks like an amazing place to visit for the day! Tour times are 7:00 AM & 12:30 PM. The Bay Area exodus has come to Mexico is it hurting locals? But if youre a neighbor island resident or tourist flying in for a guided tour on the weekend, youre out of luck.The only option now is to rent a kayak, strap it to your car and drive to the park, where you can access the river and trail on your own.Carpenter told SFGATE kayaks can be rented for Saturdays from un-permitted off-site rental companies outside the park. It provides you with navigation practice as you avoid other freshman paddlers who hopefully have gotten the art of steering their craft mastered. Here is how it works. Before heading out, your CPR and First Aid certified guide will provide a crash course on paddling techniques and water safety. Alii Kayaks Secret Falls Kayak/Hike tour is also perfect for families. This post will explain all the reasons we choose to kayak the Wailua River without a guide. Here are some top-rated ones to check out. what an absolutely spectacular adventure! The company offers kayaking and snorkel adventures on Wailua River and the Napali Coast. Come kayak the Wailua river with us today! The trail to Secret Falls from the bank where you leave your kayak is very well-marked as well.
Though the Saturday change is aimed at allowing space for locals, anyone can still go on their own even tourists. The southern edge and middle of the river are reserved for powerboats and barges, so paddlers are strongly cautioned to paddle no farther than 25 feet away from the north bank, both coming and going. The provider will tell you your check in time, and you show up ready to go. 580) from the Kuhio Highway (rt. So.
You can paddle, swim, and hike to your hearts content. The journey looks so magical and Sacred Falls looks like a beautiful spot, well worth the journey. Of course, I understand that tourism is a double-edged sword in many places of the world, and that simply by being a traveler, I am contributing. We picked up the boats at the lot near the river and Maika picked them up the next day at our accommodations. If you click and purchase, we will receive a commission at no extra charge to you. I wish I kayaked during my visit. And were businesses, Micco Godinez told SFGATE. Now that I know that the purpose of not allowing tours on the weekends is to let the river rest and give locals time to enjoy their land without tourists, I would experience the river during the week. Once across the stream the trail parallels the stream up valley with stream staying to your right. However, you should be stable enough to cross two rivers and scramble a bit as you make your way to the falls.
Prices are $40 per child and $60 per adult and include dry bags and even hiking sticks to use on the walk to Secret Falls. I was just there in January and did not need a permit to kayak the river. Your email address will not be published. If the water is not high enough, you will not be able to reach it by boat as it becomes too rocky to navigate. One important caveat before we get to the options: you have to have a hard top vehicle to transport the kayaks.
Several put-in and take-out locations are available. Follow the foot warn path inland. Once you feel comfortable in your kayak, youll head a short two miles upriver and trek about 1.5 moderate-to-strenuous-miles to and from the falls. There are now 11 companies permitted to offer commercial kayak activity on Wailua River and one water ski company. If youre short on time, the Village is closer to the falls than the marina. This is not exceedingly difficult, nor dangerous, it just requires a peace of mind to see your group safely through the journey. Contact us for kayak rental availability. Many people launch from the Wailua River Marina or Kamokila Hawaiian Village. Once take the right fork of the river, you have about 20 minutes to the bend in the river where you will park your boat and start the hike to Sacred Falls. Five-hour guided tours take groups kayaking up the river to a trailhead where visitors can hike to Uluwehi Falls.Tour operators were given less than two weeks notice of the change in November, losing thousands of dollars in revenue immediately from reservations they had to cancel. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.
Youll paddle about an hour until you come to a fork in the river. Carefully cross the southbound lanes and enter Wailua River Marina. Once you reach your destination, Wailua Kayak Adventures provides organic snacks at the falls to replenish your energy before taking a dip in the waterfall pool. There are several unique safety precautions to note on the Wailua. The hiking portion to Secret Falls is about 1.5 miles round-trip. The great thing about Option #2 is that you have the boat for 24 hours. The wide and open Wailua River meets the sea on Kauai's eastern shore in an area that was called "Wailuanuihoano" in days of old. Talk To AHawaii Destination Expert(844) 261-0464, Kauai has the rare distinction of being the only Hawaiian Island with navigable rivers. There will be plenty of kayaks and a few wild chickens looking for handouts. We came to a similar conclusion about Venice after spending a day paddling Venice with a local Venetian who explained the complexity of tourism on locals lives. The paddle:Whether taking the guided or self-guided options, the paddle begins about 150 yards in land from the river mouth and bridge. From the south: following HI-route 56 north, look for signs for "Lydgate Park" on right and get in left lane. And he was wonderful. One vendor estimates it will be a 17% to 20% loss moving forward. Find your paddling rhythm and you will make it without stress, keeping in mind that your return path is to stay on the left side of the stream as you paddle down to the river mouth launches.Recommended provider:The originator of this tour and experience is Kayak Kauai, a leader in the industry and an official outfitter for Wailua River kayaking. With Sundays already restricted, the state took away Saturdays for commercial tours in November.Kauais only navigable river, Wailua River, is known for its appearances in "Fantasy Island," "Outbreak," "Indiana Jones" and "Jurassic Park." Those venturing upstream can find there way to the trailhead for Uluwehi Falls, a 200 foot cascade of fresh water that feeds a tributary to the Wailua stream. The mountain known as the "Sleeping Giant" has several great hiking trails that are maintained by the State. And find the falls we did. Valentina Khalimon/Getty Images/iStockphoto, Dubs' Iguodala apologizes for costing team owner $500K, Horoscope for Thursday, 7/21/22 by Christopher Renstrom, Steph Curry roasted everyone as ESPYs host, 'Digital nomads' are flocking to Mexico's Disneyland for expats, SF tech giant reportedly lays off dozens, shutters division, SF monkeypox cases hit 141, vaccine waits reportedly hit 9 hours, Divisive Bay Area building sells for $112M in all-cash deal, Highest-paying Silicon Valley company may not be who you think, SF restaurant hit with ongoing vandalism, owner may face fines, Tiny toilet resembling the Painted Ladies stalls on Bay Bridge. As mentioned, you will likely be paddling into the wind on your return trip. The falls are about a 15-minute paddle upriver from the Village, while theyre a two-mile paddle from the marina. Great question. You will be provided with a dry bag and cooler, and will depart with your guide across the street at the Wailua River Marina. Christine Hitt is the Hawaii contributing editor for SFGATE. [ Further reading: Best Places To Paddle In Kauai, Hawaii ].
At the falls there was only one other family, which I understand is never the case. As you pull your kayak ashore, make note of any distinguishing marks to be able to remember which craft is yours, as this landing can fill up with identical looking kayaks while you are hiking. Local tip: Maika says this is the best place for coffee on the island. He told us exactly where to go and what to anticipate. Please note if you choose option #1 the latest you can get on the river is around noon. Celtic thinks his team was better than Warriors in Finals, new management paradigm at Haena State Park, Warriors' Andre Iguodala apologizes to Joe Lacob for getting $500K fine on podcast, Warriors' Steph Curry roasts LeBron, Tom Brady, his own children and more at ESPYs. Want to explore the Wailua River on your own? In fact, our first instinct was to go on a tour of Wailua and Sacred Falls. You dont need to be in exceptionally good health to make this hike. At the waterfall beware of falling rocks.On the river beware of other boat traffic.Duration: 4 to 6 hoursCosts: $85 per person guided/ $64 for a double kayak rental with all gear and mapThere are two distinct options for exploring Wailua River by kayak, self-guided and guided. Most outfitters are more than happy to provide you with a waterproof map of the river to keep you on course. These are the small falls before you reach Sacred Falls. This is not your turn. There was no input. While most people opt for a boat tour in Kauai to whale watch or see the rugged Napali coast, we really wanted to use our time in Kauai to slow down. Always a reason to go back. Required fields are marked *. While you rent your kayak from the Wailua River Marina, it should be noted that you will be required to car mount your kayak and drive a short distance over the Wailua Bridge to launch at the state park on the other side. Bring a towel and comfortable shoes for the trail. Call 1-866-955-2925 for prices or book your rental online. I have personally seen the effects of the growth of commercial use, particularly hiking up to Uluwehi Falls,Carpentersaid. This multi platform establishment has many options for some of Kauai's freshest catch fish. The package includes all gear, including waterproof dry bags for your cameras and a cooler for your snacks and beverages. The cost was $50 per tandem kayak. Take the right side of the fork. Option #2 begins with you deciding on an agreed upon time to meet at your accommodations where they load your kayaks to your roof and again teach you how to secure them yourself. With his knowledge and great description, we felt confident that we could find Sacred Falls.