Wailua River Kayak to Secret Falls: The Guided Paddle and Hike

The Wailua is the only river in Hawaii you can paddle up, and at the end of it, a mile into the jungle, is a 120-foot waterfall with a swimming hole. The whole thing takes a morning, costs about what a round of golf does on this island, and is the trip that families talk about on the plane home.

This page covers the tour we book, what it costs, who can do it, and the rule that catches people out every week: it does not run on weekends.

Why this made our list

The river first. The Wailua was the seat of Kauai’s aliʻi, the chiefs, and the valley is still the greenest place on the east side: fern banks, hau thickets, the Sleeping Giant ridge above, and the Fern Grotto on the way. The paddle is flat and slow, about 45 minutes upriver, which is enough to feel like a journey and not enough to be work.

The hike is the second. From the kayak landing a trail follows a stream for about a mile through rainforest, with two crossings where you wade knee-deep and the guide points out where to step. Then the trees open and Uluwehi Falls, which everyone calls Secret Falls, drops 120 feet into a pool. You swim, eat lunch on the rocks, and hike back.

The third is the operation. Kayaks are delivered, set up and launched for you, dry bags and coolers are handed out, and water shoes are provided so nobody ruins their sneakers. Groups are 4 to 12 with a guide who knows the plants, the legends and which rock to jump from. It holds 4.9 stars across more than 4,500 reviews, which is the deepest review record of any tour on the island.

Why this operator

Five companies guide the Wailua, and the river is the same for all of them. We compared them on group size, what is provided and reviews. The others are good, and a couple are cheaper by a few dollars or include lunch. This one won on review depth and on the small things: six daily departures so you can pick your time, water shoes provided, and guides that reviewers name. If you only want to paddle and skip the hike, every company also rents kayaks by the hour.

What the Wailua River kayak tour is like

Plan on about five hours.

1. Check in on Haleilio Road 30 minutes early. Waivers, dry bags, coolers for your lunch, water shoes handed out.
2. Launch. The kayaks are already at the water. A five-minute lesson and you are paddling.
3. Upriver. Two miles at an easy pace along the fern banks, past the turn to the Fern Grotto, under the Sleeping Giant. Forty-five minutes or so. The guide stops for the stories.
4. Land and hike. Kayaks pulled up at an unmarked bank. The trail follows the stream through the jungle, with two wading crossings and a few rooty steps. About 30 to 40 minutes.
5. Secret Falls. The pool is cold and clear and the spray reaches the rocks where you eat lunch. Half an hour to swim and sit.
6. Back down. Hike out, paddle down with the current, which is faster than the way up. Back at the base around five hours after you left.

Prices and what you get

From $115 per person plus tax and a small booking fee. That covers the kayak, paddle, life jacket, guide, dry bags, coolers and water shoes for 4.5 to 5 hours. Lunch is bring-your-own; the picnic at the falls is the reason. Gratuity for the guide is extra.

Who it’s for (and who should skip it)

Families with school-age kids, couples, first-time kayakers, anyone who wants a waterfall and is willing to earn it. Active grandparents do it. No experience needed.

Skip it if you cannot walk a muddy mile with stream crossings, if you need it on a Saturday or Sunday (the river is closed to tours), or if you want a dry day. After heavy rain the trail is slick and the crossings are higher; the guide decides whether the falls are safe.

Where to check in and how to get there

The base is at 4565 Haleilio Road in Kapaʻa, on the north bank of the Wailua River just inland from the Kūhiō Highway bridge. From Līhuʻe it is 15 minutes, from central Kapaʻa 5, from Poʻipū 45 and from Princeville 40. Check in 30 minutes before your tour (40 minutes for groups over six). Parking is on site.

Buy lunch and water in Kapaʻa or at the shops by the Wailua bridge on the way; there is nothing at the landing or the falls. Current tour times and the live calendar are on the booking page.

Best time to go

Time of day. The 8 or 9 am departures. The river is glassy before the trades fill in, the trail is cooler, and you reach the falls ahead of the midday groups. The 1 pm tour is warmest and emptiest at the start but puts you on the river in the afternoon wind.

Time of year. Year round. Summer is drier and the stream crossings are ankle-deep. Winter brings more rain, a fuller waterfall and muddier trail; bring the change of clothes. Any weekday works. No weekends.

Local tips before you book

• Weekdays only. Every company is closed Saturday and Sunday. Plan the rest of your week around this one.
• Book the 8 am. Calm water and the falls to yourselves for a while.
• Pack a real lunch. The picnic at the falls is the moment. Sandwiches from Kapaʻa and a lot of water.
• Wear the water shoes. They hand them out for a reason. Flip-flops do not survive the stream.
• Bug spray before the hike. The falls trail has mosquitoes in the shade.
• Pair it with the east side. You are done by early afternoon. Kealia Beach and the coastal bike path are ten minutes north; see our best beaches guide. The private helicopter tour leaves from Līhuʻe, 15 minutes south, the next morning.

The verdict

For a Wailua River kayak tour, this is the one we book: six daily departures, everything provided down to the shoes, small groups, and 4,500 reviews that agree. Book a weekday morning, pack a good lunch, and swim under the falls before anyone else gets there.