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River Adventures
RIVER KAYAKING
Kauai is the only Hawaiian Island with navigable rivers, making the island perfect for kayaking. There are many different ways to kayak on Kauai. Want to paddle only down wind? Or do you want a great upper arm workout? Let us help you select the river kayaking adventure that is right for you.
You can rent your own kayaks, strap them on the top of your car and off you go. You can go on guided tours, or we can arrange to have your rental waiting at the water for you. Guided trips go up several of the large rivers on the island to secret waterfalls where you can have a picnic lunch. We like to classify the rivers here as "Class 0," so they're perfect for beginners, because there are no rapids to maneuver.
There are river kayaking tours that include kayaking as well as hiking (many to beautiful waterfalls). There is a three hour tour that includes an approximately 20 minute paddle down wind, hiking, snacking and rope swinging with a motorized canoe waiting to take you back home up wind. Or there is a 6-hour tour which includes paddling both ways and a hike to a gorgeous waterfall and a hearty lunch. There's a North Shore paddle, hike, waterfall excursion Let us help you sort it all out!
Wailua River Kayak and Waterfall Hike
Some would say that the classic Kauai kayak tour is kayaking on the Wailua River. This is a gorgeous and calm river and you'll paddle deep into the heart of the island all the way to the shadow of Mt Wai'ale'ale. After an easy downwind paddle upstream, tie your kayak to a tree and take a somewhat rugged and very beautiful one-mile hike up valley to a dramatic 130' waterfall with a pool at the bottom. Sit on some big basalt boulders at the bottom of the pool and have a delicious picnic lunch, and then hike back down to your ruddered tandem open cockpit kayaks for some more fun paddling!
As you pass through this spectacular and interesting valley by kayak and on foot, your guide will be sharing their knowledge of the island. Hear about the history of ancient Kauai and the how the Ali'i (royalty) and Maka'ainana (common people) lived and played in days gone by. Learn about the unique and unusual medicinal and food plants that inhabit Kauai's Wailua River Valley, as well as identifying many beautiful ornamental plants, both native and introduced.
Your return journey is downstream, and you'll be paddling into the trade winds, so prepare for a bit of a workout on this leg of the journey. Swimming holes, native and exotic botanical wonders; the Wailua is truly a fantasyland of Hawaiian deep jungle scenery.
Kipu Waterfall Safari—Paddle, Hike, Swing, Zip, Ride
This is a full day multi-sport adventure that's perfect for the whole family. Take a fun downwind kayak trip on a beautiful jungle stream. You'll travel in a two-person, open-cockpit type kayak, which is stable, comfortable and easy to get in and out of. After an easy 2-mile paddle, tie your kayak to a tree and take a short walk to a gorgeous area of waterfalls and swimming holes.
Next you'll be riding in a custom covered farm wagon, pulled by a big, quiet John Deere 4wd tractor to the Kamapua'a Falls trailhead. It's an adventure that takes you back in time on a unique narrated hayride across Kipu Ranch, a 4,000-acre working cattle ranch. The ranch is home to the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) descendants of William Hyde Rice, the first missionary to come to Kauai. You may spot wild boar, peacocks and pheasant as you traverse the expansive Ranch.
Then take a short stroll down to an incredible Swiss Family Robinson-style tree house, which is built around a huge Banyan tree. You'll be overlooking the middle pitch of the 120' bridal veil Kamapua'a Falls from the picnic benches, while enjoying a delicious catered luncheon.
Following lunch, some guests won't want to miss a wild ride on a 275' zipline over a waterfall and river, returning on foot via an 80' suspension bridge. State-of-the-art equipment and procedures make for a 100% safe and exhilarating extreme experience. Others will be content to continue relaxing in this pristine setting.
Continue along the forest trail through the exotic foliage to Kipu Falls for swimming. The more adventurous types will be jumping into swimming holes at the base of waterfalls and swinging on ropes tied to tree branches high above mountain pools. Others will simply relax and enjoy the quiet beauty!
From here cruise by covered wagon again to a jungle trail, and then walk back to your kayaks at the river. Only this time, on the downriver return trip, rather than paddling your kayak for two miles into headwinds, kick back and soak up the sun and scenery on a big, double-hulled Hawaiian Canoe. It's 32' long and 10' wide, powered by a small, quiet 4-stroke outboard motor and has plenty of comfortable seating. Enjoy a slow, relaxing ride down the river, towing your empty kayak behind while taking in the beautiful sights all around you. A perfect ending to a perfect day!
The Hidden Valley Falls Kayak Adventure
Enjoy a paddle and waterfalls hiking tour in a National Wildlife Refuge. You'll start with a pleasant downwind kayak trip on the Huleia a beautiful and historic jungle stream. Where the river gets shallow, tie your kayaks to a tree and take a 3/4-mile hike up the valley to an enchanting area of waterfalls and swimming holes. On the way back, rather than paddling your kayak into a stiff wind, you'll be picked up in a twin-hulled powered Hawaiian canoe for the return trip.
It's a delightful downwind paddle, about two miles in length. You'll go through the Huleia National Wildlife Refuge, a place for the preservation of endangered Hawaiian water birds. Paddle passed the Alekoko (Menehune) Fishpond, a living archaeological site-an example of the ancient's fishing and aquiculture methods still utilized today. Your backdrop is the magnificent Haupu Mountain Range, a dramatic and majestic 2000' shield volcano that looms over the river. The destination is a series of 3 pool-drop waterfalls with a swimming hole known as Hidden Falls.
The area is steeped in legend, and your guides will tell you exciting stories about the supernatural inhabitants of the valley in days gone by. Interestingly, Huleia has been the site of filming for a wide range of major motion pictures, including Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, and it's sequel Lost World.
Leaving your kayaks behind, set out on a 1 1/2-mile round trip guided nature walk through a pristine tropical rain forest containing many different communities of plants, birds, and aquatic life, both native and introduced. Stop along the way at swimming holes with rope swings and finally reach your destination--Hidden Valley Falls, a captivating series of waterfalls cascading over black lava rock. Have some snacks and cold drinks, enjoy the scenery for a while, and then head back down to the river for a fun trip back in our double-hulled motorized canoe. It's cheating, but who cares?
Hanalei River Kayak and Snorkel
A three-hour guided tour along the scenic Hanalei River and Bay Reef Lagoon accompanied by charming water-borne natural historians. Safe family enjoyment with the land, water, fauna and flora genuinely interpreted. Highlights are views of Bali Hai (Makana Peak), and the sweeping "South Pacific" panorama. Bird and turtle watch, snorkel for views of colorful reef fish. Wade by a sandy beach. The more adventurous can paddle out in a surf kayak. Perfect soft adventure for all ages, couples and families. Come prepare to in these calm, clear, shallow waters.
Jungle Waterfall Hike/Kayak Adventure
This is the North Shore's only guided kayak trip to a waterfall. Your adventure begins with a 20 minute hike through beautiful open grasslands with spectacular mountain views. Lush, green valleys mesmerize the eye as you hike down to a serene mountain stream.
Here you load onto a kayak and embark on your mission: to discover a hidden jungle waterfall. This 40 minute easy kayak paddle winds through an Amazon-like jungle stream (minus snakes, crocodiles and piranhas, phew!). Learn about the native and Polynesian introduced plants, and marvel at the fern and orchid-lined valley walls.
After the cruise up stream, leave your kayak behind and enjoy a short hike through a lush tropical rainforest. Taste wild tropical fruits in season, and after a few very easy stream crossings your mission is accomplished: discovery of a pristine hidden jungle twin waterfall that empties into a mountain pool surrounded by fern lined walls! Here you spend an hour swimming, enjoying a delicious picnic lunch, floating on inner tubes under the waterfall, or just sitting peacefully taking it all in. After some R & R, hike back to your kayak for the journey home.
This tour is an expedition that everyone will enjoy. Ages six & over are welcome (however, exceptions are made for active children under 6). Total kayaking time is approximately one hour (round trip), and the total hiking time is approximately an hour and a half. This is an extremely popular tour so advance reservations are highly recommended.
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