Hawaii · CANOES & KAYAKS

The 15 Kayak Trips on Oahu That Earn Their Price

53 tours  ·  from $40

Good kayak trips fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Kailua Bay, Oahu: Epic Kayak and Snorkel to Islands - Starting at Kailua Beach Adventures
Canoes & Kayaks, Kailua and Windward Coast Tours, Oahu Kayak Tours, Oahu Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews

Kailua Bay, Oahu: Epic Kayak and Snorkel to Islands

1.Kailua Bay, Oahu: Epic Kayak and Snorkel to Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,311 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $114Our pick

Paddle from Kailua Beach to Flat Island or the Mokulua Islands on a guided or self-guided trip. You’ll get kayaks, snorkeling gear, lockers, showers, permits, and lunch. Guides such as Mike, Evelyn, Alex, and Tupre are praised for safety help and local stories, but expect a real workout.

“Staff was welcoming and helpful in ensuring we got the information we needed to have a safe and fun day. The food vouchers provided through the package included very tasty freshly made sandwiches from a Deli down the street, Huge quarter-pan pizza slices, or a Hawaiian plate lunch. The value was great, and we ended up saving some of the food for the next day's adventures, as the amount of food was too much to finish on the day of our adventure.”

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Kailua 2-Hour Guided Kayaking Excursion, Oahu - Meeting the guide and getting ready at 130 Kailua Road
2-Hour Experiences, Canoes & Kayaks, Guided, Kailua and Windward Coast Tours, Oahu Kayak Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kailua 2-Hour Guided Kayaking Excursion, Oahu

2.Kailua 2-Hour Guided Kayaking Excursion, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 442 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $199

Meet guides such as Hopoe, Mike, Brandon, or Braden in Kailua, then paddle to Popoia, also called Flat Island, with views of Lanikai and the Ko’olau Mountains. The two-hour trip includes gear, lunch, and later access to snorkel equipment, bikes, and boogie boards.

“Ben was an amazing guide and teacher. Our First time kayaking and he made it so simple for us. He was also very knowledgeable”

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Kailua Twin Islands Guided Kayak Tour, Oahu - The five to ten minute kayak-cart walk
Canoes & Kayaks, Guided, Kailua and Windward Coast Tours, Oahu Kayak Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kailua Twin Islands Guided Kayak Tour, Oahu

3.Kailua Twin Islands Guided Kayak Tour, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 379 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $275

Paddle from Kailua to the Mokulua Islands with a naturalist guide such as Tommy, Austin, Mike, or Will. You’ll visit a seabird sanctuary, walk to Queen’s Bath, snorkel, swim, and eat lunch on the beach. The five-hour trip suits fit kayakers who want scenery, wildlife, and a real workout.

“Great tour experience and Tommy was a great guide! Be prepared to kayak against the wind heading out but worth it!! The eoc tour and snorkeling were fun. Easier ride back in. Recommend water shoes with strong soles for walking around the island. Definitely Italy recommend this!!”

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Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery in Kailua, Oahu - Lanikai Beach: the easygoing first stop
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Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery in Kailua, Oahu

4.Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery in Kailua, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 249 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $110

Rent a single or double kayak in Kailua and set your own route to Lanikai Beach, Flat Island, or the Mokulua Islands. Your package includes permits, snorkel gear, a dry bag, beach equipment, and bikes for ages 13 and up. Expect about five hours, plus a short walk to the water.

“Great experience! We grabbed lunch from the deli right down the road (delicious!!). It’s a short walk to the canal by the bridge. The water is shallow enough that you can walk to kayak to the beach. We stopped at the beach first and snorkeled. Tons of beautiful fish! Then we braved it out to the islands. We were fighting a lot of wind and waves, but it was 100% worth it! Rode the waves right into the beach on the Mokes. On the way back we stopped at flat island to look at the tide pools and saw a lot of bird nests in the holes of the rock.…”

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Haleiwa River Paddle Board Rental with Blue Planet Adventure Co. - Following the Anahulu River upstream
Canoes & Kayaks, North Shore Tours, Oahu Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Tour Reviews

Haleiwa River Paddle Board Rental with Blue Planet Adventure Co.

5.Haleiwa River Paddle Board Rental with Blue Planet Adventure Co.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 215 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $39Best value

Rent a stable stand-up paddleboard or single kayak from Blue Planet Adventure Co. and explore Haleiwa’s Anahulu River at your own pace. Staff members such as Julie, Tyler, Cree, and Max provide launch help and basic instruction. Look for turtles, fish, birds, and a possible trip into Haleiwa Bay.

“So much fun! We were beginners and were given excellent instructions from Julie our guide. She made sure we felt comfortable and secure before launching. The river is beautiful and perfect for paddle boarding. Turtles swam all around us and it was fun watching the fish jumping. There is a rope swing that people swung and jumped into the river from. People watched and cheered as kids and adults showed off! Such a great way to enjoy the quaint little town on the North Shore of Oahu.”

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Family, Private & Group Standup Paddle Lessons in Waikiki - How the Two-Hour Lesson Works
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Family, Private & Group Standup Paddle Lessons in Waikiki

6.Family, Private & Group Standup Paddle Lessons in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $118

Meet at Ohana Surf Project near the Waikiki Beach Marriott for a two-hour lesson tailored to your ability. You’ll receive gear, a safety briefing, beach transport, and coaching from instructors such as Mark, Kai, Kevin, or Tyler. The experience is best suited to first-time surfers and confident beginners.

“My children (age 14 and 13) had a great first surfing experience. The instructor was kind and helpful.”

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Lunar Legends Night Stand up Paddle Kayak Water Experience - The water is made for beginners
Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Oahu Kayak Tours, Oahu Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Tour Reviews

Lunar Legends Night Stand up Paddle Kayak Water Experience

7.Lunar Legends Night Stand up Paddle Kayak Water Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 141 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $107

Spend about 90 minutes paddling or floating through the Polynesian Cultural Center after dark. Your storyteller-guide shares legends from Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, and New Zealand as LED-lit boards pass waterfalls and quiet village settings. Stand-up boards are standard; request a kayak ahead.

“So fun. Our tour guys were amazing. One said it was his first time to lead the tour. He fell off his board which made me feel at ease in case I fell. lol. Highly recommend”

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Polynesian Canoe Sunset Sail - Hawaiian stories, chants, and ukulele music
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Polynesian Canoe Sunset Sail

8.Polynesian Canoe Sunset Sail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Join Kamoauli in Waikiki for a two-hour sunset sail on an all-wood, double-hulled Polynesian canoe. You’ll hear Hawaiian chants and ukulele music, learn local traditions, try hands-on activities such as poi making or hula, and enjoy fruit, poke, smoked mackerel, dessert, and nonalcoholic drinks.

“The sunsets and the hula dancing lesson. We had a nice evening with this sunset sail. I would go back again in a heartbeat”

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Outrigger Canoe Surfing - Paddling out from Waikiki
Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews

Outrigger Canoe Surfing

9.Outrigger Canoe Surfing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 122 reviews · 20 minutes (approx.) · from $51

Meet Waikiki Beach Services at the Royal Hawaiian and join a licensed captain for a short outrigger canoe ride off Waikiki. Paddle, catch at least two waves, and hear how canoeing connects to Hawaii’s royal family. Children age 5 and older and nonswimmers can join.

“It was awesome and just about any age would enjoy it. ———————————————111111111-11111111122—————————-”

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Kahana Bay River to Ocean: Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Board Rental - Turning toward Kahana Bay and the ocean
Canoes & Kayaks, Kailua and Windward Coast Tours, Oahu Kayak Tours, Oahu Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Tour Reviews

Kahana Bay River to Ocean: Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Board Rental

10.Kahana Bay River to Ocean: Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Board Rental

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 112 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Launch from Kahana Adventures’ private dock on the Kahawai Nui River and paddle a calm, narrow waterway toward Kahana Bay. Choose a kayak or SUP, use the provided life jacket, stop at a beach or rope swing, and return to the same dock within roughly three hours.

“My friends and I had the best time kayaking! We alway try to kayak on trips we go on together and this time was one of the bests. Not only was the scenery amazing, but the people that we rented the kayaks from and that helped us get set up were the nicest! (a little tricky to find the entrance, but they called ahead and gave us great directions)”

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Kayak, Snorkel, and Surf with Turtles in Honolulu - A 20-minute stop at a shipwreck
Canoes & Kayaks, Honolulu Tours, Oahu Kayak Tours, Oahu Snorkeling Tours, Snorkeling Tours in Honolulu, Tour Reviews

Kayak, Snorkel, and Surf with Turtles in Honolulu

11.Kayak, Snorkel, and Surf with Turtles in Honolulu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 95 reviews · from $200

Join local guides Shane and Neil for about three hours on the water off Waikiki. Kayak or stand-up paddle over coral reef, snorkel at Turtle Canyon and a shipwreck, then receive beginner-friendly surf instruction. Hotel pickup, gear, water, snacks, and groups of up to five are included.

“My daughter and son were able to surf standing up for the first time in their lives. We then went kayaking to swim with sea turtles and local, colorful fish. Guides were helpful and encouraging.”

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Clear Bottom Kayak - Guaranteed to see Turtles! - Meeting in Haleiwa and getting ready to paddle
Canoes & Kayaks, Oahu Kayak Tours, Oahu Turtle Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews

Clear Bottom Kayak – Guaranteed to see Turtles!

12.Clear Bottom Kayak – Guaranteed to see Turtles!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $172

Meet Sea and Board Sports Hawaii in Haleiwa for a two-hour small-group paddle with guides such as James, JC, Koa, and Evan. You may kayak over reefs, enter a river, snorkel, and spot turtles beneath the clear hull. Conditions can change the craft or route, so expect a flexible outing.

“***HIGHly*** recommend this tour we had the best tour guide JC!!!! If you chose to do anything chose this make sure to bring your good vibes only 💚🤙🌴”

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GLOW Stand Up Paddle at Twilight - Key points to know before you book
Canoes & Kayaks, Oahu Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Tour Reviews

GLOW Stand Up Paddle at Twilight

13.GLOW Stand Up Paddle at Twilight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Join a private twilight SUP outing at Haleiwa Beach Park with guides such as Kate, Megan, or Michael. You’ll learn on calm water, paddle toward Anahulu Stream, watch your board glow after sunset, and look for turtles, fish, and stars. Equipment, water, and photos are included.

“Dreadie was a fantastic guide- made the whole experience fun and relaxing. Thanks for the pictures! 👌”

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Stand Up Paddle Nature and Turtle tour-Guaranteed to see turtles - The turtle sighting is the real payoff
Canoes & Kayaks, Oahu Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Oahu Turtle Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Stand Up Paddle Nature and Turtle tour-Guaranteed to see turtles

14.Stand Up Paddle Nature and Turtle tour-Guaranteed to see turtles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $172

Meet Sea and Board Sports Hawaii in Haleiwa for a beginner-friendly paddleboard lesson and 90-minute trip up the Anahulu Stream. Equipment, a small group, and guaranteed turtle sightings are included, though the water may be murky and you carry your board to the river.

“Paddleboarding this little river was so much fun! We saw a couple of turtles, one swam right past us and another was asleep on the bank. Our guides were awesome and the tour group was small, just the two of us and a family of four. Highly recommend!”

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Kailua: Mokulua Islands Guided Kayak and Snorkeling Tour - The paddle from Kailua Beach to Moku Nui
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Kailua: Mokulua Islands Guided Kayak and Snorkeling Tour

15.Mokulua Islands Guided Kayak and Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 46 reviews · 5 hours · from $269

Paddle across Kailua Bay with a certified lifeguard guide, land on Moku Nui, snorkel near turtle feeding grounds, and enjoy lunch by the sea. Guides such as Tupre, Ben, and Tommy add local stories and patient coaching, while the small eight-person group keeps the day personal.

“Great activity, highly recommend for anyone looking to get a guided experience for the Na Mokulua islands. We were lucky enough to be visited by a hawaiian monk seal and I kayaked right past a sea turtle on our way out!”

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New in Canoes & Kayaks

★ 5.0Family Stand Up Paddle Lesson with Waikiki Courtesy ShuttleFrom $573 reviews
★ 4.5Stand Up Paddle Open Group Lesson with Waikiki Courtesy ShuttleFrom $576 reviews
★ 5.0Private Stand Up Paddle Lesson with Waikiki Courtesy ShuttleFrom $1298 reviews
★ 5.0Sunset Stand Up Paddle with Photos and Turtles7 reviews
★ 5.0Stand-Up Paddle Yoga on the North Shore of OahuFrom $653 reviews
★ 3.0Stand-Up Paddle Yoga6 reviews
★ 5.0Stand Up Paddle Board LessonsFrom $28012 reviews
★ 5.0Private Outrigger Canoe Surfing Experience13 reviews
★ 4.0Rainforest River Kayak Self-Guided Kayak TourFrom $823 reviews
★ 5.0Discover Popoia Island and Kailua Bay by Kayak Guided TourFrom $1693 reviews
★ 5.0Polynesian Canoe Morning Sail18 reviews
★ 5.0Magic Island Honolulu Stand Up PaddlingFrom $5723 reviews
★ 5.0Paddle Board North Shore with Rescue DogsFrom $15018 reviews
★ 4.5North Shore Farm: Anahulu River, Kayak-Sup, Turtles, Lunch & MoreFrom $8023 reviews
★ 5.0Semi-Private Stand Up Paddle Lesson with Waikiki Courtesy ShuttleFrom $1294 reviews

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