Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 5 kayak experiences from 40 reviewed.
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5 hr
Paddle calm waters once reserved for Hawaiian royalty, then trek through jungle to a towering waterfall.
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2 hr
Paddle through legendary coastal grottoes, turquoise coves, and hidden beach alcoves on this family-friendly kayaking expedition
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2 hr 30 min
Paddle Nerja's hidden coastline — sea caves, secluded bays, and a waterfall only reachable by water.
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The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on this tour remember — all visible on a single visit.
The main pool at the base of the falls where visitors can swim in freshwater. The falls drop approximately 100 feet into the tropical basin.
Wailua River
Rainforest Trail
The secret falls kayak & hike guided tour offers a pulse-pounding excursion, whereas the Fern Grotto provides a tranquil botanical experience for those preferring a leisurely river exploration.
| Feature | Top pick Secret Falls Tour | Fern Grotto |
|---|---|---|
Physical exertion level |
High | Low |
Primary attraction type |
Waterfall and rainforest | Botanical sanctuary |
Hiking requirement |
Required | None |
Best for |
Adventure seekers | Sightseers and families |
Difficulty level |
Moderate | Easy |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: If you are seeking active exploration, choose the secret falls kayak & hike guided tour, but opt for the Grotto if you prefer accessible Wailua River landmarks.
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Practical details for your visit straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
Kapaa, HI 96746
Check-in at the designated boat ramp
Follow Highway 56 to the Wailua River State Park entrance. Parking is available but fills quickly during the morning hours.
Wear moisture-wicking clothing and secure water shoes with good traction. Expect to get wet during the kayak portion of your secret falls kayak & hike guided tour.
Use a waterproof dry bag for all personal belongings. Security at the Wailua River State Park requires you to pack out everything you pack in.
Bring a waterproof camera or a floating case for your smartphone. Capturing the jungle scenery during your secret falls kayak & hike guided tour requires equipment resistant to moisture.
This activity requires moderate physical fitness to navigate river currents and slippery trail sections. The secret falls kayak & hike guided tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Keep mobile devices in a waterproof pouch at all times. Service is unreliable in the deep valley of the secret falls kayak & hike guided tour.
Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the secret falls kayak & hike guided tour. Ensure younger participants have appropriate life vests for the river journey.
Bring sufficient hydration and lightweight snacks for the excursion. Leave no trace of food wrappers at the secret falls site.
Animals are not permitted on the river or the hiking trail due to park regulations. Please make alternative arrangements for pets before your secret falls kayak & hike guided tour.
Always follow the instructions of your guide regarding current river conditions. The secret falls kayak & hike guided tour relies on safe water levels for navigation.
Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.
High temperatures occur, so follow the 08:00–10:00 arrival rule. Warm river water makes the swimming portion pleasant.
Expect higher rainfall and potential mud on the trail. Rivers may flow faster, impacting the secret falls kayak & hike guided tour availability.
Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.
Start your secret falls kayak & hike guided tour between 08:00–10:00 to escape the intense sun.
Waterproof everything before departing the landing area.
Review weather reports for flash flood warnings before your secret falls kayak & hike guided tour.
Choose shoes with aggressive tread for the muddy jungle path.
Stay on the marked path to protect local flora.
Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.
A roadside waterfall visible from the main highway lookout.
A geological formation accessible primarily by river vessels.
Historical site showcasing traditional island living.
Coastal area with protected swimming zones and playgrounds.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Full refunds are typically provided for cancellations made at least 24 hours before the scheduled activity. The 5 USD conservation fee, per person, payable to Wailua River State Park is generally non-refundable if park entry has been processed.
Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.
Proximity to the river launch and dining.
Full-service amenities near the airport.
Local residential options for extended stays.
Mount Waiʻaleʻale, the summit that feeds the Wailua River, collects roughly 450 inches of rain in an average year, ranking it among the wettest places on earth. Kauai itself is the oldest of the main Hawaiian islands, some five million years of erosion cut into ridge and valley. That rainfall is the engine behind every cascade on the eastern shore, including the 120-foot drop Hawaiians named Uluwehi — lush, verdant — and which most visitors now call Secret Falls. The Secret Falls Kayak & Hike Guided Tour traces that water backwards, from the river mouth at Kapaa toward the mountain that made it. The Wailua is the only consistently navigable river in the Hawaiian Islands, and its banks were once the political center of Kauai. Aliʻi, the island's ruling chiefs, held court along this corridor. The remains of several heiau still stand above the water: Hikinaakalā near the mouth, Malae on the south bank, Poliʻahu on the bluff upstream. The name translates roughly as two waters, a reference to the fork upstream. Birthstones and petroglyph sites mark the same two miles that a Wailua River kayak tour now crosses in double kayaks. The falls sit on a tributary of the river's north fork, screened by hau thicket and wild guava, the latter introduced in the nineteenth century and now dominant in the understorey. No road reaches them. The approach is a shin-deep stream crossing followed by a mud trail under java plum, which is why Secret Falls Kayak & Hike Guided Tour tours exist in their current shape — the geography enforces the format. Wailua River State Park administers the corridor and holds the banks against development. Downstream on the same waterway lies Fern Grotto, a lava-rock amphitheatre curtained in sword ferns, reachable only by boat. What the valley offers is proportion rather than scale. The pool below Uluwehi is small, the cliff behind it dark and dripping, the light filtered through a canopy that closes overhead within minutes of leaving the water. Kauai waterfall hikes rarely end somewhere this enclosed. Access is regulated rather than open: Secret Falls Kayak & Hike Guided Tour tickets are issued through licensed operators permitted to work the river corridor, and the ground beyond the landing belongs to the state park system that has protected it for decades.
"No road reaches Uluwehi — the geography enforces the format, and the only approach is water, then mud."
A step-by-step walkthrough of the visit — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You reach the boat ramp inside Wailua River State Park near the 08:00 opening, when the water is still glassy and the trade wind has not filled in. Your guide gathers the Secret Falls Kayak & Hike Guided Tour tour group at the dock and runs through paddle grip, rudder pedals and the order of boats. Then you push off into the north fork. You paddle roughly two miles upriver in a double kayak, the hau branches leaning low over both banks, egrets lifting off the shallows ahead of you. You pass the fork where the south channel splits away toward Fern Grotto. At the landing you drag the hull onto mud, stow your dry bag, and hand over the 5 USD conservation fee, per person, payable to Wailua River State Park. Then you walk. The trail runs about a mile inland and crosses the stream twice, water at the shin, roots and guava trunks doing the work of handrails. Thirty to forty minutes in, you hear Uluwehi before you see it. The pool at the base is cold and shallow at the edge; you swim out, or stand on the rock shelf while spray drifts sideways across the basalt. Coming back, you retrace the trail, re-launch, and let the current carry most of the return.
The attraction is open daily from 08:00–17:00.
Yes, the secret falls kayak & hike guided tour operates daily including Saturday and Sunday from 08:00–17:00.
There is a 5 USD conservation fee, per person, payable to Wailua River State Park.
Most visitors spend several hours completing the paddling and hiking portions of the secret falls kayak & hike guided tour.
Yes, families are welcome, but children should be capable of moderate hiking and paddling during the secret falls kayak & hike guided tour.
The trail involves muddy and uneven terrain, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended for the secret falls kayak & hike guided tour.
We recommend arriving between 08:00–10:00 to avoid midday heat and afternoon winds.
There are no lockers at the Wailua River State Park, so please secure your items in a dry bag.
Cancellations are managed per the provider policy, typically requiring 24 hours notice for a refund of fees excluding the conservation charge.