Are you wanting to go kayaking in Hawaii but don’t know where to go? Check out this Hawaii kayaking guide for the ultimate Hawaii adventure!
This post about the best places for kayaking in Hawaii was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Kayaking in Hawaii is an unforgettable experience for outdoor lovers!
There are pristine beaches, jagged cliffs, lush forests and vegetation, and coral reefs! Hawaii has the perfect mix of flora and fauna. And the beautiful weather all year long makes this location one of the best kayaking destinations in the US.
There are numerous Hawaiian islands to choose from when you’re looking for the best Hawaii kayaking spots. Each one offers unique experiences.
Plus, some of the most beautiful parts of Hawaii can only be viewed from the sea. So, what better way to do this than on a kayaking adventure?
Because of this, there are so many incredible Hawaii kayak tours to choose from!
From the turquoise waters of Honolua Bay to the sandbars of Kealakekua Bay and the amazing Na Pali Coast, this article highlights some of the best kayaking destinations in Hawaii, along with the top guided kayak tours to enjoy.
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9 Amazing Places to Go Kayaking in Hawaii
Are you hoping to go kayaking in Hawaii? You’re in luck! There are TONS of places in Hawaii for kayaking. Here are a few top picks for a kayaking destination in Hawaii, along with the top Hawaii kayaking tours!
Honolua Bay, Maui
Honolua Bay is the most popular snorkeling, surfing, and scuba diving destination in Hawaii. And I think the turquoise water here makes this one of the most beautiful kayaking destinations.
The bay is located in the Mokulēʻia Marine Life Conservation District, so you’ll see lots of coral and marine life here! On the coast, you’ll also access several hiking trails that pass through stunning landscapes.
If you love surfing, you can get surfing lessons here. But in the winter, the tides can be dangerous, so proceed with caution.
Maui Kayak Tour
Enjoy kayaking at this top snorkeling spot on Maui. You will get a kayak and snorkel adventure all in one! This tour is only available during May to September, or during the summer months when you can expect calm waters.
Na Pali Coast, Kauai
One unique feature of the Na Pali Coast is that it’s not accessible by road. While others take a hike to the coast, sea kayaking remains the most beloved alternative. Some of the best Kauai kayak tours are of this area.
It’s a great way to see the Na Pali Coast from a distance, allowing you to take in the stunning natural beauty! You just can’t get the same views from land.
Some of the cliffs here rise as high as 4,000 feet above sea level. You can see gorgeous waterfalls cascade down a few of the cliffs, too. And below is blindingly white sand that makes everything seem magical.
I suggest starting your kayaking journey at Haena Beach Park and then following the shore close to the cliffs. You’ll follow the shore for 15 miles all the way to Polihale.
If you love snorkeling or scuba diving, this would be a great location for those activities, as well.
Keep an eye out along the way for sea caves, too! And you may also get the chance to see all kinds of whales swimming further offshore.
This truly is the best place to kayak in Kauai!
Kauai Kayak Adventures
If you’re looking for a guided kayak tour, I recommend this incredible Kauai Sea Kayaking Tour of the NaPali Coast.
Or, if you are seasoned kayakers and just need to rent a kayak, this is a great option. Life jackets are also included in your rental.
Makena Bay, Maui
When you think of beautiful, natural beaches with crystal clear waters and a trove of untouched reefs, think of Makena Bay in South Maui.
This bay attracts all kinds of sporting activities. It’s one of the most popular kayaking spots in Hawaii for all skill levels.
It’s not for the person who prefers to be alone! You’ll have plenty of company with all the kayak tours that come here. But it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.
While you’re here, head to Maluaka Beach, which is just 1 beach over. It’s a great place in South Maui to see green sea turtles.
Maui kayak tours from Makena Beach
You can check out this super fun Maui Turtle Reef Kayaking Tour at Makena Beach State Park. It is a kayaking trip and snorkeling adventure all in one.
Wailua River, Kauai
One of my family’s favorite places for renting kayaks in Kauai is at Wailua River State Park.
The river is really calm, and it’s a perfect place to go kayaking in Kauai with younger kids or beginner kayakers.
There are several spots where you can tie up your canoe and do short hikes into the jungle. We did one of the Wailua River tours that took us to a secret waterfall, and it was so cool!
This is also home to many kid-friendly Wailua River kayak tours and excursions. This Kauai river kayak should definitely be added to your itinerary.
Secret Falls Kauai Kayaking Tour
We found this awesome Wailua River kayaking tour that would be great for families! It does Wailua River, Secret Falls, and so much more!
If you want to try kayaking in Kauai to waterfalls, check out this tour!
Mokulua Islands, Oahu
The Mokulua Islands on Kailua Bay are a good destination for more experienced kayakers. It is often the best place to kayak in Oahu.
These are two small islands off the beaches of Kailua and Lanikai. One is Mokulua Iki and the other is Mokulua Nui.
Mokulua Iki is closed to the public, but Mokulua Nui is open.
Launch your kayak from a canal off the Kailua Beach Park and paddle for a 2.5-mile stretch. Note that tides are strong here when they come in, and the currents can be challenging to inexperienced kayakers.
You can rent a kayak in Kailua and hook it to your car or have it transported to the beach for you since Kailua kayaking is so popular in this area.
There are sea turtles and crabs in the turquoise waters of Kailua Bay. And in the winter, you can spot whales at a distance offshore.
Other popular activities on the coast of Kailua and Lanikai include diving, swimming, and hiking.
Kailua Beach Kayak Tours
For the best kayaking in Oahu, go on this kayak adventure. With this Kailua Beach Kayak tour, you have the option of doing a self-guided, guided tour, or just getting some kayak rentals.
It is one of the best Oahu kayak tours!
Find out more about kayaking on Oahu
Keauhou Bay, Big Island
The beautiful, serene waters of Keauhou Bay make it another great spot for kayaking and canoeing in Hawaii.
The shoreline of Keauhou Bay is stunning, with craggy black cliffs of volcanic rock and bright white sand beaches below. It’s easy to see why there are boating and kayaking tours here every day. It is also full of abundant marine life.
Swimming may not be ideal because the bottom of the bay is rocky, and there is a lot of harbor traffic. But you can rent kayaks and paddleboards close to the beach.
Big Island Kayak Tour
If you want to kayak Big Island Hawaii, this is the place to do it. With this tour, you get to snorkel and kayak along the Kona Coast. It is one of the best Kona kayak tours as you get to explore a lava tube, cliff jumping, and more on this kayaking trip.
Kayaking in Kona Hawaii doesn’t get much better than this!
Kaneohe Bay, Oahu
At 7,500 acres, Kaneohe Bay is the largest water body in Hawaii. There are coral reefs around Kaneohe Bay that are perfect for snorkeling, diving, beach volleyball, and swimming.
This is also the only bay in Hawaii with a coral reef AND sandbars. The sandbars result from the actions of water and tides and make Kaneohe Bay kayaking so much fun.
If the tide is low, the sandbar becomes completely exposed, making a small beach! This sandbar becomes an immediate attraction because it’s just a mile away from the shore.
Kayakers love to explore this sandbar and the beauty of the Koolau Mountains around the area. Kaneohe sandbar kayaking is very popular.
Since this is a closely regulated area, you’ll be expected to adhere to some rules and regulations so that you do not destroy natural habitats and marine life located here.
For instance, there are no bathrooms or changing places on the sandbar. You cannot dig up the sand or disturb the coral reefs because that may endanger the marine life at this spot.
It offers the best kayaking in Oahu Hawaii.
Kaneohe Kayaking Tour
You can rent a kayak from the Kaneohe Marina and go on a self-guided kayak adventure in this area. It has the best kayaking Oahu has to offer.
Kealakekua Bay, Big Island
If you want to see dolphins or explore the amazing coral reef on your kayaking or boating tour in Hawaii, Kealakekua Bay is the place to go.
This is another marine life conservation district, and you can only kayak here when you come for a tour.
The most common destination for kayakers here is the Captain Cook monument. And the deepest part of the bay is an excellent spot for scuba divers and underwater photographers.
Around the bay are lush green forests, surviving in perfect harmony with the bay and turning this spot into heaven for kayaking lovers.
Captain Cook Kayak Tour
Kayaking in Hawaii Big Island is so fun with this Kealakekua Bay tour! You will have a tour guide as you embark on this half-day kayak aquatic adventure.
Haleiwa Beach, Oahu
Kayaking North Shore Oahu is also a fun adventure. You can go kayaking on the Haleiwa River and out into the ocean. River kayaking is quite fun on this side of the island.
You will find calm waters in Haleiwa and plenty of great opportunities to relax on the sandy beaches afterward.
Haleiwa Kayaking Tour
Enjoy a North Shore clear bottom kayak tour right in Haleiwa! You will get to spend a couple of hours out on the ocean and go watching for some sea turtles!
Hawaii Kayaking FAQs
The most popular Hawaiian islands to kayak in Hawaii are Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. They all have very unique spots where you can kayak to a waterfall, see Hawaiian green sea turtles, head out to tiny islands, or just cruise up the gorgeous coastline!
While more experienced paddlers can technically kayak between the islands, the average tourist cannot. The islands are MUCH further apart than most people realize, and there are strong ocean currents. Instead, plan on kayaking off the coast and enjoy the scenic views.
The little islands off the coast of Lanikai Beach are probably the most popular places to kayak on Oahu. They’re referred to as the Mokes. But you can actually only kayak to Moku Nui. Moku Iki is a bird sanctuary, and no one is allowed to kayak there. It takes about 30-45 minutes to kayak out to Moku Nui from Lanikai Beach.
Ocean kayaking in Hawaii is definitely worth it! It offers stunning views of the natural beauty of Hawaii, some you won’t find anywhere else. If you can, be sure to enjoy a kayaking tour during your trip!
Kayaking Hawaii Wrap-Up
Kayaking in Hawaii offers experiences you’ll never forget, with stunning views and lots of sea life. You’ve read about kayaking spots for beginners and experienced waterbugs alike, with opportunities to explore smaller islands and even spot whales!
On your Hawaii vacation, you can find places to rent kayaks or leave all the planning up to the locals and book a guided kayak tour. Which destination is calling you?