Are you looking for things to do in Kauai with kids? Keep scrolling to read my full review on sugar cane canal tubing on Kauai with my family. Plus, get my Kauai tubing discount!
This post about Kauai tubing with kids 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.
You know that feeling when you see a Hawaii activity that looks amazing but also kind of terrifying? That was me with Kauai’s mountain tubing adventure.
I’d watched YouTube videos of people floating through dark tunnels on inner tubes near Mt. Waialeale.
As someone who doesn’t usually do anything super adventurous or outdoorsy, I kept putting it off. Year after year, trip after trip to Kauai.
But here’s the thing. My son (who was 5 at the time) saw a video on Facebook and got completely hooked on the idea. So I finally booked it.
And you know what? We laugh about it now because this turned out to be one of the gentlest, most relaxing activities we’ve done in Hawaii.
If you’re on the fence about Kauai tubing, let me walk you through exactly what happens. I think it might surprise you.
What Makes This Tubing Tour So Special
Kauai used to have tons of sugar plantations. The last one shut down in 2000, but those old irrigation canals are still there.
Back in 2003, Kauai Backcountry Adventures figured out how to turn this abandoned infrastructure into something pretty incredible.
These canals were hand-dug in the 1870s by plantation workers, and they run through private land near Mt. Waialeale (one of the wettest spots on Earth).
The company cleaned everything up, added safety features, and now they’re the only ones with access to over 17,000 acres of former plantation land. You literally can’t get to these areas any other way.
During the tour, you float through 5 tunnels wearing a headlamp. The rest of the time, you’re just drifting through open canals surrounded by the kind of scenery that makes Kauai so magical.
When My Nervous 5-Year-Old Became the Bravest Kid There
Here’s where it gets good.
My son picked this activity himself. But when we pulled up to check in, he started getting cold feet. He remembered the video showed a “rapid” (spoiler: it’s maybe a 3-foot drop and totally fine).
The staff were amazing with him. They fitted him with his life jacket, gloves, and helmet while chatting with him the whole time. Then we hopped in the van for the bumpy ride up to the launch site.
He was still a little anxious during the safety briefing. One of the guides noticed and asked if he wanted to ride up front with him. My son jumped at the chance.
And that was basically the last time we saw him for most of the float! He stayed up at the front of the group with the instructor while my husband and I kept drifting toward the back.
Every time someone floated past us, they’d report back: “Your son is having a blast!”
He was the only kid on our tour that day. And he was the first one to go down that little rapid. When we finally got out of the water, he announced it was the “best day ever!”
He’s 11 now and still talks about it.
What the Actual Experience Is Like
Let me be honest about something: the water is COLD.
Our guides joked about not using “F words” (freezing) or “C words” (chilly). They preferred to call it “refreshing” and “invigorating.”
But after about 10 minutes, you stop noticing. You’re just floating along with your toes and bottom in the water, relaxing in your inner tube under the sun.
The floating itself is incredibly gentle. Think lazy river at a water park, but way more scenic. You barely have to do anything except occasionally push off the side of the canal to keep yourself centered.
I was worried about feeling claustrophobic in the tunnels. Turned out to be a total non-issue.
The guides even convinced everyone to turn off our headlamps in the final tunnel to experience total darkness. It was actually pretty cool.
The guides (La’i and Paul on our tour) were fantastic. Paul even played an intense game of tag with my son during lunch!
About That Lunch
Speaking of lunch, it’s included in your tour.
They set up a great spread of sandwich fixings (croissants, meats, cheese, veggies), Hawaiian chips, and cookies.
After floating for a while, you work up more of an appetite than you’d expect. It was the perfect amount of food.
After lunch, we rode back in an open-air vehicle, which made me feel surprisingly outdoorsy for someone who usually avoids this stuff.
La’i gave us tons of local recommendations. Best happy hours, hidden beaches, great hikes.
Plus a bunch of fascinating Kauai history I’d never heard before, and I’ve been coming here for over 25 years as a Hawaii travel expert.
The Practical Stuff You Need to Know
Requirements:
- Kids must be at least 5 years old AND 43 inches tall
- Weight limit is 300 pounds
- Not recommended if you have back, hip, or knee issues
- Not recommended if you’re claustrophobic (though honestly, the tunnels weren’t bad at all)
- Pregnant women in the first two trimesters can participate with a doctor’s note
Tour Details:
- The whole experience takes about 3 hours
- Tours run throughout the day (book early for your preferred time)
- Location: 3-4131 Kuhio Highway, Lihue
- Lunch and equipment included
What to Bring:
- Water shoes (the rocks in the tunnels are really jagged). You can also borrow Crocs from them if you forget.
- Swimsuit and rash guard for sun protection
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Towels (they don’t provide these, so grab some from your hotel or bring a quick-dry travel towel)
- A backpack to keep your stuff organized
- Dry clothes for after
What NOT to Bring:
- Fancy cameras or video equipment (too easy to drop in the water)
- Jewelry (people lose rings every year taking gloves on and off)
- Alcohol (finish your drinks before getting in the van)
Tips That Actually Matter
Get a wetsuit. You can rent one for $10 or buy one for $30. My mom insisted I wear her neoprene wetsuit top and I’m so glad I did. The water comes straight from Mt. Waialeale and it’s legitimately cold.
Apply sunscreen early. Put on your reef-safe sunscreen while you’re still at the check-in area. That gives it time to soak in during the van ride.
Watch the weather. Yes, you’re getting wet anyway. But this is way more enjoyable on sunny days when you can actually see the incredible views. Check the Kauai weather forecast before you book.
Bring Dramamine if you get motion sick. I heard a few people mention taking it beforehand. Your tube will spin whenever it hits the side of the canal or another tube.
I didn’t feel sick, but I definitely noticed the spinning. Ginger chews work too.
Try the apple bananas. There are baskets of them at check-in. If you’ve never had a Kauai apple banana, this is your chance. They’re my favorite type of banana (and I don’t even really like bananas).
Get a waterproof pouch for your phone. Only bring your phone if you have a waterproof pouch with a lanyard.
Otherwise, leave it in your backpack. We left ours behind and only regretted it a few times.
Buy the photos. I usually skip attraction photos, but these were actually really good.
They got tons of great shots of our family, plus video. You can view everything online after your tour and buy the whole set for around $40.
How to Book This
Book your Kauai mountain tubing adventure here.
Fair warning: this tour books up weeks in advance, especially during peak season. If your dates are full, sign up for their waitlist. Spots open up more often than you’d think.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Do This
This is perfect for families with kids 5 and up. It’s also great for multi-generational trips. Seriously, this is gentle enough for grandparents but interesting enough that teenagers won’t complain.
If you’re looking for extreme adventure, this probably isn’t it.
But if you want to see a part of Kauai that most tourists never access, while learning about plantation history and floating through hand-dug tunnels from the 1870s, it’s pretty special.
As a professional tourist who’s visited Hawaii over 40 times, I’d say this is one of the most unique things you can do on Kauai.
It’s not cheap (expect to pay $100-150 per person depending on where you book), but it’s genuinely one of a kind.
Plus, it’s one of the best things to do in Lihue, especially if the weather isn’t cooperating for beach days.
Planning Your Kauai Trip?
If you’re trying to figure out how to fit tubing into your Kauai itinerary, I’ve got you covered.
My Kauai travel guide for families walks you through everything you need to plan the perfect trip, including daily schedules and activity recommendations.
Need more help? I offer one-on-one Hawaii travel consultations where we can map out your entire trip based on your family’s interests and travel style.
And I talk about Kauai adventures like this one all the time on my podcast, Hawaii Travel Made Easy.
Want to start planning right now? Sign up for my free 7-day email course on planning a trip to Kauai. You’ll get all my best tips sent straight to your inbox.
Looking for more Kauai activity ideas? Check out my posts on 101 kid-friendly Kauai activities, the best Kauai luaus, and North Shore Kauai food tours.
And if you’re planning a Hawaii vacation, join my Hawaii Travel with Kids Facebook group to connect with other families and get answers to all your questions.
Wondering what to do in Kauai Hawaii? Find out 101 kid friendly Kauai activities, North Shore Kauai food tour, the best Kauai luaus, and the best Kauai food trucks.
P.S. Join our Hawaii Travel with Kids Facebook group to get connected with other families planning a trip to Hawaii!
