Wailua River Kayak & Secret Falls Tour Review – Kayak Wailua
Review by Krystal | Experienced: June 2026
Tour Company: Kayak Wailua
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| 🚣 Kayaking Experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🥾 Hiking Experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🧑🏫 Guide | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🌿 Scenery | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 💰 Value | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ❤️ Overall Experience | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
👨👩👦 Best For: Active travelers • Nature lovers • Families with older children • Anyone looking for a true Kauaʻi adventure
Would We Book Again? Absolutely.
Overview
If you're looking for an adventure on Kauaʻi that combines kayaking, hiking, and one of the island's most beautiful waterfalls, this tour delivers.
We booked a guided kayak and waterfall tour with Kayak Wailua, and it ended up being one of the most memorable adventures of our trip. Between paddling the peaceful Wailua River, hiking through the rainforest, and reaching Secret Falls, the entire experience felt like stepping into another world.
What really made the day stand out, though, was our guide, Reid. His knowledge, encouragement, and sense of humor made an already great excursion even better.
Booking & Arrival
When planning this excursion, we debated whether to rent kayaks and explore on our own or book a guided tour.
Looking back, choosing the guided tour was one of the best decisions we made.
The booking process was straightforward, and after another group canceled, our party of five ended up with a private tour, which was a fun and unexpected bonus that made the day feel even more personal.
The Experience
The tour began with a scenic paddle along the Wailua River before transitioning into a hike through the rainforest to Secret Falls.
The river itself was peaceful and beautiful, providing a relaxing start to the adventure. As we paddled upstream, Reid shared stories about the area and Hawaiian culture, making the journey just as enjoyable as the destination.
Once we reached the hiking trail, the adventure really began.
The Hike to Secret Falls
Mother Nature definitely made this hike more interesting.
It rained on and off throughout the entire tour. Personally, I appreciated the cooler, overcast weather and was thankful not to be hiking in the full Hawaiian sun. The downside, however, was the trail.
Reid jokingly referred to it as "Hawaiian Ice," and after experiencing it ourselves, we understood exactly why.
He rated the trail conditions a 10 out of 10 for mud, and roughly a quarter of the hike consisted of deep, slippery mud that made footing difficult.
The tour company estimates the hike takes about 35 minutes each way, but because of the conditions, it took our group closer to an hour and fifteen minutes each way.
I was traveling with my parents, who are both in great shape, but even they found the trail challenging in those conditions.
Fortunately, the effort was completely worth it. Reaching Secret Falls after working through the muddy trail made the destination feel even more rewarding.
Our Guide
Reid was outstanding. His patience, encouragement, and experience made a challenging hike feel much more manageable. Whenever the trail became especially slippery, he was there to offer advice or a helping hand, particularly with my parents. He also kept the mood light with his sense of humor while sharing information about the area throughout the day.
Looking back, Reid's guidance was one of the biggest reasons we enjoyed this excursion as much as we did. We would not have navigated the mud of the trails without him; had we done the excursion with just rented kayaks, we would have likely turned around.
Price & Value
This tour reinforced something we often consider when traveling:
Sometimes paying for a guide adds tremendous value.
Before the trip, we seriously considered renting kayaks and completing the hike on our own. After experiencing the trail conditions, we were incredibly grateful we had chosen a guided tour instead.
Having Reid navigate the muddy trail, assist our group when needed, and ensure everyone's safety made the experience far less stressful and far more enjoyable.
For us, the guided tour was absolutely worth the cost.
What We Loved
- Beautiful paddle on the Wailua River
- Secret Falls
- Outstanding guide
- Learning about Hawaiian culture
- Private tour experience
- A true outdoor adventure
What Could Be Better
Honestly, there wasn't anything the tour company could have done differently.
The muddy trail was simply the result of Mother Nature, and it's something future visitors should be prepared for rather than view as a negative.
Would We Book Again?
Absolutely.
This excursion combined beautiful scenery, physical activity, and an excellent guide into one unforgettable experience.
If you're deciding between exploring on your own or booking a guided tour, we'd strongly recommend going with a guide, especially if it's your first time, as recent rain could make the trail more challenging.
For us, it was one of the best adventures we experienced on Kauaʻi.
Windows of Travel Tips
- Wear sturdy shoes with good traction; you'll likely encounter mud, even in better conditions.
- Bring a waterproof bag or dry bag for your belongings. (Kayak Wailua provided these)
- Don't wear clothes you're worried about getting muddy.
- If you're deciding between a self-guided trip and a guided tour, we'd recommend the guide. The extra knowledge, assistance, and safety were well worth it.
- Embrace the adventure! Sometimes the muddiest trails lead to the best memories.
Continue Planning Your Hawaii Trip
🏝️ Read our Complete Hawaii Trip Report
🏡 Read our Kauaʻi Vacation Rental Review
🚤 Read our Nā Pali Coast Sunset Cruise Review
🛣️ Read our Waimea Canyon Driving Guide
🍽️ Read our Best Restaurants We Tried in Hawaii
🎥 Watch our Kauaʻi YouTube Vlog (Videos coming soon!)