Wailua River by Tandem Kayak, to the Secret Falls Trailhead
A guided tandem-kayak trip up Kauai's Wailua River, sold with a hike to Secret Falls that State Parks has closed for now.
Rainbow Kayak Tours says it has guided trips on the Wailua River for 20 years, and this one runs the standard Wailua day: tandem kayaks up the river, then a walk through the rainforest to Uluwehi Falls, better known as Secret Falls, with lunch beside the pool.
Right now the hike and the falls are closed. State Parks reopened the river and its designated landing and trailhead on September 21, 2026, after Hurricane Lowell. Its notices, the latest dated October 8, still say hiking beyond the trailhead and access to Uluwehi Falls remain closed, and they give no reopening date. Until that changes, what is left of the day is the paddle. The booking page still describes the full day, with the falls stop and lunch at the pool, and carries no note on the closure.
Anyone booking for the waterfall should hold off until State Parks lifts the closure.
📍 The booking covers a seat in a tandem kayak with paddle, back rest and dry bags, plus lunch: a sandwich, fruit and water. The listing names a turkey sandwich and asks for gluten-free or vegetarian requests at least 48 hours ahead; the operator's own page also lists ham and a lettuce wrap.
Entry to Wailua River State Park, Wailua Marina included, now costs USD 5 per non-Hawaii resident, paid by credit card only. Hawaii residents with a Hawaii ID or driver's license enter free.
Wailua River & Waterfalls Kayak Tour: Expert-Guided AdventureRainbow Kayak Tours' guided tandem-kayak trip up the Wailua River from Kapaa, sold with the Secret Falls hike. Five to six hours, weekdays only, lunch included.www.viator.comTwo to a Kayak, Up the Wailua and Back
The listing puts the paddle at two miles each way; the operator's own page says to expect about three miles of paddling in all. Two people share each kayak and steer it together. One traveler who had done the trip with another company wrote that the kayaking took the most out of them, and several travelers writing in 2025 and 2026 describe wind on the return leg, which comes after the hike.
On the way up, the operator describes paddling past heiau along the cliffs and past Kamokila, a replica of an ancient Hawaiian village, before turning into the North Fork toward the trailhead. Its own page says it takes 12 people in the morning and 12 in the afternoon; the listing caps a shared departure at 24. In mid-October 2026 the booking calendar showed only the 7:00 AM departure open on the weekdays checked, with the 12:30 PM slot marked as not operating. Travelers who went early describe a cooler, quieter river.
What the Trail Demands When Open
When the trail is open, the listing describes about a mile and a half each way through rainforest, four river crossings over loose rocks that you cross again on the way back, and a 25-foot climb over wet roots and rocks. Shoes go fully underwater: the listing asks for closed-toe shoes, reef shoes or sport sandals and rules out flip-flops and Crocs. Travelers also mention boardwalk sections over the worst of the mud, and one writing in August 2026 called the hike "a bit intense (mud, slippery rocks, fallen trees)". The falls drop into a pool where groups swim and eat lunch.
Rain upstream can stop the hike on a given day. Two travelers writing in 2026 describe the guide halting where the kayaks are left when the river crossing ran too high, serving lunch there and paddling back; both say they received a partial refund, one of them half. A dry spell works the other way: one traveler in September 2025 reached the falls to find them not flowing.
Who Gets Turned Away, and Still Pays
The listing spells out three situations where you still owe the full price: being outside the 5-to-70 age range, being pregnant, or having a recent surgery or a knee, back, ankle, shoulder or hip condition, joint replacements included, that would affect safe participation. For age and pregnancy it says the operator may refuse you on the day, and full payment is still required. It also asks for a high level of physical fitness and does not recommend the trip for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. The operator's own page adds that guests need to be able to walk 3 miles and kayak for 60 to 90 minutes. Children 5 to 12 book at the child rate, and an adult has to be on each booking.
Weekdays Only, Rain or Shine
Trips run Monday to Friday; the operator says guided tours are not allowed on the Wailua River on Saturdays and Sundays. The listing says tours go out rain or shine unless there is a weather advisory, and if a tour is cancelled you can reschedule depending on availability or take a full refund. On your side, a full refund needs cancellation at least 24 hours before the departure time; inside that window nothing comes back. Booking direct with the operator follows different terms, including 72 hours' notice for groups of six or more.
📍 Check in at Snorkel Depot, 440 Aleka Place in Kapaa, in the Islander Shops at the Aston Islander on the Beach, behind Coconut Marketplace. The check-in point is not at the river: travelers describe a van ride from there to the marina, and two mention being asked to help load the kayaks and gear at the end.
Wear a swimsuit under light clothing and bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat, rain gear and an extra bottle of water. Leave a dry change of clothes in the van for the ride back.