Kayaking in Kauai

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Kayaking

Kauai is the only Hawaiian island with navigable rivers. As the oldest inhabited island in the chain, Kauai has had more time for wind and water erosion to deepen and widen cracks into streams and streams into rivers. Because this is a small island, the rivers aren't long, and there are no rapids; that makes them perfectly safe for kayakers of all levels, even beginners.

For more advanced paddlers, there aren't many places in the world more beautiful for sea kayaking than Na Pali Coast. If this is your draw to Kauai, plan your vacation for the summer months, when the seas are at their calmest. Tour and kayak rental reservations are recommended at least a week in advance during peak summer and holiday seasons. In general, tours and rentals are available year-round, Monday through Saturday. Pack a swimsuit, sunscreen, a hat, bug repellent, water shoes (sport sandals, aqua socks, old tennis shoes), and motion sickness medication if you're planning on sea kayaking.

River Kayaking

Tour outfitters operate on the Huleia, Wailua, and Hanalei rivers with guided tours that combine hiking to waterfalls, as in the case of the first two, and snorkeling, as in the case of the third. Another option is renting kayaks and heading out on your own. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but it boils down as follows:

If you want to swim at the base of a remote 100-foot waterfall, sign up for a five-hour kayak (4-mi round-trip) and hiking (2-mi round-trip) tour of the Wailua River. It includes a dramatic waterfall that is best accessed with the aid of a guide, so you don't get lost. Remember that it's dangerous to swim directly under waterfalls no matter how good a water massage may sound. Rocks and logs are known to plunge down, especially after heavy rains.

If you want to kayak on your own, choose the Hanalei River. It's most scenic from the kayak itself -- there are no trails to hike to hidden waterfalls. And better yet, a rental company (Kayak Kauai), is right on the river -- no hauling kayaks on top of your car.

If you're not sure of your kayaking abilities, head to the Huleia River; 3 1/2-hour tours include easy paddling upriver, a nature walk through a rain forest with a cascading waterfall, a rope swing for playing Tarzan and Jane, and a ride back downriver -- into the wind -- on a motorized, double-hull canoe.

As for the kayaks themselves, most companies use the two-person sit-on-top style that is quite buoyant -- no Eskimo rolls required. The only possible danger comes in the form of communication. The kayaks seat two people, which means you'll share the work (good) with a spouse, child, parent, friend, or guide (the potential danger part). On the river, the two-person kayaks are known as "divorce boats." Counseling is not included in the tour price.

Sea Kayaking

In its second year and second issue, National Geographic Adventure ranked kayaking Na Pali Coast second on its list of America's Best 100 Adventures, right behind rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. That pretty much says it all. It's the adventure of a lifetime in one day, involving eight hours of paddling. Although it's good to have some kayaking experience, feel comfortable on the water, and be reasonably fit, it doesn't require the preparation, stamina, or fortitude of, say, climbing Mt. Everest. Tours run May through September, ocean conditions permitting. In the winter months sea-kayaking tours operate on the South Shore -- beautiful, but not Na Pali.

Outfitters & Tours

Kayak Kauai. Based in Hanalei, this company offers guided tours on the Hanalei and Wailua rivers, and along Na Pali Coast. They have a great shop right on the Hanalei River for kayak rentals and camping gear. The guided Hanalei River Kayak and Snorkel Tour starts at the shop and heads downriver, so there's not much to see of the scenic river valley. (For that, rent a kayak on your own.) Instead, this three-hour tour paddles down to the river mouth, where the river meets the sea. Then, it's a short paddle around a point to snorkel at either Puu Poa Beach or, ocean conditions permitting, a bit farther at Hideaways Beach. This is a great choice if you want to try your paddle at a bit of ocean kayaking.

A second location in Kapaa is the base for Wailua River guided tours and kayak rentals. It's not right on the river, however, so shuttling is involved. For rentals, the company provides the hauling gear necessary for your rental car. Guided tours range from $60 to $200. Kayak rentals range from $28 to $75.[. Hanalei: 1 mi past Hanalei bridge, on makai side. Kapaa: south end of Coconut Marketplace near movie theaters. 808/826-9844 or 800/437-3507

Kayak Wailua. We can't quite figure out how this family-run business offers pretty much the same Wailua River kayaking tour as everyone else -- except for lunch and beverages, which are BYO -- for half the price, but they do. They say it's because they don't discount and don't offer commission to activities and concierge desks. Their 4 1/2-hour kayak, hike, and waterfall swim costs $39.95, and their 3-hour kayak-to-a-swimming-hole costs $34.95. We say fork over the extra $5 for the longer tour and hike to the beautiful 150-foot Secret Falls.[. In Wailua next to the Wailua Shell Food Mart. 808/822-3388. www.kayakwailua.com

Na Pali Kayak. A couple of longtime guides for Kayak Kauai ventured out on their own a few years back to create this company that focuses solely on sea kayaking -- Na Pali Coast in summer, as the name implies, and the South Shore in winter (during peak times only). These guys are highly experienced and still highly enthusiastic about their livelihood. So much so, that REI Adventures recently hired them to run their multiday, multisport tours. Now, that's a feather in their cap, we'd say. Prices start at $180. You can also rent kayaks; prices range from $35 to $70.[. 5-575 Kuhio Hwy., next to Postcards Café. 808/826-6900 or 866/977-6900. www.napalikayak.com

Outfitters Kauai. This well-established tour outfitter operates year-round river-kayak tours on the Huleia and Wailua rivers, as well as sea-kayaking tours along Na Pali Coast in summer and the South Side in winter. Outfitters Kauai's specialty, however, is the Kipu Safari. This all-day adventure starts with kayaking up the Huleia River and includes a rope swing over a swimming hole, a wagon ride through a working cattle ranch, a picnic lunch by a private waterfall, hiking, and a "zip" across the river (strap on a harness, clip into a cable, and zip across the river). It ends with a ride on a motorized double-hull canoe. It's a great tour for the family, because no one ever gets bored. The Kipu Safari costs $155; other guided tours range from $94 to $185.[. 2827-A Poipu Rd., Poipu, 96756. 808/742-9667 or 888/742-9886. www.outfitterskauai.com

Wailua Kayak & Canoe. This is the only purveyor of kayak rentals on the Wailua River, which means no hauling your kayak on top of your car (a definite plus). Rates are $45 for a single; $75 for a double.[. Across from Wailua Beach, turn mauka at Kuamoo Rd. and take first left, 169 Wailua Rd., Kapaa. 808/821-1188