Best Island Kayak Tours in Oahu: Our Top 4

1.Kailua Bay, Oahu: Epic Kayak and Snorkel to Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,311 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $114Our pick

Paddle from Kailua Beach to Popoia Island or the Mokulua Islands on a guided or self-guided eco-tour. You’ll receive a kayak, snorkel gear, dry bag, locker, lunch, and safety briefing. Guides such as Mike, Evelyn, Alex, and Tupre have helped make the outing personal and informative, but wind can change the route.

“Sept 4, 2025 about 9 am - 2:30 pm. My husband and I (late 50s/mid 60s) thoroughly enjoyed our day kayaking to the Mokulua Islands with our guide Tupre. We did not have any trouble transporting the kayak to the ocean. There was no yucky water to cross. We found it a fairly easy few block walk. The hardest part was carrying the kayak back up a little hill when bringing it back from the beach. Tupre was a fantastic guide! With his help we saw turtles, a monk seal, wedged-tailed shearwater birds nesting on the island (so many cute babies), crabs, urchins, many beautiful fish while snorkeling. Definitely an…”

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2.Kailua Twin Islands Guided Kayak Tour, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 379 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $275

Spend about five hours kayaking from Kailua to the Mokulua Islands with a local naturalist guide such as Tommy, Austin, Will, or Jay. Paddle roughly an hour each way, explore Queen’s Bath, snorkel, swim, spot seabirds and possible turtles or monk seals, and eat lunch on the beach. Moderate fitness is required.

“Jay did a great job as tour leader ... i felt i was safe in her hands ... i will come back and do a summer tour as it is less windy /less waves”

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3.Mokolii Island Self Guided Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $82

Pick up a kayak, safety gear, dry bag, map, and transport straps at Active Oahu Tours in Kailua. After personal instruction, drive to the launch and paddle to Mokoli’i, also called Chinaman’s Hat. You set your own pace, hike the island’s circumference, and return the kayak within about four hours.

“The whole team were great, from helping us load the kayak to our hire car to providing great advice about the surrounding areas. It's awesome to look back at photos of Mokoli'i Island and be able to say "yep, we did that trek!". Also appreciated the shout out to us Aussies on their Instagram :)”

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4.Magic Island Honolulu Stand Up Paddling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $57Best value

Paddle from Magic Island with Yoga Floats, less than two miles from Waikiki. This one-hour lesson starts at 7:30 am and suits first-timers, with stable boards, calm water, and groups capped at five. Guides such as Kelsey and Kristin focus on safety, balance, and local wildlife, including possible turtle sightings.

“Kelsey, our teacher and guide was so great and patient! It was a perfect day to paddle and the turtles were a great addition. I highly recommend for beginners and experienced paddlers.”

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