The 15 Best Oahu Kayaking Tours

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 2-Hour Guided Kayaking Excursion, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 442 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $199

Meet your guide at Kailua Beach Adventures, then paddle across Kailua Bay toward Popoia, also called Flat Island, with the Ko’olau Mountains and Lanikai in view. Guides such as Brandon, Hopoe, Mike, and Evelyn add local stories, safety help, and wildlife details. Lunch, snorkel gear, bikes, and post-tour beach equipment are included.

“Awesome kayaking experience with @Brandon! @KailuaBeachAdventures (KBA) thanks for the great tour, area history, cruiser bikes, & overall hospitality!”

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3.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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4.Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery in Kailua, Oahu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 249 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $110

Start at Kailua Beach Adventures, collect a single or tandem kayak, snorkel gear, life jacket, paddle, dry bag, and beach equipment, then walk the kayak to Kailua Bay. Paddle at your own pace toward Lanikai Beach, Flat Island, or the Mokulua Islands, with about five hours to explore.

“We got to go to the bird sanctuary island and snorkeled a LOT it was a blast. We saw a few turtles trigger fish and lots of colorful marine life.”

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5.Haleiwa River Paddle Board Rental with Blue Planet Adventure Co.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 215 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $39

Rent a stand-up paddleboard or single kayak from Blue Planet Adventure Co. in Haleiwa and spend two hours exploring the Anahulu River, Haleiwa Bay, and the area beneath Rainbow Bridge. Staff members such as Julie, Tyler, Cree, and Max can provide basic instruction. Expect a self-guided outing, not a group tour.

“It was a lot of fun , relaxing and we saw turtles which made the day! Great area to hit the North Shore. The young lady who helped us was very knowledgeable, sorry we don’t remember her name.”

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6.Family, Private & Group Standup Paddle Lessons in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $118

You’ll meet the Ohana Surf Project team at the Waikiki Beach Marriott, watch a short safety video, then head to the water with a board, rashguard, reef shoes, and paddle. Instructors such as Mark, Kai, Kevin, Marcus, and Romeo work with beginners, families, and mixed abilities. Pickup and return service is available from select Waikiki locations.

“Haley, Lawson and Aiden had a wonderful experience. Instructor Miguel had them up on the board quickly. We look forward to receiving videos!”

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7.Lunar Legends Night Stand up Paddle Kayak Water Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 141 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $107

Spend about 90 minutes on a stand-up paddle board or requested kayak at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Your English-speaking storyteller-guide leads you past Samoa, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Tonga, and Tahiti under moonlight and colorful LED lights. The lagoon is calm and shallow, making this a gentle first paddle for families and beginners.

“Fantastic experience, excellent guide and stories, cool location for an easy SUP. If you’ve never done stand up paddling - great for a newbie: calm lagoon waters, easy speed with stops for the history on the Polynesian areas, and shallow waters. The LED is such a nice touch on SUP!! Went with my family, we all own and paddle board occasionally so cool experience as a newbie or experienced paddle boarder with a twist!”

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8.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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9.Private Stand up Paddle Lesson and Tour (for 1 or more paddlers)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Learn stand-up paddleboarding with Rainbow Watersports on Oahu’s North Shore, then paddle Haleiwa Bay and Anahulu Stream. Your private group gets boards, paddles, bottled water, instruction, and photos. Guides such as Heidi, Kate, Megan, and Ocean are praised for calm coaching, including help for first-timers, children, older adults, and nervous paddlers.

“We got there late and they were great. They helped us get ready for the experience and provided excellent instructions. I would recommend them, great time.”

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10.North Shore Haleiwa Paddleboard River Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 2 hours · from $34Best value

Start beside Haleiwa’s Rainbow Bridge with Blue Planet Adventure Co. Get step-by-step help from an instructor such as Julie, Luke, or Max, then paddle the calm Anahulu River through mangroves and freshwater springs. Look for honu and colorful birds, with the option to reach Haleiwa Bay if you have the right experience.

“The paddle boarding was easy on the smooth river. We were so excited to get to see turtles! It was a very nice 2 hours. Julie was very helpful getting us started. She was enthusiastic about her job.”

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11.Single & Double Kayak 3-Hour River Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 31 reviews · 3 hours · from $75

You’ll launch near Kahana River with host Larry and his wife, choosing a sit-in single kayak or stable sit-on-top double. Paddle at your own pace, turn toward the river mouth, and continue to Kahana Bay only when sea conditions allow. Paddles and life jackets are included, and groups are limited to 10.

“Absolutely perfect. We had a great time as a family renting the double kayaks. And even though the day was a little gray and rainy, we had so much fun we didn’t care. A great outfit.”

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12.2 hour tandem kayak rental at our private launch area in Hale’iwa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

You and a partner get two hours in a stable tandem kayak on Haleiwa’s Anahulu River, with a private sloping launch, life jackets, staff help, and access to a calm bay and sandy beach. Blue Planet Adventure Co. also provides a covered deck, changing room, bathroom, hot shower, and drinking fountain.

“Amazing experience, beautiful scenery! Kayaks were ready and the attendant was so nice and helpful! Thank you!”

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13.Magic Island Honolulu Stand Up Paddling

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

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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14.Kailua Guided Kayak Excursion with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 19 reviews · 2h 30m · from $196

Paddle calm Kailua Bay with a small group and an English-speaking guide such as Avery, Jon, or Hopoe. Visit bird-protected Popoi’a Island, inspect tide pools, collect marine plastic, look for green sea turtles, and learn about Hawaii’s geology. Your day pass adds snorkel gear, bikes, beach chairs, lockers, showers, and parking.

“One of the best beaches in the world, I had to book a kayaking excursion here. As commercial companies are now allowed on the beach, we had to walk our own kayak there on wheels, remove it and drag it across the beach where the guide met us in the water. That part was a little difficult as I was by myself and the kayak was a bit heavy. The kayaking part was great, not difficult at all, the water is pretty calm and beautiful. We rode some of the smaller waves which was fun too. We stopped on flat island and explored which was beautiful. Great value for money…”

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15.Kaneohe Self-Guided Sandbar Kayaking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 17 reviews · 4 hours - 570 minutes · from $96

Pick up your kayak and gear in Kailua, then choose a longer reef-filled paddle from Waiahole or a shorter route from the boat harbor. You’ll paddle independently to Kaneohe Sandbar, walk across it, and snorkel near coral and marine life. Staff, including Ethan on some visits, explain transport and launch details.

“Personnel très gentil et professionnel qui aide à mettre le canoë sur le véhicule. Matériel de bonne qualité, nous avons pu aller sur le banc de sable dans la baie, faire de la plongée à plusieurs endroits et voir des tortues, c’était magnifique ! Je recommande !!”

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