Tickets & tours
The waterfall viewpoint is easy to drive to yourself, but guided tours offer different ways to experience the Wailua River valley, from kayaks to airplanes.
Most bookedRainbow Kayak Tours has been providing guided tours of the Wailua River for 20 years. Our experienced guides are well versed in the flora and fauna of the area, as well...
Best valueThe most professionally-run SUP/kayak/surf shop on Kauai. Just minutes away from Wailua River. Rent for a couple of hours to multiple days, if not going to Secret Falls....
Top ratedExperience Kauai’s natural beauty and local culture in one day, with a local guide connecting the sights through island stories. Cruise the Wailua River to Fern Grotto,...
Small groupThe only way to see and appreciate our "Island Paradise" called Kauai, is from above and one of our airplanes is the best way to do it! Enjoy the breathtaking scenery...
Explore jungle forests and waterfalls while also connecting with the Hawaiian culture! This tour will take you on a trip back in time by visiting 3 ancient Hawaiian...
Tour prices change based on the season and availability; the state park entry fee ($5/person) may be extra.
Popular tours sold on GetYourGuide. Live prices and dates come straight from GetYourGuide.
Enter your group and compare totals on both platforms. From-prices; children are priced as adults unless the listing gives a child rate.
Compare the top-rated ways to experience the Wailua area.
| Option | Duration | Viator from | GetYourGuide from | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| expert guided kayak | 5 h to 6 h | $165 | Compare | 4.8 (848) | active explorers and families |
| sup or kayak rental | 24 h | $64 | Compare | 4.7 (125) | independent active travelers |
| full day island tour | 10 h | $279 | Compare | 4.6 (593) | first-time Kauai visitors |
| airplane tour | 1 h 5 min | $159 | Compare | 4.8 (2,116) | aerial photography and couples |
| audio driving tour | 48 h | $20 | Compare | 4.3 (26) | budget-conscious road trippers |
No. You can easily drive yourself to the lookout at the end of Ma'alo Road. Tours are best if you want to explore the wider river valley, kayak, or see the island from above.
No. You can also take a fixed-wing airplane tour, which is often slightly cheaper and provides large window views of the falls and the rest of Kauai.
No. Kayak tours on the Wailua River typically head toward Secret Falls. Wailua Falls is further up a different fork of the river and cannot be reached by kayak.
From Viator
848 reviews of the expert guided kayak on Viator
Thomas, our guide was wonderful. Unfortunately, due to the damage caused by the storm we were unable to hike to the waterfall. But Thomas made our kayaking adventure a truly memorable experience . Would definitely recommend.
Sierra was an excellent guide for our trip! She instructed, educated, and entertained us throughout the excursion. The kayaking and hiking activities were fun, the scenery beautiful, and the pineapple treat delicious.
Fun DIY activity! Be mindful the waterfall hike is closed due to the hurricane and there’s a large barge that you share the river with.
