Kailua Beach Rentals – Kayaks, Paddleboards & Beach Gear

All of our kayaks are stable, sit-on-top ocean kayaks. Singles are 11'6" (3.5 m) long, 31" (79 cm) wide, and weigh 57 lbs (26 kg). Doubles are 11'10" (3.6 m) long, 35" (89 cm) wide, and weigh about 70 lbs (32 kg). Triples are 13'6" (4.1 m) long, 35.5" (90 cm) wide, and weigh 75 lbs (34 kg); they fit 2 adults and 1–2 small children, and are also a great choice for two larger adults who want extra stability.

From Kailua Beach, popular destinations include Popoiʻa (Flat Island), about 1/4 mile (0.4 km) offshore; Lanikai Beach, about a 30–50 minute paddle; and the Mokulua Islands, about 2.5 miles (4 km) away. Kaʻelepulu Stream, a protected canal just inland from Kailua Beach Park, is great for calm, family-friendly paddling. With the free car-top pads and straps, you can also drive to destinations like Mokoliʻi (Chinaman's Hat) or the Kāneʻohe Bay Sandbar.

Absolutely! There are several destinations in Kailua suited to different skill levels, and our staff will recommend routes based on the weather and your comfort level. Under normal conditions, the Mokulua Islands are best for experienced kayakers; beginners interested in the Mokes should consider booking a guided tour.

Yes. Landing on Popoiʻa (Flat Island) or Moku Nui requires a state permit, which can be added at checkout or purchased at check-in, Monday–Saturday. One permit covers both islands for the day. The State doesn't issue landing permits on Sundays.

Walking! Park in our free lot and roll the kayaks to the beach on the carts provided, which takes about 5–10 minutes. You can load them on your car instead, but this requires two strong people able to lift 60+ lbs (27+ kg) overhead, plus time to load, unload, and find parking.

Yes. Free car-top foam pads and straps come with kayak and SUP rentals. If you're heading outside Kailua Bay, such as the Kāneʻohe Bay Sandbar or Mokoliʻi, on Sundays you'll need to check in before 12 PM. An anchor is required for the Kāneʻohe Bay Sandbar and can be added for an extra fee.

Yes. Kayaks, paddleboards, bikes, and snorkel sets are available for 24 hours and multi-day rentals of up to 1 month. Rentals of 3 days or more for kayaks, SUPs, and bikes include free delivery to private residences in Kailua and Lanikai.

Kailua is a bike-friendly town with about 3 miles (4.8 km) of bike paths along Kailua and Lanikai Beach, plus a marshfront trail at Kawainui Marsh with great birdwatching. The town is mostly flat; a small hill at the entrance to the Lanikai neighborhood is the only real incline. Lanikai Beach is about a 5-minute bike ride from the shop, and Kailua Town is about 5 minutes away by bike.

Lanikai Beach is exceptional for beginners, with living coral close to the soft white sand and shallow, calmer water. Kailua Bay is a protected Ocean Recreation Management Area and a Hawaiian green sea turtle feeding ground. Calmer, less windy days usually mean better visibility. Life jackets are required for all snorkelers.

Yes. We offer a limited number of corrective-lens masks for near-sighted guests who wear eyeglasses. Supplies are limited, so please arrive early to make sure we have your prescription.

Kailua Beach offers great beginner waves for bodyboarding, which is by far the easiest way to catch a wave, and a superb beginner surf break. Ask the team for the best spots on the day you visit.

Call the shop as soon as you think you'll be late; the team can easily extend your rental time if contacted before your time is up. Late gear may be charged an hourly late fee, and all gear must be returned before the shop closes at 5 PM.

Check in at our shop at 130 Kailua Rd, Suite 101B, Kailua, HI 96734, inside the Kailua Beach Center (the same shopping center as Bob's Pizzeria, Sunrise Shack, Island Snow, and K&K BBQ). Kailua Beach Park is about a 3–4 minute walk from the shop, and the designated kayak launch zone fronting Kaʻelepulu Canal is roughly 5 minutes farther along the bike path.

We're open 8 AM–5 PM every day of the year. All gear must be returned to the shop before closing.

Reservations are recommended. Most trips take 3–5 hours, so we suggest starting rentals and self-guided adventures before 1 PM to make the most of your day.

Yes. Free on-site parking is available at our shop for tour and rental guests, so you can skip the hunt for beach parking and walk straight to the sand.

Yes. By law, all kayaks and SUPs must be transported to the beach by the guest. We provide wheeled carts and instructions, and the walk takes about 5–12 minutes; it isn't difficult for adults of average fitness. Free car-top foam pads and straps are also available if you'd prefer to drive your gear somewhere else. Carts are not available on Sundays, when all kayaks and SUPs must be transported by car.

Yes. You don't need to be a strong swimmer, but you should feel comfortable swimming back to your kayak or board with the help of a life jacket. If you're not a confident swimmer, our 2-hour guided kayak tour to Popoiʻa (Flat Island) sticks to calmer, near-shore waters.

Life jackets (PFDs) are provided and must be worn at all times by everyone kayaking and by all snorkelers. For stand up paddleboarding, life jackets are available if you'd like to use one. Our vests fit paddlers from about 30 lbs (14 kg) up to roughly 300 lbs (136 kg).

We can accommodate almost any size paddler on both rentals and tours. Single kayaks hold up to 250 lbs (113 kg); for paddlers over 250 lbs (113 kg), we set up a double kayak as a single. Double kayaks hold a combined 400 lbs (181 kg); for pairs over that, we set up a triple kayak as a double. Triple kayaks fit 2 adults and a small child (ages 3–7).

The State of Hawaii does not issue landing permits for Popoiʻa (Flat Island) or the Mokulua Islands on Sundays, giving the nesting seabirds a rest. Paddling in Kailua Bay is still allowed, but carts aren't available, so you'll need a car to transport kayaks and SUPs. Destinations outside Kailua Bay, like the Kāneʻohe Bay Sandbar or Mokoliʻi, require check-in before 12 PM. Guided kayak tours run Monday–Saturday only.

Yes. Popoiʻa (Flat Island) and Moku Nui are state-protected seabird sanctuaries managed by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), and a landing permit is required. One permit covers both islands for the day. Permits are included with all of our guided tours, lessons, and self-guided tour packages, and they're available for an extra fee at check-in for standalone rentals, Monday–Saturday. DLNR regularly patrols the islands, and fines for landing without a permit can be steep.

Yes. Every guide is CPR, First Aid, and ocean lifeguard certified, and our team has run a professional guide training program for over 40 years. Kailua Beach also has 2 lifeguard towers.

Our shop has free parking, outdoor showers, changing rooms, restrooms, lockers, complimentary Wi‑Fi, and up-to-date weather information. Our retail shop carries reef-safe sunscreen, waterproof phone cases, water shoes, sunglasses retainers, drinks, and snacks. Lockers are included with tour packages and the Day Pass, and are available for an extra fee with standalone rentals.

Pets are not allowed on our gear. Service animals are welcome in accordance with ADA guidelines and must wear a properly fitted life jacket at all times while on kayaks or equipment.

Common sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm coral reefs, as the particles are small enough to be absorbed by corals, causing toxicity and coral bleaching. Reef-friendly sunscreens are formulated without these harmful chemicals. Reef-SAFE sunscreens go a step further by using non-nano particles, which are too large for corals to ingest, helping to preserve marine ecosystems. Please avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate, and parabens. Consider wearing sun-protective clothing, like long-sleeve rash guards, as an alternative to sunscreen. If you choose a mineral-based sunscreen, ensure it is labeled 'non-nano.'

We're certified by the Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii and have been named Eco-Tour Guide of the Year three times. Our guides lead beach cleanups and island restoration projects, we host a marine plastics recycling station at the shop where you can drop off what you find, and we provide beach cleanup kits so guests can help care for Kailua Beach.

TripOutside recommends knowing how to swim before snorkeling, but participation is ultimately up to you and the tour operator's discretion.

• Never snorkel alone. Always bring a buddy. Beginners should consider booking a guided tour.
• Rest after flying. Flying can dehydrate and exhaust you—give your body at least a day to acclimate before snorkeling.
• Test your gear first. Make sure your mask fits snugly, you can breathe through the snorkel, and you know how to clear water if needed.
• Practice with fins. You should be able to scissor kick while swimming. Avoid doggie paddling—it won't get you far.
• Take it slow. Breathe calmly, relax, and avoid overexertion to keep your heart rate low.
• Know your limits. If you're feeling tired, anxious, or unsure about conditions, skip the snorkel session. Panic in the water is dangerous.
• Stay aware of currents and tides. Even experienced swimmers can get pulled out. Know how to identify rip currents and how to escape them (swim parallel to shore).

You can't wear glasses with a snorkel mask, but contacts are totally fine and often the best option for seeing clearly underwater. A limited number of corrective-lens masks for near-sighted guests are available at the shop on a first-come basis, so arrive early if you need one. Fun fact: everything appears about 25% larger and closer underwater, which helps visibility a bit even without correction.

You can snorkel with a beard or mustache but it can prevent a tight seal between the mask and your face, which may cause water to leak in. It is often recommended to shave at least your mustache before diving. If you'd prefer not to shave your mustache, please bring petroleum jelly or chapstick with you. If you coat your mustache in that chapstick or jelly, it may be able to seal and prevent water from getting in.