Yes! This tour is designed with beginners in mind. Popoiʻa sits just offshore, the paddle is short, and your guide starts with a briefing and trip overview before you launch. If you're not a confident swimmer, this tour is our recommendation because it sticks to the calmer, near-shore waters of Kailua Bay.

About 0.5 mile (0.8 km) each way, roughly 35 minutes out and 30 minutes back. The return trip usually rides the trade winds at your back, which makes it easier.

Popoiʻa is a low, flat island formed from a fossilized coral bed. It's a state-protected seabird sanctuary managed by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, so landing requires a permit, which is included with your tour. On the island you'll walk past nesting seabirds, native plants, and tide pools.

Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) feed throughout Kailua Bay and often surface near the kayaks. On Popoiʻa you may see nesting seabirds such as wedge-tailed shearwaters, along with reef fish in the tide pools. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Your tour includes use of snorkel gear, boogie boards, bikes, beach chairs, and beach mats for the rest of the day, until the shop closes at 5 PM. On the morning tour, beach time comes after your paddle. On the afternoon tour, we suggest arriving around 10 AM if you'd like to snorkel or ride bikes before your tour.

Lanikai Beach is the top pick, with living coral close to shore and calmer water. It's about a 20-minute walk along the beach or a 5-minute bike ride along the bike path from the shop. Life jackets are required for all snorkelers.

Kids 8 and older can join group tours, and children 5–7 can join by booking a private tour. Participants under 16 paddle in a double kayak with an adult 18 or older.

Yes. Private tours are available for groups of 1–2 people or for families of 3 or more, ages 5 and up, so you can go at your own pace without keeping up with a group. Participants ages 5–17 must be accompanied by a guardian.

Yes. Expect everything you wear and bring kayaking to get wet, and plan to bring a change of clothes for afterward. Showers and changing rooms are available at the shop.

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.