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Kailua Kayak Tours
Kailua Kayak Tours - What to Know
When joining a Kailua kayak tour, a guided experience offers added safety and convenience. Certified guides are familiar with the local waters, currents, and weather conditions, ensuring a smoother, more secure journey, especially when navigating around the islets or managing waves near the shore. They also know the best landing areas on the islets, which can be tricky without experience. Beyond safety, guides add to the experience by sharing fascinating insights into Kailua’s history, local legends, volcanology, and ecology. For those new to ocean kayaking, guided tours are especially helpful, as launching from shore can be challenging when waves are present. Additionally, guides have a trained eye for spotting wildlife, like sea turtles and seabirds, that you might otherwise miss.
Most tours come with everything you need, including kayaks, paddles, and life vests, so there’s no hassle of transporting equipment to the launch site. Early morning tours are recommended, as the winds tend to pick up later in the day, making for easier paddling.
Why Choose Kailua for Kayaking
The blend of wildlife, landscapes, and snorkeling add-ons makes Kailua a standout destination for kayaking on Oahu. One of the highlights is landing on the sandy beach of an islet called Moku Nui, where you can take a 20-30 minute hike around the island to see wildlife like wedge-tailed shearwater chicks, rock crabs, and Bulwer’s Petrels, along with marine life in the tide pools.
Kayaking over coral reefs offers the chance to spot more than just sea turtles and you might even encounter monk seals resting on the beaches of the islets. Many tours combine kayaking with snorkeling, adding another exciting experience to check out the underwater world you pass over in the kayaks.
Whether you paddle to one of the Mokulua Islands (known as the "Mokes") or Flat Island, or do both, each stop offers stunning views of Oahu's coastline, perfect for memorable photo opportunities.
Where to Go Kayaking in Kailua
Moku Nui
Moku Nui, the larger of the Mokulua Islands, is a popular destination for kayakers in Kailua. With its sandy beach and hiking trails, visitors can explore the island’s natural beauty while spotting local wildlife like wedge-tailed shearwaters, rock crabs, and seabirds. The island offers stunning views of Oahu’s coastline and is a protected seabird sanctuary, making it an excellent spot for nature enthusiasts. Though Moku Nui is accessible to visitors, its neighboring island, Moku Iki, remains off-limits to protect its delicate ecosystem.
Popoia
Known as one of Oahu’s smallest offshore islets, Popoia, or Flat Island, offers a unique kayaking experience. This flat, rocky islet is home to nesting seabirds and is a popular stop for kayakers looking to explore its tide pools and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding coastline. Though small, Popoia holds historical significance as an ancient Hawaiian fishing shrine, adding a cultural element to its appeal. Its easy accessibility from Kailua Beach makes it a great option for shorter trips.
Kailua Bay
Kailua Bay is a picturesque stretch of calm, turquoise waters bordered by soft, white-sand beaches, making it one of the best spots for kayaking on Oahu. The bay’s calm conditions, particularly in the summer months, create an ideal environment for paddlers of all skill levels. From the bay, you can access nearby islets like the Mokulua Islands and Popoia, as well as explore sea turtle feeding grounds and coral reefs. Kailua Bay is perfect for those seeking a blend of adventure and relaxation, with opportunities for snorkeling and wildlife viewing along the way.
Top Tips for Kayaking in Kailua
- Best Time to Kayak: The summer months will have the warmest weather and calmest water but if you want to avoid crowds, consider traveling during low season between mid-April and May and September to October. The early morning is the best time to kayak, before the wind picks up and when the water is calmest.
- Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Please use reef-safe sunscreen to avoid polluting the clear waterways! With so many visitors a year, it is essential to keep the waters as clean as possible for the wildlife!
- Respect Marine Life: Observe wildlife from a distance without chasing or harassing them. Never feed or touch animals, even if they approach you out of curiosity. Please stay off the reef at all times.
- Stay Hydrated: Kayaking and swimming in the hot Hawaiian sun can be intense. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Follow Leave No Trace Principles: Keep all trash with you and secured down while on the kayak and dispose of it properly when you’re near a trash can or back at your hotel.
- Book in Advance: Popular kayak tours can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. Booking ahead ensures you secure your spot on the desired tour and at your preferred time.
Other Kailua Adventures
Check out other Kailua Activities at Kailua, HI Outdoor Adventures! These include paddleboarding, canoeing, snorkeling, surfing, hiking, and cruiser biking!
Can I go if I’ve never kayaked before?
The calm waters of the bay in Kailua are a great way to learn how to kayak! If you want some details on what to expect as a beginner, check out the TripOutside blog post, Kayaking for Beginners - Ultimate Guide.
What do I bring with me kayaking?
- Bathing Suit/Clothing that can get wet
- Change of Clothing / Towels
- Water Shoes / Sandals with Straps
- Waterproof Camera or Phone Case
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen & Insect Repellent
- Hat & Polarized Sunglasses
- Dry Bag
- Water & Snacks
Check out TripOutside’s blog post–What to Wear Kayaking–for much more detail on what to wear when kayaking!
Do I need to know how to swim?
This depends on the outfitter and what they require, but not necessarily. Kayaking is a mild physical exercise that is not usually necessary, as life vests are supplied to everyone regardless of ability.
Is kayaking hard for beginners?
Kayaking is a great activity for beginners. It's relatively easy to learn, and can be done in a variety of waterways, from lakes to rivers and even oceans. We do recommend that beginners take a lesson to learn paddling techniques and water safety tips. Most kayak rental shops will provide a basic beginner lesson when renting kayaks to beginners.
Is a kayak easy to flip?
Kayaks do not usually flip easily, and a flip is typically caused by a loss of balance (e.g. getting into or out of the kayak), choppy water conditions or strong wind.
Are there sharks?
Sharks are incredibly rare in Kailua bay. But, it is still the ocean so there is always the unlikely chance to encounter a shark while paddling in Kailua. Incidents of sharks biting people in Hawaiian waters are very rare, occurring on average at a rate of about three or four per year. Fatal shark bites are extremely rare, especially considering the number of people in Hawaii’s waters. People who enter the water need to recognize that there are hidden dangers. A number of marine animals can cause serious injury to people, and sharks are just one example. Entering the ocean should be considered a “wilderness experience,” where people are visitors in a world that belongs to the sharks. The risk of injury caused by sharks is extremely small, but it is a risk accepted by anyone who enters the shark’s world. By learning more about sharks, using common sense, and observing the following safety tips, the risk may be greatly reduced.
Do I tip my guide?
Your guide/instructors work hard before, during, and after your tour to provide you with a great experience, and while not expected, gratuities are always highly appreciated. If you had a safe, educational, and fun experience, gratuities typically range from 15-20%.