Wailua River-Kayak

This is a bit of a spin-off from another post.

I%26#39;m looking to kayak the Wailua River and eddy out to check out the falls. My DH and I would like to do this and have flat water kayaked before.

1) How long would it take to paddle?

2)How far is the hike from where we eddy out to the waterfall? (guessing tennis shoes instead of flops)

3) Is this something we can do by ourselves and just rent the kayak/paddle from somewhere right near the put-in?

3) Is it easy to find where to put in/take out and the trail to the falls easily marked?

Thanks for your advice. I saw a few companies renting the UKG, but maybe you have advice on who to rent from or if there%26#39;s someone close we wouldn%26#39;t need to transfer on our vehicle.

Wailua River-Kayak

Alieck, if I could make a suggestion on a really simple kayaking trip and a hike. We did this years ago and it was really nice. It was through Outfitters and you kayak about 2 miles, hike, and haywagon type ride, it does take you to waterfalls (although I don%26#39;t suggest you swim in them) Then you hike back down and a motorized boat takes you back. The one I am adding the link to is a half day one but we did the whole day with a tour of the farm land. the guides were excellent. Again, I wouldn%26#39;t swim in any waterfall for fear of getting sick from runoff.

http://www.outfitterskauai.com/hidden.html

We actually did the Kipu Falls Safari but I see they have added ziplining -- To me they can keep the Disney adventure. I would rather just see the beautiful serene landscape and learn the history.

http://www.outfitterskauai.com/KipuFalls.html

I also think the Hulue`ia River is not as large as the Wailua River

Wailua River-Kayak

alieck,

My husband and I and our nine-year-old just rented a kayak and did this by ourselves. We had a great time! We rented from Kauai Kayak Adventures in the town of Kapaa, so we did have to transport it on our rental car, but they helped us strap it on, and we had no problems at all. I do think there is at least one vendor right on the river, though, so you wouldn%26#39;t have to use your car. The trip would have probably taken four to five hours round trip, but we also went up past the Fern Grotto to a rope swing we were told about. That was the highlight of the trip for my nine-year-old daughter, and we spent quite a while there. The hike didn%26#39;t seem like it took very long, and it was an easy hike. The UKG probably gives the distance. It was easy to follow the map they gave us at KKA and then just tie up where everybody else%26#39;s kayaks were. The trail was easy to follow, but pretty muddy. We had to wade through some pretty icky mud at the start, so I certainly wouldn%26#39;t suggest flip-flops, but probably not tennis shoes either, because they would be soaked in foul smelling mud. I would suggest water shoes, Keens, etc. I enjoyed doing it on our own time and not having to keep to the schedule of a tour company, and since you have some experience kayaking, I don%26#39;t think you%26#39;d have any problem at all.

To make life easy, you can make a reservation with Wailua Kayaks. There are two with nearly the same name. So check the latest UKG and call well ahead.

Tell them you want to rent a kayak, with the company that is right at the river.

Also, you may be able to kayak this on your own, but if you do not have any kayak experience it might be an idea to make your first trip a guided tour, and learn something about kayaking

Closed on sundays. Due to permit restrictions.

A guided tour is not required however, but 90%, of the people we see out kayaking have zip clues as to what they are doing.

We were one of those at one time. I tried to get Erica to put her paddle in the water, same side, at the same time. Wasn%26#39;t happening on the way up. On the way back down, we got it together. Then after returning to the mainland, we started kayaking the bays and harbors of southern california.

If I remember correctly, the paddle to the eddy out was about two miles, and then maybe an easy mile walk to secret falls. Not a biggie.

Some kayaking tips.

The person responsible for steering and navigating sits in the back. They should match the paddle strokes of the person in the front. Same side, same time.

Push with your upper ( high end of the paddle) hand.

Many people pull hard with the lower hand, and that is a whole lot of unnecessary work.

You should practice back paddling, and maneuvering in confined areas.

( you are probably already of aware of these tips, but it may help others )

To stop, lets say the forward person places their paddle in the water on the left side. Blades flat and perpendicular to the direction you are moving.

The person in the back does the same with their paddle , but on the oposite side of the kayak. Right side in this case. The paddles viewed from another kayak, would look like an '; X';.

Now most kayakers, their paddles look like this when they are paddling, like wild windmills. Sure sign of no kayking skills.

Actually, when paddling, the two of you should be in synch, when making way, with the blades entering and leaving the water at the same time on the same side.

We wore our reef walkers, for the kayak and the walk.

Sometimes they are referred to as water shoes.

There will be a fork from a steam on your right maybe a mile and half up river. Take that, it is plenty wide, but not nearly as wide as the river.

Then look for the eddy out on your left side. Maybe a 1/4 mile or more. Usally, there will be many other kayaks all over the place.

Secure the kayak per the companies procedure, and do make sure it is secured.

The trail should be easy to find, as many people a day tromp thru there.

Might want to take some water, towels, and snacks, and camera/film. We secure the camera in a waterproof bag, or just pick up one of the disposable underwater cameras. Whatever you like.

One thing, you should be aware of, and ask the company about, should it be raining, and nasty up on the mountains.

Even tho it is sunny along the coast, check for rain mauka. And , regardless of what you hear from other visitors, flash floods do come roaring down the steams and rivers.

And they can catch people totally unaware.

Not likely, but they do happen. Won%26#39;t get into exact circumstances, but you should at least be aware.

Highly recommend a Wailua River kayak trip, and hike to the falls. Oh, by the by, ask them also , what the flow of the falls is like. We have been in a drought conditon for quite some time.

Will it look like the photo in the UKG ?

Does not mean that you will not have a great fun paddle and walk, and see some water falling, but be prepared as to the amount that you might actually witness.

Anyway, there are some tips for you, to make things easier.

Happy paddling

Denny

You can also rent kayaks from the folks at Kamokila Village, across from the Opaeka%26#39;a Falls lookout on Kuamo%26#39;o Road. They just give you a map and put you in right there and you%26#39;re on your own. Since the secret is out on these falls, you will likely find other kayaks pulled up where you begin hiking.

We did this paddle in June. I do not remember how long it took. We rented a house on the river and left fairly early, and had the falls to ourselves for about an hour. We didn%26#39;t watch the time while we were in Kauai...just did what we felt like...when we felt like it!

It is not a difficult paddle (water was very calm the day we did it) and you should not have a problem finding the creek that leads to the trail to the fall. It is just past the Hawaiian village on the right side of the river. The paddle back can be a little harder with the wind, so do this activity early in the day.

You will definitely want shoes, no sandals. The trail was easy to follow and I would say it is no more than a mile or so. I did not think the hike was hard. Getting up the bank to get started was the hardest part. You will pull the kayaks out on the right side of the creek, (end of the creek) then cross to the left side. You will have to wade in the water. It was not deep when we were there, but that will change depending on the level of the creek at the time. More rain...higher water.

Personally we enjoyed doing this ourselves, if you know how to kayak…go without a guide. That way you can go at your own rate and spend the time you want doing this activity.