Honolulu kayak tours range from guided trips with a leader to self-guided outings you paddle on your own. Active Oahu Tours lists its Chinaman's Hat Self-Guided Kayak Tour from $82, lasting 4 hours. The rest of the choice turns on your budget, how much time you have, whether you want a guide, and how many people are in your group.
How should you choose between them?
Start with your group and your budget, because prices are set per person, per group or per tour. Sea & Board Sports Hawaii LLC's Clear Bottom Kayak Tour is priced per group, so it can suit a small party better than a per-person tour. Choose a guided tour if you want a leader, and a self-guided option if you already know how to paddle. Time matters too. The Turtle tour from Adventures in Paradise Oahu runs 2 hours, while the Guided Mokulua Islands Kayak Tour and E-Bike Adventure runs 5 hours.
| Tour | Price from | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| Mokulua Islands Guided Kayak Tour, Kailua's Twin Islands | $31.41 per person | 13 and older |
| Popoia Island & Kailua Bay Guided Kayak Tour- Full Day | $31.41 per person | 8 and older |
| Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery | $99 per person | 3 and older |
| 2-Hour Guided Kayak + Beach Time | $179 per person | 5 and older |
| Popoia Island Kayak and E-Bike Guided Adventure Tour- Full Day | $205 per person | - |
| Twin Islands Guided Kayak Tour | $249 per person | 13 and older |
How much does it cost, and what is included?
Active Oahu Tours lists prices from rentals to full-day tours. Active Oahu Tours' Mokulua Islands Guided Kayak Tour, from $31.41 per person, includes kayak rentals and permits. Its Popoia Island Kayak and E-Bike Guided Adventure Tour Full Day costs from $205 per person and adds snorkeling gear, dry bags and water and snacks. The Popoia Island Kayak and E-Bike Guided Adventure Tour lists a price of from $175 with no unit, so confirm whether that is per person or per booking on its tour page before you book.
What should you expect: how long it lasts and where it starts?
Plan your morning around the start point first, since the two tours below begin in different places. The 2-Hour Guided Kayak + Beach Time starts at Kailua Beach Adventures, 130 Kailua Rd., and runs 3 hours. The Clear Bottom Kayak Tour starts on the North Shore and runs 2 hours.
Who does it suit, and who should skip it?
Age decides most of this choice, so match each tour's minimum to the youngest paddler in your group. The Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery accepts guests from 3 years old. The 2-Hour Guided Kayak + Beach Time sets its minimum at 5 years, and the Popoia Island & Kailua Bay Guided Kayak Tour, Full Day, sets 8 years. The Mokulua Islands Guided Kayak Tour requires 13 years, and the Guided Mokulua Islands Kayak Tour and E-Bike Adventure requires 16 years.
What are the tours to book?
The Chinaman's Hat Self-Guided Kayak Tour from Active Oahu Tours costs from $82 and runs 4 hours. It suits a group that wants to paddle without a guide.
The Turtle tour from Adventures in Paradise Oahu costs from $200 and runs 2 hours. If you have less time, it is the shorter of these options.
The Twin Islands Guided Kayak Tour from Kailua Beach Adventures costs from $249 per person and runs with a certified guide and lunch. Twin Islands Guided Kayak Tour from Kailua Beach Adventures requires 13 years as a minimum age.
The Clear Bottom Kayak Tour from Sea & Board Sports Hawaii LLC costs from $95 per group and runs 2 hours.
How do booking, cancellation, weather and parking work?
Active Oahu Tours gives a 100% refund if you notify it more than 48 hours in advance. Adventures in Paradise Oahu gives a full refund or credit with 24 hours notice. Kailua Beach Adventures' Twin Islands tour has a 48-hour cancellation window. The Clear Bottom tour charges the full value if you cancel within 48 hours. The 2-Hour Guided Kayak + Beach Time includes free beach parking. Ocean conditions change from day to day, so check the National Weather Service marine forecast before you go.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Honolulu kayak tour cost?
Prices differ by unit: the Clear Bottom tour is from $95 per group, while the Twin Islands tour is from $249 per person.
How long does a Honolulu kayak tour take?
Choose the length that fits the rest of your day.
What is included with a Honolulu kayak tour?
The Twin Islands tour includes lunch and drinks, lockers and island permits.
Where does a Honolulu kayak tour start?
Kailua Beach Adventures meets at 130 Kailua Rd..
