Sacred Falls Adventure - Wailua River Kayak, Hike & Waterfall Swim
Overall Rating
4.79
Paddle & Hike
Reviewed by: Conny, 2023/10/31We had a very good time paddling and hiking although the place was very crowdy. Our tourguide had everything under control.
And now I know what people mean when they say the tour is a muddy mess after heavy rain. But this is part of the game and as our tourguide said: „you are going to be wet and muddy anyway“
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2023/10/06 |
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Really enjoyable morning.
Reviewed by: LammyP, 2023/05/20We did the 7:30am tour and am glad we got out before it got too busy on the trail. I had never kayaked before but our guide, Garrett or "G" was able to answer any questions I had and I was quickly put at ease.
The kayaking up to the trail was good and the river not too busy. The trail was around a mile or so. We knew from the pictures that there's a crossing over water but we weren't aware there were about 4 each way and that one was about hip height. It was fine, we were just taken aback a bit.
Some of the trail was muddy, some was boarded walkways and some was literally clambering over jagged rocks. Wouldn't be suitable for anyone with mobility issues!
We only had around 40 minutes at the sacred falls, which was a shame. A little longer would've been better.
A highlight was meeting a little shama thrush that G had befriended.
The trail back seemed muddier due to the amount of folk on the trail.
The kayak back was a little harder as we were going against the flow of the river, but overall it was an incredible experience.
Aloha Lammy,
You should write a guide book. Great review and gives potential clients an idea of what to expect on the river and trail.
We ...you are lucky to have Garrick sharing his particular brand of aloha. Garrett is great water man with a real handle on the natural and cultural history of the area, while keeping it all safe and fun.
We try to spend an hour by the falls, but that is always dependent on group and weather dynamics.
Your only error is paddling back you are actually paddling with the slow current, but it is paddling into the wind that can at time test your mettle.
Stay well and active and thanks for taking the time to share.
A hui hou,
Micco
Head Guide
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2023/05/11 |
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Sacred falls adventure
Reviewed by: Tenille , 2023/03/01We had a great tour, and knowledgeable tour guide, Steve. The kayak and hike were beautiful and the water fall was sooo worth it! We did end up going ahead of our group when we were on our way back as we did have some slower paced people. But we found our way back easy. Would definitely go again!
Aloha Tenille,
Will let Steve know that you enjoyed the tour.
What is nice about our Wailua Rive tour to the falls is that by the time you might get tired paddling, there is the trail to the falls. Nice combination of paddling and hiking.
With the recent rains.the waterfall has been really gushing. Great picture.
Thank you for taking the time to share.
Until then....keep chasing waterfalls.
A hui hou,
Micco/Head Guide
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2023/02/27 |
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Kayaking Only
Reviewed by: Gina M., 2021/07/07We went on a 2 hour kayaking trip. Unfortunately, the hike/sacred falls was cancelled due to inclement weather. It was a bummer, but we know it was for our safety. However, it did hurt a little when we were seeing others continuing to go past the fork in the river. We did get a partial refund. After concluding our kayaking trip, our tour guide Tyler did point us to the Nounou trail to hike which was great. So we were able to fill more of our day on this hike with spectacular views!
Aloha Gina,
Safety is no accident!
When in doubt we don't go out or up the North Fork that constricts and is more prone to flooding as consequence.
Having pioneered the tour we have safely been guiding folks to the falls for the last 37 years while other companies have lost clients in flood like conditions.
We love repeat business and believe "safety is no accident".
Glad to hear that Tyler was able to take curve and make it a plus.
Stay well and safe. Thanks for sharing.
A hui hou,
Micco
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2021/07/05 |
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Review of kayak and hike
Reviewed by: John, 2019/07/26Overall I had fun. The trip is basically kayak for 2 miles, hike for 1 mile, visit a 100' water fall, and then hike back for 1 mile and then kayak for 2 miles. Since I like physical activity, this trip worked well for me.
Kayaking requires some physical work, and since there are 2 people per kayak, at last one should be in good physical shape.
Hiking was through lots of mud. You will cross streams, ankle deep mud, and will get dirty. Best to wear sandals since sneakers will be ruined. My youngest son loved this part (getting dirty is always fun).
Aloha John,
Thanks for taking the time and for your nice and constructive review on what to expect and what to bring.
If you don't like to paddle and hike this could be wrong tour for some.
Keep active...and thanks again.
A hui hou,
Micco
Head Guide.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2019/07/16 |
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Great weather, great guide, beautiful view
Reviewed by: Mylène, 2018/11/05The kayak ride down the river was beautiful and relaxing. The waterfall was beautiful, and worth the hike! However the trail is very muddy and we weren't expecting that, and therefore ruined our good pair of running shoes. It is worth it, but do bring a good pair of shoes (you'll need them!) but that you don't mind getting wet and dirtying forever.
Aloha Mylene,
Thanks for nice review.
Yes...we usually recommend some "beater tennis shoes" or sports sandals for hike to the waterfall.
Thanks for sharing and keep on paddling and hiking.
A hui hou,
Micco
Head Guide
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2018/11/02 |
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Kayak only tour
Reviewed by: Christi F. , 2018/05/14Due to the flooding on Kauai we couldn't do the full tour. The tour company called and asked if we wanted to still do just the kayak tour for a lower price, which we did. T our guide was great and we made the best of the modified tour.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2018/05/07 |
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Empfehlenswert
Reviewed by: Paseba, 2017/11/26Die Kajaktour ist einfach zu bewältigen, zieht sich aber meiner Meinung nach mit 45min etwas hin. Die Wanderung zum Wasserfall ist eine Erfahrung für sich: Durch einen Fluss mit doch recht starker Strömung (Sicherung durch ein Seil), über wirklich schlammige Wege durch den Dschungel und das alles wieder zurück. Ist aber für jedermann gut zu bewältigen. Auf jeden Fall Wasserschuhe mitnehmen. Teilweise standen wir knöcheltief im Schlamm. Der Wasserfall ist großartig (30m hoch), das Wasser sehr erfrischend. Man darf aber nicht erwarten, dort mit seiner Gruppe allein zu sein. Im Minutentakt kommen neue Besucher am Wasserfall an. Trotzdem eine schöne Location.
Würde die Tour wieder machen!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2017/11/16 |
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Great time!
Reviewed by: Trevor, 2017/04/17The kayaking part was nice, not too difficult. The hike was a nice hike, not quite a casual walk down a straight path but also not too difficult. I enjoyed having our guide Jesse there to explain things to us as we hiked, he was a good guide. He got stuck talking to just one individual of our group a few times and it was hard to hear what he was saying sometimes. The waterfall was nice, there were a lot of boulders in the water so be careful! Lots of other people from other tours on the same path made it a bit crowded.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2017/04/13 |
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not an easy trail,kayaking was smooth
Reviewed by: Ruth, 2016/03/26We enjoyed this trip so much but I caution that the hike is a lot more rugged than I expected. Lots of rocky terrain to navigate, wear good footwear that can get wet.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2016/03/01 |
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Fun hike
Reviewed by: Mohamed, 2015/03/04Felt a bit rushed through the whole trip, our guid stopped once for pic before reaching the water fall, very nice experience and had lots of fun
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2015/02/26 |
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Great tour!
Reviewed by: Franziska, 2014/11/24it was fun paddeling up the Wailua river and hiking to the waterfall. Very good instructions and guided tour. The guide showed us a lot of things and explained to us. It was awesome to swim in the warerfall pool but also pretty cold! Great tour - I recommend it to everyone!
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| Attended as: | Solo Travelers |
| Activity Date: | 2014/11/21 |
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Beautiful ... and muddy
Reviewed by: Julia, 2014/03/09This was a great adventure and our guide was very good!
I do think one should be warned a little more of how muddy the trail to the falls is, but even with that it was beautiful and fun. I would recommend this to anyone younger and in decent shape...if you have bad knees or are excessively heavy you would be much more prone to injury on the hike.
Overall experience was fabulous!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Activity Date: | 2014/02/12 |
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Reids were 'Reid-y' for anything!
Reviewed by: Reid Family, 2014/01/06Our day for this adventure was sunny and warm. The ten of us were excited to get underway and see the secret waterfall hidden amongst the trees.
The kayaks we were given were ocean kayaks and were very comfortable and easy to use.
After a very muddy hike, the cool clean water of the pool by the beautiful waterfall was very much appreciated. The hike was much muddier than expected, and at times we were slogging through muddy puddles where we could not see our feet. It was dangerous at times. Perhaps a little more preparation for those participating would be beneficial. The guides are used to the conditions and may forget that us regular folk from snow country may not be as accustomed to mud and such.
Our guide was well-versed in the natural plants, and even made us bracelets from the leaves of a tree. He was patient, and very knowledgeable.
Lunch was good and nutritious, and we were all hungry by the time we got to the waterfall.
We would do this trek again, but might check in first to see what the mud factor is!
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2013/12/26 |
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Sacred Waterfall Swim,hike Paddle
Reviewed by: Mamick, 2013/08/12This was really a fun and beautiful experience. Jessie was our guide, and he did a wonderful job. We were late starting, but that was because in the group prior to us he had a blind man and two elderly. It shows his patience that these three were able to complete this adventure. Let me state this is not for those who are not moderate to fit. The paddle can be tough if the wind is blowing (which it normally is). And the hike is beautiful (but can be muddy and you have to watch your step). We would highly recommend this trip for those up for the adventure. Again, Jessie is your man! It is beautiful, he is knowledgeable, and it was very fun!
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Activity Date: | 2013/08/02 |
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Excellent activity
Reviewed by: Tim and Christie, 2011/08/03We enjoyed the kayaking and hiking both. The Scared Falls were well worth the hike. I recommend good water shoes for the hike. I did it in flip flops and it was a bit tricky! Jesse was our guide and he was great, very energetic and knowledgable.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
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Aloha Conny,
Thanks for giving us 4 stars even though there was mud.
That said, more mud, means the waterfall will be flowing stronger and impressive.
Glad you enjoyed.
Stay active and well.
A hui hou,
Micco/Head Guides