Kayaking on Oahu: Everything You Need to Know

Are you looking for the ultimate guide to kayaking on Oahu? Well, you’ve found it! This Oahu kayaking guide from a Hawaii local has everything you need to know, including how to get a kayak, what to bring, Oahu kayaking safety tips, the best Oahu kayaking spots, and Oahu kayak tours .

Kayaking on Oahu is one of my favorite activities to do on the island (along with hiking to waterfalls and going to the beach). However, most people only know about kayaking to the Mokulua Islands, even though there are so many Oahu kayaking spots to chose from! Here is a guide to everything you need to know about kayaking on Oahu.

How Do I Get a Kayak on Oahu?

For the most popular kayaking destinations on Oahu like the Mokulua Islands, there are easy-to-access places where you can just pop in and rent a kayak and paddles. If you plan on going on a kayaking tour (which I write about towards the end of the post), those will be provided by the tour.

If, however, you plan on tackling one of Oahu’s lesser known kayaking spots, there will be an extra step before you can get a kayak. There are actually a couple of companies that will deliver kayaks to a destination and pick them up from a destination, like Hawaii Beach Time and Active Oahu Tours. This will definitely come in handy for the majority of these Oahu kayaking recommendations.

You can usually rent single (for one person) or double kayak rentals (for two people). Occasionally, you’ll be able to find a rental location that also has triple kayak rentals (for three people). Unless you are a kayaker who has experience kayaking in open ocean, I would veer away from the single kayaks. Opt for the double and triple kayaks instead!

*Tip: If you’re a little bit worried about kayaking, many kayak rental places will also give you lifejackets if you ask. (On occasion, they may charge a fee.) If this will put your mind a little more at ease, get one!

What Else Do I Need to Bring to Kayaking on Oahu?

Waterproof Bag

Kayaking on Oahu is an activity that you can potentially do without getting wet at all. Or you can get just a little bit wet. Or you can of course get very wet. But you don’t want the rest of your items to get wet at all, so that’s why a waterproof bag can come in handy. If you have kayaked before and know that you are in the “just a little bit wet” category, this water-resistant miniature High Sierra bag is my go-to and recommendation.

Snack

I don’t know about you, but I always get hungry when I do any sort of physical activity. So whenever I go kayaking on Oahu, I remember to bring a snack in my bag. Think about bringing something from Part 1 or Part 2 of the Hawaii Food Bucket List!

Water

You don’t want to get dehydrated! And why not help out the environment by putting it in a reusable bottle?

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Hawaii became the first state to ban sunscreens that hurt the reefs and ocean life. While this law does not come into effect until January 1, 2021, why not start preserving the reefs and ocean life now?

Little Hands Hawaii is one of the best reef safe sunscreens out there. With non-nano zinc oxide, organic coconut oil, elderberry, and loads of other natural, FDA-approved ingredients, Little Hands Hawaii is safe for everyone to use — even babies! Use the code BORDERS15 on the Little Hands Hawaii website to get 15% off your order!

But if you’d like to check out all of your options, here are the best Hawaii sunscreen companies. And before you purchase, consider learning a little more about reef-safe sunscreen.

Sunglasses

When that bright Hawaiian sun reflects onto the water, it can be a bit difficult to see at times. Remember to grab a pair of sunglasses before you head out on your adventure!

Waterproof Camera

Perfect for documenting your adventures. The GoPro HERO9 is a great option! However, if that’s a little too much money for your bank account to handle, the AKASO EK7000 is a pretty good alternative.

Oahu Kayaking Safety

The Tide

Please be aware of the tide when you head out on your kayaking adventure! Depending on the location, the tide can very much affect your experience. If the tide gets too low, you might be scraping the bottom of the kayak and damaging the coral. If the tide gets too high, the waves could flip your kayak over!

Before kayaking on Oahu, check the tide of your specific kayaking location on that day. I will address this concern when necessary in my recommendations below.

The Reef

Along similar lines, when the tide is low, you may hit the reef. Not only may the coral be sharp, but it also harmsthe coral and consequently the ocean life as well.

If these warnings freak you out a bit, perhaps consider taking a guided kayaking tour! Scroll towards the end of the post to read about your options.

How Can I Get to These Oahu Kayaking Spots?

Depending on which Oahu kayaking spots you’d like to visit, there are a variety of ways to get there. First and foremost, by car is the easiest for all of the kayaking options below. Plus, a car makes it easy to transport a kayak (if you’re not having one brought to you) and the rest of the items you need to bring.

An alternative is to use the public bus system. While you certainly can’t take a kayak on the bus, the bus can get you where you need to go (most of the time. There are a couple of Oahu kayaking spots below that can’t be reached by bus.). 

Lastly, depending on where you are traveling from, you may actually be able to walk to your destination. For example, if you’re staying in Haleiwa, you may be able to walk to the Anahulu River, which is a great kayaking spot. Or, if you’re staying in Kailua, you could likely walk to Kailua Beach.

Where Should I Go Kayaking On Oahu?

Mokulua Islands

Kayaking to Mokulua Islands (or “the mokes”) is easily the most famous kayaking destination on Oahu. Considering the medium-level difficulty of this kayaking expedition, it is actually quite surprising that this place to kayak is so popular.

Before heading out, check to make sure that the tide will get lower as you continue your journey. If the tide is high when you try to head back, the journey will be significantly more difficult.

The kayaking adventure to the Mokulua Islands starts at Kailua Beach, where it will be quite easy to rent a kayak for a couple of hours. Maybe add an extra hour if you plan on making a quick stop at the nearby Popoia Island or exploring the Mokulua Islands on foot.

From there, you’ll set your sights on Moku Nui (the closer of the two islands) rather than Moku Iki (that one’s not open to the public). On the western shore of Moku Nui (the side closest to Kailua Beach), there will be a small beach. That’s your exact destination.

On the island, there is actually a bird sanctuary and a small hiking path that goes around the entire island. From the back side of the island, you might be able to see the neighboring island of Molokai! If you do plan on doing this hike on Moku Nui, consider bringing some hiking shoes and socks in your waterproof bag.

Kaneohe Bay

Kaneohe Bay allows for some calmer kayaking adventures to another couple of islands: Coconut Island and Sunken Island. Most of Kaneohe Bay is protected by Oahu’s only barrier reef. This means a couple of different things for you.

First of all, it means it helps to block off a lot of that open ocean current. Second of all, it means that there will be a ton of cool sea life hanging out around that barrier reef (including some baby hammerhead sharks).

As for the two islands mentioned previously, here is a little bit of information. Coconut Island was used for the filming of Gilligan’s Island back in the day. It is now used by the University of Hawaii for studying marine biology. You’ll know which one is Coconut Island, because it has two tall surprisingly tall trees growing in the middle.

As for Sunken Island, if you want to actually have the chance to enjoy it, you’ll want to go during low tide. During low tide, this shallow island creates a sort of sandbar effect with surrounding turquoise waters. During high tide, well, the Sunken Island is hidden under the water.

If this Kaneohe Bay adventure seems like the one you want to enjoy, you’ll have to either transport your own kayaks or have them delivered to you at a scheduled time (as explained at the start of the post), as there is no place to rent kayaks in the area.

Chinaman’s Hat

Also within Kaneohe Bay is the kayaking adventure to Chinaman’s Hat. This little island has found its way onto many of Oahu’s postcards, but most people have never bothered to do more than take a picture with it! But you can be different and kayak to Chinaman’s Hat! It’s 45 minutes of kayaking (one way) coupled with quite a difficult hike. However, the views are stunning, and I would definitely recommend.

In my opinion, Chinaman’s Hat is the spot for the best kayaking on Oahu. The current and waves are usually pretty calm, and the reward is amazing. Plus, it doesn’t take a ton of effort!

You’ll have to bring your own kayaks or have them to delivered to you in order to kayak to Chinaman’s Hat. Have them delivered either to Kualoa Beach Park or to the unnamed beach right across from the entrance of Kualoa Ranch.

I’ve actually written an entire post about kayaking to Chinaman’s Hat, so check it out if you’d like more details on this amazing Oahu kayaking experience!

Keehi Lagoon Beach Park

Keehi Lagoon Beach Park is one of the most stunning sections of Oahu that no one has ever heard about. Right next to the airport, there are dozens of plant-filled round islands dotting the shallow turquoise waters. (They are so shallow during low tide that you can just walk between some of them! But, again, check the tide.) Overall though, the water at Keehi Lagoon Beach Park is relatively calm.

When you get there, it’ll become so obvious that this is a local place for kayaking and canoeing. There are dozens of kayaks and canoes line the edges of the lagoon (assuming they aren’t being used in the water) – and that’s in addition to the giant building full of kayaks. That’s how you know you’re in a good spot.

Keehi Lagoon Beach Park is another one of the Oahu kayaking locations that require you to bring your own kayak or have them delivered to you.

*Warning: keep all of your belongings hidden in your car before you head out. Petty theft is a rather common occurrence. That means that if you take off any jewelry, stash it in your center console or glove compartment. If you choose to leave any sort of bag in the car, put it under the front seat from the back (think airplane-style).

Kahana River and Bay

If kayaking through Oahu’s open ocean is much too frightening, test out the waters with some river kayaking instead. Kahana Bay is easily one of the calmest areas on Oahu, so it’s perfect for beginner kayaking. And it still has absolutely stunning views of the Koolau Mountain Range.

Kahana River and Bay is another one of those places that you’ll either have to transport your own kayak to or have it delivered.

*Fun Fact: if you’re a little bit of a history buff, Kahana Bay is actually home to an ancient Hawaiian fishpond called Huilua Fishpond.

*Warning: once again, keep all of your belongings hidden in your car before you head out. Petty theft is a rather common occurrence here – the signs around the area will make sure you know that. That means that if you take off any jewelry, stash it in your center console or glove compartment. If you choose to leave any sort of bag in the car, put it under the front seat from the back (think airplane-style).

Anahulu River (North Shore)

Looking for a place to kayak on the North Shore of Oahu? Anahulu River is your spot! This relatively calm river is full of turtles popping their heads up above the surface and fish swimming below you. The Anahulu River is the perfect Oahu kayaking location if you’re new to kayaking.

And guess what? This North Shore kayaking location has kayak rental places right there, such as Hawaii Beach Time! So there’s no need to have kayaks delivered to you!

Molokai to Oahu

One question that gets asked a lot is, “Can you kayak between Hawaiian Islands?” The answer is technically yes, between some islands. However, I would never recommend that someone go kayaking between Hawaiian Islands on their own. (Unless they were like ranked as the world’s best kayaker or something. That’s the one exception.)

If you have had a ton of experience kayaking in the past and want to try your hand at kayaking between Hawaiian Islands, I recommend the Molokai Challenge. Kayakers cross over the 32-mile long Kaiwi Channel (a.k.a. the Molokai Channel), starting on the island of Molokai and ending up on the South Western tip of Oahu in Hawaii Kai. If this seems like a bit too much for just you to tackle, there are also relay options.

Are There Any Companies that Will Do Kayaking Tours?

Feel like you would be more comfortable if you had a guide taking you on these adventures? There are plenty of options for you!

Kailua Beach Adventures

Kailua Beach Adventures’ tours cover the most popular kayaking destination on Oahu: Mokulua Islands. This also makes Kailua Beach adventures the most popular kayaking tour company on the island. They offer a 2-hour excursion for $139 and a 5-hour excursion for $179.

*Tip: use the promo code “kailua” to save 15% on your purchase!

Coastal Kayak Tours

I’m quite impressed with Coastal Kayak Tours’ range of options across the island. They cover Anahulu River, Kahana Bay and River, and Chinaman’s Hat. The price of the tour depends on the length of the tour. A two-hour tour is $80/person, a three-hour tour is $120/person, and a five-hour tour is $200/person.

*Bonus: if you’re really ambitious, they have a seven-hour tour for $235/person that covers a good chunk of Oahu’s North Shore by kayak.

*Local Tip: If you are local (or do the tour with someone local) or if you are in the military, you can get 10% off!

Active Oahu Tours

Active Oahu Tours provides a guided tour for the Chinaman’s Hat kayaking experience. This three-hour tour with both kayaking and hiking costs $120/person.

Holokai Adventures

Holokai Adventures offers a four-hour kayaking adventure in Kaneohe Bay for just $40/person ($20/child). This experience can also be coupled with an experience with the nearby Heeia State Park for an additional $99/person.

Travel2Change – VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Looking to make an environmental impact as you’re kayaking on Oahu? This tour takes you to a state park to plant native Hawaiian plants and remove those that don’t belong. After your volunteering and lunch, you’ll get a paddling orientation from members of Holokai adventures and a few hours of kayaking in Kaneohe Bay. All of this for just $40/person! And that money goes to Travel2Change and Kamaaina Kids. So it’s just lots of good going around.

North Shore Explorers – NIGHT KAYAKING

On occasion, I have been asked, “Is there night kayaking on Oahu?” I’ve always thought this was such a bizarre question. I mean you see all of the natural beauty of Oahu during the day, so why would you want to kayak at night? North Shore Explorers has created an environment where night kayaking is not only possible, but encouraged. Paddle around the Lunar Legends Lagoon and discover the history of the six main islands of Polynesia as you sail on.

Have you ever been kayaking on Oahu? Or have you been to another amazing Oahu kayaking spot? Tell me about your experience in the comments!

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