Kauai, Hawaii is one of the world’s best vacation destinations. White sandy beaches, crystal clear blue water, Piña Coladas, and jumping dolphins make it an unforgettable trip. Whether you stay in a condo or a simple hotel room by the seaside, you’ll have a great time either way. Stand-up paddle boarding is one of the best things to do in Kauai and Hawaii in general. It’s an entertaining yet soothing way of moving across the water, combining a canoe’s serenity with a kayak’s maneuverability.
There are many locations for paddleboarding in Kauai; rivers are usually the best due to their slow currents and narrow banks. You might struggle to paddleboard safely in the ocean. Nevertheless, there are plenty of exciting things to do in Kauai.
Before heading out on the waves, check out our guide to paddleboarding near the Garden Isle.
Where to Paddleboard in Kauai
Kauai has many different paddleboarding locations, but the Wailua River is one of the best. It’s a slow, broad river running through the center of Kauai Island, all the way to the east, around a 20-mile journey. If you paddle two miles from the mouth and take a right turn at the fork, you’ll find a secret place to stash your board. From there, you can take a 1-mile Kauai hike up to Secret Falls. The falls are only accessible from the river, and it is an unforgettable trek through the rainforest to get there.
If you prefer paddling by the beach, Kalapaki Beach is a great choice. It’s a sheltered bay with a beach, perfect for paddle boarding and swimming simultaneously. The waves are usually glassy, and the current is mild, perfect for learning how to paddleboard. In a pinch, paddleboards function as surfboards, so once you have your sea legs, paddle out a few hundred feet and surf in. What better way to spend a day at the beach?
Hanalei Bay is Kauai’s largest bay, rimmed by a white sand beach. It’s important to note that summer conditions are calm and glassy smooth. However, winter currents may be too rough to safely paddleboard. There are three areas in Hanalei Bay: Waioli Beach Park, Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park, and Hanalei Pier. The water is usually the calmest at Hanalei Pier, and paddleboards like clear water.
The Hanalei River feeds into Hanalei Bay, and you can paddle up the Hanalei River from the bay. Start at Blackspot Beach, and you can paddle up the river for two miles. The water is two feet deep at the most, and the bottom is smooth, so there is no need to worry about hitting rocks or sunken trees. You’ll be paddling against the current going up-river, but the bonus is that the return journey is much easier on the arms!
Kauai Paddleboard Rentals
To paddleboard in Kauai, you’ll need to rent one, and that’s where Kauai SUP comes in. They tailor your rental based on size, weight, and ability, thanks to their extensive experience making custom paddleboards. No matter your needs, they can help you find the ultimate paddleboard for your excursion.
Each paddle board you rent comes with a carbon fiber paddle, ankle leash, and life jacket, so you stay safe and don’t lose the board. Also, each rental comes with straps to tie it down on your rental car. The straps also help when carrying it, if you prefer to walk. The paddleboards are very light, so moving them is easy; just don’t let them catch the wind, or else they become difficult to maneuver.
Kauai SUP does offer guided trips on the paddleboards, along with standard rentals where you can make your own adventure. Guided trips start at two hours, but you can also opt for an all-day (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) guided trip. They’re very close in price, so you choose which one works best for you.
Kauai Paddleboarding Tours
While you can rent paddleboards to take you wherever you want on Kauai, a guided tour promises major attractions on the island and a guaranteed route that won’t let you get lost or completely tired out. Kauai SUP offers self-guided tours for this purpose, and the most popular is along the Wailua River.
When touring the Wailua River, you’ll begin at the mouth. When you’re navigating up or downstream, a simple rule of thumb is to keep right. That way, boats can pass, and other paddlers can get to their destinations without creating a traffic jam on the river. When you find somewhere to explore, drag your board up the shore and out of the water so that tidal changes do not carry it off. There are no walking paths back to the mouth of the river, so ensure that the board is high and dry when exploring trails.
After the two-mile mark, just before the big fork in the river, you’ll reach KamoKila Village. This village is four acres total and showcases how Hawaiians lived in earlier days. There’s a fully stocked bar and often a food truck, so you can buy food and cold snacks to take with you on your journey up the river. The food truck is not always there, so don’t count on it, but the truck is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. when it is there. Even if you don’t paddleboard over here, you should still take the time to pay this town a visit!
Plan Your Stay
Make sure to check out our Kauai condo rentals and all we have to offer. Our team is happy to help you find the perfect option for your crew!
Book Your Kauai Rental
Of course, while on this majestic Hawaiian vacation, you’ll need somewhere to stay. That’s where Remax Kauai comes in. Remax maintains Kauai vacation rentals all over the island. That way, no matter where you stay, you’re never far from a Kauai excursion!
We have dozens of Kauai vacation home rentals available, many on the beachfront. These range in size from 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, all the way to 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. Properties can sleep anywhere from 4 to 11 people. Each property has more than one bathroom per bedroom, so people can get dressed or go about their routine without needing to walk through someone’s bedroom and disturb them. It’s a small touch but definitely puts the icing on top.
There are also Kauai beachfront rentals for rent, ideal if you need more room than what cottages or apartments can provide. Our Kauai North Shore vacation rentals are always of top-notch quality, providing a picturesque place to stay just moments from the area’s best attractions. You’ll enjoy spectacular views and every amenity you may need for a great stay, such as fully-equipped kitchens and flat-screen TVs.
Hawaii is one of the world’s best vacation destinations. Why wouldn’t you want to come to an island with sparkling blue water, perfect weather, and dolphins jumping through the surf? Add ideal vacation homes, paddleboards, and beautiful scenery, and you have a winner.
