Adventure Collective
Waimea Canyon & Wailua River Tour from Oahu, Hawaii - Honolulu

Waimea Canyon & Wailua River Tour from Oahu, Hawaii

Honolulumoderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

8–10 hours

Fitness Level

Moderate fitness required to comfortably enjoy walking tours and boat ride activities.

Overview

Travel from Oahu to Kauai on a one-day tour featuring the Wailua River, Waimea Canyon, and the iconic Spouting Horn Blowhole, complete with Hawaiian cultural performances at Fern Grotto.

Boat Tour
Honolulu, Hawaii

Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River Tour (K1-1D)

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About This Adventure

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Kauai on this all-inclusive island-hopping tour from Oahu. Enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Wailua River, explore the stunning Waimea Canyon, and visit the iconic Spouting Horn Blowhole. Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture with a live performance at the enchanting Fern Grotto.

Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River Tour

Airfare Included

Escape to another Hawaiian island for a day on this all-inclusive island-hopping tour. Indulge on your vacation and leave the planning to us! Interisland roundtrip airfare from Oahu to Kauai, roundtrip transportation from the Lihue Airport (LIH) and a sightseeing land tour with lunch.

Enjoy a day of scenic beauty, legends and history of the Garden Island. Journey down the tranquil Wailua River on an open air boat ride. Take a short, easy hike to the Fern Grotto where you’ll be serenaded by the Hawaiian Wedding Song.

Marvel at the vast expanse of Waimea Canyon from key lookout points on the ascent. The deep red cliffs were described by Mark Twain as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Visit sprawling Kauai Coffee Plantation and Spouting Horn Blowhole where sea water is naturally propelled through lava rock fissures.

Tour Highlights:

  • Interisland, roundtrip flight from Oahu to Kauai
  • Waimea Canyon – nicknamed “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, this epic natural wonder is over 10 miles long, 1 mile wide and more than 3,000 feet deep. The Waimea Canyon Lookout offers scenic views of the deep valley gorges with it’s striking red soil covered in greenery.
  • ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls – This 151-foot-tall, 40-foot-wide waterfall is the most accessible major waterfalls on Kauai. ʻŌpaekaʻa” means “rolling shrimp,” which were once abundant in the stream.
  • Spouting Horn Blowhole – crashing waves propel majestic jets of salt water through lava rock. One of the most photographed sites on Kauai.
  • Hanapepe Valley Lookout – panoramic views of a valley covered in trees and wild green sugarcane. Hanapepe was one of the locations visited by famous explored Charles Wilkes in 1840 on his United States Exploring Expedition.
  • Wailua River – narrated two-mile ride on an open-air boat down a meandering freshwater river.
  • Fern Grotto – at the end of the Wailua River, walk through a tropical rainforest to a rock cave dripping in ferns. Listen to the melodious, live performance of the Hawaiian wedding song as you enjoy the verdant surroundings.

Departure 5:30 AM – arrive on your own at Honolulu International Airport (HNL). The airlines change their flight schedules frequently and at the last minute so please ensure that you check flight status on your own. At the Honolulu Airport, check-in on your own at the Hawaiian Airlines self-service kiosk or at the ticket counter for both flight segments to and from Lihue, Kauai. Please follow the instructions on your confirmation for where to meet your tour driver at Lihue Airport.

Return 7:00 PM – approximate return to Oahu from Kauai.

Flight Times Oahu to Lihue: 6:30 AM Lihue to Oahu: 6:00 PM

Flight times are approximate and subject to change

Price Includes

  • Round-Trip Airfare From Oahu to Kauai
  • Sightseeing Tour
  • Expert, Live Narration
  • Admission Fees

Important Flight Information

To meet aviation security requirements, guest’s name, birth date and gender is required when booking reservations along with weight and height for the helicopter tour. Names must exactly match the name and birth date on government-issued photo ID and/or passport for airline check-in. Passengers must clear TSA at the Honolulu Airport, so please bring a passport or valid government-issued photo ID.

Cancellation Policy

A full refund is provided if the tour is canceled more than 168 hours prior to tour departure time. If canceled within 168 hours of tour departure time or if guest no-shows no refund is provided. Refund requests are to be received within 30 days of the date of the tour. Fees assessed by the airline for name or date changes and any overage fees will be the responsibility of the guest. Refunds or partial refunds for tours, activities, flights, or venues that are cancelled due to reasons outside of our control (weather, force majeure, etc.) as well as refunds for extenuating circumstances will not be honored.

Adventure Tips

Bring layered clothing

Weather can vary between Wailua’s river valley and the higher altitude Waimea Canyon, so pack layers to stay comfortable.

Wear sturdy shoes

Trails around Waimea Canyon can be rocky and uneven; proper footwear helps prevent slips.

Hydrate before the tour

Warm temperatures and outdoor activities can quickly dehydrate you; carry a water bottle.

Protect against sun exposure

Open boat rides and canyon viewpoints offer little shade; use sunscreen and hats.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Nene (Hawaiian goose)
  • Great egret

History

Waimea Canyon has been a sacred landscape to native Hawaiians for centuries, long before becoming a renowned scenic destination.

Conservation

The tour emphasizes eco-friendly practices to preserve Kauai’s fragile ecosystems, including waste reduction and respectful wildlife viewing.

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Adventure Hotspots in Honolulu

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Comfortable hiking shoes

Essential

Needed for walking uneven trails at Waimea Canyon.

Light rain jacket

Spring showers are common, so a lightweight rain jacket keeps you dry.

spring specific

Sunscreen

Essential

Protects skin during long outdoor exposure on boat and canyon viewpoints.

summer specific

Reusable water bottle

Essential

Staying hydrated is crucial during the active tour.