Paddle & Hike to Secret 120ft Kauai Waterfall
Paddle the Wailua River & hike to a 120-foot waterfall with a knowledgeable guide
Duration
4–5 hours
Includes
Guided paddle, Secret Falls hike
Highlights
Paddle the sacred Wailua River and hike through rainforest to Secret Falls. Go at your own pace as your guide shares the valley's history and culture.
- Paddle the calm Wailua River with Mt. Waialeale and Sleeping Giant views
- Learn about the valley's historical and religious significance
- Hike 30 minutes through rainforest to Secret Falls
- Explore ruins and terraces along a pristine stream
- Swim beneath a 120-foot waterfall
- Choose a 7am or 1pm departure Monday–Friday
Things to know
Wear tennis shoes, hiking boots, or sport sandals; avoid reef shoes or slick-bottom sandals. Bring your own drinking water and snacks. Cameras and towels are recommended.
Cancellation Policy
Full refund with 24 hours' notice. Full refund if operator cancels due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. No-shows charged in full.
FAQs
This guided experience includes a kayak trip along the Wailua River, followed by a jungle hike to Secret Falls, where you can explore, swim, and relax before returning.
The experience lasts approximately 4 to 5 hours, including kayaking, hiking, and time at the waterfall.
You will paddle about 50 minutes upstream on calm waters, then take a 30-minute jungle hike through rainforest terrain to reach a 120-foot waterfall.
Meeting details
Please arrive at 5971 Kuhio Highway in Kapaʻa and park in a designated spot facing the water. Your guide will meet you at the picnic table by the river near the launch ramp.
More about Wailua River State Park
Wailua River State Park sits on Kauai's lush eastern shore, where Hawaii's only navigable river winds through emerald jungle on its way to the sea. This protected stretch of waterway has been considered sacred for centuries, once reserved for Hawaiian royalty who built temples along its banks. Paddling into Wailua River State Park is the gateway to the Secret Falls adventure, a half-day journey that combines gentle kayaking with a tropical jungle hike to one of Kauai's most rewarding hidden cascades. The river is wide, calm, and surprisingly quiet, fringed by hau trees, hala palms, and the occasional flash of a tropical bird darting across the water.
The experience begins on the glassy surface of Wailua River State Park, where you paddle upstream past steep ridgelines and dense rainforest before tucking your kayak ashore at the trailhead. From there, a guided hike leads through muddy jungle paths, across shallow stream crossings, and beneath a canopy thick with ginger, bamboo, and fruit trees your guide will point out along the way. The reward is Uluwehi Falls, the tucked-away cascade locals call Secret Falls, plunging more than 100 feet into a wide pool perfect for a cool swim. The contrast between the open, sun-dappled paddle through Wailua River State Park and the shaded, earthy hike makes the day feel like two adventures stitched into one.
This trip is ideal for active travelers, couples, families with older kids, and anyone who wants to experience a quieter, wilder side of Kauai beyond the beaches and resorts. No kayaking experience is needed, which makes Wailua River State Park an approachable launch point for first-time paddlers, while the jungle hike adds just enough challenge to feel like a true expedition. If you love the idea of slipping into a place rich with Hawaiian history, paddling beneath misty mountains, and finishing the morning swimming under a jungle waterfall, this guided journey through Wailua River State Park is a Kauai day you will remember long after you leave the island.
