Oahu is part of the Hawaiian island chain. The beaches here will have you dreaming- they are indeed a paradise on earth. The white sands, palm trees, and rocky shores offer a welcome respite from the bleakness of city life.
And the best way to enjoy it? Go kayaking on Oahu waters!
Here are 8 of the best places to kayak on Oahu:
Kahana Bay
The serene blue-green waters of Kahana Bay will be the perfect spot for your kayak adventure. This is a secluded and sheltered water space. Kahana bay kayaking means seeing the views you will remember for a lifetime! Picturesque mountains, the seacoast, and the rainforest lining the shores are a treat for the eyes.
If you haven’t been to The Amazon but want to have a similar experience, this is your chance. The Kahana Bay looks much like the Amazon region, with the mountains clad in green and the jungle covering the shores.
Since the place is forested, you can also expect to glimpse some beautiful wildlife. So keep an eye out!
Although Kahana Bay is well known for its camping, you could use the Kahana Bay kayak rentals to experience the calm waters of the Kahana river. Perfect if you have just begun to kayak or for family kayaking.
Kailua Beach
No kayaking trip on Oahu is complete without a visit to Kailua Beach. The white sands and clear blue waters are something you do not want to miss.
You have two options when you go to Oahu Kailua Beach for kayaking. You can launch from the Kailua Beach Park and kayak your way across to Flat Island (Popoi Island), or you can simply enjoy the waters of Kailua Beach, kayaking up and down the coast.
If the water in the ocean still seems choppy, you can kayak to the Ka’elepulu Stream, which will then drain into the sea at the Kailua Beach Park. There are many great places for kayak rentals in Oahuincluding Kailua Beach Adventures kayak rentals. Their rates begin at $69 for single kayaks for a half day. If you’re going to be here long term, check out some of the longer rental periods available to save you some bucks. You can rent a kayak here for a week for $251 or a whole month for $435!
Exciting fact: When kayaking at the Kailua beach, you are likely to share the waters with some green turtles. Be prepared to make some sea friends!
Lanikai Beach
Tucked away behind cozy neighborhoods is Lanikai Beach in Oahu. The name Lani Kai translates into “Heavenly Ocean,” and we believe that is a fitting description of this place. The soft white sand, blue skies, and an azure beach that seems to go on and on forever are nothing short of heaven.
If you’re looking to grab a kayak rental or tour head over to see the team at Kailua Beach Adventures. Here you can rent kayaks and paddle boards for a half day or whole day. A half day double kayak is $85 or $99 for a full day, so it’s probably worth the little extra to spread your boating out over the whole day.
There are other fun activities you can do at the Lanikai Beach in Hawaii. For example, you can go snorkeling in the clear blue waters (there are many coral reef patches to see!), try sailing or windsurfing, hike up the Lanikai pillboxes, or simply have a lazy swim in the water.
Mokulua Islands
Just off the coast of Lanikai Beach, you will find the Mokulua Islands or the Mokes. They comprise two islands; the Moku Nui and the Moku Iki. While you can visit Moku Nui, Moki Iki has been reserved for birds.
Moku Nui is a bird sanctuary, so if you visit the island during the breeding season, be careful and respectful of the birds.
It will take approximately 45 minutes to kayak to the Mokulua Islands from the Lanikai Beach, provided the weather is good. If it is a windy day, it can take 1.5 hours. The best time to kayak to the Mokulua Islands is in the morning when the sun is low, and the rays do not hit you directly.
As you kayak to the Mokes, the clarity of the water will allow you to see the water life. You would perhaps spot a green turtle or two, along with the coral reef that spans the beach floor. Once you reach the land, you may also see the endangered Hawaiian monk seals. Be careful and don’t do anything to disturb them.
However, it is still open to other activities to the public; you can still snorkel, paddle, or kayak here. Mokuoloe is the perfect place if you are a nature lover. You will be able to see some wildlife, so we recommend going in a glass-bottomed kayak for an even better experience.
Kaneohe Bay is a nursery for hammerhead sharks, so you might encounter a hammerhead pup! But it is advised by the authorities to not disturb them nor swim close to them. Instead, just observe them and let them be.
Mokoli'i Island
Mokoli’i Island is a small offshore island on Oahu. If you wish to visit Mokoli’i Island, opt for a kayak or paddle board. It’s possible to walk to the island on a low tide but we would advise against it due to the sharp rocks and changing tides. Mokoli’i has a unique cone-like shape, so the pictures there will surely be Instagram-worthy! The island has also been referred to as the Chinamans Hat Island for the same reason.
A kayak trip to the Mokoli’i Island can look like this; launch from the Kualoa Beach Park and then kayak around the island. Mokoli’i has small beaches, sea caves, and a secluded cove that you can explore.
When you reach Mokoli’i Island, you can either go to the sea caves and beaches or climb to the top for a spectacular view of the Koolau Mountains. There is also a reef located around the island that sports various marine life.
If you have already walked to the island, climbing to the top may use all your energy, so make sure you only climb if you are prepared. Like other places in Oahu, Mokoli’i Island is also a nesting place for birds, so be careful around them.
Kaneohe Sandbar
Less of an island and more of a sandbar, Kaneohe does not have any piece of dry land. Therefore, it can be covered with waist-high water or be exposed completely depending on the tide. Either way, this is the perfect spot for kayaking.
The surrounding coral reefs are an excellent place to snorkel, so you may be tempted to get out of your kayak and into the water. Unfortunately, it can take up to an hour to kayak to Kaneohe Sandbar.
The Kaneohe is unique because it is a collection of islets compared to the regular Hawaiian islands. Kayaking around the small islets can be fun, and if you have your snorkeling gear on you, you can take a quick dip into the water and explore the coral reefs. Or you can kayak there and opt for a beach picnic on the sandbar and enjoy the panorama of the Koolau Mountains.
Mokuoloe Island
Mokuoloe Island, or the Coconut Island Oahu, was initially intended for recreation and enjoyment, but it has now been converted into a research facility for the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB). For this reason, you cannot land on the island.
However, it is still open to other activities to the public; you can still snorkel, paddle, or kayak here. Mokuoloe is the perfect place if you are a nature lover. You will be able to see some wildlife, so we recommend going in a glass-bottomed kayak for an even better experience.
Kaneohe Bay is a nursery for hammerhead sharks, so you might encounter a hammerhead pup! But it is advised by the authorities to not disturb them nor swim close to them. Instead, just observe them and let them be. Although Coconut Island is generally closed off to the public, it occasionally offers tours.
Haleiwa Beach Park
While the north shore beaches of Oahu can prove to be tough, the Haleiwa Beach Park features calm waters. Suitable for beginner kayakers and families alike, this is an excellent spot to kayak on Oahu.
The highlight of your kayaking trip on the Haleiwa beach will definitely be the sea turtles. The Anahulu River, which flows out through Haleiwa Beach Park, has many sea turtles. You will see more turtles in the one-mile paddling trip up the river than anywhere else. The turtles travel upstream in bunches to feed on the grass on the river bottom.
Kayaking is not the only activity on offer; there are many exciting things for you to do. There is a park to sit and relax, a kids’ playground, and basketball courts. Picnic tables are also available to make for the perfect barbeque place. You can rent a kayak or a paddle board from Rainbow Water Sports from $30-$40 per hour or $75-$100 for the full day.
Wrapping Up Places to Kayak on Oahu
Oahu is an island with many spots for beach activities and is especially great for kayaking. If you are a nature lover and like to be outdoors, you will love all the Oahu beaches.
The places mentioned here have something unique about them: the wildlife surrounding them, the breathtaking landscape, or the distinct experience the area offers. You will undoubtedly have precious memories to collect and a trip you will remember for a long time!
