Watersport· Kauai· Hawaii
Wailua River
22° 2.7′ N · 159° 20.2′ W
Hawaii's only river navigable by boats larger than kayaks, running inland from Wailua Bay, with boat tours to the Fern Grotto and kayaking on the lower river.
Practical
Wikipedia: 14.5 miles long; mouth at 22-02-42N 159-20-11W. Coast Pilot: only very shallow-draft boats can cross the shifting bar, even at high tide, and only in calm weather; a public marina 0.3 mile above the mouth; unprotected anchorage off Wailua in 10-15 fathoms, rocky, not safe in trades. HAR 13-256-56: vessels up to 21 ft only; manually propelled craft keep to the north bank; water-skiing only in set zones and hours (Zone B sunrise to 9:00 am and 5:00 pm to sunset); commercial use by permit (15 guided-tour and 4 rental permits). STATUS (State Parks, October 2026): Wailua River State Park's river and designated landing/trailhead access reopened September 21, 2026; individual kayakers may not access Fern Grotto; Uluwehi (Secret) Falls and hiking beyond the trailhead remain closed. Rent a kayak ashore rather than bringing a tender over the bar.
Best for
Rainforest kayak paddle on the east side