Oahu Kayaking: Mokulua Tours and Rentals

Guided kayak trips to the Mokulua Islands

The guided twin islands trip takes five hours and runs Monday to Saturday, with check-in 15 minutes before the start. Allow 60 to 80 minutes for the paddle out. The five hours cover the briefing, the paddle, time on the island and the way back, so it is not five hours of paddling. Both guided trips, at $269 and $275.12, include a guide and snorkel gear.

You need to swim and be at least moderately fit, and the operator recommends these trips for sporty or experienced paddlers. Guided group trips take guests from 13 and private trips from 8. Guests aged 13 to 16 share a double kayak with a parent or guardian, and anyone under 18 must be accompanied.

Kailua Bay kayak and snorkel for $114.58

This is the longest trip in the lineup at 330 minutes. It includes the kayak, paddles, life jackets, dry bags, island landing permits and a safety briefing, with free parking at the shop. A guide comes with the guide option, so select it when you book if you want one. It costs about $160 less than the guided twin islands trip.

Self-guided kayaking in Kailua

For $110.17 you paddle on your own with a single or double kayak, landing permits, snorkel gear, a locker, a dry bag, boogie boards and beach chairs. Swimming is required. Permits are issued Monday to Saturday, not on Sundays.

River rental on the Kahana River

The $75 rental gives you a single or double kayak for three hours, with paddles and life jackets. A dry bag costs $5 extra.

Guests must be able to swim back to the kayak in a life jacket, and weaker swimmers should avoid the narrow river stretches. The minimum weight is 30 lb. Above 250 lb (113 kg), a double kayak can be set up for one person. If the operator cancels, you are rebooked or refunded in full; a weather change on your side alone is not refunded.

Season, weather and reef rules

The shop is open all year, and the island trips run Monday to Saturday. One local operator suggests starting between 7 and 10 am, when the wind is usually lighter. Conditions can turn in the afternoon, and trips are cancelled when they pass the operator's safety limits.

The Mokulua Islets are a seabird sanctuary. Access is only below the high tide line, the islets are closed from sunset to sunrise, and dogs, fires and camping are not allowed. A landing depends on conditions: in 2024 the state closed Moku Nui for a while to protect a monk seal mother and her pup.

Bring water, swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, shoes with heel straps and sunglasses with a strap. Wear mineral sunscreen, and do not touch or stand on coral.