Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 77 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River worth booking?
Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River is a 14-hour experience in Oahu, United States, from $720 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 77 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (77)
- Duration
- 14 hours
- From
- $720 per person
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 fro
What you get
About this experience
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), a sightseeing land tour and lunch amidst the tropical splendor of Kauai. Enjoy a day brimming with scenic beauty, legends and history of the Garden Island. Journey down the meandering, tranquil Wailua River on an open air boat ride culminating at exquisite Fern Grotto where you'll be serenaded by the Hawaiian Wedding Song. Gaze 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 spectacularly jettisons through openings in lava rock.
What's included
Included
- Interisland R/T airfare (overage charges may apply)
- Tour narration
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional driver/guide
- Kauai Sightseeing Tour
Not included
- Gratuities
- Airline flight overage charges
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Wailua River State Park
Board a spacious, open-air boat and cruise down Kauai's Wailua River encircled by miles of lush trees and tropical plants. Cool breezes lull you as the captain shares stories of ancient Hawaii when the river was flanked by multiple Hawaiian heiau (temples).
45 minutes here · Admission included
Fern Grotto
Take a leisurely boat ride down the Wailua River to the famed "Fern Grotto" aptly named for the Boston Ferns dripping from the roof of a verdant cavern carved out of the mountain side.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Opaekaa Falls
Cascading down into a hidden pool, this 151-foot-tall, 40-foot-wide waterfall is one of the island's most accessible major waterfalls.
20 minutes here
Old Koloa Town
Enjoy lunch on your own in historic Old Koloa Town, surrounded by its charming atmosphere.
60 minutes here
Spouting Horn
Crashing waves propel majestic jets of salt water through lava rock. One of the most photographed sites on Kauai.
15 minutes here
Waimea Canyon State Park
Scenic views of the deep valley gorges with it's striking red soil covered in greenery...nicknamed the "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific". Waimea Canyon Lookout will be closed from 4/14/25 through approximately 12/8/25 for slope and foundation repairs. We will substitute the closed lookout with a stop at Pu‘uhinahina Lookout, which offers a different but impressive view of Waimea Canyon. We’ll also make a few additional photo stops to give guests more time to enjoy the scenery.
45 minutes here · Admission included
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.
Pass by without stopping
Kauai Coffee Company
The largest coffee farm in the United States, visit the Kauai Coffee Estate and sample a rich cup of famous Kauai coffee.
35 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Oahu
Upon Arrival At Lihue Airport (LIH), our driver will pick you up between 8:10 to 8:15 AM at the BAGGAGE CLAIM area curbside to the right in the BUS loading area.
Meeting point
Oahu
Please meet at the airport at 5:30 AM for your interisland flight on Hawaiian Airlines and promptly check at the Hawaiian Airlines Ticket Counter or Self-Service Kiosk. Make sure to check in for all flights (round trip) and then proceed to the designated gate for departure.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Upon Arrival At Lihue Airport (LIH), our driver will pick you up between 8:10 to 8:15 AM at the BAGGAGE CLAIM area curbside to the right in the BUS loading area.
Ends at
Please meet at the airport at 5:30 AM for your interisland flight on Hawaiian Airlines and promptly check at the Hawaiian Airlines Ticket Counter or Self-Service Kiosk. Make sure to check in for all flights (round trip) and then proceed to the designated gate for departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Polynesian Adventure Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Passengers must provide date of birth and gender at the time of booking per TSA requirements
- Interisland flight times and routes are subject to change
- Special needs requests must be called in to the local supplier at least 1 week prior to tour date
- The interisland airfare may fluctuate based on flight availability. Additional fees may be required to be paid by the customer in these cases.
- IMPORTANT: The name you enter at the time of booking must exactly match what appears on your valid government-issued I.D. photo I.D. that you will use during travel. This is a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and FAA requirement and there is no flexibility with this policy. A valid government-issued ID (passport for non-US citizens) is required on the day of travel. If a passenger is denied boarding, there will be no refund.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 74 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
74 verified traveler reviews for Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great highlight tour
Great way to see the island highlights! John did an awesome job! Highly recommend.
via Tripadvisor
😊🥰🙌
It was a perfect tour as we were expecting! John was so great, friendly and so knowledgeable. We had a great time!😊
via Tripadvisor
See the best of Kauai.
Lots of great experiences, all in one day. Our guide John, made the day a totally enjoyable experience.
via Viator
Rosario's Polynesian Adventures Kauai Trip from Honolulu
Rosario was great. Pickup at LIH airport from HNL smooth. All canyon sites outstanding. Lunch at Kauai Brewing, e cellent. Coffee tasting at Kauai Coffee Co. Great. Blowholes, nice. River cruise and entertainment to/from Fern Grotto very nice. Drop off at LIH for flight back to HNL great. Overall great day w/Roaario.
via Tripadvisor
Kauai with host/drivet/guide Rosario
Flew from HNL to LIH. Met pro.ptly by our Polynedian Adventures driver, Rosario who kept the all-day tour interesting with just enough background and historical significance. Boat trip to Fern Grotto was entertaining and educational. We all were "married" again in a joint wedding ceremony. All stops were great, but the canyon views were spectacular. Thanks, Rosario
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 14 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 27
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oahu.
How much does Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River cost?
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Prices start at $720 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Oahu usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River take?
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Plan for about 14 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Oahu is not rushed.
Is Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 77 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Oahu, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 14-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River?
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Around 27 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Oahu can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Oahu and add a light layer if any part of the 14-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Day Trip from Oahu to Kauai: Waimea Canyon & Wailua River start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Oahu within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Oahu?
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On Outty we rank every Oahu experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Oahu: Full or Half Day Grand Circle Island Tour, Pearl Harbor Remembered Tour, Oahu Small-Group Circle Island Tour with Turtle Snorkeling. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Oahu?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Oahu?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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