
Self-Guided Kayaking Tour in Kailua Bay and Popoia Island
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Self-Guided Kayaking Tour in Kailua Bay and Popoia Island worth booking?
Self-Guided Kayaking Tour in Kailua Bay and Popoia Island is a 4-hour experience in Oahu, United States, from $82 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 67 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (9)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $82 per person
Meet in Kailua at the Active Oahu storefront where friendly staff will help you load your kayaks and gear. From there drive a few minutes to Kailua Beach and park at the end of the first lot to launch near the bridge.
What you get
About this experience
Meet in Kailua at the Active Oahu storefront where friendly staff will help you load your kayaks and gear. From there drive a few minutes to Kailua Beach and park at the end of the first lot to launch near the bridge. A short section of water will be shallow before you continue walking across the beach to the ocean. Kayaking out to Popoia island is an easy and enjoyable experience and takes around 15 minutes to arrive at the small sandy area. For the short walk around the island be sure to bring some shoes or sandals to protect your feet from the sharp lava rock. The island is a bird sanctuary to many shearwaters that you will be able to see. When you are done exploring Kailua Bay meet us back at the storefront where we will help you unload. If you finish the route early you can relax on the beach with the included beach chairs and umbrellas.
What's included
Included
- Safety equipment
- Snorkel gear
- Kayaks
- Beach Chairs
- Permits for landing on the island
- Help loading and unloading at the storefront
- Dry bags
- Umbrella
What you'll see and do
Start your tour here at the Active Oahu Tours Storefront. A 4 door vehicle or truck is required to transport you kayaks. The team will be there to help you load your gear onto your vehicle. Receive helpful and important information before you embark on your kayak journey. Feel free to check out the shop and see what else might interest you during your stay in Hawaii.
10 minutes here
Kailua Beach Park
Launch your kayaks from Kailua Beach. Feel free to spend a few moments enjoying the beach planning your Kayak route.
15 minutes here
Admire the crystal-clear water while kayaking through Kailua Bay. Enjoy a short kayak trip, about a 20 minute paddle to Popoia Island and walk around it and discover it on foot. Experience kayaking at your own pace. On this trip you will be paddling through Hawaiian green sea turtle habitat and you will be protected by a barrier reef that extends across the entire paddling route.
45 minutes here
On the Popoia Island you will see short tail shearwater Hawaiian seabirds swooping the shoreline. The island is a nesting ground and seabird sanctuary. Take a walk around the island and swim in the queens bath which is a 8 foot deep tide pool. Take a walk around the island on the rugged terrain of the small coral island.
30 minutes here
Kailua Beach Park
Relax on the beach at Kailua Beach park with the included beach chairs and umbrella or keep paddling around Kailua Bay.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Oahu
Arrive at the Active Oahu storefront 134B Hamakua Dr. Kailua, HI 96734 and proceed through the gate and park in an open bay.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Arrive at the Active Oahu storefront 134B Hamakua Dr. Kailua, HI 96734 and proceed through the gate and park in an open bay.
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
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Active Oahu Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Self-Guided Kayaking Tour in Kailua Bay and Popoia Island. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent communication and customer service. 10/10
Our family of six rented three, two person kayaks. Excellent communication by email with staff . Great pricing. Helped us get all three kayaks secured to our rental car not to mention gave us all the needed equipment and more. They couldn’t have been nicer or friendlier. We paddled out to the. Kaneohe sandbar and snorkel along the reef where we saw tons of tropical fish and honu sea turtles.
via Tripadvisor
Easy and Helpful!
Michael and the team were great! They made it super easy to pick up our kayak, and gave great instructions on where to launch and how to get to the sandbar. Highly recommend using Active Oahu for your kayak rental and guidance on where to kayak. Thanks for a fantastic experience!
via Tripadvisor
Great trip!
Did a self guided kayak trip to the mokuluas Michael worked to make our trip great. Told us where to park, when to go, how to be safe, and answered questions when we ran into him on the islet. my partner got chased onto the beach by a monk seal and Michael caught it on video and sent it to our phone. Nice guy and real professional. Highly recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Nice Kayak Day
It was really nice to pick up the Kayak and head to the launch on our own. I wish we had planned more time. You can keep it as long as you want. Just need to return before they close. Everything we needed was provided. The staff was very helpful with current water and wind conditions. Plus other helpful tips on where to go.
via Viator
Beautiful!
Nice fun experience, beautiful up close views of the water and you're not around so many people. Almost by yourself. Got to do the snorkeling to see some of the sea life for sure. You do use your vehicle to load and transfer the kayak just to make sure that is known.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 67
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Self-Guided Kayaking Tour in Kailua Bay and Popoia Island: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Oahu.
How much does Self-Guided Kayaking Tour in Kailua Bay and Popoia Island cost?
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Prices start at $82 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 Self-Guided Kayaking Tour in Kailua Bay and Popoia Island take?
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Plan for about 4 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 Self-Guided Kayaking Tour in Kailua Bay and Popoia Island worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 9 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 Self-Guided Kayaking Tour in Kailua Bay and Popoia Island?
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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 Self-Guided Kayaking Tour in Kailua Bay and Popoia Island suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Self-Guided Kayaking Tour in Kailua Bay and Popoia Island?
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Around 3 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 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Self-Guided Kayaking Tour in Kailua Bay and Popoia Island 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, Oahu Small-Group Circle Island Tour with Turtle Snorkeling, Pearl Harbor Remembered Tour. 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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