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Travel two miles upstream on Hawaii's only navigable river for large vessels.
The journey up the Wailua River takes you toward the Fern Grotto through flat, calm waters. This area was once strictly reserved for Hawaiian royalty. Today, visitors travel by guided open-air riverboat or independent kayak.
Mount Waiʻaleʻale feeds the river from the center of the island. Boat tours take about 25 minutes each way to reach the landing, passing Hau trees and historic landscapes.
25 mins each wayOpen-air seating
An open-air boat ride takes visitors up the calm, flat river flanked by Hau trees. The trip takes about 25 minutes in each direction. The riverboats are spacious, so you get excellent views from either side.
1-2 hours for the hikeStream crossings required
Independent kayakers pull over at this muddy docking area to hike to Uluwehi (Secret) Falls. The hike requires stream crossings and takes one to two hours to complete. Wear water shoes with good grip if you plan to do this trek.
Clear day viewsContinuous viewing
The river is fed by Mount Waiʻaleʻale, known as one of the wettest spots on Earth. On clear days, you can see the mountain peak in the distance. Stay on the open-air deck of your boat for the best photography angles.
