15 Kayak and Hike Adventures Worth Flying For

1.Kauai: Secret Falls Kayak and Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,403 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125Our pick

Join Alii Kayaks for a roughly five-hour trip combining a four-mile Wailua River kayak outing with a 1.5-mile rainforest hike to Uluwehi Falls, also called Secret Falls. Guides such as Cory, K-man, Kai, and Lono share local stories and plant knowledge. Expect mud, river crossings, and a possible swim beneath the falls.

“Be prepared to get wet and walk in the mud! I would also recommend wearing a long-sleeve shirt during the walking portion because you will brush against a lot of different plants, and they said some of them can cause skin irritation (I didn't have any issues, just being cautious). Be prepared and pack everything they recommend! This includes good footwear, plenty of snacks, water, and a towel. I went in January, and while the water at the waterfall was cold, I still jumped in and had a great time! This was my most adventurous day and I'm so happy I went.”

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2.Kauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,387 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $140

Join Duke’s Kayak Adventures for a five-hour paddle and hike to Uluwehi Falls. Guides such as Zack, Brian, and Makayla lead you up the Wailua River, across muddy trails and stream crossings, and into a 100-foot waterfall pool. Expect about four miles of kayaking and up to two miles of hiking, with equipment provided.

“Excellent experience. Beautiful scenery and great physical exercise. This is not for anyone that can’t maneuver slippery surfaces on a hike. My only suggestion would be to make the trip an hour longer so that there was more time to take in all the beautiful scenery. Excellent and knowledgeable guide.”

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3.Hike El Yunque Rainforest and Kayak Bio Bay Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,010 reviews · from $172

Start with a guided, off-pavement El Yunque hike through rivers, rocks, waterfalls, natural slides, and rope swings. After lunch, paddle a two-person kayak through dark mangrove channels to Laguna Grande. Guides such as Jason, Adriana, George, and Chris are praised for safety and energy. Pickup is available in San Juan.

“My experience was great! Our tour guide Jason was very friendly, attentive & informative. He made every bit of the experience amazing and fun. It was mine & my best friend Fransheska’s first time visiting El Yunque even though we were both born here & have visited plenty of times. Our group was awesome & we’d recommend this tour to anyone.”

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4.Halong Bay Full Day with Kayaking, Hiking viewpoint, Cave – Deluxe To Luxury

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 884 reviews · from $38

Spend 12 to 14 hours traveling from Hanoi Old Quarter to Halong Bay by air-conditioned bus, then cruise past limestone islands, eat lunch onboard, visit Sung Sot Cave, kayak or ride a bamboo boat, and hike Titop Island’s 420 steps. Guides such as Sam and Hercules have led this popular group trip.

“The trip was very organized and on time. The scenery was beautiful and the staffs were accommodating. Sam, our tour guide is very friendly and helpful. He made us appreciate the history of vietnam esp. ha long bay.”

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5.Cas Cay – Kayak Hike and Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 870 reviews · from $99

Paddle through St. Thomas’ Mangrove Lagoon, hike eight minutes across coral rubble to Cas Cay’s blowhole, then snorkel in a mangrove nursery. Guides such as Marcus, Swish, Dana, and Chase add island facts, wildlife tips, and humor. The $99 price includes gear, lockers, snacks, water, and instruction, but bring sturdy water shoes.

“We arrived 30 minutes late due to a taxi issue but they provided us with a guide and continued our excursion. How very gracious of them. “Swish” our guide was excellent and very informative. We have a new understanding and regard for thRead more”

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6.Wailua River Kayak and Sacred Falls Guided Hike with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 783 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $155

Pair a gentle tandem kayak trip on the Wailua River with a guided rainforest hike to a waterfall and natural pool. Guides such as Annie, Harrison, Lindsey, Anya, and Jay lead small groups of up to 12, provide walking sticks and dry bags, and serve lunch by the falls. Expect wet shoes, mud, rocks, and a moderate workout.

“My husband and I had a great time. Lindsey was an awesome tour guide. The trek was worth it, though I would say wear hiking sandles or some other sturdy shoe you can walk through water in. The tour company was great with the food and able to accommodate gluten-free and dairy-free dietary needs. Do bring a good size water container - you'll want it!”

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7.Antelope Canyon Lake Powell: Guided Kayaking & Hike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 369 reviews · 4 hours · from $119

Paddle from Antelope Point into Antelope Canyon, leave your kayak for a slot canyon hike, then cool off with a swim in Lake Powell. Guides including Ian, Ben, Manny, and Lucas provide instruction, safety help, photo stops, and local stories. The four-hour route suits reasonably fit beginners and experienced kayakers.

“This was a fantastic tour and a highlight to our trip. Ben, our guide, was wonderful! He was very knowledgable and let everyone go at their own pace and even stopped to take pictures. The kayaking was amazing and the slot canyon was breathtaking. Would highly recommend!”

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8.Mendenhall Glacier Canoe Paddle and Hike Juneau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 198 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $402

Paddle 5 to 6 miles across Mendenhall Lake in a guided canoe, then hike about 2 miles roundtrip to the edge of Mendenhall Glacier. Guides such as Dan, Grant, Levi, and Elliott have earned praise for clear safety instruction and local insight. Rain gear and rubber boots are supplied, but this is a real workout.

“Fantastic experience! We loved the canoe paddle and glacier trek. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable.”

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9.Munduk: Twin Lakes Jungle Hike with Lake Canoe and Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 139 reviews · 8 hours · from $44

Spend eight hours exploring North Bali with a local guide such as Dharma or Pasek. Walk through Munduk’s forest, pass lakeside temples, canoe across a Twin Lake, swim at Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, and add a traditional lunch. Hotel pickup, entry fees, drinks, coffee, and homemade snacks are included.

“The Tour was such a beautiful and unique experience! Dharma is such a kind and funny Guide. He also has so much knowledge about the plants and trees in the jungle. After the jungle Trekking you get some selfmade cake and coffee which you can enjoy on the Kanu. You also visit two very nice temples on the way. The waterfall is stunning and it isn‘t crowded. There are many smaller waterfalls which you can also see. You can take your time on the waterfalls and the Guide takes some great pictures of you. I really recommend doing this tour, thank you Dharma for this beautiful day.”

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10.DALAT: Trekking Pinhatt & Sup/Kayaking Tuyen Lam Lake Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 119 reviews · from $48

This six-hour Da Lat outing pairs an 8-kilometer forest hike to 1,600-meter Pinhatt Peak with a picnic lunch and kayaking or SUP on Tuyen Lam Lake. English-speaking guides such as Harry, Vin, Phat, and Doan have led the trip. Pickup, equipment, permits, water, and dietary requests are included.

“We had such a great time on this tour! Our guide Harry was very helpful and taught us a lot about the forest on our hike which I appreciated. He was very kind and fun to talk to. The lake was also very beautiful and I enjoyed the hike followed by time to relax in the kayak. Would recommend this trip to nature lovers!”

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11.4-hour Lake Mapourika Kayak and Hike adventure, with Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 117 reviews · from $104

Spend four easygoing hours kayaking Lake Mapourika and walking through the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary. Guides such as Farrah, Sydney, Max, and Pickles share local stories, wildlife facts, Māori culture, and rainforest knowledge. Stable kayaks, hot drinks, equipment, and souvenir photos are included, with groups capped at 16.

“Our guides (Farrah, Briar and “Pickles” were friendly, engaging and very knowledgeable about local flora and fauna. The paddle trip was fun; the hike was incredibly interesting and informative. Overall, the entire adventure was very well organiRead more”

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12.Banff/Canmore Moraine Lake & Lake Louise– Hike, Canoe or Sightsee

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 104 reviews · 9 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $156

Spend 9 to 10 hours visiting Moraine Lake and Lake Louise in a 14-passenger van from Canmore, Harvie Heights, or Banff. Choose more time at either lake, then hike, sightsee, or rent a canoe. Guides such as Corey, Yannick, Lenka, and Radek add local tips, while Moraine Lake access and transport are included.

“Great experience and spectacular sights to see. Ride was long but great narration from our driver. Be sure to pack snacks and water.”

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13.Bali Jungle Trekking and Lake Canoeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · from $34Best value

Spend 8 to 10 hours in North Bali with a guide such as Darma, Putu, or Luhde. Walk forest trails around Buyan and Tamblingan Lakes, paddle a traditional canoe, visit Banyumala Twin Waterfalls, and add Handara Gate, Lake Beratan, and Bedugul Market when pickup is from southern or central Bali.

“This was one of the best days we’ve had in Bali! What an awesome tour company that supports locals. We started with a nice jungle hike. Then we were on canoes across Lake Tambligan. Our guide had coffee and cake for us as we canoed across. We then went to a waterfall and finally ended up at a local family’s house where we were fed a delicious lunch and local coffee. The best way to experience real Bali with locals! Dharma our guide was fabulous as well as Putu the driver. You should book with this company!”

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14.Banff/Canmore Moraine Lake & Lake Louise-Hike/Canoe/Sightsee

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 9h 30m · from $152

Spend 9.5 hours visiting Moraine Lake and Lake Louise from Banff, Canmore, or Harvie Heights in a 14-passenger van. Choose more time at either lake, hike, sightsee, or canoe at your own cost. Guides such as Corey, Yannick, Dave, and Mike share local knowledge and wildlife tips.

“Excellent overall. Yannick was really knowledgeable and helpful, and it was very clear how much he cares about the region/nature/animals. The trip was very well organized, and it was such a great way to see the key places in the Banff area in a day. We were especially pleased/grateful the company accommodated our trip after we booked it maybe 12 hours before the departure. Overall, highly recommended and big thanks again to Yannick.”

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15.From Pattaya: Rayong Adventure Hike and Kayak Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 12 hours

Leave Pattaya for a full day in Rayong Province with local guide Yuwanad or another English- or Thai-speaking guide. Hike a rocky 5 km trail at Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park, eat at a local restaurant, walk through Thung Prong Thong’s mangroves, and kayak among water lilies at Rayong Botanical Garden. Small groups are limited to eight.

“Tout était top, la guide était vraiment super ! La randonnée était top, il faut vraiment, vraiment avoir de bonnes conditions physique ! Ensuite nous sommes aller manger dans un restaurant, super bon ( non compris ), puis nous sommes aller boire un café dans un autre endroit ( compris ) nous en avons pris pleins les yeux c’était magnifique ! Puis après nous sommes aller faire du kayak dans un endroit splendide ! Je le redis car c’est important, c’est sportif ! Je conseille de choisir un jour où il ne fait pas très chaud :)”

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