Tour stop
Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour
About The Tour
Kauai is also called the Garden Isle, and for good reason -- its green landscapes are formed from tropical jungles and lush mountain ranges. On the Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour you’ll uncover the history of Hawaii’s oldest island at historic sites, hiking trails and waterfalls.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Hike Sleeping Giant Trail
• Check out Wailua Waterfall
• Snorkel at Lydgate Beach Park
• Meditate at Kauai’s Hindu Monastery (closes at noon)
• Check out ‘Opeaka’a Waterfall
• Visit the Fern Grotto at Smith's Tropical Paradise
• Take a stroll at Keahua Arboretum
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Hike Sleeping Giant Trail
• Check out Wailua Waterfall
• Snorkel at Lydgate Beach Park
• Meditate at Kauai’s Hindu Monastery (closes at noon)
• Check out ‘Opeaka’a Waterfall
• Visit the Fern Grotto at Smith's Tropical Paradise
• Take a stroll at Keahua Arboretum
About the tour
Kauai is also called the Garden Isle, and for good reason -- its green landscapes are formed from tropical jungles and lush mountain ranges. On the Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour you’ll uncover the history of Hawaii’s oldest island at historic sites, hiking trails and waterfalls.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Hike Sleeping Giant Trail
• Check out Wailua Waterfall
• Snorkel at Lydgate Beach Park
• Meditate at Kauai’s Hindu Monastery (closes at noon)
• Check out ‘Opeaka’a Waterfall
• Visit the Fern Grotto at Smith's Tropical Paradise
• Take a stroll at Keahua Arboretum
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Hike Sleeping Giant Trail
• Check out Wailua Waterfall
• Snorkel at Lydgate Beach Park
• Meditate at Kauai’s Hindu Monastery (closes at noon)
• Check out ‘Opeaka’a Waterfall
• Visit the Fern Grotto at Smith's Tropical Paradise
• Take a stroll at Keahua Arboretum
STARTING POINTS
-Lihue-Kapa’a
RECOMMENDED START TIME: 8:30 a.m.
OUR SHAKA PROMISE
• Reliable customer support
• Tours crafted by real people
• Satisfaction guaranteed
• Tours never expire
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Now Playing
1. Welcome to Wailua Valley & Waterfalls Tour Preview
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2. Wailua Falls Story
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3. Turn Left for Konohiki Seafood
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4. Lydgate Park
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5. Hikinaakala - Rising Sun Heiau
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6. Holoholoku Heiau
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7. Poli'ahu Heiau & Valley View
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8. 'Opaeka'a Falls
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9. Kuilau Ridge Trailhead on Right
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10. Keahua Arboretum
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11. Sleeping Giant Hike Info
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12. Kapa'a Town Intro
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13. Mo'ikeha Railroad Bridges
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14. Turn Left for Japanese Lantern Monument
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15. Hee Fat Building on Left
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16. Pono Market & Local Eats
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17. View of Sleeping Giant
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Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour Map
Explore Tour Map
Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour Stops
Things to do on the Tour Include:
Tour stop
Views of Sleeping Giant
Tour stop
Wailua Falls
Tour stop
Poli'ahu Heiau
Tour stop
Birthing Stones
Tour stop
Holoholoku Heiau
Tour stop
Hikinaakala (Rising Sun) Heiau and Hauola Heiau
Tour stop
Pono Market - Kapa'a
Meet the Creators
Gray Gleason
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Creators behind the Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour
Gray Gleason
Narrator
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Andrew Fowers
Writer/Editor
“I started this business because I believe that when you connect a story to a place, it transforms your journey. It allows you to step beyond being just a tourist and become an informed traveler, fully present in the moment. Our hope is that you come for the guide, but stay for the stories that bring these destination to life.” - Andrew Fowers
Rita Fowers
Writer/Editor
Favorite Quote:
"What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him." - Viktor Frankl
Robin Montgomery
Writer
Favorite Quote:
“The mountains are calling, and I must go.” - John Muir.
Andrew Shults
Producer & Data Team Manager
Favorite Quote:
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” - Douglas Adams
Purchase Options
1.
Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour
$ 19.99
Gift A Tour!
Gift the joy of travel! During checkout, select "Gift this Purchase" to schedule your delivery and write your personalized message.
Don't worry - they'll get a gift receipt, not the bill. No pricing information included.
Wailua Valley and Waterfalls Tour FAQS
Information
Conditions can change fast. Please check these links for closures, alerts and local conditions before your trip. Stay informed so you can ensure a smooth ride for your trip.
Important Update!
Aloha Shaka Guiders!
Wailua is welcoming visitors back in stages, and its river scenery and Hawaiian stories remain a special part of Kauaʻi. Our full waterfall-and-history drive is normally a 4–6-hour outing; plan your stops around current road and park access while recovery continues.
The September 21 reopening covers the river, designated landing and trailhead. It does not announce a reopening of the full waterfall-driving itinerary. Hiking beyond the trailhead and access to Secret Falls remain closed, and individual kayakers cannot visit Fern Grotto.
Before setting out, check DLNR’s Wailua access notice, current park notices and county road and recovery updates for your chosen roads and overlooks. Recheck before departure and visit only confirmed open areas. We look forward to sharing more of Wailua’s beautiful valley as access returns!
Amy
Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions:
- More than a map and directions — your tour, fully guided
- Audio storytelling that plays as you drive
- Music and immersive sound to upgrade your drive
- Human-created, professionally narrated tours
- Pre-planned route with turn-by-turn directions
- Itinerary mapped out with must-see stops
- Expert travel tips
- Offline access – works without data or wifi
- Flexible, self-paced experience
- One purchase per vehicle (not per person)
- Lifetime access (tours never expire)
- Reliable customer support
Exclusions:
- Private transportation (use your own or rental vehicle)
- Meals
- Attraction admission or park entrance fees
- Parking fees
- Live tour guide or in-person services
- Trip planning or booking services
- Fully customizable navigation like Google or Apple Maps
- On-demand route planning or custom directions
- Open-ended navigation tools
Tour FAQs
1. Where does the tour go?
The tour begins in Lihue or Kapa’a and is completed in a clockwise loop ending where you began. Most of the tour is spent exploring the rainforest area of Wailua valley.
Here are some of the popular spots you can explore on the tour!
Kapa’a Town
Wailua Waterfall
‘Opeaka’a Waterfall
Sleeping Giant Hike
Smith's Tropical Paradise
Kauai Hindu Monastery
Lydgate State Park
For help planning your day check our Wailua Valley and Waterfalls suggested itinerary and here's everything you need to know before you go!
Here are some of the popular spots you can explore on the tour!
Kapa’a Town
Wailua Waterfall
‘Opeaka’a Waterfall
Sleeping Giant Hike
Smith's Tropical Paradise
Kauai Hindu Monastery
Lydgate State Park
For help planning your day check our Wailua Valley and Waterfalls suggested itinerary and here's everything you need to know before you go!
2. What should I pack and budget?
We recommend bringing:
Comfortable walking shoes
Swimsuit and towel
Water
Sunscreen
Hat and sunglasses
Rain jacket or light layer
Snacks
Phone charger or power bank
How much you spend depends on the stops and activities you choose, but here are some costs to plan for:
Smith’s Tropical Paradise: $10/adult and $5/child ages 3–12.
Wailua River State Park: $5/person plus $10/vehicle for non-Hawaii residents. Hawaii residents enter and park free with valid Hawaii ID.
Fern Grotto boat tour: $35/adult and $17.50/child.
We also recommend budgeting extra for meals, drinks, snacks, and optional purchases along the route.
Prices, access conditions, and tour availability can change, so check each attraction’s official website before your visit.
Comfortable walking shoes
Swimsuit and towel
Water
Sunscreen
Hat and sunglasses
Rain jacket or light layer
Snacks
Phone charger or power bank
How much you spend depends on the stops and activities you choose, but here are some costs to plan for:
Smith’s Tropical Paradise: $10/adult and $5/child ages 3–12.
Wailua River State Park: $5/person plus $10/vehicle for non-Hawaii residents. Hawaii residents enter and park free with valid Hawaii ID.
Fern Grotto boat tour: $35/adult and $17.50/child.
We also recommend budgeting extra for meals, drinks, snacks, and optional purchases along the route.
Prices, access conditions, and tour availability can change, so check each attraction’s official website before your visit.
3. Can I join the Wailua Valley and Waterfalls tour en route?
Yes! Feel free to join the tour along the route. Just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting from. If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.
4. Can I take the tour in the opposite direction?
No, this tour can only be done in a clockwise loop.
5. How is Shaka Guide Different from Other Navigation Apps?
Shaka Guide isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s like having a local tour guide in your pocket.
As you walk, the app shares stories, history, local insights, and directions based on where you are. We’ve planned the route for you, but you can still explore at your own pace, pause the tour, skip stops, or spend more time wherever you like.
It’s not just about getting there—it’s about discovering the stories behind the places you’re visiting.
As you walk, the app shares stories, history, local insights, and directions based on where you are. We’ve planned the route for you, but you can still explore at your own pace, pause the tour, skip stops, or spend more time wherever you like.
It’s not just about getting there—it’s about discovering the stories behind the places you’re visiting.
6. Other Questions? Contact Us!
Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.
What is an Audio Tour Guide?
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.