Kayaking in Kailua Bay
Kayaking in Kailua Bay on the eastern or Windward side of Oahu is a fantastic way to experience the beauty
of Hawaii and get some exercise at the same time. Paddle around exploring the reefs and underwater formations while gazing back at the beautiful Kailua and Lanikai shoreline, or if you are more destination oriented, Flat island and the famous Mokulua Islands (the Mokes) are only a short paddle away. If you have never been on or in a kayak, you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to paddle and maneuver the plastic sit-on-top sea kayaks available for rent around Kailua. No surprise that kayaking is one of the most popular ocean sports in Kailua.
About ½ an hour from Waikiki, this is a fantastic day trip for viewing nature and experiencing some of the laid back Hawaii lifestyle.
Moku Nui or North Mokulua is a fun kayaking destination, especially in the early morning before the first guided kayak caravans reach the small but pleasant landing beach. The Mokulua Islands are
comprised of Moku Nui and Moku Iki (South Mokolua), both of which are state seabird sanctuaries. The public is allowed to access only Moku Nui (North Mokulua). For the directionally challenged like me, the northern Moku Nui is the larger double humped island on the left when viewed from Lanikai. The islands are located about ¾ of a mile from Lanikai, no more than 1 to 1.5 miles from anywhere a rental outfit would drop off your kayaks. The trip is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace and should take you about 45 minutes or so each way depending on the current and wind.
(Read more Kayaking in Kailua Bay below...)
details
What:
Kayaking in Kailua Bay
Where:
Parking:
Lots, free
When:
daily, sunrise to sunset
Reservation/
Appointment/
Permit:
None
Cost:
$40- $80 for kayak rental
Contact:
Equipment:
kayak and gear, hat, sunscreen
Preparation:
Check the
tide here before you go.
Kayaking in Hawaii - How To
Make sure you have tethered your paddles to the kayak and it's always a good idea to wear your life vest even though you will see a lot of people without them. Take off from wherever your kayaks are and paddle towards the Mokes. Spend a few minutes observing the waves breaking on the reef fronting the islands and then go around the reef. The waves may look exciting to the uninitiated, but I assure you it's not very fun when a seemingly harmless wave flips your kayak. Save the waves for when you are relatively experienced. As you meander, maybe a honu, or Hawaiian sea turtle, may pop its head up next to your kayak and bring you good luck. When you get close to the beach on Moku Nui, slow down and time the converging waves so that you can easily glide up on shore without an embarrassing tumble. Spend some time lounging on the beach enjoying the view. If the waves are calm and the tide is not too high, you can walk around the back of the island to a wonderful sea pool (do not cross the ropes into the bird sanctuary). It's really easy and short, I'll write more about it in
Exploring Moku Nui.
Dan's Hawaii Tip
When you rent your kayaks, ask where the kayaks will be dropped off. Some rental outfits drop off the kayaks in the Kawainui Canal leading from Kaelepulu Pond to Kailua Bay. It's not very far, but you may have to portage (meaning carry or drag) your kayak from the canal into the bay when the tide is too low or the sandbar too high, and the brackish water in the canal is always murky and somehow 'dirty' looking.
Look here.
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