Travel to the Tropics: Cruising Hawaii's Wailua River

If the weather outside is frightful—or even just a little nippy—you might be pining for a tropical escape. But where to go?

Bright, balmy and marked by abundantly lush vistas, it doesn’t get much more tropical than Hawaii’s Wailua River. As Hawaii’s only navigable river, this idyllic destination—situated on the island of Kauai—offers an abundance of cruising opportunities, and is a thriving waterskiing center to boot.

Want to learn more? Hop on for a virtual tour of this one-of-a-kind gem.

Get to know the Garden Isle

Wailua River runs out to the east coast of Kauai, the Hawaiian island known for its medley of stunning oceanside cliffs and vivid abundance of native flora—which actually earned Kauai the nickname of “Garden Isle.”

That name is an apt descriptor, something you’ll notice as soon as you set foot on the island’s famously red volcanic soil. While gorgeous vistas can be “ooh”-ed and “aah”-ed at all throughout the island, few spots exemplify those tropical flourishes quite like the Wailua region, where the green landscape is only amplified by the dazzling blue water that runs through it. The river is notable in itself, too, for being the state’s only navigable river (others are too small or cumbersome for boats and water sports). While we usually associate Hawaii with stunning ocean vistas—of which there are plenty—Wailua is pleasant proof that the state has even more to offer, if only you know where to look.

From waterskiing…

Due to its unique size, Wailua River offers a much-loved oasis for local and visiting water-skiers, who enjoy the long, uninterrupted runs that can be had on the river’s winding surface. Plus, the landscape never stays the same. Stunning, green-covered mountain views can be enjoyed at certain legs of the river—at others, it’s a dense thicket of palm trees and shore scrub that lets you get lost in the vivid escape. Against the backdrop of pleasantly balmy temps, you’ll love hitting the clear, glossy surface of the water, and feeling the cool H2O spray around you all the while.

… to discovering hidden treasures

Of course, there are hidden treasures to discover along the way, too! Venture off the beaten path to take in gorgeous vistas such as the aptly named Secret Falls, a dazzling waterfall nestled among an especially lush hideaway where you can splash around or embark on a kayak journey for slower, meandering fun. Take it all in! There’s no rush at Wailua.

Beach and beyond

Want to explore even more? Wailua wraps its way right up to the coast, from where you can explore the wide-open Pacific. Take in a leisurely, self-guided sightseeing cruise of the scenic Kauai coast, or kick it up a notch and enjoy a fast-paced Vortex adventure. Either way, the Wailua region offers plenty of ways for boaters of every sort to discover an all-encompassing water wonderland.

If you’ve been searching for the perfect spot to bring your Vortex—you might have just found it! We hope today’s virtual tour inspires an upcoming adventure to the heart of paradise, a top solution for warming up this winter.