Kayak to the Mokes! Full Review
Kayak to the Mokes from Kailua Beach! This was our go-to activity when we had visitors to Oahu. DIY kayak rental or do a guided tour, figure out what is right for you here!
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Activity Overview
Kayak to the Mokes Highlights
- 5 hour tour
- Choose from three different options to pick the tour that is right for your group
- Great location, just steps from the beach
- Self-guided option available
- Ages 8 and up are welcome (minors must be in a double hulled kayak with a guardian)
Kayak from Kailua Beach to Popoi’a (a flat island), Lanikai Beach, or The Mokuluas (aka, the Mokes or Twin Islands). You can reserve kayaks for a self-guided tour or let a professional guide show you around.
Booking with Kailua Ocean Adventures is your best option for kayaking to the Mokes. They provide friendly service and the convenience of picking up your beach equipment and being able to walk (roll the kayak) to Kailua Beach. They are the only shop within walking distance of Kailua Beach. They have been in operation since 1982.
The major drawback of kayaking to the Mokes is you can encounter rough water. While one doesn’t need to be an experienced kayaker, the trip to the islands can feel long for kids or first-time kayakers. We recommend one to be fit and athletic to make the trip out to the Mokes. If in doubt about kayaking to the Mokes (a 5-hour tour), try the shorter guided kayaking tour to Popoi’a Island off of Kailua Beach.
See below for more information on these three tour options.
Direct Booking for Their Most Popular Tour: Kayak to the Mokes
Kayak to the Mokes Tour Details
These tours and experiences are available throughout the year. The warm waters of Oahu welcome kayakers to explore Kailua Bay and Lanikai Beach.
Pick up your kayak at the Kailua Beach Adventures storefront, located 0.2 miles (4-min walk) from Kailua Beach. Click here for directions to their store.
There are two ways to kayak to the Mokes.
Self-Guided Kayak to the Mokes Experience
First, you can rent a kayak for a self-guided kayaking tour of Kailua Bay and out to the Mokes. The self-guided tour is best for independent adventurers looking for new discoveries in Kailua’s unspoiled, pristine waters and beaches. This tour is a great value for a full-day activity in Hawaii.
The self-guided tour includes a safety video, snorkel equipment, a dry bag, a secure locker, and more. See the Book button below for details on this tour and to reserve your kayaks. Ages 8 and up are welcome. Minors (8 to 16 years old) must be in a double-hulled kayak with a parent or guardian.
Click the book button below for more details on the self-guided tour plus an availability calendar. Plan to be out kayaking and picnicking on the islands for 5 hours (total, round trip).
Guided Kayak Tour to the Mokes
The second way is to have a local guide take you to the Mokes.
This tour belongs at the top of your bucket list! The Mokulua Islands are iconic and frequently photographed, but remain elusive for visitors due to a limited number of permits. Join this 5-hour tour to explore the Mokes, Lanikai Beach, and the best snorkel spots. Snorkel with your guide in the live coral reef inside Kailua’s turtle feeding grounds and enjoy this tropical paradise.
This tour is perfect for the adventure-minded. Beginner kayakers can join if they are fit and comfortable in the ocean. Children 8 years and older are welcome on a private tour, but they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in a double kayak. The minimum age is 13 years old on group tours.
The tour includes a picnic lunch, snorkeling equipment, and kayaks. Click the book button below for details on the trip.
Kayak to Popoi’a Island from Kailua Beach
The third way to kayak in Kailua Bay but not all the way to the Mokes is to kayak to Popoi’a Island, a protected seabird sanctuary, off of Kailua Beach. The tour includes a 20 to 30-minute tour of the island with time to play and relax on Kailua Beach with available boogie boards, beach mats, and snorkel gear.
This tour is the best for families and beginner kayakers. See the book button below for more details on this tour.
Kayak to the Mokes: Top Unique Thing to Do on Oahu
If you are looking for a unique Hawaii experience, then kayaking to the Mokes should be on your bucket list. This experience made our Top 13 Unique Things to Do on Oahu video. Watch the video below to see gorgeous shots of Lanikai Beach and the Mokes.
About Kailua Beach Adventures
Started by a couple friends in 1982, they started out as Kailua Sailboard Company. 40 years and a new name later, they’ve really grown with the times and now have a prime spot just steps from the beach. Kailua Beach Adventures prides themselves in the impact they are making every day for the good of the land and the community.
We are affiliate partners with Kailua Beach Adventures which means we receive a small commission for each completed booking made through this site. This is done without any additional cost to you. You can read more about our affiliate policies here. Know that we only recommend tour operators that we know and trust. Your positive experience and your trust in us mean more than any affiliate commission. By booking tours through our website you help us to provide free information and videos to help you and other readers plan their perfect Hawaii vacation. Thank you so much for your support — you are amazing!