Outrigger Canoe Ride from Kona: Paddle Kailua Bay the Hawaiian Way

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Activity Overview

• A wonderful cultural immersion experience!
• Departs From: Kamakahonu Bay in downtown Kailua-Kona, in front of the Marriott Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Click for Google Map Directions.
• Add this to your Kailua-Kona day or when you get off the cruise ship
• Chance to see Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins and Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles
• Bathing suits are not required. We didn’t get wet when we did it
• All ages are welcome. My five year old and 72 year old Dad joined me on the tour!
• Daily and hourly outrigger rides are available. Learn more and book the tour at the button below!

There are plenty of ways to get out on the water in Kailua-Kona. You can kayak, paddleboard, take a snorkel cruise, Atlantis submarine, or hop on a catamaran. But there is exactly one way to experience Kailua Bay the way Hawaiians have for centuries, and that is aboard a traditional outrigger canoe.

That is what Kona Boys offers, and honestly, we think it is one of the most underrated activities on the Big Island.

What Makes This Outrigger Canoe Ride Special

Most visitors do not think of an outrigger canoe ride when they are planning their Big Island water activities. It is easy to gravitate toward snorkeling tours or whale watches. But here is the thing: a wa’a ride with Kona Boys is not just a paddling activity. It is a guided cultural experience on the water, and the setting makes it genuinely special.

You launch from Kamakahonu Beach, a small, protected cove tucked right next to Kailua Pier. This is no random beach. This is the exact stretch of shoreline where King Kamehameha the Great spent his final years, rebuilt the Ahu’ena Heiau (a temple dedicated to Lono, the Hawaiian god of peace and agriculture), and passed away in 1819.

Paddling out from this spot in a traditional Hawaiian canoe carries real weight, and the guides from Kona Boys do not let that history go unspoken.

As you head into Kailua Bay, your guide shares stories about local landmarks, the coastline’s history, and the cultural role of the wa’a in Hawaiian life. You might spot spinner dolphins playing alongside the canoe, which happens regularly out here. The bay is calm, the views are beautiful, and by the end of the hour, you will feel like you genuinely learned something, not just ticked an activity off a list.

The canoe holds up to six passengers, so it works well for families, couples, or small groups. And Kona Boys runs rides daily, which means it is relatively easy to work into your schedule, even if you are just in port for the day on a cruise ship.

Taking an outrigger canoe is #10 in our Things to Do in Kona.

What to Expect on the Ride

Beach-Side Orientation

Before you ever touch a paddle, your guide gives you a proper orientation on the beach at Kamakahonu. You will learn how to paddle, what the signals mean, and a bit about the canoe itself, its design, its history, and why the outrigger (the float on the side) matters for stability. This is not a rushed five-minute talk. The guides here actually enjoy sharing this stuff, and it shows.

Paddling Out Into Kailua Bay

Once everyone is comfortable, you board the wa’a and launch from the protected cove. The water here is calm and sheltered, which makes the launch easy even for people who have never paddled before. Kids and older guests do just fine.

As you clear the cove and head into the open bay, the guide begins weaving in the cultural and historical commentary that makes this ride genuinely different from a standard water tour.

Do not be surprised if a pod of spinner dolphins shows up. It happens often enough that reviewers mention it regularly, though, of course, wildlife is never guaranteed. We saw a dolphin and a sea turtle on our tour.

The Return and Beach Time

The ride runs about an hour, and when you return, the beach at Kamakahonu is right there. Kona Boys also rents beach gear — chairs, umbrellas, snorkel equipment — so if you want to extend your time after the canoe ride and relax on the sand or snorkel in the cove, that is very easy to do. It makes for a natural and relaxed morning or afternoon on the water.

Why We Recommend This Tour

A few things stand out to us about this particular experience.

First, the location is remarkable. Launching from Kamakahonu Beach, right next to where Kamehameha the Great lived and governed, adds a layer of meaning that you simply do not get from most water tours.

Second, it is genuinely accessible. No paddling experience is needed. The bay is protected and calm. The canoe holds six people, and the steersman handles the navigation. My family of young and old had a great time out on the water. If you don’t have a full group of six (we had three), they will bring on another paddler from the Beach Shack.

If you are physically able to sit in a canoe and hold a paddle, you can do this.

Third, the price is reasonable. For an hour on the water with a knowledgeable guide in one of the most historically significant bays in Hawaii, we think this represents solid value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any paddling experience?

None at all. Your guide will give you a full orientation on the beach before you launch, and the steersman manages the direction and pace of the canoe. Guests of all experience levels do this ride every day.

Is this suitable for children?

Yes. Kona Boys lists this as open to all ages, and families with young kids regularly take this ride. The launch spot at Kamakahonu Beach is calm and protected, which makes it a comfortable experience even for younger guests.

How many people can fit in the canoe?

The wa’a holds up to six passengers plus the guide/steersman. You can book as an individual passenger and join others on the canoe, or book the entire canoe for your group of six.

Where exactly do you meet?

You check in at the Kona Boys Beach Shack, which is located right on Kamakahonu Beach next to the King Kamehameha Hotel (also known as Kona Beach Resort) in the heart of Kailua-Kona. It is an easy spot to find, and parking is available at the hotel or the public lots in downtown Kona.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear comfortable clothes you do not mind getting a little wet, and bring reef-safe sunscreen. Water shoes or sandals work well. The guides will let you know if there is anything specific to prepare for when you book.

Are there dolphins on the tour?

Spinner dolphins are frequently spotted in Kailua Bay, and guests often mention seeing them in their reviews. That said, wildlife is never guaranteed — if the dolphins show up, it is a bonus, not a promise.

Can I book this if I am arriving by cruise ship?

Yes. Kona Boys specifically notes that it can accommodate cruise ship passengers with a limited window in port. Just book in advance and communicate your timing when you reach out.

See our Big Island Shore Excursions for more of our recommended tours for cruise ship passengers to Kona and Hilo. Here is our shortlist of the best cruise ship tours by island: Pride of America Shore Excursions.

What is the cancellation policy?

They reserve the right to charge the full amount for cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice. Any cancellations made within 48 hours will receive a full refund. Customers will receive a full refund in the event of an operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.

About Kona Boys

Kona Boys has been part of the Big Island’s ocean community since 1996, starting as the first kayak company operating tours on Kealakekua Bay before growing into one of the most trusted water activity providers on the island. What started as a small operation near Napoopoo Pier has expanded to two locations: their original shop in Kealakekua and the Beach Shack right on Kamakahonu Beach in Kailua-Kona, where the outrigger canoe rides are offered.

Their mission runs deeper than renting gear or running tours. Kona Boys operates on three foundational pillars: providing the best possible customer experience, honoring and perpetuating Hawaiian culture, and actively contributing to the Big Island community. They support organizations such as the Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Surfrider Foundation, and Coral Reef Alliance, and participate in regular ocean cleanups.

The guides they put on the water reflect those values. They are knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely enthusiastic about sharing the history and culture of the places they work. That combination of local roots, cultural respect, and community investment is exactly what we look for when we recommend a tour operator, and Kona Boys delivers on all of it.

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