Kailua Bay & Popoia Island Paddle Board Lesson

Overview

The Kailua paddle board lesson from Active Oahu Tours is a 3-hour guided session: basics on the sand at Kailua Beach Park, a 15-minute paddle to Popoia Island, optional snorkeling and a short islet walk, then lunch and shave ice for about $171. It suits first-time paddlers; the drawback is needing your own 4-door car to carry the board.

Highlights

• Guided stand-up paddle lesson on Kailua Bay with a 15-minute paddle to Popoia (Flat) Island, the closest islet to the beach.
• About $171 per visitor and $148 for children 12 and under or kamaaina/military on Greetwell (October 2026).
• Guide, board, paddle, life jacket, 15-liter dry bag, lunch and shave ice included.
• Optional snorkel at the islet looking for sea turtles and fish, plus a short guided nature walk on Popoia.
• You carry the board from the storefront to Kailua Beach Park in your own 4-door car using the pads and straps supplied.

What to Expect

1. Check in at the Kailua storefront 1 hour before the start time for the briefing and safety demo (Greetwell listing).
2. Load the paddle board onto your car with the foam pads and straps provided and drive to Kailua Beach Park.
3. Learn stance, stroke and how to fall safely on the sand, then practice in the shallows with the guide.
4. Paddle about 15 minutes to Popoia Island, with the guide alongside.
5. Snorkel off the islet if you wish and take a short guided walk on Popoia, a bird sanctuary.
6. Paddle back to Kailua Beach, return the board and finish with lunch and shave ice at the shop.

What to Bring

• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Swimsuit
• Water
• Water shoes or athletic shoes

Restrictions and Requirements

• A 4-door car is required to transport the board from the storefront to the beach
• Visitor rate applies to ages 13 and over; children 12 and under pay the child rate
• Popoia Island is a bird sanctuary; stay on the paths and do not disturb birds
• Liability waiver terms not shown on the fetched page

Cancellation Policy

Cancel more than 48 hours before the start time for a 100% refund or a free reschedule; cancellations within 48 hours are charged in full unless you bought the operator's cancellation insurance, and rescheduled bookings cannot be refunded. If the operator cancels for hazardous weather you may reschedule or receive a refund. Checked October 2026 on activeoahutours.com and Greetwell.

Location

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Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii

Meeting Point

Active Oahu Tours storefront, 134B Hamakua Dr., Kailua, HI 96734; the lesson itself takes place at Kailua Beach Park, about 6 minutes away by car

Check-In

Arrive 1 hour before the start time for check-in and the briefing (Greetwell listing)

Parking and Getting There

Kailua Beach Park public lot; the operator recommends morning slots for easier parking

Frequently Asked Questions

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