The Kailua kayak rental from Active Oahu Tours is bare equipment: a tandem kayak with paddles, life vests and roof straps for $69 per 4 hours or $96 per day, collected in Kailua or delivered to vacation rentals. It suits paddlers who already know Kailua Bay; the drawback is that no lesson is included and Mokulua landing permits are limited.
Highlights
$69 for 4 hours, $96 full day (8 AM to 4:30 PM), $162 for 2 days and $37 per day from 8 days (operator site, October 2026).
Tandem kayaks are Ocean Kayak Malibu Two (12 ft, 425 lb capacity) with XL and Pro 2 models up to 550 lb on request.
Life vests, seat backs, paddles, foam roof pads and straps included; dry bags are a $6 add-on.
Delivery to vacation rentals from Kualoa Regional Park to Sunset Beach; 2 of the 3 operator-site reviews we read mention delivery.
Routes from Kailua Beach reach Popoia Island in about 20 minutes and the Mokulua Islands in 20-45 minutes, per the operator's self-guided page.
What to Expect
Book online, then arrive at 134B Hamakua Dr. 15 minutes before your slot to sign the waiver; late arrivals may be rescheduled.
Staff strap the kayak to your 4-door car, van or roof rails (up to 2 kayaks on a sedan, 3 on an SUV) or deliver it to your rental if you booked delivery.
Drive about 6 minutes to Kailua Beach Park and carry the kayak to the sand.
Paddle your own route: Popoia Island is the nearest islet, the Mokulua Islands take 20-45 minutes each way and need a landing permit.
Return the kayak to the shop by the end of your window; full-day rentals end at 4:30 PM.
4-door vehicle or roof rails (one kayak fits a small car or sliding-door van)
Sunscreen and swimsuit
A phone kept switched on for driver updates if you booked delivery
Water and snacks; pack out trash
Restrictions and Requirements
Signed waiver required for all rentals
Arrive 15 minutes early; late arrivals may be rescheduled
Children under 13 must share a double or triple kayak with a parent, one child per adult (Greetwell)
Paddlers must be able to swim while wearing a life vest and climb back into a floating kayak
Tandem capacity 425 lb (standard) to 550 lb (Pro 2)
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.
Active Oahu Tours shop, 134B Hamakua Dr., Kailua, HI 96734; delivery available from Kualoa Regional Park to Sunset Beach
Check-In
Arrive 15 minutes before your reservation; stay reachable by phone on delivery days
Parking and Getting There
Free parking at launch sites, though spaces are limited; the operator recommends 8 AM or 9 AM slots
Ratings from every source we could find
Google
4.8
360 reviews
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
General operator reviews reference dependable delivery/pickup timing for Kailua-area rentals.
Last checked 2026-09-15
Ratings and review counts are checked periodically and may not reflect same-day changes on each platform.
What the Reviews Say
We read 3 undated, unrated review excerpts on the operator's tandem kayak rental page and 1 Google review displayed on Greetwell (5/5, August 2026), collected October 2026. We have not yet read a larger dated sample.
What Reviewers Praise
Delivery and pickup at the time and place agreed(2 of the 3 operator-site excerpts we read)
Two renters describe the kayak being dropped off and collected where and when they asked, and one calls the price reasonable compared with other shops.
— operator website, rating and date not shown: a Cerritos renter had the kayak "dropped off where we wanted, when we wanted" and collected on schedule.
Responsive phone communication(2 of the 4 reviews we read)
One operator-site excerpt and the Greetwell Google review both single out staff for clear communication by phone before and during the rental.
— Google via Greetwell, 5★, August 2026: a renter who booked a 3-person kayak found the staff member accommodating and quick to answer calls, and called the shop an honest local business.
What Reviewers Complain About
Equipment fault on delivery(1 report · operator issue · most recent: undated)
One otherwise positive operator-site excerpt mentions a broken strap on one of the delivered kayaks; with a bare rental there is no guide to swap gear on the spot.
— operator website, rating and date not shown: the renter praised delivery timing but noted one kayak arrived with a broken strap.
Pricing table inconsistent on the operator's page(1 listing · operator issue · most recent: October 2026)
The rental page says a 3-day rental is $30 more than two 1-day rentals, yet lists 3 days at $192, exactly two full-day prices; confirm multi-day totals before paying.
About the Operator in General
Active Oahu Tours' operator-wide Google score shown on Greetwell is 4.8 from 360 reviews with 96% recommending; the review summary there praises staff for help strapping kayaks to small cars, patience with late arrivals who call ahead, and easy refunds when plans change.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
At $69 for 4 hours or $96 for a full day, a tandem from Active Oahu Tours is the cheapest way for two people to reach Popoia or the Mokulua Islands, and the multi-day rate of $37 a day from 8 days is hard to beat for long stays. It is only a good deal if you can carry the kayak on your car or are staying in the delivery zone and already know how to read wind and surf. First-timers should pay $169 for the guided Popoia tour instead.
Book This Tour If…
You have paddled before and can self-rescue in open water
You have a 4-door car or roof rails, or a vacation rental between Kualoa and Sunset Beach for delivery
You want to paddle more than once; multi-day rates fall to $37 a day from 8 days
You are two people; the base price is per tandem kayak, not per person
Skip This Tour If…
You have never kayaked; there is no lesson or guide in this price
You want to land on the Mokulua Islands on a specific date without reserving a permit early
You need a dry bag or snorkel gear and expect them included
You may arrive late; the operator says late arrivals can be rescheduled
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Reserve early if you want the Mokulua Islands; the operator says landing permits are limited
Request the XL or Pro 2 tandem when booking if either paddler is heavy; capacities are 500-550 lb versus 425 lb
Add the $6 dry bag at booking; it is not included
Pick the 8 AM or 9 AM slot for lighter wind and easier parking, as the operator advises
Use code 15OFFGROUPS for 15% off when booking 4 or more (operator site, October 2026)
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a kayak rental in Kailua?
A tandem kayak from Active Oahu Tours costs $69 for 4 hours or $96 for a full day from 8 AM to 4:30 PM on the operator's site as of October 2026. Multi-day rates run from $162 for 2 days to $287 for 7 days, and $37 per day from 8 days. Greetwell lists a 4-hour self-guided package at $91.78 including snorkel gear.
Does the Kailua kayak rental include delivery?
Delivery is offered to vacation rentals from Kualoa Regional Park to Sunset Beach, and 2 of the 3 operator-site reviews we read mention being dropped off and collected on time. The page does not state a delivery fee, so confirm the cost when booking.
Can I kayak to the Mokulua Islands with a Kailua kayak rental?
You can paddle to the Mokulua Islands with a rental, but landing requires a permit that the operator says is limited and should be reserved early. The crossing takes 20 to 45 minutes each way from Kailua Beach; Popoia Island is closer and needs no permit mention on the fetched pages.
What kind of car do I need for the Kailua kayak rental?
Most rentals need a 4-door car, a van or roof rails; a single kayak also fits a small car or a sliding-door van. The operator supplies heavy-duty foam pads and straps and fits up to 2 kayaks on a sedan or 3 on an SUV.
What is included with the Kailua kayak rental?
The rental includes the tandem kayak, paddles, seat backs, life vests and the pads and straps for transport. Dry bags ($6), snorkel sets ($18), coolers and anchors are separate rentals. The Greetwell self-guided version at $91.78 bundles snorkel gear, a dry bag and a route map.
What is the cancellation policy for the Kailua kayak rental?
Active Oahu Tours refunds in full for cancellations more than 48 hours before the start and lets you reschedule free. Within 48 hours you pay in full unless you bought its cancellation insurance; rescheduled bookings are nonrefundable. Checked October 2026 on activeoahutours.com.
Contact
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TripReviewAll is an independent review site and does not operate this tour. For changes to an existing booking, contact Active Oahu Tours directly.
