The Kauai Beach Boys outrigger canoe ride is a 45-minute Kauai outrigger canoe ride in Kalapaki Bay, Lihue, where a guide steers the canoe into the shore break so the crew paddles and surfs waves, for $69 per seat. It suits families with children 6 and up near the airport. The drawback is effort: you paddle, and you must swim.
Highlights
45 minutes on the water at Kalapaki Bay, next to the Royal Sonesta resort and 10 minutes from Lihue airport
Starts at 9:00 am and 10:00 am; $69 per passenger on the operator's site, $76.39 on Greetwell
Guide surfs the canoe on the Kalapaki shore break; the operator calls it a 'Hawaiian roller coaster ride'
Minimum age 6; everyone must know how to swim
Operator rated 4.9 from about 1,500 Google reviews on Greetwell, October 2026
What to Expect
You check in at the Kauai Beach Boys beach hut on Kalapaki Beach, 3610 Rice Street, before the 9:00 am or 10:00 am start; 1 of the 3 reviews on the operator's page called check-in easy.
The guide explains paddling technique and the role of the steersman at the back of the canoe.
The crew paddles out through the bay; 1 of 3 reviewers on the operator's page called it hard work.
The guide positions the canoe to catch waves on the shore break and surfs it back toward the beach, repeating several times.
The ride ends on the sand after about 45 minutes; one reviewer noted the guide let the group catch one last wave.
Kauai Beach Boys on Kalapaki Beach, 3610 Rice St, Lihue, HI 96766
Ratings from every source we could find
Google
4.9
1,500 reviews
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
Traditional outrigger canoe experiences are generally valued in independent travel commentary for offering more cultural depth than a standard kayak or boat tour.
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 customer testimonials on the operator's canoe-ride page (no dates or star ratings shown), 1 Google review republished on Greetwell (September 2026, about the operator's sunset cruise) and Greetwell's star breakdown of about 1,500 Google reviews for the operator. Scores collected October 2026.
What Reviewers Praise
Guides teach technique and share local history(3 of the 3 testimonials we read)
All three testimonials on the operator's page name or praise the guide: one for knowledge of canoe technique and local history, one as professional and courteous, one for being friendly with a private group of three.
— Operator testimonial, undated: the guide explained canoe technique and local history and let the group catch one last wave
Small, sometimes private groups(1 of the 3 testimonials we read)
One reviewer's party of three had the canoe to themselves, which suggests the 9:00 and 10:00 am slots are not always full.
— Operator testimonial, undated: easy check-in, friendly staff and a private group of three
What Reviewers Complain About
It is physical work(1 of the 3 testimonials we read · outside operator's control · most recent: undated)
One reviewer described the ride as hard work, which fits the format: passengers paddle rather than ride. The operator's testimonial page naturally shows only positive reviews, so weight this accordingly.
— Operator testimonial, undated: hard work, but a lot of fun
Low-rated reviews not readable(18 of about 1,300 counted reviews are 1 to 2 stars (Greetwell breakdown) · operator issue · most recent: not shown)
Greetwell's breakdown shows 1,250 five-star, 5 two-star and 13 one-star reviews across all Kauai Beach Boys activities; we could not read their text.
About the Operator in General
Kauai Beach Boys, trading with Da Life Outdoors, runs surf and SUP lessons from $99, a 1.5-hour sunset cruise from $109 and beach rentals from the same Kalapaki Beach base; Greetwell's summary describes the instructors as personable and low-pressure.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
For $69 and 45 minutes this is one of the cheapest guided ocean activities on Kauai, and it is the only one in this group that teaches a traditional Hawaiian skill rather than a modern sport. It suits active families and anyone killing a morning near Lihue airport before a flight. It is not a sightseeing cruise; expect to paddle hard and get soaked, and skip it if anyone in the group cannot swim.
Book This Tour If…
You are staying at or near the Royal Sonesta Kauai or have a morning free near Lihue
Your children are 6 or older and can swim
You want to try outrigger paddling and surfing with a guide for under $80
You prefer a short, active session to a long boat trip
Skip This Tour If…
Anyone in your party cannot swim or is under 6
You want a relaxed ride; the testimonials and operator both describe effort and a 'roller coaster'
You need an afternoon slot; starts are 9:00 am and 10:00 am only
You want a published cancellation policy; the operator's terms page did not load
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Book the 9:00 am slot; the ride is on the shore break and winds usually build later
Leave valuables in the car and wear a rash guard or swimsuit you can paddle in
Call (808) 246-6333 to confirm cancellation terms, which were not readable on the operator's site
Pair it with the operator's 1.5-hour surf or SUP lesson from $99 if you want a full morning
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Kauai Beach Boys outrigger canoe ride?
The Kauai Beach Boys outrigger canoe ride costs $69 per canoe passenger on the operator's website in October 2026, and $76.39 on Greetwell. The 45-minute ride runs at 9:00 am and 10:00 am from Kalapaki Beach in Lihue, with a guide steering the canoe onto waves while passengers paddle.
Where does the Kalapaki Bay outrigger canoe ride start?
The Kalapaki Bay outrigger canoe ride starts from the Kauai Beach Boys base on Kalapaki Beach at 3610 Rice Street, Lihue, beside the Royal Sonesta resort and about 10 minutes from Lihue airport. The canoe paddles out into the bay and surfs the shore break back toward the sand several times.
Do you need to be able to swim for the outrigger canoe ride?
Yes, Kauai Beach Boys requires every passenger on the outrigger canoe ride to know how to swim, and the minimum age is 6. The canoe surfs waves in the Kalapaki shore break, so capsizes and getting wet are part of the experience. One testimonial on the operator's page called the paddling hard work.
How long is the Kauai outrigger canoe ride?
The Kauai outrigger canoe ride with Kauai Beach Boys lasts 45 minutes, with departures at 9:00 am and 10:00 am, according to the operator's website in October 2026. That includes a paddling briefing on the beach, the paddle out into Kalapaki Bay and several wave rides back toward the shore.
What is Kauai Beach Boys' rating?
Kauai Beach Boys (Da Life Outdoors) held a 4.9-star rating from about 1,500 Google reviews on Greetwell as of October 2026, with 1,250 five-star and 13 one-star reviews in the breakdown. Greetwell's summary describes the instructors as skilled, personable and low-pressure across the operator's canoe, surf, SUP and cruise products.
Contact
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TripReviewAll is an independent review site and does not operate this tour. For changes to an existing booking, contact Da Life Outdoors | Kauai Beach Boys directly.
