Need to know
Area
Kailua
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Description
Not everyone visiting Oahu will get a chance to step foot on the Mokulua Islands. Why? Because you’ll have to kayak, paddleboard, or canoe to get to them.
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The Mokulua Islands (aka Na Mokulua or The Mokes) are a sea-bird sanctuary. They’re known for their picturesque white sand beaches and Queen’s Bath, a breathtaking natural tide pool.
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Leaving from Kailua Beach Park, you’ll kayak out to the Mokulua Islands, where you’ll get a chance to swim in Queen’s Bath and snorkel through a coral reef inside Kailua’s turtle feeding grounds. There’s a good chance you’ll see turtles and maybe even a monk seal. The guides are really knowledgeable about the island and the marine life you’ll encounter.
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Heads up, this is a very active trip. It’s best for people who are pretty fit.
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Covid Specific
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Wear a mask when inside their shop.
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All rented kayaks and SUPs are sanitized after use.
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Lifejackets are dried completely, then washed after each use.
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Max 10 people in their shop at a time.
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All rentals and tours should be booked ahead of time.
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Booking
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Address
Kailua Beach Adventures
130 Kailua Rd, Kailua, HI 96734
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Contact Info
808-262-2555
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info@kailuabeachadventures.com
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DM them on Instagram @kailuakayaks
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Price
$$$
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From $187 / person
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Difficulty
Moderate - you'll need to kayak for about 30 minutes each way.
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Time Estimate
5 hours
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Nearby
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Kalapawai Market — 2 min walk
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Maui Brewing Co. Kailua — 2 min drive (or 16 min walk)
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Lanikai Pillbox Hike — 4 min drive
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Rai Rai Ramen — 4 min drive
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Nalu Health Bar & Cafe — 4 min drive
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Kono’s Northshore - Kailua — 4 min drive
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Lanikai Pillbox Hike — 5 min drive
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Cinnamon’s — 5 min drive
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Waimanalo Bay Beach Park — 15 min drive
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Waikiki — 30 min drive
Kayak to the Mokes, where you’ll snorkel in a coral reef and visit Queen’s Bath. A good chance you’ll see turtles too.
Kayak and Snorkel to the Mokulua Islands
KAYAK | SNORKEL
Good to know
PHOTOS
PACKING LIST
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Plenty of reef-safe sunscreen. You're going to get a lot of sun.​
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Change of clothes. Whatever you're wearing will definitely get wet.
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Water shoes or footwear with a back strap that you can walk on rocks with. I got by with some flip flops, but you've got to be careful when walking along the rocks.
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A waterproof phone pouch is nice to have, but not absolutely necessary. They'll take a bunch of photos of you throughout the tour and they'll lend you a dry bag to keep your things safe, but I kinda wish I'd had a phone pouch to take some of my own photos along the way. You can also pick one up last minute in their shop.
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Sunglasses and a hat. I forgot my hat and was missing it the whole time.
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If you've got a GoPro and a board mount, this would be a good time to break it out.
FOOD + DRINK
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They provide plenty of snacks and water as well as a picnic lunch of fresh turkey sandwiches with drinks and chips.
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Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options available upon request.
AMENITIES + PERKS
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Your guide will take pictures of you along the way and either AirDrop or email them to you.
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Snorkeling gear provided.
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Island landing permits. (You need a permit to kayak to The Mokes.)
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Guides are Lifeguard, CPR, and First Aid certified.
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Lockers with locks are available at their shop for anything you want to leave behind.
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All kayaking gear (life jackets, kayaks, and paddles) is provided. You can choose between a one or two person kayak.
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Drybags are provided for you for anything that you want to take with you, but don’t want to get wet.
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Free parking on premise.
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Your tour comes with 15% off anything you want to purchase from their shop (swimsuits, sunscreen, phone pouches, etc).
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When you sign up for a tour, it includes free use of a bunch of their gear (like beach chairs, boogie boards, and bikes) until 5:30.
FYI
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Be there at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
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The tour will take place rain or shine.
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Beginners are welcome, but you should be fit and adventurous. It takes about 30 minutes of kayaking to get to the island
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You’ll need to transport the kayak on a cart to the beach (about 0.5 miles away). It’s a 5-10 minute walk.
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Participants must be able to swim. No exceptions.
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No tours on Sundays because Hawaii’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DLNR) doesn’t issue kayak permits on Sundays.
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Up to 10 people.
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Cancellation Options: You won’t be charged for cancellations / rescheduling, if you do it before 12pm the day before your tour.
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As a bird sanctuary, there is a lot of wildlife here. Be sure to keep your distance and not disturb them. ​
KID STUFF
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13 and up can join. If under 13, book a private-group tour instead.
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Ages 13 - 16 must ride in a double kayak with a parent or guardian.
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Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
DID YOU KNOW?
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Locals call the Mokulua Islands “The Mokes.”
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The 2 islands are called Moku Nui (“big island”) and Moku Iki (“little island”). Moku Nui is the one that’s open to the public.
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Supposedly, Hawaiian Royalty used the Queen’s Bath for healing purposes. It's a natural saltwater pool that's full of healing minerals that are supposed to be great for your skin.
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The Mokulua Islands are part of the Hawaii State Seabird Sanctuary. There are over 12 different species, including Wedge-Tailed S hearwaters, Red-Footed Bobbys, and Ruddy Turnstones. Moku Nui is home to the Great Frigatebird, a large black bird with a 7-foot wingspan.
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They’ve been awarded Eco-Tour Guide of the year by Hawai’i Eco-Tourism Association for 2 years.
Last Updated 5 / 4 / 21​
TIPS + TRICKS
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Book an early morning tour to beat the heat (as much as you can).
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Also if you book an early tour, then you'll be able to borrow beach chairs, boogie boards, and bikes and can spend the afternoon at Lanikai Beach.
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