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Trip Details
The tour breakdown
Price
These prices are for an exclusive private tour with just you and your party in the car. If you are a cruise ship passenger please see the information here.
“Waimea Canyon State Park fees will be paid with your credit card at the entrance. Add $25 for car and $5 per person without Hawaii state driver’s license.”
Children under 12 are $95. Big savings for families! Please have your own car seats if you have more than one child. If not I can provide it at an additional cost.
SPECIAL OFFER: Want to see the North and East side of the island as well, including Hanalei Bay? If you book the Waimea Canyon Tour and the Hanalei Bay Tour back-to-back, you will get 20 percent off the second day. Click here to see more details, including prices, for the 2-Day All Kauai Tour.
Departure time
7:30, 8 or 9 am.
Princeville/Poipu areas require 9 am pick up.
One tour per day.
Meeting point
I will pick you up at your accommodation or cruise ship. There is only a pick up fee for Princeville/Poipu areas.
*Due to the recent surge in gas prices I need to charge $50 for pickups in Poipu or Princeville. Poipu and Princeville pickups add an hour and a half to my driving time. With the unique geography of Kauai, the tours work best from Kapaa, the middle point on the island and our one main, and in parts, only highway.
Availability
7 days a week, all year long, one tour per day
Duration
9am until 3pm
6 hours, includes stop for lunch
Group size
1-7 people
Please note that my tours are exclusive, private tours. When you make a booking, it will only be your group on the tour.
* The information above does not apply for cruise ship passengers. If you are a cruiser then please click on the link below for cruise ship specific information and booking requests.
Included
Tour in a 2022 Hybrid Sienna Toyota 8 passenger van. Plenty of room and windows, lots of cupholders, usb charging. A stop at the Wailua Falls and then up to the Waimea Canyon, Kauai coffee plantation, Menehune Ponds, Poipu/Spouting Horn and any special requests with time permitting! A stop for lunch will be included as well.
Not included
While we will stop for lunch, the meal itself is not included. I know some of the best spots in the island to stop, but let me know if you have any dietary restrictions to accommodate, i.e. vegetarian. Vegetarian diets are a bit challenging, especially when going to the Waimea Canyon and west side.
What to bring
Cash, camera, water, light jacket, light walking shoes, sandals (optional comfort), curiosity…
Staff
1 x local expert and friendly guide—Uncle Doug
Good to know
No long walks/hikes. There are non-stair options for the lookout spots—just let me know if you need to use them. If weather happens I’ll do my best to follow the sun and have some fun! Weather cancellations for 100% refund are my call. There is only one tour per day so please make sure to check availability!
I highly recommend taking motion sickness medication for this tour for those who are prone to motion sickness. The Waimea Canyon encompasses many winding, curvy roads.
Please note that my tours are exclusive, private tours. When you make a booking, it will only be your group on the tour – unless you are arriving on a cruise ship, in which case please see my Cruise Ship Tours page.
What you'll see
Looking for one of the safest privately guided tours on Kauai? If you want to learn about Kauai then join me, Doug, the Kauai Tour Guy today and experience one of the most unique things to do in Kauai. This private guided tour is perfect for cruise ship passengers with limited time or the visitor with only half a day in the area. I will share my extraordinary local knowledge and stories and answer any questions you may have while you take in the stunning sights of this beautiful Hawaiian island.
We’ll take my big, comfortable and safe 2022 Toyota Hybrid Sienna and go places where other big tour buses can’t! I guarantee the tour will be fun and informative, and you’ll walk away with memories that you’ll never forget. We’ll always make time to stop and take some pictures along the way of things like Kauai’s stunning waterfalls, rainbows stretching across the gorges into the sky or even Paniolo on his mule!
I’m a fountain of information when it comes to Kauai—take advantage of it!
Some unmissable sights on the tour (weather and time permitting):
- The “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” – Waimea Canyon
- The incredible Kalalau Valley
- Waipo’o Falls and its stunning scenery
- The ancient Menehune Fishpond
- The famous Kalalau Lookout
Have I mentioned we’re gonna have fun? Life is too short for me to have started this tour business at the ripe age of 65 without the opportunity to enjoy myself. I want you to feel like your uncle or old high school buddy is taking you on your tour of a lifetime. That’s how I roll. I have friends and couches waiting for me all over the world, and I want you to become a part of our friends list!
The perfect tour for vacationers with limited time!
If you’re wondering what to do in Kauai, this tour should be on your list! It’s perfect for cruise ship passengers with limited shore time or island tourists with only half a day, and we’ll see a lot in 5 hours! We will go directly to the Waimea Canyon and stop at the best lookouts for the perfect photo opportunities. The beauty of my tours is that we go places the big tour buses can’t go! I know all the hidden Kauai secrets…
Frequently Asked Questions
Use your favorite app but you need these three towns for a weather check: Princeville, 96722 for North Shore, Waimea, 96796 for West and Southside and Kapaa, 96746 for the Eastside. It can look totally blown out in Kapaa but the westside is sunny, go figure, but true. That is why the weather cancellation with 100% refund is my call.
Oftentimes it can be rainy on one side of Kauai and sunny on the other. I will be the one to determine if we must reschedule. This is where my 13 years of living here and driving a school bus from one end to the other come in very handy. If we have to cancel that day, I will give you another possible day or you can get a full refund. I know you have planned and looked forward to your day, as you should, and I don’t want to disappoint! And, perhaps most importantly, if you have booked a two day tour with the second day 30% off it is a hedge against losing a day of touring.
Both! It’s a King Solomon’s choice when it comes to the two sides of Kauai. Most people elect to see the Waimea Canyon but the North Shore has so much to offer as well. Don’t miss out and book the 10hr tour in 2 days which leaves your afternoons free, a backup date if rainy on one of your days, and secures you a tour date with the Kauai Tour Guy. Remember, the second day is 30% price!
Picking up in Poipu or Princeville, regardless of Hotel or accommodation, adds 2 hours to my driving time but does not take away from your tour time. That charge is $50. Due to the unique geography of Kauai the most effective way to tour Kauai is from Kapaa, where I live. We can make arrangements where you can leave your car in Kapaa if you prefer. That charge is $35 or you can meet me in Kapaa. I am happy to start and end your tour from wherever is most convenient for you.
There is no pick up charge for Lihue Airport or Nawiliwili Harbor for the cruise ships.
Only if you think he went above and beyond your expectations.
In America, tipping is a way of acknowledging a job well done. In general any person in a hotel, a cab/taxi/uber, airport, a dining table will be working for tips and they are greatly appreciated. I think of a tip like applause. You pay to go see a performance and your tip is the applause, and who doesn’t love a standing ovation? You can google appropriate tipping but for me a $20 tip per person, per day would be a suggested tip for me or any guide you use anywhere for a personally guided tour like I give,,, if you are so inclined. I think most people just don’t know how much to tip and then don’t and we don’t want that! Mahalo. I need money for Vegas! Hope this helps.
Yes! I will pick you and only your travel companions up from Hotel, Cruise Ship(Soon) or your local accommodation or pre-arranged location. My tours are private tours, only your party.
You have 5 days before your tour to make changes or cancellations without penalty but once inside that 5 days any cancellations made can result in a 10% service charge. I am only one person and I need the possibility of rebooking your dates.
Highlights
Visit some of the most spectacular "don’t miss" places in Hawaii: Waimea Canyon, Kalalau Valley and beyond
Enjoy more time, more photos, more fun and more memories of the Waimea Canyon than any other tour on land!
Stunning Kauai waterfalls, like the beautiful Waipo’o Falls
Learn about life on Kauai and the advantages and drawbacks of being the most remote group of islands in the world
Want to know more about Niihau, the mysterious Hawaiian “forbidden island”? Join me to find out...
Tour Kauai in a 2022 Toyota Sienna Hybrid 8 passenger Van
FAQs about the Kauai Waimea Canyon Tour
How long does it take to drive through Waimea Canyon Kauai?
Driving through Waimea Canyon in Kauai takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, including short stops at scenic overlooks. The drive offers stunning views of the canyon’s red cliffs, lush valleys, and dramatic landscapes. Make sure to allow time for photos and to enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the way.
How much time do you need at Waimea Canyon?
To fully experience Waimea Canyon, it’s best to plan for at least half a day. The amount of time you spend can vary depending on your interests, whether you prefer a leisurely drive, hiking the trails, or simply enjoying the lookout points. With a range of activities available, you can tailor your visit to fit your preferences, making it as short or as long as you like.
What is the number one luau in Kauai?
The top-rated luau in Kauai is Luau Kalamaku, known for its captivating performances and immersive cultural experience. However, Kauai also offers several other luaus, each providing unique flair and authentic Hawaiian traditions. Whether you choose Luau Kalamaku or another, you will surely enjoy a memorable evening filled with music, dance, and local cuisine.
