Hawaii · Kauai County

Wailua River

Kauai County · 20 mi · Class Flat
Optimal: 20–200 CFS · USGS #16060000
80 avg
75.6CFS
2.82 ft gauge height
Optimal
→Stable
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
Avg flow: 80 cfsHist. median: 72 cfsUSGS #16060000
Wailua River State Park · Wailua Complex of Heiau (National Historic Landmark) · Only Navigable River in Hawaii

The only navigable river in Hawaii. The Wailua flows 20 miles from Mount Waialeale — one of the wettest spots on earth at 460 inches of rain per year — down through the Wailua River State Park to the east shore of Kauai. The river was sacred to Hawaiian royalty (aliʻi) for centuries and contains seven heiau (temples) along its banks. The Fern Grotto motorboat tour is one of the most-photographed visitor experiences in Hawaii, and the river is the most popular kayaking destination on Kauai.

Outfitters
Smith’s Fern Grotto Tour
Historic Wailua River motorboat tour to the Fern Grotto
Wailua Kayak Adventures
Guided kayak trips to Secret Falls and the Fern Grotto
10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.

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