Quick Details
SUP Guest
Priced per person
$ 99
Tour Rating
Easy
Calm river water, no ocean swell. If you have never stood on a paddleboard, this is the place to learn. Near the mouth of the river you may feel light wind or tide. Our guides check conditions every morning and make the call.
Book at your level. Check the rating and the local weather before you book. Be honest about your experience.
About the Tour
An easy hour standing up on Hilo’s long water. Wailoa means “long water,” and this river runs right through the heart of town. You paddle under Japanese-style arched bridges and through mangrove-lined channels, with your guide out front.
Your destination is the King Kamehameha statue. We stop there for snacks and a break while your guide tells how the 1946 and 1960 tsunamis reshaped this stretch of Hilo, and why the park around you exists.
No experience needed. Your guide shows you how to stand, paddle, turn, and fall safely before you push off. You can always kneel if standing feels shaky.
Price & What’s Included
SUP Guest
$99
Tour Includes
- Guide, small group
- Paddleboard, paddle, leash, and life jacket
- Standing and paddling basics before you launch
- Snacks at the King Kamehameha statue
- Stories of Hilo’s history along the way
Rather Sit Down?
Same river, same statue, in a kayak. Book the Wailoa River Kayak.
Want to try SUP on the ocean?
Take the Reeds Bay SUP Lesson in calm, protected water.
Ready to paddle?
Pick your date and get on the board.
Requirements & What to Bring
Requirements
- No experience needed.
- Minors paddle with a parent or guardian.
- Comfortable in the water. You may fall in, and that is part of it.
What to Bring
- Swimsuit or quick-dry clothes
- Water shoes or sturdy sandals
- Hat, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Phone in a waterproof case with a lanyard (we sell cases at the shop)
Tour Details
- Meet: At our shop, 1717 Kamehameha Ave.
- Duration: About 1 hour.
- Route: Down the Wailoa River to the King Kamehameha statue and back.
- Water: Calm river, no ocean swell.
What You’ll See
Here is what guests commonly see on this tour.
- Japanese-style arched bridges over the river.
- Mangrove-lined channels.
- Fish moving under your board in the clear river water.
- Birds along the riverbanks.
- The King Kamehameha statue and the park around it.
FAQs
I have never paddleboarded. Is that okay?
Yes. The river is calm, which makes it the best place to learn. Your guide teaches you on the bank before you launch.
What if I fall in?
It happens, and it is part of the fun. You wear a leash and a life jacket, the water is calm, and your guide shows you how to climb back on.
Can I kneel instead of stand?
Yes. Plenty of people start on their knees and stand when they feel ready.
Can I bring my phone?
Yes, in a waterproof case with a lanyard. We sell cases at the shop.
What if the weather is bad?
Our guides check conditions before every tour. If it is not safe, we do not go, and we will work with you to reschedule.