FAQ

Shaka Kayaks first concern is for your safety.  Anyone 5 years old and over can join us on the tour provided they can swim and re-enter the kayak in the water with the guide’s assistance.  While we have tried to make our kayak experience available to everyone, if you are not sure you can meet our requirements due to a physical or sensory impairment please contact us prior to your tour for a safety assessment.

Shaka Kayaks limits the number of kayaks to a maximum of 5 kayaks per guide on each trip.  We feel small groups offer the safest experience with much better marine life viewing and interaction.  As such our limited number of seats fill up quickly and it is highly recommended to book early with the Guide Post or by calling (808) 381-4121 for availability. You can also call us for larger private groups.

Shaka Kayaks departs daily from the Guide Post in the lobby of The Ritz-Carlton Oahu Turtle Bay where your open air green electric transportation will be waiting to pick you up.  * Tour Tip:  Your driver will leave exactly on time so make sure you arrive a few minutes prior to your tour time so you don’t “miss the bus”. * From there it is a short 5 minute drive down to the kayak launch area.  Occasionally we have to change launch locations due to movie filming or a monk seal hauled out at our launch site but we will let you know at that time.

No.  Shaka Kayaks recommends single kayaks due to their stability and ease of paddling.  We do offer double kayaks in case one paddler needs assistance or a couple wants to stay together on one kayak.

North Shore Oahu is famous for it’s huge surf during the winter months.   The locations we use for launching and landing the kayaks as well as our kayak routes are all inside of a protected reef system that prevents any waves over 2′ from coming inside.  As such we are able to operate year round and normally only have to cancel during high surf warning days.  Once again safety is our first concern and the guide always evaluates the conditions on the day of your tour.  In the event of a cancellation due to weather you will have the option of rescheduling or receive a full refund for the tour.

Turtles, turtles and even more turtles.   Even though it is possible that not everyone on the tour will see a turtle, it is very rare and just means the turtles are still there but holding their breath longer.  Your guide will show you several feeding and cleaning areas on the tour.  Whales and dolphins have been spotted but are very rare.  More commonly seen is the Hawaiian monk seal which occasionally alters our launch and landing sites if they decide to haul-out there. *Tour Tip: Observe monk seals from at least 150′ away so you don’t alter their behavior.*  For birdwatchers there is the chance to see one of the 4 endangered waterbirds found on the North Shore.

Shaka Kayaks recommends your typical beach protection gear.  This includes a broad rimmed hat, sunglasses with holder, light weight long sleeve shirt, reef shoes or sandals and sunscreen.  Towels and non-valuables can be left locked up in the Shaka Shack until after the tour.  As it is the ocean and anything can happen please leave your expensive sunglasses, cell phones, video cameras and anything that you don’t want to get wet or drop overboard locked up in the Shaka Shack or at home.  We do Air Drop free photos at the end of the tour so if you have a phone we can lock it up while you are on the tour.
A cash or Venmo tip at the end of the tour for your guides if they did an awesome job is optional.

Shaka Kayaks uses your email address for one purpose only.  At the end of your tour your guide will email you a souvenir photo taken of you on your kayak with the North Shore as a background if you don’t have a phone to get the instant Air Dropped pictures.  This is a complimentary thank you gift from us.

Shaka Kayaks is located at The Ritz-Carlton Oahu Turtle Bay on the North Shore of Oahu.  From Waikiki get on the H1 Freeway heading West.  Follow the signs to the North Shore by taking the H2 Freeway North.  Get off the freeway at Wahiawa and follow the Kamehameha Highway all the way to Turtle Bay Resort.  Turn left off of “Kam” Highway on Kuilima Drive and follow the road to the hotel lobby.  Valet or free parking are both available just remember to use the restrooms when you first arrive as there are only ones for turtles on the tour.