Sugarcane plantation tubing in Kauai is a perfect half-day trip. Riding a tube through the canals of an old sugar plantation is one of the more unique outdoor adventures on the island of Kauai. Floating along on an inner tube enjoying the scenic views and the relaxed vibe is a cool way to see parts of the landscape you wouldn’t normally experience.
Plus, the mountain tubing trip is a wonderful adventure to share with family and friends of all ages. It’s also nice because it’s pretty low-key and doesn’t require a lot of skill or effort. Make sure to plan sugarcane plantation tubing into your Kauai vacation.
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What is Sugarcane Plantation Tubing in Kauai?
Sugarcane plantation tubing in Kauai is a unique and adventurous way to explore the island’s history and landscape. It involves floating down old irrigation canals that were once used to transport water for the island’s sugar plantations. The canals, built in the 1870s, wind through lush tropical landscapes, passing through tunnels carved into the mountainsides, and past scenic views of Kauai’s vibrant greenery.
The tubing experience is guided, with participants floating on inflatable tubes. Along the way, guides share the history of Kauai’s sugar industry and the engineering marvels of the irrigation system, while also providing insights into the island’s ecology.
The guides are knowledgeable, friendly, and well-trained in local history, geology, and ecology. They provide safety briefings, share cultural insights, and ensure guests have a fun and memorable experience. Many guides are locals or long-time residents with a deep knowledge of Kauai’s unique environment.
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Sugarcane Plantation Tubing Trip Outfitter
Kauai Backcountry Adventures operated the tubing experience I had with my family. Their tours take you through several miles of water-filled canals, offering a mix of history, relaxation, and scenic exploration.
Perhaps the most exciting part of the tour is floating through the darkness of the long tunnels cut through the mountains. It’s a great way to enjoy both the natural beauty and the heritage of Kauai in a unique way.
Tubing Trip Gear
Besides the inner tubes, the company provides helmets and headlamps that protect you in and illuminate the tunnels you float through. Gloves are issued to protect your hands when touching the lava rock. The company recommends water shoes or sandals. They discourage flip flops and will rent you crocs for $5.
The gear I used on the tubing trip was the same as I use for a sea kayaking day trip. See the list below.
Sugarcane Plantation Tubing Trip Details
The tubing trip starts at the Kauai Backcountry Adventures headquarters on the Kuhio Highway in Lihue. You will meet your guide and get outfitted with the gear they provide for the adventure.
Next, you board their open-sided four-wheel-drive trucks for a gorgeous ride into the tubing site.
The vehicle traverses 17,000 scenic acres of former plantation lands in the heart of Kaua’i. Views of Mt. Wai’ale’ale, the second highest point on Kaua’i, can be seen across the expansive wildlands. I felt as if I was on a safari as the trees were similar to those in Africa. However, instead of lions and zebras, we saw a wild pig and its cute babies.
The guide Tia was a native Hawaiian with a dry sense of humor. She entertained us with witticisms and interesting tidbits of information about the sugar plantation we were visiting.
Tubing on the Canals
After we arrived, we met two additional guides, had a safety briefing, and were launched into our tubes. The water is clean and refreshingly chilly. Soon our group of twenty or so tubers were off.
The current is swifter than a lazy river which adds to the adventure. Your tube hits the sides of the canals and spins around. The guides work their way through the group helping out and telling us when the next tunnel is coming.
Going through the tunnels illuminated by our headlamps was like a floating caving trip. The tunnels were high enough not to be claustrophobic. At one point, the guide gathered us all up in the tunnel to tell a story and have us extinguish our headlamps. It was great to sit in silence in the pure darkness.
The guides are knowledgeable and passionate about Kauai’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, so you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the island while enjoying a bit of thrill and adventure. Plus, the guides are hilarious and entertaining.
The final bit of excitement was tubing down a flume. The moderate decline was where a photographer took everyone’s photo. They offered the photos for sale to you at the end of the trip. I wonder with the price of the trip, if they could include the digital photos. I do like it when companies offer complimentary photos.
Lunch stop
After we disembarked from the tubes, we headed over to a picnic area for lunch. Sandwich fixings and chips and cookies were spread out on the picnic tables for lunch. It was pleasant to eat lunch with other tubers in the group we had just shared an experience with.
The ride back across the savanna again was a beautiful ending for the trip. Tia answered any questions we had left over from our time together.
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Logistics of Sugarcane Plantation Tubing in Kauai
Getting Around Kauai
You will need a car to enjoy the many outdoor adventures of Kauai. Besides getting to the mountain tubing base, we used our rental car to find prime snorkeling and surfing spots, visit Waimea Canyon, and get to the shuttle for the Napali Coast hike.
I use and recommend Discover Cars for your Kauai car rental. Discover Cars works with reliable local car rental companies to give you the best price and rental experience. I’ve used them often and have always been happy with the car rental. You can also check RentalCars to compare prices. With any rental car, reserve early for the best rate.
Accommodations
Similar to car rentals, book early for preferred accommodations in Kauai. There are several areas of Kauai to use as a base for outdoor adventures. We stayed in Princeville which gave us easy access to great surf beaches and the Napali coast. However, it was a longer drive to visit Waimea Canyon. That was balanced by being near the gorgeous Hanalei beach area.
Next time, I might base in southern Kauai, closer to Lihue, as the calmer snorkeling beaches are more plentiful there. The mountain tubing company is located near Lihue.
Recommendations for Kauai Accommodations:
Hanalei Colony Resort is an oceanfront, no-TV retreat perfect for those seeking a quiet escape near hiking trails and surfing spots. They rent surfboards for cheap. Plus, a free transfer service from the resort to Hanalei town and nearby beaches is offered during the day.
The Coral Reef in the town of Kaapaa is all about location. Sure the rooms are a little dated but the beachfront and immaculate grounds are divine. We loved staying here. The staff was so friendly and offered all kinds of perks. It’s a short walk on the oceanfront bike trail to all the fun, quirky places in Kaapaa. Plus, it’s reasonably priced for such a beautiful location.
Kauai Beach House is a hostel for budget travelers in Kaapaa. However, the ocean views from the private rooms are spectacular. The dorms are great for solo travelers.
Communication
If you have a US phone plan, your data will work in Hawaii. Expect to find limited cell phone reception on the Napali Coast and near Waimea Canyon.
For international visitors, I’ve become a fan of E-sim cards for communication. An E-sim card can be bought online and easily installed on your phone before you travel. When you reach your destination, you turn on the E-sim in your settings and you have data to use when you are away from Wifi.
I use an Airalo E-sim card for all my international travel. E-sims are significantly less expensive than most phone carrier’s international charges. Plus, it’s easy to top them off when you run low on data.
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Wrap Up of Sugarcane Plantation Tubing in Kauai
If you’re looking for a fun way to experience Kauai’s outdoors, with a mix of history, nature, and adventure, the Kauai Backcountry Adventures mountain tubing trip is a great choice. They prioritize safety, sustainability, and giving participants an authentic, memorable experience.
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Disclaimer: I was a guest of Kauai Backcountry Adventures on this trip. I was not compensated or asked to write a positive review. All opinions are from my honest experience.
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