About Active Oahu — Kailua's Local Kayak & Beach Gear Shop

Welcome to Active Oahu

Active Oahu is Kailua's local, community-focused kayak and beach gear outfitter. We're not a big tour conglomerate — we're a small, owner-operated shop that lives and breathes Oahu's windward coast. Our mission is simple: get you on the water with the right gear, the right information, and zero hassle.

Meet the Owner

Michael Gulden has been the owner of Active Oahu since 2023. A longtime windward Oahu resident and avid waterman, Michael took over the shop with a vision to create a self-serve, community-first rental experience that puts the adventure back in your hands. Under his leadership, Active Oahu has expanded its rental fleet, earned a TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award, and become the go-to outfitter for kayakers exploring Kailua Bay, Kaneohe Bay, and beyond.

Michael and his team believe that the best Hawaii experiences aren't the ones you're shuttled through on a bus — they're the ones you discover on your own, at your own pace, with the right equipment and local knowledge to back you up.

Our Shop

Visit us at our Kailua storefront:

134B Hamakua Drive
Kailua, HI 96734

We're located in the heart of Kailua, just minutes from Kailua Beach Park and Lanikai Beach. Our shop is your activity hub — stop by to pick up your rental gear, get local tips from our team, and start your adventure.

The Self-Serve Model

What sets Active Oahu apart is our self-serve approach. Here's how it works:

Book online: Reserve your kayak, snorkel gear, or beach equipment through our website.
Pick up at our shop: Come to 134B Hamakua Dr. We'll have everything ready. Our team provides on-site instruction, route recommendations, and safety briefings.
Transport your gear: We provide soft racks and tie-down straps that fit most 4-door vehicles. Load up and drive to your chosen launch point.
Explore on your terms: Paddle, snorkel, and discover at your own pace. No guide, no schedule, no group to wait for.
Return: Bring the gear back to the shop by your return time. Easy.

This model keeps costs down and flexibility up. You get the freedom of a rental with the support of a knowledgeable local team.

Community Focus

Active Oahu is deeply rooted in the Kailua and windward Oahu community. We:

Support local beach clean-up efforts and conservation initiatives
Promote reef-safe practices and responsible tourism
Partner with local businesses for multi-day rental logistics
Provide equipment and advice for community paddling events
Employ local guides and staff who know these waters intimately

Award-Winning Service

Active Oahu is a proud TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award winner, placing us in the top 10% of attractions worldwide. This award is based entirely on guest reviews — people like you who paddled to the Mokulua Islands, snorkeled Sharks Cove, or explored the Kaneohe Sandbar and shared their experience.

Read our TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award press release

What We Offer

Kayak Rentals: Single and tandem sit-on-top ocean kayaks for daily and multi-day rentals
Self-Guided Tours: Pre-planned routes to Mokoliʻi, the Mokulua Islands, Kaneohe Sandbar, Kahana Rainforest River, and Sharks Cove
Guided Tours: Expert-led adventures including the Mokulua Islands Kayak & E-Bike tour
Beach Gear: Snorkel sets, stand-up paddleboards, coolers, anchors, rash guards, and more
Multi-Day Rentals: Discounted rates for extended adventures

Browse all rentals | View our tours

Photo Gallery

See our adventures in action! Browse photos from our guests and team on the water, on the islands, and exploring Oahu's best coastlines.

Visit our photo gallery →

Get in Touch

Phone: (808) 498-1894
Address: 134B Hamakua Dr., Kailua, HI 96734
Online: Contact form

Plan Your Oahu Kayaking Adventure

We are based out of Kailua where we have our storefront. Make a reservation with us and we will set you up with kayaks, beach gear and amazing self-guided experiences.

We provide a rental service and can suggest some of the best places to experience Oahu’s natural beauty. We also have some hand-picked self-guided experiences that are perfect if you are looking for something specific, pre-planned, and approachable but don’t have the time to do the research and extra planning that comes with a regular rental.

We offer self-guided stand-up paddle boarding or self-guided kayak tours on a secluded river in Kahana Valley and ocean kayaking to Mokolii, Chinaman’s Hat, where you can hike and see amazing views. We also offer kayaking to the Mokulua islands in Kailua Bay where you will get a permit from our team to land your kayak on the beach of the bird sanctuaries of Popoia island (Flat island) or Moku Nui, one of the Mokulua Islands (Twin Islands).

Join us for a single activity or do a multi-day rental so you can keep adventuring for your whole trip. We help make your Oahu kayaking adventures a breeze so you have more time on the water packed with priceless memories that you can take home with you.

Awards

Testimonials

“We booked kayaks for our family to go to Mokoli’i. I was so impressed with the knowledge and responsiveness. Jared contacted me before our self guided tour and was there on time and available at pick-up. He was friendly and helpful as we navigated this most epic journey. I would 100% recommend this company to others.”

– Mindy S

“…There was great communication with the staff and they were very informative as well. We had a very enjoyable time and would definitely use Active Oahu Tours kayak rental company again!”

– Bri

“Excellent customer service from Logan. I was staying down in Waikiki and he texted me in the morning to confirm all the details before I came out!”…”Super fun morning and I recommend it to everyone interested in a great activity away from the crowds of Waikiki. I ubered out to the meeting location from Waikiki and was able to catch an Uber back easily.”

– C Bland