Leave behind the bustle of Las Vegas—and get up close and personal with the beautiful Colorado River—on this half-day kayaking tour. Hop aboard your shuttle at the Mandalay Bay Resort, head to Willow Beach, and grab your life jackets and paddles. Then, set off on a gentle, 5-mile (8-kilometer) trip down the Black Canyon, complete with a visit to Emerald Cave. Snacks and water are included.

Enjoy an active way to explore the Colorado River, Emerald Cave and Black Canyon
Safety gear, kayaking guidance, and refreshments all included
Option of round-trip transit from the Las Vegas Strip makes logistics easy
This kayaking excursion is beginner- and family-friendly

What's Included

Shuttle pick up from the Mandalay Bay Hotel (if 'With Shuttle' option selected)
Professional kayak tour guide
Single or double kayak and life vest
Snacks, banana, granola bar, water

Gratuities
Round-Trip Transportaion (If Self-Drive Option selected)
National Park entry fee $15/adult, free for kids, Active Military,Veteran ID ("With Shuttle" Option)
National Park entry fee $25/vehicle free for kids, Active Military,Veteran ID ("Self-Drive" Option)

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

25804 N Willow Beach, Willow Beach, AZ 86445, USA
If you booked the 'SELF-DRIVE' option then you will drive yourself to the launch site. If you booked the 'With Shuttle' option we will pick you up at Mandalay Bay. We will send you a text message with all details one day before your kayak trip.

Pickup point

3950 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
Meeting Place is at: Mandalay Bay- Valet Pick-up area. One level below the main entrance.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Launch times change throughout the year based on season. We will send you a reminder text message with the exact meeting time and all details one day before your kayak trip!

What To Expect

For this Emerald Cave kayak tour, either meet at the designated meeting location in Willow Beach or reserve super easy pickup from the Mandalay Bay valet pick-up area in Las Vegas. This tour is ideal for travelers who’re staying in Vegas but want a little break from the bright city lights and excitement.

Once you arrive in Arizona and check in and get with your group, get assigned to a kayak for this day tour. At checkout, you can book a single or double kayak, depending on your preference. This is a small-group tour limited to just 12 kayakers, making it an intimate tour.

A guide leads you on the 5-mile (8-kilometer) kayaking trip down Colorado River to the Black Canyon and Emerald Cave. Make a stop at a historical outlook for a short hike before getting back on the water to make your way to the cave for more impressive views.

Your kayak tour ends back at Willow Beach.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Infants must sit on laps
Infant seats available
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions

Most travelers can participate
Maximum weight limit is 300lb/person
What to bring? Hat, sunglasses, sunblock, water shoes, comfortable clothing, swimsuit (under clothes)
It's a family friendly group activity, NO ALCOHOL OR SMOKING ALLOWED
Only service animals are allowed on this tour with SELF-DRIVE option only
Please note that if you bring any electronics with you during the tour, it is highly recommended to bring a waterproof case
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

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Q:How do I arrange pickup for the Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup?

A:The meeting location is the Hoover Dam Lodge on U.S. 93 in Boulder City or from the Mandalay Bay Hotel at the shuttle pick-up area on the lower level. Please specify your preferred departure location in the "Special Requirements" box at checkout.

Aug 2021

Q:How early before the Departure time will I be picked up for the Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup?

A:Meeting time (pick up) is between 9 and 10 AM at Mandalay Bay in the Shuttle & Tour Pick-up area. Be sure to call the phone number on your ticket at least 24 hours prior to departure to confirm the exact pickup details.

Aug 2021

Q:Do I need kayak experience to enjoy the Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup?

A:This tour accommodates all skill levels. You will be using top-quality kayaks with rudders for easy steering.

Aug 2021

Q:How far do we kayak during the Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup?

A:This is a 5-mile kayaking adventure where you will spend approximately 3 hours on the water.

Aug 2021

Q:What should I bring with me on the Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup?

A:Please bring a hat, sunglasses, sunblock, water shoes, (no flip-flops!) and a great attitude.

Aug 2021

Q:What should I wear on the Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup?

A:Wear layered clothing and be sure to wear your swimsuit under your clothes.

Aug 2021

Q:Do I need to bring food or water with me on the Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup?

A:Healthy snacks, fruit, and bottled water are provided. If you have any specific snacks you'd like, feel free to bring them along with you. Note: Alcohol and smoking are not permitted on the tour at any time.

Aug 2021

Q:What happens if there is bad weather on the date of my Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup?

A:This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, the local operator will reach out to you to arrange a different date or a full refund.

Aug 2021

Q:Are the guides knowledgeable on the Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup?

A:Yes. The guides have extensive kayaking history and are very knowledgeable in kayaking as well as the areas you will be visiting during the tour.

Aug 2021

Q:Are there any additional fees for the Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Las Vegas Pickup ?

A:The National Park Services (NPS) Permit is not included and can be purchased upon arrival for $15 USD per person. Guests who are active military (with ID), NPS Passholders, or children under 16 are admitted for free.

Aug 2021

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Arka_S

Bali was an amazing guide and kayak mentor! We throughly enjoyed our trip and didn’t realize how time went by. The cave was beautiful and the green crystal clear water was a sight to behold! Definitely highly recommend! Bali was humorous as well which was added plus. He was pretty knowledgeable and kept us entertained.

Reviews

5.0

2,049 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 2,049 reviews

Kayak tour

Vanessa_H, Apr 2024

Really great trip with our guide Clayton. He was really kind and helpful along the way. Highly recommend this kayak tour. The Colorado River was stunning!

This adventure made our trip!

Reanna_K, Apr 2024

Robby was an amazing tour guide for our trip! We had people of all ability levels in our group and he catered to everyone’s needs seamlessly! He was also a wealth of knowledge when it came to wildlife identification, history about the area, and fun facts/humor! This was such a memorable trip! Highly recommend you book!!

Unforgettable experience!!

Kate_B, Apr 2024

This tour exceeded expectations!! Clayton was a fun and knowledgeable guide. Our 3 teenage boys thought he was great and really enjoyed the whole experience! The water is even more stunning up close. Highly recommend!

EMERALD cove Tour

Linda_M, Apr 2024

The guide was tremendous and friendly..river excursion beautiful. We lOVED the guide Johnny!!! THE TEXT COMMUNICATION AND ALL PROCEDURES WERE EASY

Great guide, good time....

Karen_T, Apr 2024

Great guide, good time. Enjoyed this experience! Beautiful outdoors, beautiful water. Wonderful day.

Great time!

Pamela_A, Apr 2024

Fabulous trip. Our guide Jonny was knowledgeable and fun! The trip was amazing and I would definitely recommend it!

Amazing tour! Great time!

Lauryne_F, Apr 2024

Jonny was an absolute amazing tour guide! His real life stories shared & personal experience on the water was reassuring for sure ! This was well worth the money & the experience!

Johnny was Amazing. So...

Lady_S, Apr 2024

Johnny was Amazing. So knowledgeable and fun. Made the trip extra special. Went the extra mile with music he personally played. A definite do it again experience.

Great day trip

Melissa_S, Apr 2024

We had great weather. The water and surrounding area was beautiful and peaceful. We even saw a bald eagle soaring above in the canyon. Xander was a friendly and knowledgeable tour guide.

Fantastic

Pauline_O, Apr 2024

Clayton was amazing and very knowledgeable. It was an amazing day highly recommend. Well worth the money and an experience we will never forget.

Kayaking was a blast

Landon_S, Apr 2024

Had an amazing time. Clayton was fantastic and knowledgeable. If you are coming to Vegas, I highly recommend going on this trip.

Kayak trip

Phil_B, Apr 2024

What an excellent experience. Stunning scenery. Easy going trip with great service. Rob our guide was informative and great fun. Would recommended to all. My family loved this trip and have great memories forever

Amazing tour guides and water and sites!

Jessica_B, Apr 2024

Robbie- our tour guide was absolutely phenomenal. He answered every question I had! Very knowledgeable! The “emerald cave” itself was not very impressive… the tour was on the Colorado River which is enough to be excited about… you don’t really need to glamorize the “emerald cave” to be something it’s not. But the tour and kayak trip is highly recommended, but if you had your heart set of the breathtaking emerald cave- as I was- you will be very disappointed

Perfect

Raj_P, Apr 2024

The views were mesmerizing. Had a blast out there. Tour guide Johnny was the best. Overall a must do thing in Vegas.

Great Experience with Johnny

Ahmed_N, Apr 2024

Johnny was really cool, friendly, helpful. He made sure we had a great experience by talking our native language, giving us great facts about the place, and was a great help whenever anyone got tired. 100% recommend going with him on this trip.

Great, fun!

Todd_C, Apr 2024

We had a great time on our tour. Johnny was our guide and was Great! He was very friendly, funny and personable. The guys from the tour company that meet us at the beach were great as well.!

Our guide was awesome it...

Jess_N, Apr 2024

Our guide was awesome it was a beautiful I would highly recommend it. I would definitely go again next time I'm in vegas.

Great activity, totally recommend!

Marta_S, Apr 2024

It was a very nice day and we had a lot of fun. My favorite part of my trip to Las Vegas for sure. I would not recommend for beginners, it is a long distance to paddle without many breaks. It is hard on the arms if you are not in shape. I went with my 9 year old daughter and even if she had a lot of fun I had to do most of the paddling.

Scenery is beautiful and we had fun, but was disappointing for the money.

Leslie_N, Apr 2024

The scenery was gorgeous and 5 stars, the trip was a lot of fun and 5 stars, but we expected to learn more during our excursion about the area, the dam, and the wildlife. Our guide seemed to be distracted by talking about his own life and personal experiences, and fish. This seemed to distract him from scoping out wildlife that we were hoping to see and sharing information during our trip. Many times we had to wait for him to finish his story before asking him questions about things we saw or were wondering about.

Fabulous Time!

Valerie_T, Apr 2024

Clayton was an awesome guide! He was knowledgeable about all the plants, animals, Undian tribes, etc We had an awesome time and definitely recommend!

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