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Emerald Cave Kayak Tour: Scenic Black Canyon
4.9
2,801 Ratings
Willow Beach
Experience the stunning beauty of the Colorado River on a thrilling kayak tour to Emerald Cave. Join us for an unforgettable adventure in the desert!
Experience the stunning beauty of the Colorado River on a thrilling kayak tour to Emerald Cave. Join us for an unforgettable adventure in the desert!
Duration:
6 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- 25804 N Willow Beach - Set off on a 3-hour, 5-mile round-trip kayaking adventure through the breathtaking Black Canyon. Begin your journey at Willow Beach, where a U.S. National Kayak Champion guide will ensure you are ready for an unforgettable experience. This intimate tour, capped at 12 paddlers, guarantees personalized attention as you…
- 25804 N Willow Beach - Set off on a 3-hour, 5-mile round-trip kayaking adventure through the breathtaking Black Canyon. Begin your journey at Willow Beach, where a U.S. National Kayak Champion guide will ensure you are ready for an unforgettable experience. This intimate tour, capped at 12 paddlers, guarantees personalized attention as you discover the canyon’s wonders. Paddle through Black Canyon, keeping an eye out for Desert Big Horn Sheep and Bald Eagles. Your first stop is a historical overlook one mile upstream, offering stunning views of the legendary Colorado River, with a 5-6 minute hike included. Gain insights into the river’s historical importance from your guide, and wrap up your tour with a visit to the enchanting (and very Instagram-worthy) Emerald Cave. Fun and excitement are assured—reserve your Emerald Cave kayak tour today!
What's Included
- Snacks, banana, granola bar, bottled water
- Round Trip Transportation 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, bottled water
- Round Trip Transportation from the Mandalay Bay Hotel (if ‘With Shuttle’ option selected)
- Professional kayak tour guide
- Single or double kayak and life vest
What's Not Included
- Round-Trip Transportation (if SELF-DRIVE option selected)
- National Park entry is free for kids, NPS card holders and military; For adults it is
- If you meet us at the launch site, National Park charges a $25 entrance fee per vehicle.
- Natinal Park Entrance is FREE with NPS Card, Millitary ID, Veteran ID and kids under 16.
- Round-Trip Transportation (if SELF-DRIVE option selected)
- National Park entry is free for kids, NPS card holders and military; For adults it is
- If you meet us at the launch site, National Park charges a $25 entrance fee per vehicle.
- Natinal Park Entrance is FREE with NPS Card, Millitary ID, Veteran ID and kids under 16.
Additional Information
This 3-hour guided kayaking adventure is perfect for all experience levels, featuring a picturesque 4 to 5-mile roundtrip from Willow Beach to the enchanting Emerald Cave. The tour includes a stop for snacks, swimming, and a short hike. With small-group sizes and led by skilled guides, participants receive ample attention whether paddling alone or with…
This 3-hour guided kayaking adventure is perfect for all experience levels, featuring a picturesque 4 to 5-mile roundtrip from Willow Beach to the enchanting Emerald Cave. The tour includes a stop for snacks, swimming, and a short hike. With small-group sizes and led by skilled guides, participants receive ample attention whether paddling alone or with companions. Wildlife is frequently spotted along the Black Canyon’s striking volcanic cliffs. For added ease, an optional shuttle service from Mandalay Bay offers hassle-free transportation, with park entry included in the shuttle package, ensuring a simple and unforgettable excursion just outside Las Vegas.
- 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
Location
25804 N Willow Beach
North Willow Beach
If you booked the 'WITH SHUTTLE' option, we will meet at Mandalay Bay at the Valet Pick-up area at 9am. If you booked the 'SELF-DRIVE' option then you will meet us at 10am at Willow Beach.
A text message with all details will be sent to you one day before your trip.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(2801 Ratings)
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Trae_c
Oct 29, 2025
Zen is the best! We highly recomend this trip to anyone wanting to get away from the strip and see the outdoors. - Great trip! Zen was the best guide ever! Easy pick up, awesome paddle and views and easy drop off. We will definitely book this again next time we are in Vegas.
Review provided by Viator
Eric_b
Oct 28, 2025
Great adventure aside the strip - Great experience and excellent guide
Had so much fun
The water was very cold but we had a sunny day so it worked out great
Review provided by Viator
Patricia_b
Oct 28, 2025
This trip was amazing!... - This trip was amazing! Jonny was our tour guide he did a fantastic job from pick up to drop off. Definitely would recommend this trip to friends.
Review provided by Viator
Brooke_p
Oct 27, 2025
Such an amazing and... - Such an amazing and scenic adventure. Johnny was an amazing guide and very easy to talk to. He provided tons of information about the site and showed us some beautiful wildlife that I might have missed myself. He also helped us capture perfect group photos. The experience overall was well worth it and a great way to escape the las vegas craziness
Review provided by Viator
Dan_r
Oct 26, 2025
Little bit of a ride from... - Little bit of a ride from Las Vegas but it was a beautiful, fun and relaxing time on the water. Jonny was a great guide and super funny
Review provided by Viator
Danypb1806lr
Oct 26, 2025
An awesome experience - It's an awesome exprience. Robby, the guide, was great, his service was outstanding. It's a must experience if you go to Las Vegas.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Linda_b
Oct 24, 2025
Highly Recommend - Justin was a great tour guide and very knowledgeable about the river, history, and native landscape. He was an expert at helping those without any kayaking experience. Overall a great tour!
Review provided by Viator
Dawn_m
Oct 21, 2025
The views were... - The views were spectacular. You will need a hat, sunscreen, and light clothing. Your feet will be wet so no socks and sneakers.
Review provided by Viator
Anthony_m
Oct 26, 2025
Overall enjoyable, a little too long.. "emerald cave" underwhelming - Overall the trip was fun and a nice break from the strip.
Positives: Our tour guide Kwame was great- friendly and personable, not too tourguide-ish. He took the time to memorize the names of the 10 or so people on the trip and asked us conversational questions about our backgrounds. The river and surrounding scenery was gorgeous and we even stopped a small beach and did a short and easy walk to the top of a small hill with a great view.
Negatives- The 4 hours of kayaking was a bit too much time on the water for my wife and I, although the kayaking conditions were not difficult. There were several other similar tour groups doing the same route as us and we ended up having to wait about 30 minutes outside the cave until other groups ahead of us took their turns going in. The cave itself was kind of cool but underwhelming. The water was an emerald green color, but at a certain time of day that constantly changes depending on the position of the sun apparently the whole cave turns emerald green from refection of the sun off the water. Kwame informed us on that particular it would be around 2 hours after we were there. He even alluded to the fact on the way to the cave that the "journey is more important than the destination" for our tour.
I would recommend this tour if you don't mind kayaking for 4 hours and enjoying the scenery without having high hopes to be dazzled by the emerald cave, unless the tour ends up getting to the cave at the magic hour for that day.
Review provided by Viator
Mary_j
Oct 26, 2025
I was under the... - I was under the assumption the cave would be deeper, but overall, I still enjoyed the kayaking on the river
Review provided by Viator
