Emerald Cave is a small cave on the Colorado River where the water turns green in the sun. Kayak tours launch at Willow Beach, about an hour from Las Vegas, and last 2 hours to a full day.
Last update:
Free Tours in Las Vegas
Tickets & Passes in Las Vegas
Guided tours in Las Vegas
Day Trips from Las Vegas
Shows & Performances in Las Vegas
Emerald Cave kayak tours launch from Willow Beach, Arizona, about an hour from Las Vegas, and paddle through the volcanic cliffs of the Black Canyon on the Colorado River; about 4 hours is the most common length. This page lists 5 tours. Travellers have left more than 108 reviews on the tours we list here, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5. Of the trips shown here, the one with the most reviews is "From Las Vegas: Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Hotel Pickup", with more than 79 reviews and a rating of 4.2 out of 5. The trips on this page run from 2 to 8 hours.
The guided trips we describe run from 3 to 8 hours on the Colorado River, the longest being a full day that adds Hoover Dam; one of them passes 900-foot volcanic canyon walls in the Black Canyon. Inclusions vary from fresh fruit and ice water to a certified river guide with kayak, paddle and life-vest. One adds a short hike and a snack stop, another brings historical insights from the guide, and one is sold with hotel pickup.
Our small-group option is the shortest at about 2 hours, on a relaxed 2.2-mile (3.5 km) route. "Designed for non-swimmers, kids, and guests with limited time", its listing notes; the group is shared, and the guide languages are English and Spanish. A complimentary A/C shuttle comes with it, based on availability.
The guided trips we describe run from 3 to 8 hours, while the small-group trip takes about 2 hours on a 2.2-mile route. Check each listing's inclusions before you book, since the guided tours we show do not all offer the same extras.
| Type of tour | ★ | Duration | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided kayak trip to Emerald Cave | 4.2 | ~4h | Fresh fruit + guided kayaking tour + ice water |
| Small-group kayak on a 2.2-mile route | 5.0 | ~2h | Bilge pump + bottled water and sealed snacks + A/C shuttle (based on availability) |
Table data is indicative and comes from the GuruWalk catalogue. Each activity's current details, including availability, are the ones shown on its listing when you book.
Willow Beach, Arizona, is about an hour from Las Vegas; there is no cell reception at the launch site, so a tour with round-trip hotel pickup avoids being left without a ride back. Check each listing for pickup details before you book.
Paddles to the cave are described as a 4 to 5-mile round trip that ends with the kayak backed into a green-lit grotto. Along the Colorado River there are chances to see desert bighorn sheep and bald eagles.
Every tour described on this page notes free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Check the listing before you book.
Several listings mention a swim in the Colorado River among their highlights; one adds leisure time to swim and relax at Willow Beach after the paddle.
One guided tour on the Colorado River describes sit-on-top kayaks as easy to use and hard to flip. The small-group trip teaches paddling basics in a supportive, beginner-friendly setting.
Spanish appears next to English on the guided tour sold with hotel pickup and on the small-group trip; the other kayak tours we describe list English only.
