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Emerald Cave Premium Kayak Tour with Lunch & Las Vegas Shuttle

Guest backing into the Emerald Cave in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River.Beautiful waters of the Emerald CaveA wedding party group on a Kayak Emerald Cave tour.

About this experience

Experience Emerald Cave with one of the original guided kayak tours on the Colorado River, backed by more than 20 years of experience exploring Black Canyon near Las Vegas. You’ll paddle from Willow Beach to the famous Emerald Cave at a more leisurely pace, giving you time to explore scenic and historic stops, watch for desert wildlife, and relax over a freshly catered lunch on a river beach surrounded by towering canyon walls. With expert guides, premium touring kayaks, personalized instruction, and more time to slow down and enjoy the river, you’ll experience a comfortable, immersive, and memorable way to discover Emerald Cave and the spectacular Black Canyon.

At a glance

  • Duration: 7 hr

Choose your tour option

Select a date and travellers to compare current prices and departure times.

Hotel Pickup & Hoover Dam Tour
Sightsee At The Hoover Dam: On your drive down to the kayak launch site you will stop at the Hoover Dam Bypass bridge, and drive on top of the Dam.
Duration: 8 hours: 1-1.5 hours drive time each way depending on traffic, 1 hour at the Hoover Dam, 4-4.5 hours of tour.
Hotel Pickup: Pick up is from Mandalay Bay, Venetian, or Bellagio
Pickup included
Shuttle Pickup Option
Lunch Included: Includes deli-style lunch
Pickup included
Self Drive Option
Lunch Included: Includes deli-style lunch

Plan your experience

Time on the tour7 hr
Getting therePickup offeredSee pickup details
Guide languagesEnglish (live guide), Spanish (live guide)

Set aside 7 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.

Compare the available options before choosing: their itinerary, inclusions and pickup arrangements can differ. Check the price for your date and whole group.

Before you go

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Local guides to help you plan

What is included

  • Catered Deli Lunch, comes with chips, a cookie, a pickle, & choice of deli sandwich. Options are turkey, ham, chicken salad (contains almonds), italian, vegetarian, or vegan
  • Choose from an assortment of individually wrapped snacks
  • Guided Emerald Cave Kayak Tour through Black Canyon
  • Guided Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge Scenic Stop (If option selected)
  • Cold
  • Round-Trip Transportation from Select Las Vegas Strip Hotels (if option selected)
  • Premium Touring Kayaks, Paddles & Life Vests (single & two-seater) available

Not included

  • Gratuities (Optional)
  • Hotel pick-up and drop off (If self-drive option selected)
  • Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge Scenic Stop (if option not selected)
  • National Park Fee (included w/transport; not included w/self-drive or without transport option)

Itinerary and highlights

On this four-hour guided Emerald Cave kayak tour, you’ll paddle the calm waters of the Colorado River from Willow Beach through the towering volcanic walls of Black Canyon at a leisurely pace, with more time to relax, explore, and take in the scenery.

Along the way, you’ll visit scenic and historic stops, watch for desert wildlife such as bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and great blue herons. You'll paddle into the famous Emerald Cave, and enjoy a freshly catered lunch on a scenic river beach surrounded by the canyon.

Located about an hour from the Las Vegas Strip in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, this relaxed Colorado River kayaking experience includes expert instruction and premium equipment, making it a comfortable and memorable adventure for beginners and experienced paddlers alike, with transportation options available.

See the overview, available options and booking details for the experience schedule.

Meeting and pickup information

  • Please meet your guide at the Paddle craft launch beach 30 minutes before your tour start time to get fitted with life vests and kayaks. Tours will begin promptly at their scheduled start time. Please do not use ride share as there is no cell reception to book your return ride.
  • For 10am tour start you will be picked up at the times below: Venetian (Pick up: 8:00 am PST) Main valet, Outside Front door to the right. Bellagio (Pick up: 8:10 am PST) Uber/Ride-share area; Lower level Mandalay Bay (Pick up: 8:20am PST). Shuttle/Tour bus lobby on the beach level 1-1.5 hours drive time depending on traffic, 4-4.5 hours of tour, and 1-1.5 hours return drive back depending on traffic. For 11am tour start you will be picked up at the times below: Venetian (Pick up: 9:10 am PST) Main valet Bellagio (Pick up: 9:20 am PST) Uber/Ride-share area; Lower level Mandalay Bay (Pick up: 9:30 am PST). Shuttle/Tour bus lobby on the beach level Please be courteous to other participants and promptly show up on time at the tour bus area or launch location provided on the confirmation email. Please have your cellular phone on and available. Shuttles generally arrive back to Las Vegas Resort & Hotels between 100 and 120 minutes after the kayak tour ends. Shuttle times vary with traffic.

Languages and tickets

  • English — Guide
  • Spanish — Guide
  • Mobile Only

Tour operator

  • Evolution Expeditions

Accessibility and practical details

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • We offer single or tandem (2 seater) kayaks. Please specify which kayak you would prefer.
  • The Emerald Cave is a small cutout of the mountain for a great photo op!
  • If you select self drive option, you will be meeting us at the marina. Have reliable transportation to meet us, there is NO cell service at the marina to call a ride share.
  • If you have chosen and paid for this tour with shuttle, pick up times are: Venetian 110 minutes before, Bellagio 100 minutes before and Mandalay Bay 90 minutes before your tour start time
  • Message us if you need a 2XL or larger life vest

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Questions about this experience

How long is this experience?
The supplier lists a duration of 7 hr. Check your chosen tour option for its specific itinerary.
What are the pickup arrangements?
For 10am tour start you will be picked up at the times below:
Venetian (Pick up: 8:00 am PST) Main valet, Outside Front door to the right.
Bellagio (Pick up: 8:10 am PST) Uber/Ride-share area; Lower level
Mandalay Bay (Pick up: 8:20am PST). Shuttle/Tour bus lobby on the beach level

1-1.5 hours drive time depending on traffic, 4-4.5 hours of tour, and 1-1.5 hours return drive back depending on traffic.

For 11am tour start you will be picked up at the times below:
Venetian (Pick up: 9:10 am PST) Main valet
Bellagio (Pick up: 9:20 am PST) Uber/Ride-share area; Lower level
Mandalay Bay (Pick up: 9:30 am PST). Shuttle/Tour bus lobby on the beach level

Please be courteous to other participants and promptly show up on time at the tour bus area or launch location provided on the confirmation email. Please have your cellular phone on and available. Shuttles generally arrive back to Las Vegas Resort & Hotels between 100 and 120 minutes after the kayak tour ends. Shuttle times vary with traffic.
Which guide languages are listed?
English (live guide), Spanish (live guide).
What ticket format is listed?
Mobile ticket.
What ticket age bands are listed?
Adult tickets: age 5+. Check the practical details for participation requirements.
What is the cancellation policy?
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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