Kipu Ranch ATV Tour - 4 hour waterfall question

Hi,
I would like to book the 4 hour waterfall ATV tour. I also read about the danger of leptospirosis. If you have taken this tour, please give your thoughts and knowledge regarding the swimming spots on the tour, especially about the water. Do you stop at the waterfall for a swim there?

Thank you in advance for your replies. We leave 6/20. :whoopie:

Here is a link to the tour - Kipu Ranch

Swimming in fresh water is offered on this trip, but you don't have to swim if you don't want to. They say that all streams and rivers in Hawaii are probably contaminated with Leptospirosis which comes from run off from domestic and wild infected animals. If you're concerned about it, just don't do the swim. We have been on similar ATV trips on the BI and Kauai, and we just relaxed and had a cold drink at the waterfall stop, instead of swimming. In fact one time, no one swam. We had a great time on the ATV trip and didn't miss the swim at all. We are going to do another ATV trip on Kauai this summer.

Here's an article from the Hawaii Dept. of Health with their recommendations.

Is leptospirosis also a concern kayaking up the Wailua River? I never had heard about this and am concerned about a kayak trip if you can't even get water near your face. Any thoughts? Thanks.

All fresh water in Hawaii my have leptospirosis - see the links I posted above for more info.

My wife and I have taken this tour many times. We think that it is the best ATV tour on Kauai. We did the waterfall tour a couple of years ago. She is not a water person and I just did not want to go into the water but I would not have been concerned with leptosporosis. I was more concerned with completing the ATV tour with wet trunks soaking through my pants which would have made for an uncomfortable ride. Do it and don't worry. Regarding the Wailua River, although it is a fresh water river it is brackish water which means that some of the water comes from the sea. (We all know that.) If illness from contamination was really a major concern it stands to reason that the Hawaii Department of Health would have closed down all operations that involved water.

gbraslow - Have you done the Gay & Robinson Ranch ATV trip on Kauai? - it's great!

ty

Thank you, Denise and Gbraslow.

I posted the same thing on fodors.com and tripadvisor.com and did not receive replies. Your answers have really helped me tremendously.

Best wishes,

The leptosporosis is a distinct but small risk. There are a few cases each year and an occasional death. I think the risk of getting hit on the head by a rock or drowning on the beach or dying in a car accident or rolling over in an ATV are higher.