World-Renowned Coastline Provides Thrill of a Lifetime
A boat tour along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast is an adventure you will never forget. Monumental seacliffs rise straight up from the sea into peaks and spires that tower over ancient valleys. Waterfalls line the upper ridges and also spill off the seacliffs into the ocean.
Many companies on Kauai offer boat tours, along the Na Pali – 15 miles of rugged wilderness coastline accessible only by boat or by the arduous 11-mile Kalalau Trail. Boats tours are also offered along other stretches of Kauai coast, including off the Poipu Shore, along Mahaulepu and Kipu Kai, and even to the nearby islands of Niihau and Lehua.
The boats vary from power sailing catamarans to rigid-hull inflatable rafts and three-hulled trimarans. Tour times vary from morning to evening, and you can take a sunset sail and even have dinner aboard as you enjoy the tinted sky.
If you are physically fit and adventurous you may choose the rigid-hulled inflatable rubber rafts that ride the swells and enter Na Pali sea caves including the natural cathedral of the Open Ceiling Cave and also the 1,155-foot Waiahuakua Sea Cave (Double-Door Cave).
Na Pali Coast Tours
Captain Andy’s Sailing Adventures (recommended) runs their two sailing catamarans Spirit of Kaua‘i (55 feet) and Akialoa (55 feet) on various tours including the Na Pali Coast, Poipu, and offshore Mahaulepu and Kipu Kai. Their fully rigged sailboats have bathrooms, trampolines for sunbathing, and a submerged platform for easy entrance into water. There are also fresh water showers for after snorkeling, and all snorkeling gear is provided. Captain Andy’s also tours the Na Pali in zodiac rafts that explore the sea caves and may even go beneath waterfalls. The rafts land at Nualolo Kai when the weather permits, and a guided historical hike is provided along with snorkeling activities and lunch.
Blue Dolphin Charters has a 63-foot catamaran and a 65-foot catamaran offering sailing tours along the Na Pali, and they also offer a Poipu sail, and a trip to Niihau as well as fishing and scuba diving tours. Blue Dolphin’s Na Pali Sunset Dinner Cruise includes a dinner buffet and drinks, and there is also a romantic sunset sail. Their boats have fresh water showers and also bathrooms for both men and women.
Captain Sundown’s departs from Hanalei and travels the entire Na Pali coast on their sailing catamaran – the 40-foot Kuu‘ipo (Sweetheart)
Holo Holo Charters leaves from Port Allen Marina Center on Kauai’s southwest shore on the Holo Holo, a 65′ power catamaran designed to minimize side-to-side rolling. The boat features bathrooms as well as a large shaded cabin with windows, and two large trampolines for watching the dolphins ride the bow wave, or just for sunbathing after snorkeling. Their other boat is the Leila, a 50-foot sailing catamaran also equipped with modern conveniences. Tours include the Na Pali Coast, sunset sails, and trips to Niihau and Lehua Islands.
Kaua‘i Sea Tours leaves out of Port Allen and visits the Na Pali Coast on their large catamarans as well as on small zodiac inflatable rafts. Their Lucky Lady is a 60-foot power sailing catamaran with restrooms, spacious decks and even an upper observation deck, with seating. There is also cushioned indoor cabin seating, two freshwater showers, a swim platform and a waterslide. Their rigid hulled inflatable rafts are 24-feet long with 4-stroke engines, and are recommended only for physically fit adventure seekers. The rafts enter the Na Pali sea caves when ocean conditions and weather permit.
Kaua‘i North Shore Charters leaves from Anini Beach on the North Shore. Their boat is a Willard 26-foot rigid fiberglass hull inflatable with a deep V-hull and four stroke outboards motors. Their Na Pali tour includes a stop for snorkeling at the reef at Nualolo, and also enters the sea caves if weather permits.
NāPali Breeze Sea Tours runs daily charters on their 12-passenger power catamaran that explores sea caves if the ocean isn’t too rough. Tours leave from Anini Beach on the North Shore.
Na Pali Riders departs from Kikiaola Harbor in Waimea on Kauai’s west side and offers raft tours along the Na Pali Coast on the Seabiscuit, a 30-foot Zodiac Raft. The tour covers the entire 15-mile Na Pali Coast from Waimea to Kē‘ē, and enters the sea caves if the weather and ocean conditions permit.
Na Pali Explorer offers tours out of Kikiaola Harbor in Waimea on the west shore and also from Hanalei Bay on the north shore. Their boats include the 26-foot,16-passenger Explorer I, the 48-foot, 35-passenger Explorer II, and the Ocean Adventurer, a 46-foot inflatable-hull RIB (which leaves from Hanalei). They also have the Happy Times, a convertible 41-foot Concorde Sportfisher.
Their Na Pali tours include snorkeling at Nualolo Kai, with a beach landing and walk during the summer months.
Na Pali Coast Hanalei Tours offers Na Pali tours, sunset sails, and snorkeling leaving from Hanalei on the north shore. Their boat is the U.F.O., a 28-foot power catamaran that has a cabin covering half the boat to provide protection from sun and spray.
Na Pali Catamaran offers a Na Pali Coast Tour out of Hanalei Bay on their Cougar Catamaran, which is 34 feet long with twin-turbo charged 200 hp motors and a snorkeling platform as well as an on-board restroom. Tours enter the sea caves if weather permits.
Whether you are leaving from the north or south shore, there are many great places to stay available right now, even though it is the busy summer season, and the prices for these high-quality accommodations, including condos, vacation rentals, and Kauai luxury rentals are lower than ever, including many beachside accommodations.