Enjoyed an awesome sunset dinner cruise with Blue Dolphin, complete with several close-up whale sightings and a couple dolphins spotted as well. Captain Kai was competent, informative, and very funny, as was crewmember Vayden, and Collin's mai tais are not to be missed. The food onboard was delicious and included traditional Hawaiian pulled pork and teriyaki chicken. Scrumptious cookies and bubbly rounded out the evening. Some things to be aware of: This cruise is on a catamaran; some of our party were expecting a small cruise ship that would have been a smoother ride. Waves are bumpy, and the windier parts of the trip resembled a mild roller coaster--if that's not your thing or you know you can experience some motion sickness, please factor that into your decision to book a trip. That being said, one person in our party experienced some light motion sickness and was really well cared for by the crew. We really appreciated their kindness and support. If you have sturdy sea legs and an adventurous spirit, I'd highly recommend this excursion. The views of Kauai from the ocean are worth it alone, but the information from the captain and crew about the island and its culture are also super valuable. The whole experience also felt very safe; the cruise will not go to areas with high wind/surf, and on our trip the captain explained why he was turning out of the wind/waves when he made that decision. read more

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Fantastic whale watching with an attentive, relaxed crew We did the 2-hour whale watching cruise with Blue Dolphin Charters, and it was excellent. We saw multiple breaches, tail slaps, fluke dives, and surface activity--the whales were active the entire time. The crew positioned the boat so well that we were able to stay in one great viewing spot and still see everything without moving around. The crew was incredibly attentive without being overbearing. Drinks and snacks were always taken care of--Mai Tais, coconut cookies, and snacks kept coming--and it genuinely felt effortless to just relax and enjoy the experience. The team was knowledgeable, calm, and respectful of the whales, offering helpful context without over-talking. The boat was comfortable, well run, and the two-hour length felt just right. If whale watching is on your list in Kauaʻi, Blue Dolphin is an easy recommendation read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Whale Tail - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

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great experience! saw a lot of whales, doing side slaps and saw the tail many times. thought i would feel nauseous, but actually felt okay on both top deck and bottom deck. good food as well, it was pizza, chicken wings, and cucumber salad. captain kai and his crew and were great! very helpful the whole trip. looking forward to the 4 hour tour next time we return :) read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

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It was great. Seas were rough, but Captain J Sea , and crew Ethan Maddie Pa'a Made for an amazing day We felt safe & had a roller coaster ride The crew is super attentive, kind, and fun! read more

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1,000,000 / 5 if that ranking is even allowed (need to check the Yelp terms and conditions) Captain Elia, Lily, Darren, and Evan couldn't have been better crew members during our excursion. Everything from stopping each time we saw a single dolphin, seeing a mother whale and her calf, to Darren making chicken sounds as loud as legally possible, it was by far and away the most unbelievable experience we could have had. As mentioned with every other 5 star review above and below, you couldn't paint better scenery along the Na Pali coast line, and getting within inches of schools of fish while snorkeling was surreal. The food was delicious and the drinks being served were excellent. This whole beautiful package was wrapped in a bow of spoken history of each significant location as told by Captain Elia. This was my first time even visiting the island and this is the main reason I am planning on returning, hopefully to the same crew, the same hospitality, food, and chicken sounds. WE EVEN SAW GOATS thanks read more

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My husband and I did not have a great time, but not because the fault of the crew, but because we had really bad motion sickness! Along the way the ride was pretty smooth. Our captain, Kai, was giving all sorts of interesting facts about the island and coastline. My husband and I were good until we reached the Napali coast and the waves got too choppy for us. I guess we are especially prone to motion sickness even after taking Dramamine. The coast itself was beautiful. It was a nice clear day and we were able to see the ridges on the Napali coast. We were good long enough to take some pictures and then we got really sick. I think we made the mistake of sitting on the top of the boat rather than the bottom. We had booked the dinner cruise, but unfortunately were not able to keep anything down. We also missed the champagne toast. One crew member noticed how much we're struggling and made sure to keep a close eye on us. He offered us water and ice many times to help keep us hydrated. He even packed us a plate so we can take our dinner home. I think his name was Vayder. He was outstanding. We didn't have the best time, but a glass half full type of person. We saw the beautiful coastline and the crew was great (Kai, Vayder, and Collin). The Napali coast is not something you will see very often, so book the tour! Perhaps be a little more prepared for any motion sickness if are sensitive to it. read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

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Not so much a review of this business as much as a warning to people that are considering doing this excursion. First off, if you don't like roller coasters or get nauseous when riding on a fast moving bus, don't book this cruise. Next, if you think it is a good idea to bring your toddler, it's not. They will never remember anything other than vomiting, crying, and terror. And that is what the other guests will remember about your kids. You are not allowed to pick up your kids and hold them in an attempt to calm them because one big wave (and there are many) and junior goes flying overboard. But if you are actually trying to get ride of your kid, by all means, bring them onboard. Also, keep in mind, if you are unlucky enough to be on a boat with guests who don't heed the warnings then you too have a chance to be on an outing otherwise known as Vomit Fest 2026. And what is the end result of a cruise when people don't heed the warnings? The boat turns back early and you never get to see the Na Pali coast. So for the 2 of us it was $400 to watch people vomit for 4 hours. Again, not an indictment of Blue Dolphin, but a note to all considering taking one of these boats. read more

Blue Dolphin Charters was the highlight of my sisters's birthday trip! We did the 5 hr snorkel raft tour and all I can say is how magical this experience was. Shout out to Captain Ruby and Lily.. they were top notch and made sure to take care of all our needs! Captain Ruby kept taking breaks to make sure we all felt comfortable and safe on our trip up there and Lily was our personal photographer / Ruby's right hand woman. Keep doing your thing ladies, you guys made our trip to the beautiful garden island of Kauai read more

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Horrible. No joking half the people on board were vomiting the food was horrible the ride was way too difficult very long no real discussion of what we're saying just get there as fast as possible get back hand out the barf bags it was really awful read more

5/5 - Absolutely unforgettable Na Pali experience We went out with Blue Dolphin Charters and it was hands down one of the best experiences of our entire Kauai trip. From the moment we boarded, everything felt organized, safe, and well-run. The crew was amazing--super friendly, knowledgeable, and you can tell they genuinely love what they do. They made the whole trip feel relaxed and fun and special The scenery is honestly unreal. Seeing the Na Pali Coast from the water is something you just can't compare to anything else--it literally feels like a movie. We were especially hoping for wildlife, and we got lucky--dolphins turtles and one whale! What I loved most is that it wasn't a party boat vibe at all. It was more about the experience, the views, the snorkeling If you're on the fence--DO IT. This is one of those bucket-list experiences that actually lives up to the hype. read more

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We had a wonderful snorkeling trip and saw spinner dolphins. The views of the Napali Coast are stunning. Shout out to a wonderful crew. Captain J Sea was welcoming, professional, knowledgeable and made sure everyone was enjoying themselves. Maddie, Pa'a and Ethan were watchful, helpful and fun to be with. They genuinely enjoy their work, are people oriented and enjoy working with each other read more

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Absolutely A1 amazing experience with the charming and skilled crew led by a phenomenal female Capt J-Sea with Zeke, Pa'a, & Kelani!! Superb snorkeling site, two pods of spinner dolphins, attentive crew for all travelers, and clear expectations about Mother Nature as we made it all the way to a summer turnaround in the winter!! Kudos for a fabulous experience!! read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Wonderful winter weather on the way to Na Pali - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

Such a great boat trip! The staff was awesome. Renee, Paige and the two names I couldn't spell were awesome! (Elia?) but the breakfast and lunch were nice to have and the staff was phenomenal. So helpful always getting us all stuff. Definitely felt like 5 star service. I would say that getting to see the dolphins, so many whales and snorkel was great. Also, just felt like it's a must do on the island! read more

We did the sunset cruise and we loved it! We got to see the mountains and enjoyed a good meal as well. Drinks were complimentary. My wife and I seeked out adventure whenever we could find the chance- be careful, you will get soaked!!! We did not see any dolphins but did see plenty of good views!! Beautiful sunset with your loved one makes this very romantical. read more

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We really enjoyed this tour. It may be one of the best of my life. It was the most beautiful place I have ever seen and the crew on the boat was fantastic. Noah was all over helping everyone he saw struggling and getting everyone drinks or carrying someone's lunch up the stairs to make sure they were safe. Captain Joe was very informative about the history of the area and you felt safe with him at the helm. Dereyn and Jordon were so funny and helpful. We saw many dolphins and quite a few had babies with them. The snorkeling was great. And the Napaliu coast was a treasure to see, so beautiful. The boat was comfortable to ride in, clean, and had regular bathrooms. The food they served you and the drinks were great. I would recommend this 100% of you want a comfortable ride to the most beautiful place in the world. read more

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We booked this boat tour to see the coast of Napali. Super beautiful views, and it was cool to hear about certain spots that various movies used for filming or inspiration! The crew were all super friendly and engaging too. If you get seasick easily, you might want to reconsider booking this boat tour. I pretty much never get seasick but even this was rough for me. I do overheat easily though and get nauseous from being in the heat/sun, so not sure how much that contributed. We did the sunset tour and afterwards I read some other reviews that the waves are much rougher in the afternoon compared to the morning. It definitely felt pretty rough at times. Bring your whole collection of motion sickness preventatives! It's a long ride...once you get on you're stuck on the boat for ~5 hours. I had pretty low expectations for the food but it was actually pretty good! I went back for seconds. Unlimited drinks too but unfortunately I was too nauseous to really participate much. Only closed toed shoes allowed, otherwise you have to be barefoot (they'll collect any sandals on a cubby shelf and return them afterwards). I opted to be barefoot, but it did feel a bit gross when I was using the bathroom barefoot, so I kind of wish I had worn sneakers. Overall, a great boat tour to see some beautiful views, but I would think twice if you're prone to motion sickness, or maybe consider booking a morning tour instead for hopefully calmer waters. read more

For our work team bonding we decided to check out the Nāpali coast & we had a blast! our captain was Ruby and Jordan was our crew member. it was such an amazing experience & they made it so fun and eventful. We saw spinner dolphins, tons of turtles & a bunch of fish while snorkeling. Luckily the weather today was beautiful so we were able to go into the sea caves as well! Mahalo Nui for the adventure Ruby & Jordan! read more

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We had an amazing time doing the 5 hour Napoli coast zodiac tour! Ruby was our captain and Lily our crew!! They truly made it magical. From all the historical knowledge, to taking pictures, the great playlist Ruby had, it was the best way to begin our first trip to Kauai. We saw a rainbow, a mega pod of dolphins, smaller dolphin pods, went in and out of sea caves! Just stunning! And on our way back the ocean was getting rough but Ruby navigated it with ease and stopped several times so we could stand and stretch! I would 100% do this again! And I'm prone to seasickness but found some natural patches that worked amazingly well! No seasickness for this woman. By far, the highlight of our trip in Kauai! read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

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We decided to take the rafting tour of the napaali coast. And wow it did not disappoint. Our tour guides Kai and Jordan were amazing and we felt comfortable with Kai's driving abilities the entire time. We are not physically fit but thought we would be fine on this tour- Read the warnings - and listen! Although we were exhausted and did nothing else the rest of the day- it was a beautiful tour but it was extremely hard on our bodies and would listen better next time! But we did it and got to go inside sea caves! read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Inside a cave! - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

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Of the 6-8 adventures and activities we did on Kauai, including some free hiking and snorkeling, the Blue Dolphin catamaran event was one of the best values. J-Sea, Lily, Cole and Zeke worked as a very effective team, and they all seemed to enjoy their work. I felt they were well qualified and kept everyone safe. They observe safety as a top priority so the briefing was quick and effective. We took our shoes off before boarding so most people were bare feet. They don't allow open toe shoes, so don't wear sandals on board. Breakfast and lunch was not unlimited but I think adequate for the type of adventure; most people are focused on sightseeing, snorkeling and bouncing with the waves on the way back (to the point of discomfort). The staff are very attentive, enthusiastic and sincerely working above and beyond. They circulate among the customers, stopping to chat with each of us and ask us how we are doing, handing out food, collecting our trash, and generally hovering over us when the ride is bouncy to catch us if we fall. read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - The best crew you can hope for! - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

My family and I went on the sunset cruise with Captain Kealoha, Nicole, and Cole! Such a fun crew to experience the beauty of Nā Pali with. They were kind, entertaining (especially Nicole's dancing and singing lol), attentive to each person, and great photographers! Food was so yummy I had to get seconds, even the cookies were delicious! Overall, an amazing experience I got to share with my family and would do it again! Mahalo read more

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Captain Cole and the crew were amazing! They were serious about safety but also knew how to have a lot of fun while being safe. The music, the drinks and the jokes kept the vibes immaculate read more

This was the highlight of our Kauai trip and one of the best tours we've taken. The crew was amazing and the trip was really well organized. Due to another cruise company cancelling on us short notice, we booked the morning snorkel tour the day right before and were able to schedule without issue. I called their front desk to confirm the reservation and they quickly assisted. I regret not remembering the name of our captain and his crew members, but they were why this tour was so great. They were very informative with the details of our agenda, safety protocol, fun facts, and gear prep. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. The captain always provided expectations of what would be next on the tour, such as when the ride would get more intense (a.k.a. "adventure"). Even though it's a longer tour, the schedule was well paced and didn't feel prolonged. We were served snacks, beverages, and lunch throughout the time, which was nice especially when the ride was choppier. They had a nice playlist of music too. Toward the latter half of the trip, there was an open bar and mai tai's were provided. The snorkeling was fun. They had everything we needed - Scuba masks, fins, floater vests, noodles. You had the option of getting into the water, chilling onboard with coffee, or even just sitting halfway in the water on the bench in the back of the ship. We saw plenty of fish and a whole pod of dolphins. The boat itself was great. I liked that there was both covered seating on the first floor and open air seating on the top deck. I took a Dramamine the night before, and another one the morning of. The Napali part of the cruise is definitely a wild ride and I usually get nauseous on boats, but fortunately felt fine. There are many Napali boat tours to choose from but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Blue Dolphin Charters. read more

We did the sunset dinner cruise along the Nā Pali coast with Captain Evan, Collin, and Jordan. Awesome boat ride with beautiful scenery and views. Capt Evan was amazing with his knowledge and stories, and Collin and Jordan took very good care of the passengers, making sure everyone had drinks, food, and even taking pictures of us. The vibe on the boat was relaxed and chill, making for a fun and relaxed day/evening. Highly recommend the Sunset Dinner Cruise by Blue Dolphin Charters, specifically with Captain Evan, Collin, and Jordan. Also, I would like to add that they seem to be the only boat on the dock that has double decker seating. This is awesome and does contribute to better views and makes for a better ride. read more

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Just got back from the Nepali coast morning tour. It was fantastic. The sights that you see words can't describe. The crew took such good care of us.Captain Evan and his crew were so professional it was so special. They had personal at each set of step helping people get up and down without falling. Dylan, Rider, and Byron were running food and drinks for all the guests in between fall duty. Our tour lasted 5 1/2 hours and well worth the price thanks blue dolphin. read more

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Bucket list checked!!! We did the Napali coast dinner cruise..... better than I ever could have imagined!! Captain Kai spread so much wisdom and humor, he was amazing!! Seriously, best I've ever had!! And Colin and Pa'a were the best crew!! I have Seriously had this on my bucket list since I was a kid, and they outdid ALL expectations!! 11 out of 10, highly recommend!!! read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Sunset while on the Napali coast tour!! - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

Perfect sunset whale watch with Captain Cole and fabulous crew. We've loved every adventure with Blue Dolphin, and we'll be back for more! Mahalo! read more

Catamaran ride was ok not as majestic as I thought expected. The crew was as great and the information from the Captain was interesting. Snorkeling was just haphazard next to a reef. I'm just spoiled from Lanai from the beach.. read more

Great little half day tour. Food and drinks were great. The crew was super friendly. It is a lot of cruising around, you spend maybe 1.5-2hrs total relaxing and not en-route. But well worth it, we had a great time read more

Blue dolphin charters was AMAZING. The morning snorkel cruise was the most fun I have had in a long time. It was absolutely stunning. The crew was so unbelievable. I couldn't believe how kind, attentive, funny, friendly and helpful they were. Captain J-Sea, Zeke, Pa'a, and Keilani were the best ever. The food and open bar were wonderful too! This was really the most amazing experience. I could not recommend it enough and all 4 of these staff members deserve all the recognition for how phenomenal they are!! read more

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Yes, every tour company in Kaua'i will show you the same jaw-dropping coastline, the same sea caves, dolphins, and sunsets -- but none will do it like Blue Dolphin. What truly sets them apart is the crew. These people aren't just doing a job -- they live for this. You can feel it the second you step on board. They're fun, funny, wildly enthusiastic, and somehow manage to make everyone feel like an old friend while still running a totally professional, seamless operation. You can tell they genuinely love what they do and take pride in making sure every single person on that boat has an unforgettable time. The customer service is next-level -- think luxury hospitality meets ocean adventure. You'll leave sun-soaked, smiling, and convinced you just spent the day with the happiest people in Hawaii. If you're choosing between companies, stop. Go with Blue Dolphin. You'll thank yourself later. read more

Blue Dolphin staff checked in and ticketed 16 people from three different parties. Told us all the wrong time to come back to meet our guide and board and our boat left without all of us. We made up nearly 1/3 of the boat?! Very unapologetic staff who tried to blame us for missing the boat rather than acknowledge their mistake. Total bummer. We ended up getting a refund and were offered free beverages and shirts but no whales for us. read more

Captain Joe and his crew were the best-- kind and caring! What a trip of a lifetime for our Utah/Idaho family!

Best snorkel and sail tour we've ever done! Captain J-Sea and her crew are the best. Great work on navigation in windy weather, snorkeling support, and customer service all around. read more

We saw dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and the Nā Pali Coast in all its unreal beauty. Even after rain and during winter conditions, the crew knew exactly where to take us to find a safe, calm spot for snorkeling. That alone says everything about their experience and care. The vibes were relaxed but professional. Music was spot on. Empathy was on board for those who get seasick. Staff was totally attentive. We felt safe the entire time, well taken care of, and genuinely welcomed. Great energy, great service, and a crew that clearly loves what they do. If you want ocean magic and peace of mind, this is the charter. Would 100% book again. read more

We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary today with an amazing number of humpback whale sitings and a boatload of very cooperative dolphins right out in front of the boat where Kai said they would be. Captain Kai was very knowledgeable and funny, and he made the experience a once-in-a lifetime one for me and my wife. Both D.J. and Kawica were available and very friendly, and they made sure everyone was having a terrific time. We have already recommended Blue Dolphin to a random couple we ran into on the street in Kapa`a. We can hardly wait to book another trip with this excellent crew. Scott and Mary Spearman. (January 24th, 2026) read more

Incredible trip! The staff are superb! Thank you Kaloha, Jason and Collin! So much fun and beautiful. Blue Dolphin is the best. I wouldn't take any other tour boat. Their boats are super clean and run with the utmost pride. We did the dinner sunset cruise. The food was surprisingly very good and there is plenty of it since half the boat is either sea sick or on the verge of being sick. It is not a smooth ride and it is over four hours. Be prepared and take your motion sickness pills as prescribed. If you're prone to motion sickness, be vigilant. If you don't get sea sick, you will love it. They have an open bar and non-alcoholic drinks available. The staff really know their stuff and tell great stories about the area and make sure you are getting the full experience and best phot opportunities. read more

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Me and my boyfriend had Ruby and Lily as our boat driver and tour guide, and they were absolutely incredible! Super immersive, full of fascinating facts, and they made sure we felt completely safe--even on a gnarly ride. We definitely want them again. They were everything and more! This was truly the trip of a lifetime. If you're not booking a tour with this company, what are you even doing? Pro tip: go for the RA tour--preferably with Ruby and Lily. read more

Blue Dolphin Charters - Boating Near Me - Eleele, Hawaii

Smooth process for purchasing and checking in. Communication was great. Our crew, Captain Ruby and Jordan were fun to be around and knowledgable. We did the raft tour of Na Pali coast and it was the best day of our vacation. We saw tons of dolphins, whales breaching, went into sea caves, and snorkeled with a sea turtle. If you like adventure, do the raft! If you like scenery and a cocktail, do the catamaran. read more

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Had a great experience on their catamaran trip with snorkeling! Captain Joe and his crew were phenomenal. Snorkeling depends on the weather and water, and thankfully we had a great day so we could enjoy that. The crew was good about showing us little picturesque spots along the coast, they served two meals, and drinks throughout the trip. Very prepared, safe, and fun for all! read more